AT A GLANCE

• Great sound in a small package
• Weighs no more than 5kg
• Clean, curved lines and uncluttered interface
• Plays music via Bluetooth
• Remote control
• iPad ready
• Rechargeable battery

The Fidelio Docking speaker from Philips arrived miraculously just as I was contemplating the purchase of new sound equipment. I was thinking tallboys, and surround sound, so no, I was not particularly impressed when I opened the box.

Though it’s curved, uncluttered lines are good-looking, the compact size did not augur well in terms of audiophile expectations – not that one generally has high expectations from the average dock. Well, imagine my surprise when I connected my iPod and a more than satisfying sound with a rich, robust bass filled the room. I have to confess it stopped me in my tracks.

Though there are only a power button and sound control buttons on the dock itself, a small, equally sleek remote gives you all the control you need at your fingertips. And the moment you connect an iOS-powered gadget, you are prompted to download the Fideleo app from the Apple iTunes Store.

The default sound quality is amazingly good, but there is no way of adjusting the EQ levels. The Fideleo app, however, adds this functionality and more. You can use one of the preset levels or adjust the sound to your taste. The app also adds a sleep timer which allows you to go to sleep and leave the dock to turn itself off. There's a choice of digital or analogue clock and an alarm setting which has its own range of  alerts or can use your choice from your music library to wake you. You can even choose a photo to wake up to.

An added feature is that you don't even have to have your music player physically connected to enjoy the dock's sound. Simply pair the two via Bluetooth and voila! And when you're remotely enjoying the dock's impressive sound while you're watching a movie, the additional iPad stand ensures that you can use the tablet in landscape mode. From the manual it seems that the dock is compatible with every music player with a 30-pin connector that Apple has ever made, so no matter whether you have a classic iPod, a Nano or an iPhone 3G, this dock will provide ample amplification. (From my research, however, it seems that the 4th generation iPod Touch might not be compatible).

One of my favourite features of the Fidelio came as a pleasant surprise. The speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery which can unleash you for up to 5 hours. One of my hobbies is that I hoop-dance with adult-sized hula-hoops and there's not always enough space indoors. What a joy to be able to take the dock out on the stoop and have some music to accompany me out in the garden.

I also have a masseuse who comes to my house (way too infrequently) and for once I didn't have to go in search of extension cables. Simply carry the dock to where I need it using the built-in handle, connect the music player and the ambience is set. I really loved that the dock could go unplugged.

No, it won't replace an audiophile's desire for surround sound, but for it's size it sure can command a space and this little baby has got to be heard. Trust me. The Fidelio Docking Speaker has made me a true believer.

Turn ons

• Great sound in a small package
• Plays music via Bluetooth
• iPad compatible
• Rechargeable battery
• Built-in carrying handle

Turn offs

• At this sound, this size and this price, none! (Okay, maybe the remote could have a way for one to tell if the buttons are responding, but that's just a niggle. Also, according to some reports Phillips and Samsung remotes are set to the same frequency and can interfere with each other.

Price: R2499.00