Music docks for the iPhone tap into design sources ranging from architecture to zeppelins, but iHome has borrowed from the iconic music source of the '80s, the boombox.
The iP4 is a 7.5-pound, 18-by-9-by-5-inch package that looks like a prototype rendering of a boombox, all neat rectangles and perfect circles in monochromatic black, pink or blue.
The finish has an up-to-date rubberized feel, slightly soft to the touch, as is found on many mobile phones.
The iP4 has other modern touches within its retro looks - like a five-band graphic equalizer with an LED display, so you can customize the sound to your liking. It also has the SRS TruBass feature, which improves the depth and image of the so und, but you can switch it off if you wish.
The amplifier runs two four-inch woofers and two one-inch tweeters, which crank out a great deal of volume before distorting. The sound quality was quite good, on par with the better docks I've heard, including many that cost more than the $200 of the iP4.
The iP4 comes with a remote that sticks to a compartment magnetically, as well as a FM radio tuner, for some real throwback sound.
Like boomboxes of yore, the iP4 can be plugged in or run from six D batteries. Make sure to balance it on your shoulder for that authentic '80s look.
The dock has a 30-pin connector, which makes it compatible with a wide range of iPhones and iPods, but not the iPhone 5. The 5 can be used with an adapter on a cable, but it will not fit neatly into the dock like prior models.
