Axis - another iPod dock or maybe not - the Revo is packing power

Well, when i say power i mean 8 watts, but this is small enough for your bedside table, and unlike the flat screen, the wife will hardly notice your new turbo charged iPod dock alarm clock - a stealthy gadget if you will.

However, those wee audio experts through on the West seem to have thought of everything, even ensuring that i was censored until today at 12pm! I understand chaps. (bet Scotty wished i was under NDA after his last trip to Edinburgh!)

Sony sent me through their latest Bose "Soundock" killer. Well, it may sound pretty good, but it looks identical to the previous 5 Sony docks, and they didn't exactly have the Angela Jolie factor.

Boston Accoustics. Hmmm. A massive favourite in the US as they design the speaker first rather than simply making the speaker fit, as so many dock manufacturers do, they sound awesome, but need more functionality. Thier other USP is colour, and the fact you can paint the mesh grills to tie in with decor, for the more fashion conscious, feng shui, Gok Wan types.

I like Revo for a few simple reasons.

1. there products are simple, honest and well priced




2. they are the underdogs when you look at the DAB market
   
3. they are great people to work with




4. they value their brand, no muppets supply their new products

So, when Colin arrived last week keen to show me the Axis, instead of dismissing yet another iPod dock, out of mind, i actually had to pay attention, and as well i did.

Firstly, dock your iPod, iPhone, iThing and it does what it says on the tin. The remote gives you control of the ithing also - hurrah. But tres simples.

Sound is impressive for the size of the unit, a bit like a one man band, surprisingly noisy, but in a more controllable way than the shambles i saw in Princess Street the other week. Well balanced, rounded way, and an 8 watt amp helps with the oomph. Nxt speaker technology wont be a line for the ladies, but it does re-produce sound well.

However, what make this more exciting for the home user is the ability to no just use this with iPod, which can be of huge benefit, if ;

• you tend to get stuck listening to your other halves music ("where did that track come from???!!"


• your music is boring or you are bored of it


• you haven't updated your music collection in years

So here's what I like and what makes this a bit special, and let me know your thoughts too!

1. Last FM compatibility - £3.99 per month for 5 million songs and a playlist to party to (if Barry White is a rocking, dont come a knocking)


2. Internet Radio - more stations that you could shake a stick at, albiet it some may be of the "Deliverance FM" , singing round a campfire, trauma inducing variety.

With an interface as slick as one of Mads's chat-up lines, you can be sure this is , not only a doddle to set-up, but also, a joy to use.

It also falls in under the £200 price point, which makes it even more seductive...........

I've no idea what they do in Lanark (again comments welcome), but those boys from Revo keep coming up with cracking wee products. John Lewis think so amongst others......

What would make a great set of comments though is what you would like to see in your iThing dock? Integration of Apps, wireless speakers, 2.1 sound, the ability to sync different units in the house?