Product Description

Saitek prides itself on the quality of its products. All its solutions are manufactured to meet the today's highest standards and for many years to come.

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30293 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Saitek
• Model: A-100
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Features

• Palm-size speaker for iPod, MP3, Phones, laptops and PSP
• Twin neodymium stereo speakers deliver amazing sound quality
• Active speakers with tuned bass port
• Up to 12 hours of play on 4 AAA batteries
• Includes folding stand, Nano stand, and carrying case that all fit easily into a backpack or purse

From the Manufacturer

Meet My Spkr A-100, a new portable speaker small enough to fit in the palm of your hand while delivering out-of-this-world sound. My Spkr A-100 is the latest product from Saitek's award-winning line of audio products.

Designed to liberate consumers from being tethered to music players by headphones, the Saitek line of audio products provide the quality of high-fidelity and the convenience of "anywhere" ease of play. Using a 3.5 mm audio jack, My Spkr A-100 is an ideal solution for users of iPods, MP3 mobile phones or digital music players who wish to enhance the listening experience without having to bother with headphones.

Other features of the My Spkr A-100 include:

• True stereo system in speaker small enough to fit in palm of hand
• Easily portable and durable enough for everyday use
• 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm audio cable provided
• 12 hours of use on 4 AAA batteries
• Integrated speaker stand for optimum sound
• Auto power down to save battery life
• Scratch-resistant case included
• iPod Nano stand included

---

Customer Reviews

Big Sound from a Small Package
The Saitek My Spkr A-100 is roughly the size of a paperback novel and presents a nice curvy compact design. The speaker has a bit of heft to it -- its not just a flimsy empty plastic shell like many cheap portable speakers. The A-100 takes 4 AAA batteries, has a jack for stereo audio in, optional DC power and a light indicating ON or STANDBY modes. There's no power switch or volume control. The power is turned on by inserting an audio cable into the speaker. Volume in meant to be controlled by the audio source or player. The speaker contains two tiny drivers concealed behind a sturdy metal grill and a small bass port which appears to be baffled internally with an aluminum duct.

I've heard plenty of tiny portable speakers and the vast majority of them share one thing in common -- tinny shrill sound with absolutely no lows. The cheaper versions tend to rattle and distort at moderate volume levels. Not only do tiny speakers generaly lack any bass but they're usually so close together that there's not really much of a stereo effect. Not so with the A-100. I was quite surprised when I plugged the A-100 into my Zune -- not only there was bass (no, not 12 inch woofer level bass but bass nontheless) but there was also obvious stereo with the drivers sitting only inches apart. Impressive! Through the magic of Digital Signal Processing, these tiny speakers actually sound better than many small computer speakers and boomboxes. The A-100 won't rattle your windows and probably won't annoy your neighbors but it'll give you quite decent sound at moderate volume levels for a small room with little distortion.

I'm glad to see the price of these has fallen to more reasonable levels. At $20, these are a steal.

2 Thumbs Up
I bought this on a long shot when it hit a price under 20 and am absolutely thrilled. I wanted something I could hook into my ipod and set beside me when eating outside or on a picnic or anywhere I wanted quality sound but where volume was not important but size was.
For this little speaker, it's small enough to put in your back pocket. I'd say they've got the size issue covered. Not only that but the sound quality is amazing for the size of this. Nobody expects powerful sound from something powered by batteries. This doesn't have powerful sound. However - the sound that it does have, sounds excellent. I've never heard anything this small actually reproduce sound anywhere close to what I'd call high fidelity or even medium fidelity. Other little ipod speakers sound like a tin can and wire telephone compared to this.
I'll spare the extensive description, which was very well done in the prior review. I'll just say, if you want a really decent, really small speaker that you could use to: take with your ipod/mp3 player while staying in a hotel, play on low volume in your tent while camping, sitting at a corner cafe (not if other diners are in earshot of course), on the counter while taking a hot soak in the tub, on the table while you grill some chicken, or on the desk on saturday in the office, then this is the one to get.
There's an A-200 version of this that runs for about 50 bucks right now, but I'd say at $17 this one wins the "most bang for your buck" hands down.
- Kevin

Serious sound at a small price--a practical answer for headphone-averse listeners.
The symmetrical design may resemble a bicycle seat or miniature UFO, but this little overachiever puts out a remarkably full (and full frequencied) sound. I'll admit that I'm not a sub-woofer addict, but I can hear ample acoustic bass lines along with crisp hi-hat and ride cymbals coming from the Saitek A-100 even when it's at the other end of the bedroom. Moreover, the sound of tenor saxophone is alive and present.

Not a fair comparison, but I played it side-by-side, A-B, with the two-hundred dollar, acclaimed and popular Tivoli iPal radio. The Saitek is 1/3 the size and weight of the mini-sized iPal but offers 3/4 of the audio quality. Moreover, I don't hear it distort at the loudest levels to the degree the iPal does. Admittedly, the bass isn't as full, and the sound is just a bit "canned" compared to the iPal--hardly worth mentioning for a product costing one-tenth as much as the vaunted Tivoli product.

The advantages:

1. I can easily see taking this on my walks, an iPod in my shirt pocket, the Saitek in my coat, front or back pants pocket (you'd look pretty silly carrying an iPal cube around the neighborhood).
2. This costs no more than the pillow speaker I ordered from Sharper Image but can barely hear through a heavily insulated pillow. The Saitek, on the other hand, has enough muscle to blow its way through any pillow (though size-wise it's admittedly a bit too thick not to be felt by the sleeper).
3. Thoughtful, resourceful design of the on/off-standby modes and useful lights.

Disadvantages:

1. No volume or tone controls (though they're really not needed).
2. Stereo separation. (Is there any? Does it matter?)
3. The only important issue: 4 AAA batteries are quite a few. (Why couldn't it have been 2 AA's or, like some recent Sony players, a single AA?) At least give Saitek credit for including a 6 Volt DC port to run it off electrical current.

The packaging, paperwork, details, and quality control are all first rate. Included are two cables to insure one fits your player, a fold-out stand, an insertable holder for attaching a Nano iPod, and a soft and sturdy cloth carrying bag. Even the packaging is commendable--not the laminated plastic of similar but more expensive products. Instructions, though unnecessary, are ample and clear. It seems odd for the manufacturer to refer to the device in the plural (Saitek "speakers"), but indeed there are two of them in that fist-sized enclosure. In short, it both performs and looks like a quality product, belying its current low price. Take two (they're small)--the other one will make a nice little gift, no apologies needed.