It is always impressive when interesting design meets good technology, and the Kensington SX-2000 Speakers for iPod definitely fills the bill. This combination of iPod speakers and a docking cradle (which is compatible with all iPods that have a dock connector) uses NXT’s flat-panel speaker technology, and the fact that speakers only about half an inch deep can produce such good sound really makes this product stand out. The sound isn’t as detailed as, say, that of the Bose SoundDock Digital Music System, but the SX-2000 is also about half the price and has plenty of bass. Our biggest gripe is that there’s no remote, but that’s not a huge deal. Like all iPod-specific speakers, the SX-2000 charges your iPod and takes advantage of the iPod’s audio line-out capability (and you also can play other analog audio sources via line-in). The color scheme is typical of iPod accessories: a white plastic shell is complemented by a gray diaphragm. The speaker itself is a rectangular panel measuring 10.8 by 5.6 inches, and the docking cradle extends from the right side. The dimensions of the entire unit, including the base, are 7.2 by 16.2 by 3.9 inches (HWD). There are ports for AC power and audio line-input, and the only controls consist of two gray volume buttons and a power button on the front, as well as a green LED that indicates power.The lack of a wireless remote control, while slightly annoying, is really a minor convenience issue, since the unit isn’t designed to be used in large rooms. We also would have liked some tone controls for bass and treble, since the iPod’s sound enhancement presets leave us wanting more control. Overall, the SX-2000 is a very good choice if you have an iPod and a small room in need of some non-earsplitting sound, like a den, a dorm room, or even a small studio apartment. It’s even a good choice for use with other audio players, since the iPod isn’t completely central to the design. Given the SX-2000’s innovative design, solid sound quality, and reasonable price tag, it’s a good deal.