The unbiased resource
for consumer electronics product
reviews, buying guides, and more...

Home | Reviews | Forum | Shop | What's New?

- log in
- join CNET
- welcome,
- my profile
- log out

Creative TravelSound i80 for iPod Nano

Manufacturer: Creative Labs Inc. Part number: 51MF5110AA000

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Compare with most popular

$68.99 - $79.99 at 5 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The Creative TravelSound i80 speaker is a solid option for third-generation iPod Nano owners who value portability and integration over top-notch sound quality.
Read more

Where to buy

store	customer rating	inventory	tax & shipping	price
Savings, Selection & Service since 1971	Rate this store See store profile	In stock	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$79.99 Shop now as of 11/22/2008
	Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$75.95 Shop now as of 11/22/2008
Amazon.com Marketplace	Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$75.95 Shop now as of 11/21/2008
TheNerds.net	Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$68.99 Shop now as of 11/22/2008
Next Warehouse	Not yet rated Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$78.05 Shop now as of 11/22/2008

*Total price for the Creative TravelSound i80 for iPod Nano are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

show

CNET editors' review

Creative TravelSound i80 for iPod Nano

price range: $68.99 - $79.99

Reviewed by: Jasmine France
Reviewed on: 04/22/2008

The good: The Creative TravelSound i80 offers a unique, supercompact design and an integrated iPod dock. It comes with a stand, travel pouch, and power adapter.

The bad: The Creative TravelSound i80 suffers from tinny sound and lacks stereo separation. It will not work with any player other than the third-generation iPod Nano.

The bottom line: The Creative TravelSound i80 speaker is a solid option for third-generation iPod Nano owners who value portability and integration over top-notch sound quality.

Read full review

Photo gallery:
Creative TravelSound i80

If you're an iPod owner searching for a way to share tunes, there's no shortage of iPod speakers from which to choose. The problem is distinguishing them from one another, and one of the easiest ways is to look for something with a unique or innovative design. Creative Labs manages to do both with the TravelSound i80 for iPod Nano, an ultracompact speaker that sells for $80 and gets surprisingly loud. It's only compatible with the third-generation iPod Nanos and it doesn't sound great, but it's cute and travel-friendly, so it's still a solid choice for frequent-fliers with an eye for design.

Clearly, the standout is the TravelSound i80's design. The bulk of the unit is composed of high-gloss white plastic. The front features an integrated iPod dock, and two clear, plastic rails serve to cradle the Nano in place. The backside is wrapped in a brushed silver speaker grille made from anodized aluminum. Minimal controls consisting of a volume knob and power switch as well as a standard mini USB port for charging line the right edge of the speaker. The entire thing is about the size of a Zen Vision:M, measuring 4 inches high by 2.5 inches wide by 1 inch deep. Creative also includes a stand for propping up the speaker during use, as well as a USB power adapter and a simple black pouch for transport.

Performance for the TravelSound i80 is mixed. On the one hand, it gets shockingly loud for a speaker of this size. Also, the rated battery life of 15 hours is plenty adequate, and the fact that it charges the Nano while plugged in is nice. However, sound quality isn't very good. We noticed a background hiss, and music overall suffered from the hollow, tinny effect often heard in speakers this size. As one might expect, bass does not thump, but it isn't entirely absent, which is surprising--in a good way. Also, music sounded clear in general, not muffled at all, although there is distortion at the highest volume. Finally, don't expect any stereo separation here, because you won't get it.

See pricing

show

User reviews

Write Review

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 2 out of 2

Sort by:
8 stars

For its size it is excellent at what it does!

by Iandxb on June 18, 2008

Pros: Compact size, very clear sound, battery life. Supplied accesories, charger, case.

Cons: Minimal, if any, stereo effect ? so use yr Nano with headphones?!

Summary: For it's size it does a great job at getting the sounds out of your Nano with minimum fuss and in a compact package. I don't find the ...

Read more

Summary: For it's size it does a great job at getting the sounds out of your Nano with minimum fuss and in a compact package. I don't find the sound 'tinny' - but full of clarity. This is not supposed to replace your audio system, it?s small for a reason - it's portable - so it's ideal for the traveller - or just to have as a background player while having a bath or listening to in bed. I also like that it does NOT charge the Nano from the built in battery, it only charges when the power cable is connected. All round an excellent package. Recommended.

Show less

1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 stars

good size, deplorable sound

by jkb1955 on August 16, 2008

Pros: Very compact design and would be excellent for traveling. Easily fits in a pocket.

Cons: The sound quality is horrible! If you remember what an old, cheap transistor radio sounded like, then you'll have an understanding for what this will be like.

Summary: For $80 it is dramatically over-priced. This is worth maybe $9.95.

Summary: For $80 it is dramatically over-priced. This is worth maybe $9.95.

Showing opinion 1 to 2 out of 2

See pricing

show

Specifications

Manufacturer: Creative Labs Inc.
Part number: 51MF5110AA000
Description: Listen to your iPod nano with friends with Creative's small but powerful TravelSound i80 docking speakers. Looking great and sounding fantastic, they feature the best audio technology and couldn't be easier to use - just slide your player into the sleek aluminum design, and that's it! They'll deliver fantastic audio for up to 15 hours and include a USB connection for recharging as well as downloading music, photos and video. If you want to enjoy your entertainment with minimum fuss and maximum style, you need these speakers!

General
Product Type Portable speakers with digital player dock
Width 2.3 in
Depth 0.9 in
Height 3.9 in
Weight 3.2 oz
Enclosure Color High-gloss white
Speaker System
Speaker Type Active
Nominal Output Power (Total) 1.4 Watt
Response Bandwidth 180 - 20000 Hz
Signal-To-Noise Ratio 80 dB
Audio Amplifier Integrated
Connectivity Technology Wired
Controls Power on/off, Volume
Speaker System Details
Speakers Included 2 x Portable speaker - 0.7 Watt - 180 - 20000 Hz - Wired
Driver Details Portable speaker : 4
Connections
Connector Type 1 x USB ( Mini-USB Type B ), 1 x IPod docking

Miscellaneous
MP3 Player Compatibility IPod nano (aluminum) (3G)
Included Accessories Carrying pouch, Speaker stand
Remote Control None
AV Furniture None
Power
Power Device Power adapter - External
Run Time (Up To) 15 hour(s)
Battery
Type Speaker battery - Rechargeable - Lithium polymer
Required Qty 1
Included Qty 1

See pricing

show

Similar products

Logitech Pure-Fi Elite $89.99 - $149.99
- CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 $79.99 - $157.95
- CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 20 reviews
Altec Lansing InMotion iM7 $128.51 - $144.88
- CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 99 reviews
LG Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100 $29.99 - $79.99
- CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 14 reviews
Altec Lansing im207 Orbit-MP3 Speaker $24.96 - $33.95
- CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

Shopper.com strives to provide the best price, review, user opinion, and product information on the Creative TravelSound i80 for iPod Nano. Shopper.com updates pricing for all products multiple times each day. If you find a price, link, product specification, review, user opinion, or any other error for the Creative TravelSound i80 for iPod Nano, please notify us through our support form.