iHome iH27BR Review - CNET » Handy Gadgets: Information, news and highlights of handy gadgets for you, the home or travel.

CNET have published a review of the iHome iH27BR iPod speaker system/alarm clock. 'Weighing 2.3 lbs., the iH27 is lighter and smaller that the iH9, iHome's more full-featured iPod clock radio. (And unlike that model, it's currently only available in black.) That said, it's still fairly substantial for a portable system. However, what makes it more suitcase-friendly is its ability to fold flat (an inexpensive padded carrying case is included). Once you get to your destination you can then unpack it and fold the system up so the speaker sits upright. It's a pretty nifty design, but we would have preferred if had been shrunk down somewhat. Also, the shiny black plastic tends to be a fingerprint magnet.

There are a couple of benefits to the system being beefier than your typical tiny, portable iPod speaker system. First, while the iH27--which carries a retail price of $100, but can be had for $80 online--is designed for travel, it can do double duty in your home as well. It also sounds a bit better than some of the small mobile speakers out there, though not surprisingly, it doesn't deliver full, rich sound (read: it suffers from thin bass).'

Read: iHome iH27BR - CNET