Altec Lansing Speaker dock for Zune

[dsharp75]

Pros:

• Zune dock - charges Zune while playing audio or video.
• Video out - Feed the video straight to your TV, switch box,etc.
• Size - Pretty compact though not travel worthy.

Cons:

• Hella expensive - Retail is $199! I must say if I hadn't been able to score this for $102 (ebay is your friend ;D) I wouldn't have bought it.
  The 'bass' they speak of pretty much stops at 60Hz (according to the specs) but is very unsatisfactory even with the bass cranked up and at full volume.
• Volume - for $200 bucks the volume and 'room filling sound' is mediocre at best, in fact the much cheaper iPod bass tube by Bose I think is under $100 bucks and has a much better bass sound and volume.Too bad there isn't a Zune model.
• Incomplete wireless control - in order to use your Zune menu, you have to get up and adjust it yourself. That means if you aren't listening to either a single album or a playlist you configure to play BEFORE you placed it in the dock, you're in for some more work before you can play your tunes. Video doesn't support playlists yet (hurry up MS!) so after each video you've gotta hit back on the unit, not the remote - what a pain! The remote was in no way configured for Zune users and the controls are just in a weird position to begin with(IMHO) and you almost have to be nearly in front of it to get the infrared to register properly.

Summary:
I try to give products the benefit of the doubt, but honestly $200 is way too much for such a limited product. $100 is a bit high and thats half of the retail price. But seeing as this is one of the only two speaker docks available I decided to give it a go. If you listen to audio books, never crank your music up, don't care about video output and good bass aren't factors this is the dock for you. If Altec adds menu support (seems unlikely) it would be easier to use, but it's so-so at best.
Not recommended.

P.S. I've purchased the Home A/V Kit, the Travel Pack as well in the event anyone cares to hear my humble opinion about them.

[Nothing2Prove]

i saw zune dock for 40 bucks on zune.net which im prob getting

[Naldito]

that dock is just for charging N2p

[capandjudy]

I have had one for about one week. It is basically a boom box, although a good one. Regarding the bass: increasing the bass usually only makes the unit sound muddy and more boxy. It is best to leave the bass flat. Also, move the dock a least a foot from any wall as being closer can add to boominess. This dock is for casual listening and is not a stereo replacement. I agree that $200 is a bit steep but Bose does not make a Zune version of their $300 iPod dock player. I would say that the bass starts rolling off quite a bit above sixty cycles. Any bass guitar notes below the E played on the A string are there but start losing weight but the bass is full enough not to sound anemic. Again, turning up the bass on most music only makes the sound boomy and the midrange which is not that great is lost even more. Having said that, I feel that I got what I paid for. Circuit City has dropped the price some that last time I checked their web site.

[Mr. Sir]

I'm getting conflicted reports here. It's not a stereo replacement...yet it's a boom box? The bass is clear...yet it's muddy?

To each his own, I guess. I just would prefer to get rid of my literally clunky and archaic stereo... I actually own two but might keep one around. Who knows? Maybe I could find a way to make my own dock.

[JeremyMiller]

How about this...you can go to walmart, or target, or meijer or whatever department store is in your area. Go buy a 'nice' stereo for around 100 dollars...And Yes, there's some damned nice ones. Make sure it has AUX in. Then, go buy a usb charger, or the Zune dock for 40 bucks (which i have and is quite nice). Then, plug it into the stereo with a headphone to Red and White RCA cable.

There, best sound you can hope to get for under 150 bucks.