4 Excellent iPad Speaker Docks

If you own an iPad, we’re sure you’re going to get a kick out of the enhanced AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring technologies (if you aren’t already). But there will be times when all you want to do is free the tablet device from your hands, set it down, and get serious work done. Like resuming DIY at the garage or chopping onions at the kitchen or something.

Well, you might as well set it down on something nice and classy. And you might as well play awesome music from your iTunes playlist while you’re at it. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of excellent speaker docks for your iPad, which you can use for your listening pleasure in practically any room in your house. (These iPad speaker docks are also a great addition to your home theater setup.)

JBL OnBeat


JBL is one of the brands we here at Hooked Up Installs use for audio – and for good reason, too. The stylish OnBeat speaker dock enhances the audio output of your iPad while charging it up. You can also use the dock to amplify and sync at the same time; all you have to do is connect it to a computer via USB.

Philips Fidelio DS8550


This elegantly designed portable speaker dock is designed to fill your room with sound. But that’s only one of the many things it can do. The Philips Fidelio DS8550 speaker dock for iPad is also equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, perfect for wirelessly streaming audio from your playlist, games, and movies. There’s also a multi-functional alarm clock that makes it suitable for use in the bedroom. It even has its own dedicated app. Best of all, the dock packs enough power for up to five hours of playback on-the-go.

Altec Lansing Octiv Stage 450


The winner of the 2011 CES Innovation Award for “Outstanding Design and Engineering”, the Octiv Stage boasts of powerful, crystal-clear sound, which comes from its dual full-range speakers. Like the OnBeat, it also integrates an iPad charger, as well as the ability to dock your iPad in either portrait or landscape. The award-winning iPad dock also comes with a convenient full-featured remote control.

iLuv ArtStation Pro (from Gizmodo AU)

iLuv’s ArtStation Pro is an excellent speaker dock and solution for turning your iPad into a desktop computer. Just place your device on top of the ArtStation Pro (vertically or horizontally), get yourself a wireless keyboard, and you’re good to go. Did we mention it makes your iPad look like an iMac Mini?