The speaker on the right in this photo - the one with the iPod nano - is really the left speaker. We're just backwards like that.  Sierra Sound named its iN Studio 5.0 speakers for their 5-inch woofers, but they also have a built-in 50-watt dynamic amp, making them more than just iPod speakers - they’re a compact, room-shaking stereo stand-in. Measuring 7.3 by 8 by 10.8 inches each, and weighing 23.3 pounds together, this is one hefty set - but so is the high-end sound it puts out.

Not as fancy as the bundled iPod shuffle dock, but just as effective.  While we love our tiny li’l iPod shuffle, the way it connects to our Macs betrays its ultracompact design - you have to use a USB dock with a cable. The IncipioBud doesn’t do anything fancy, but that’s why we like it so much. It’s a basic USB connector for the iPod shuffle. No fancy iPod shuffle stand, no cables, no fuss, no muss. It’s a lot easier to carry around than the cable that comes with the shuffle. You’ll barely notice the IncipioBud in your pocket.

 The newest version of Wi-Gear’s iMuffs, model MB210, include an adapter that connects to your iPod’s dock port and lets you listen to your tunes wirelessly. The iMuffs resemble street-style headphones, with a curved piece of plastic that goes around the back of your head. The plastic is flexible, but those with large heads may find that the headband twists when you stretch it to fit around your melon. If that happens, it’s hard to get the earphones to lie flush against your ears, leading to lots of sound leaking out and annoying your fellow commuters. The headphones are light and easy to wear, though, if they fit your head right. It would have been nice to be able to adjust the headband.