Minimalism meets eco-consciousness.

This speaker dock occupies that rarified realm where form and function intersect with ecological thoughtfulness and fine pedigree. The 2X is handcrafted from furniture-grade cherry veneer and sustainable wood, and every step of the manufacturing process is made with the planet in mind. Eschewing toxic glues in favor of good old-fashioned screws, the Vers 2X is 100 percent RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances)-compliant, the plastic components are PVC- and BFR-free, and it utilizes a Class-D amplifier and power supply, which is more energy efficient than standard switching power supplies. Sprout Creation’s attention to detail is noticeable from the moment you open the box; everything is beautifully packaged and carefully attended to—in recycled materials, of course.

The 2X includes dock adapters to fit all iterations of the iPod. The remote control has a 25-foot range and controls your iPod menus, which means you can not only play, mute, sleep, and shuffle, but also switch playlists at the tap of a button—a feature we quickly grew fond of. The Vers 2X also comes with 3.5mm audio in/out jacks—for use with other MP3 or CD players or a home stereo—which are neatly hidden away under the unit. While tucking these jacks on the underbelly of the body adds to the unit’s overall sleek appearance, the clearance from the connector to the table surface is minimal, so you may need to use a cable with a right-angle connector.

The 2X’s small form factor belies its well-rounded sound. We were pleasantly surprised by the volume levels, which could be cranked up fairly high with no noticeable distortion. The detachable fabric grill covers the system’s two 3-inch 15-watt speakers, which, because they are housed in wood, promise enhanced acoustics. In our tests, most songs sounded great, but a few lost some of their dynamic range—given the speakers portable size, however, we were still impressed.