Beatbox By Dr. Dre iPod Speaker System Review

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Nov 30th 2010 at 6:01PM

I have real idea what Dr. Dre is doing these days. However, one of the things he seems to be up to is putting his name on high-end audio equipment such as headphones and speakers - including this Beatbox speaker system for your iPod, iPhone, or other portable audio device. Since the advent of the iPod the portable speaker system has enjoyed a venerable golden age. They have come in each and every style, color, and set of functions to best utilize native features found in iPods or alike devices. By themselves such speaker systems do nothing, but combined with a "DAP" (digital audio player), they have more or less put the final nail in the coffin of most high-end audio equipment. The world has spoken, and they want their songs played on an iPod, but crappy white ear buds simply won't always do the trick. This is where people like "Dr. Dre" seem to come in.

The Beatbox is an attractive long wedge-shaped bar with four speakers in the front, and a familiar docking station on the top. It There is also an easy to miss power button and volume knob, as well as one the Beatbox's best design features - a carrying handle. On the back you'll also find a handy audio-in 3.5mm jack (for people who don't use iPods/iPhones). A system like this is good for parties or your own personal enjoyment when wanting to make the most out of music trapped in your gadgets.

Gallery: Beatbox By Dr. Dre

As the unit edicts on the top, "sound really matters." Despite a few flaws, the speakers deliver well in the sound department given the size of the system. Developed and made by Monster, I trust that the people behind its construction are bona fide audiophiles. The system is really dead simple when it comes down to it. Stick in your Apple device using one of the supplied dock size adapters (the dock also uses standard white Apple dock size adapters), and let its internal software funnel sound to the speakers. The system comes with a remote that works with your device to control the tracks, volume, etc... This is a handy feature (Monster even throws in a battery!).

Easy so far, though I encounter my first complaint here. I use a case on my iPhone which prevented the device from securely fitting on the connector properly. As a high-end item, I think that Monster should have designed the Beatbox dock to allow people to connect their iPhone to the system even if they have their iPhones in a case that might add size to the bottom of the phone. I really don't want to take my iPhone out of its case (which is a pain in my instance) each time I want to use the speakers. Yes, I could simply use the 3.5mm audio-in jack on the Beatbox, but then I would not have the benefit of having the phone charged. And as all iPhone users know, it is a device that sucks juice faster than a famished vampire at the Red Cross.

Sound from the Beatbox speakers was clear and crisp, with good range and impressive volume. Because the Beatbox needs to plug into the wall to work, it can amplify sound to a level that should be able to fill up a house or very large room. Outdoors the Beatbox should satisfy for groups of at least 30-40 people in my opinion (of course environmental circumstances can greatly vary this estimate).

Monster does not supply a 3.5mm audio-in cable with the Beatbox, but will send you one for free if you register the product. That is nice, but doesn't help you right out of the box - sending away for it might be too late for many people. Like I said, the unit itself is quite attractive, and feels very solid in construction. This helps reduce sound distortion due to vibration and other structural problems that cheaper speaker systems can suffer from. What I don't like is the permanent branding text on the top of the unit. I discovered it has a thin plastic layer that when taken off makes it look a lot better, but there is still information there that should be a removable sticker - useful only to Best Buy shoppers and people taking the speaker out of the box for the first time. Perhaps I am being picky, but at a price of about $450 in a highly competitive market, I want the Beatbox to be closer to perfect. Especially true because it delivers really well where it counts (in being clear and loud). The issues however are minor, and if you need a good sounding and relatively easy to tote around iPod style speaker system, you have a solid option with the Beatbox by Dr. Dre (and Monster).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: audiophile, beatbox, dr dre, review, speaker, speakers

Filed under: Gadgets

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

shashi.mara Dec 1st 2010 6:52PM

I would also recommend that folks consider a brand new entrant in the Apple hi-fi space: Audyssey South of Market dock. I recently evaluated the Dre, the Audyssey and the B&W zeppelin models. Ended up getting the mini-zeppelin, but found the Audyssey to be the best sounding for the size. The Dre unit was great sounding also, but not as aesthetically pleasing as the Audyssey or B&W.

Dan Dec 31st 2010 2:46PM

Nice review! I just bought one and I'm trying to figure out the best way to remove the top plastic sticker. It's very annoying! Any help would be appreciated.