Digital Lifestyle Outfitters' ("DLO" hereafter) Portable Speakers for iPhone is just what the name implies, portable speakers for your iPhone. Yes, portable speaker systems are a dime a dozen these days (actually, they're more like $99 and up but you get the picture) but these speakers offer several features that make them worthy of your consideration.

First of all, they sound pretty good, especially considering how inexpensive they are. While they're not going to make you forsake your Audioengine 5 desktop speakers or Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere* portable speakers, considering their size and price, DLO's Portable Speakers for iPhone sound better than OK. Furthermore, because it's specifically designed to work with the iPhone, you don't hear a horrible screech or other ugly noise when your iPhone rings while it's connected.

Second, the system snaps together and becomes a compact egg for travel or storage, as shown below, a nice touch.

Third, the included cradle is cleverly designed to work with your iPhone in either portrait or landscape orientation, making it useful for video as well as audio.

Finally, they can be powered using the included AC adapter or four AAA batteries.

There are a couple of things that mar an otherwise excellent product design. The first is that while the two speakers and middle (base) section and all of the associated cables pack up in a sweet little egg, the AC power adapter and the cradle that holds your iPhone aren't included. So you'll have to carry those two items separately, a minor irritation.

Another consideration is that although the speakers have little bass vents to ostensibly enhance low frequencies, you won't hear big thumping bass notes from these speakers no matter how you jigger volume and equalization. And speaking of volume, while they sound pretty good considering their size and price, they aren't particularly loud. So if you're looking for speakers that can power a party or fill a room, you should probably look elsewhere.

That said, as long as you don't demand high volume levels and/or big booming bass, you'll find that these speakers sound decent enough.

One last thing: Although this product's name implies that it is only suitable for use with an iPhone, that's not really the case. Since you connect them to your device using a standard 3.5-mm stereo connector (like the headphone connector in all iPods as well as almost every other hand-held music player), you can use these speakers with any device that has a 3.5-mm stereo jack. The only issue is that the little cradle that so nicely holds an iPhone doesn't fit most iPods. Still, because the included 3.5-mm connector cable is roughly a foot long, if you don't mind that your device will be lying on the table rather than sitting in the cute little cradle, these speakers may be a good choice.

The Bottom Line

The DLO Portable Speakers for iPhone are cleverly designed, decent sounding portable speakers at a very reasonable price. If size or price are your primary concern, this product is definitely worthy of your consideration.

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* The Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere speakers, which are my personal favorites, list for $129. But I noticed that Amazon.com has them for $69.95 after rebate (click here). While the Logitech speakers are not specifically billed as iPhone speakers, I tested mine and they work fine with my iPhone after I tap the "No" button in the "This accessory is not made to work with iPhone. Do you want to turn on Airplane Mode?" dialog box.

The Logitech speakers are somewhat bulkier, but they sound quite a bit better, and come with both a carrying case and a rechargeable battery.

My point is that if you're considering the DLO Portable Speakers for iPhone, you might prefer Logitech's Pure-Fi Anywhere speakers, especially at the rebated price (assuming that deal is still available).