Thread: Very lightweight music system for teaching?

Can anyone recommend a lightweight sound system (for ipod ideally) that's loud enough for teaching?

I teach most of my classes at a studio with its own sound system, but I'm doing two off-site classes this fall, so I'm going to have to bring my own system.

So far, the best option I've found is the Bose Portable SoundDock, at 5lbs.

I found some other good recommendations in older threads, but they were mostly for much larger, heavier PA systems. I'm going to be hauling them on the bus (or possibly walking a mile and a half) with this, so the lighter the better.

I'd prefer something loud enough to use for performances as well, but that's not a requirement. It just needs to be loud enough to hear over 15 coin hipscarves.

Has anyone else used the Bose Portable, and if so, how did you like it? Can you recommend anything else?

I have not used mine for teaching other than at a few singular events, but when I used it, I found that the Bose is a powerful little machine, it gets loud. I like that the remote control is small enough to stuff it into choli/hip scarf. And, the sound is fantastic (which can be a disadvantage - my husband likes my Bose way a bit too much). Another advantage is the built-in battery, which has a long running time.

Originally Posted by steffib

I have not used mine for teaching other than at a few singular events, but when I used it, I found that the Bose is a powerful little machine, it gets loud. I like that the remote control is small enough to stuff it into choli/hip scarf. And, the sound is fantastic (which can be a disadvantage - my husband likes my Bose way a bit too much). Another advantage is the built-in battery, which has a long running time.

Thanks, Steffi! (And hugs! Long time no see.)

I don't own one, but I have used the Bose Portable on several occasions and have been quite pleased with it--if it weren't for the price tag, I would get one, and if I were teaching, I could probably justify the price tag. The only negative thing I could say about it is that the plastic casing is a little flimsier than it should be for what it costs, but that doesn't affect the sound at all.

New Audioengine AW2 Premium Wireless Adapter for iPod | eBay


You can buy anything and use this with it

Originally Posted by anala

New Audioengine AW2 Premium Wireless Adapter for iPod | eBay


You can buy anything and use this with it

That is VERY cool, and I will definitely look into it, but the space I'm going to doesn't have any sound equipment at all, so I'd still have to carry the other piece of the sound system.

I have the Bose Sound Dock, and I love it. The sound quality surpasses anything else I've heard, although the Harmon Kardon comes close (but is similarly priced).

My tribal troupe used my sound dock at a festival this spring, and it worked very well. It was loud enough for our purposes (we were at a booth, not on a stage), and although I brought an extra, charged battery, because we were there for 6 hours, we didn't need to use the spare. I was very impressed, and so was our troupe director.

They are pricey, but if you keep your eyes open, you may be able to find a deal. I got ours for $150 less than the regular price of just the sound dock, and it came with a carrying case and a spare battery. It was called the "Bose Music-to-Go" bundle or some such (there's another variation of this that includes headphones instead of the spare battery), and it was on sale at Future Shop (which is owned by Best Buy).

A friend who also teaches uses the Bose Portable Sound Dock and swears by it. Just a bit pricey, but we have a Bose Wave system at home so I know you get what you pay for. I'm seriously considering one for when my old Panasonic finally dies. My friend has used her Sound Dock for a hen party (batcherlorette in USA?) in a large garden and it coped very well, especially as she had it on the battery.

Thanks, ladies. Thanks for the tips on the sales, too. I actually get a discount as an MIT employee (Professor Bose is a prof. emeritus here), but it always helps to compare prices. I'm definitely willing to invest; I just need to make sure it'll do what I need it to, and so far, it sounds like it will.

I love it and used it extensively when I was teaching.

i would get the one with the retractable bit, though, if your going to be carrying it around. For the price, it should be a bit sturdier, but it's not.

you can definitely get good clear loud sound when you want to as well.

I <3 mine, too - I actually got a Harman Kardon Go+Play Micro first, and ended up returning it in favor of the Bose SoundDock. Performance on the battery is excellent, too. Although it does lose charge quickly (a few days) when left unplugged, so be sure to plug it in when you get home if you're using it on battery power.

I love my Bose Sound Dock. I also have the carrying case for it. I use it mostly for teaching workshops, but it is loud (and clear) enough for performances in homes, small banquet rooms, and small halls.

I have also heard things in the music on my little dock that I did not hear on my vehicle system (which is a Mark Levinson)...