Review: Logitech Speaker Stand for iPad

If tablets are for playing Angry Birds on a large screen, then the Logitech Speaker Stand for iPad is for playing Angry Birds in stereo.

But tablets are good for more than just playing games (I say this because I have to remind myself of this, too), and the Logitech Speaker Stand is the perfect complement to some of the other tablet functions, like playing videos and music clips.

It is specifically designed for an iPad, but because it has an audio input, it can be used with other tablets as well as MP3 players.

The speaker stand has a wonderfully simplistic design with robust finishes. The speaker is positioned within the base, while the iPad is held in place on a swivel arm. The arm rotates back and forth and the bezel that holds the iPad in position can also be turned on its side. This allows users to position the iPad in portrait or landscape mode.

The bottom of the stand has rubber pads that allow for sturdy positioning. The power and audio inputs are also situated at the back of the stand, so it can be positioned neatly on a table, without cables cluttering the surface.

Unfortunately, it cannot be positioned at a 90-degree vertical angle to the stand. I found this irritating and an oversight on the design. Having said that, I must admit that I quickly got used to the slight tilt of the iPad screen. Moreover, I found the angle was great for watching content on my desk, and let's be honest, most iPad users are not going to set their device up to play movies in the living room - the screen is too small for that.

The Logitech Speaker Stand is a plug-and-play device. The power cable is shipped with the device and users can simply plug it in and connect the iPad.

The speakers themselves deliver good sound quality. I found the sound from the Logitech speakers was a dramatic improvement from the sound delivered by the iPad's internal speakers, which was incredibly tinny. The volume level was also strong enough to set up the device in the kitchen so my boyfriend, aka slave, could work on my shelves in the study across the room while listening to music.

Another great feature of the speaker stand is that it charges the iPad when it is connected to the dock. It will even charge the iPad while the speakers are powered off, so long as the cable is connected to a power point.

The Logitech Speaker Stand for iPad is a great complement to Apple's popular tablet. At R699, I would say its well worth the price. While music collectors may pull their noses up at the sound quality, it certainly offers better sound than the device itself. It also gives most portable speakers a run for their money - with the added feature of being able to charge the iPad.