Product Reviews

We weren't that enamoured of the original PocketParty, which we awarded one star back in Shopper June 2005. Undaunted, Gear4 has released a second version. The PocketParty V2 connects with an iPod's dock interface rather than plugging into any 3.5mm audio socket, so it can be used only with dockable iPods.

The iPod's line output is at a constant volume, so the PocketParty has a two-position boost switch. The Plus mode introduced distortion until we followed Gear4's advice to use the iPod's Bass Reducer EQ setting; the Minus mode makes it almost too quiet.

Sound quality on this new set of speakers has been marginally improved over the original Pocket Party, but it is still tinny. Your money would be much better spent on a headphone splitter cable and a second pair of earphones.