I recently got moved from my cube to the IT closet at work, and decided I could hook up a small speaker(s) to my mobile music player and ditch the earphones (which I constantly had to remove anyway.) Most small speakers have never impressed me, including that overpriced four letter company that rhymes with blows. At under $30, this little guy has serious full range sound that disperses 360 degrees and travels anywhere with three AAA's. For background listening, the stereo image is not missed and I can put it pretty much anywhere and comfortably move around. The quality is good enough to bring to lessons and play examples for students. This is the newer silver version; there is a less expensive black version that has not received quite as positive reviews.
Right now I have it on the desk next to my computer in the basement, and it is plenty loud. I am listening to A Solid Brass Christmas right now and big Kyle's low notes on his little Conn vibrate the desktop. Does the job in a small package and satisfies a cranky tightwad like me - two big thumbs up. I may even get my wife one for Christmas for her ipod.
I have a supply of NiMH batteries I use for the kids' toys; I may have some AAA's I can use for this and just recharge nearly indefinitely, as I plan on using it regularly.
