Gear4 Explorer iPod speaker
The Gear 4 Explorer is the latest in that group of iPod speakers like the Gear4 Duo and equally popular Klipsch iGroove that are all around the £100 mark or thereabouts.
This range of iPod speakers are billed as portable speakers, but I think are better described as kitchen/bedroom speakers that you can easily take on holiday if you want to.
Gear4 are experienced in this price range and haven’t got it wrong with the new Explorer.
The Gear4 Explorer is compatible with the iPod classic, iPhone, Touch G2/G3, iPhone 3G/S, nano G3/G4/G5 and iPod and will charge all these devices when they’re connected to the Explorer’s dock.
You can connect other audio devices to the Explorer as well if you wanted but it’s a bit clumsy; it’s via a 3.5mm audio cable which isn’t included in the original set-up.
But enough of the negatives. Gear4 have boosted the Explorer’s sound performance with a 3D sound feature that is designed to add increased depth and width to you favourite tunes and it does just that. You’ll probably not want this feature turned off really as it makes the sound through the Gear4 Explorer pleasantly warmer and more energetic.
You can power the Explorer through a mains connection, or if you want to take it somewhere else in the house with you, or down to the beach there’s a re-chargeable battery that will give you 8 hours of battery life. Most impressively the battery has a fast charge feature that only takes hours to fill the Explorer’s tanks. Very good.
To protect Gear4’s latest iPod speaker on its travels, near or far, the Explorer comes with a convenient carry as well as a handy remote control that lets you change tracks, volume and playlists.
Verdict – The Gear4 Explorer is an easy to use and good looking speaker dock that will work great in your kitchen, in your bedroom or on the move. The sound is good for a speaker of this size and the 2-hour fast battery charge is a nice feature.
Price: £99.95 at John Lewis
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