If you’re looking for a boring and plain iPod dock and you are prepared to spend a small fortune on it, this one is for you. For $379.99, you can get the “high-end” Wadia 170i Transport iPod dock.

It’s the first product to offer the iPod’s audio output over S/PDIF coaxial (RCA), DVD quality video via component outputs, which is cool, but this thing is super boring design-wise. It’s a simple aluminum chassis. Audiophiles will love it, but not to look at.

Word is that Google is planning to launch a music service and according to sources quoted by TechCrunch, the company is securing content from major labels right now. One source calls the service “Google Audio”.

It’s unclear if this music platform will be download-based like iTunes, or streaming-based like Pandora, but apparently it will be available to “at least” the US. Google already has a music service in China that lets users download tracks for free, and it has a music search engine that can be accessed by typing “music:” before your query in the search box. However when you access a song that way they aren’t available to listen to.

Good speaker systems are hard to find. Especially if you want a small form, with big sound. And bass is usually disappointing in these small systems. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been disappointed with speakers that don’t deliver. So I decided to give Logitech’s Z323 a try.

These speakers are acoustically engineered to project audio evenly in all directions, not just one. The idea is that you hear the full range of sound throughout a room. Another interesting feature is the down-firing woofer designed to deliver rich, deep bass. The two satellite speakers claim to produce warm mid-range tones and crisp high notes. You can plug in your Logitech Squeezebox, gaming console, iPod or DVD player. So what did we think of the Z323? Read on.

Here’s a different kind of slider from JVC Japan. The SP-A130 is exactly what it looks like, a sliding speaker. These portable active speakers are 30mm wide and will deliver stereo output up to 160mW×2ch. The case has a sliding mechanism which protects the actual speakers from dust and dirt.

The unit is powered by 4 AA batteries which will give you 16 hours of continuous play. The speaker also has a passive mode which allows it to draw power from the source.

The most interesting aspect of the APSI C100 is that it features a large touchscreen display that can be removed from the dock and used as a portable media player. This gives you two gadgets in one and some bragging rights when your buddies are in the car.

The device can also be used as a remote to control your media system when connected to the dock in your car. Gini 3D software features all South Korea maps including accurate 3D renders of buildings and other structures. No info on pricing or if it will ever show up in this part of the world.

iHome proves that over the ear headphones are alive and well with their iHMP5 headphones. iHome even went the extra mile and put an in-line amplifier in them, so if your ears start to hurt, you can take them off and they are instant portable speakers.

The iHMP5 also comes with a louder battery-powered amplifier as well so that when users want to set it up in speaker-mode, the power is reduced in private normal mode. 2 inch drivers bring the sound, and it has an extra volume clip for more control.

Sony has a new ALTUS audio product range for the iPod/iPhone. The “premium” ALT-SA31iR multi-room iPod package is comprised of an iPod / iPhone docking station and a pair of wireless speakers, along with an AM / FM tuner and an LCD-equipped S-AIR remote commander.

The AIR-SW10Ti iPod docking station adds a wireless subwoofer, while the ALT-SA32PC multi-room audio package has an S-AIR transmitter that connects to your PC via USB and a pair of wireless speakers. While the ALT-A33PC has an identical USB S-AIR transmitter, but also includes a universal receiver with analog audio inputs.

Yamaha just released its MusicCAST2 network music system that can wirelessly transmit music to 32 different rooms. At long last, we have something for all of that silence in our mansions. The MusicCAST2 supports various file formats including iTunes AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC and WAV, and can play back tunes from iPods, Bluetooth devices and other Yamaha accessories with its built-in dock port.

If you prefer, you can even plug in USB flash drives and the MusicCAST2 can also pull audio from sources such as Rhapsody, Internet radio, PC and Macs and NAS devices.

Today Alpine announced the launch of its first 2-DIN ScrollView touch control Digital Media Station, the Alpine iXA-W404R 2-DIN iPod Digital Media Station. The Alpine iXA-W404R is an iPod controller that offers the choice of control by using either the double-action rotary button or the 4.3-inch QVGA color touch-screen.

The device features an AM/FM radio, a USB port and is compatible with any Apple product. It can also be connected with an Alpine GPS navigation system and a Bluetooth Interface Module. The Alpine iXA-W404R 2-DIN iPod Digital Media Station is priced at 499.99 GBP.

We’ve covered our share of cheap crap gadgets ’round these parts, but sometimes what looks like a cheap gadget can surprise you. Like this Tripod MP3 speaker for instance. Yeah, iPod/MP3 speakers are a dime a dozen, but they aren’t all created equal. I picked up one of these Tripod speakers because although my laptop has great sound, it could be louder, so I figured I would take a chance on this one.

The design is cool because it pumps the music in three directions. And as far as loudness, it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s surprisingly loud and I haven’t had any sound problems at all, like crackling etc. Just attach your MP3 player via the headphone jack, plug it into your USB port and you’re good to go.

They must be newlyweds because we haven’t seen them before. Speakers or no, they’re an odd couple from Profit Charm. The pair is available in different colors. Mr. Speaker apparently has no shirt and proudly shows off his name on his chest. Mrs Speaker on the other hand wears a shirt and nothing else. So, I’m guessing they can’t make up their minds about being nudists or not.

Both speakers will work with your iPod or computer, laptop etc and they also play FM Radio. They’re powered by USB and I’m assuming their creepy faces light up.

Sound Blaster for iTunes from Creative Labs likes to party and aims to spread the music around. It will wirelessly stream your music to any room in your home where you have a Creative Wireless Receiver connected to speakers. It will also work with the new GigaWorks T20W speakers, which have the receiver built-in.

The Sound Blaster for iTunes transmitter plugs into your USB port and will fill your home with sound for $99. The Creative Wireless Receivers will run you $69.99. If you choose to use the GigaWorks T20Ws the price is $129.99. The Sound Blaster transmitter will be available this Spring.

If you’ve wanted to get in on JVC’s high-end wooden headphones, but lacked the extra thousand bucks required, here’s some potential good news. This pair should be a bit more affordable. The HP-DX700 boasts a frequency range of 5Hz to 30kHz, with 64-ohm impedance and 101dB per mW.

We’d like to tell you more, but those are all the specs we have. Users of such high-end woody ear-gear will tell you that the wood gives the sound a richer, warmer tone. And while JVC hasn’t revealed a price or release date as yet, we don’t know how much you’ll save over the previous DX-1000, but the wait should be worth it.

Here is a simple solution to a minor problem. On the iPhone 3G, we’re always covering up that single tiny speaker with our huge hands. That’s where SoundClip comes in, a $7.95 attachment that will give you a slight sound boost.

It’s not exactly an amplifier, but TenOneDesign says that it passively enhances the sound by a noticeable 10 decibels. It attaches to the iPhone’s dock connector and should serve as a good reminder to keep your meaty fingers away from it. It clips onto the USB cable you use to charge your device, so it won’t get lost.

The Ibiza Theatre is the first touchscreen player from the company that offers a cheaper alternative to Apple’s gadget line, but it surprisingly lacks Wi-Fi. Some features of the Ibiza Theatre include: 2.4″ 320 x 240 resolution display, Bluetooth, Integrated FM tuner, microSD memory card slot, Support for Real’s Rhapsody to Go service, Audible, MP3 and WMA audio support, and AVI and MPEG-4 video support.

Haier promises a 30-hour battery life, and we’re guessing that applies to audio playback and not video. The Ibiza Theatre should be shipping this spring in 8GB and 16GB flavors. They will retail for $110 and $130.