iPods are great little gadgets. Accessories make them even better.
Thanks to the huge popularity of iPods a major side industry of ipod accessories has appeared on the listening scene. Just about any type of accessory is available - from external speakers to car adaptors to remote controls. Most of them are quite reasonably priced and all add useful functions to your iPod.
Since iPods are all about sound, we will look at the most important add-on accessory - replacement earbuds and external speakers.
Earbuds
Apple supplies an adequate set of headphones known as 'earbuds'. As their name implies, these tiny devices are worn in the ear, but since all ears are not created equal, there is no way that one set of earbuds will suit everyone.
Comfort is a big factor in earbuds. If they aren't comfortable you'll hate using them. Sound is another big one. The earbuds that are supplied with your iPod may sound OK, but try out a better set and let your ears go 'WOW!'
So - the first accessory you should consider for your new iPod is a new set of earbuds.
For comfort, look for earbuds that are made from a soft, expandable foam. These will fit snugly and adapt to any shape of ear. A snug fit will also extend bass response.
As for sound, the general rule is that more money will give you better sound. How much money$%: Run of the mill earbuds will cost between $25 and $50, with high-end models starting at $100. You can spend more than $300 for a superb set of buds that will satisfy the most demanding audiophile.
If you are uncomfortable with in-the-ear phones, you can get a set of over-the-ear headphones. These are slightly impractical for portable use because they can easily slip off your head if you bend down or go jogging, but for commuting or at-home use they are a good alternative.
Speakers
You will often want to let others hear what you are listening to, and the best way to do this is with external speakers. Portable speakers are lightweight and operate on batteries so they can be used anywhere. These small speakers often have a limited sound, but some of the more expensive models sound surprisingly good.
Speakers require a lot more power than earbuds or headphones so if you are going to use them a lot be sure to use rechargeable batteries.
Depending on the model, portable speakers can fold up into a tiny package for carrying. The largest portable speakers transform your ipod into a mini-boombox sized package - light enough and small enough for most locations.
If you are looking for an alternative to a home stereo, an iPod connected to a set of home speakers is a great solution. Compared with portable speakers, home speakers are bigger, with a correspondingly bigger sound, and draw their power from an AC outlet. They can be integrated with a docking station that recharges your ipod while allowing you to listen to music, audio books, even the daily paper.
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