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T3: iPod/iPhone docks offer high-volume playback of your music library, charging your device at the same time. Most have a remote control but some offer wireless connectivity so you don’t have to leave your Apple docked. They all claim to have audiophile-grade sound but who’s telling the truth? Court is in session…

Best: Overall
Arcam rCube
£500
Love: Smart, timeless design. Superb sound. Eight-hour battery life
Hate: A little expensive. Wi-Fi dongle costs extra
Arman rCube pics I Arcam rCube review I Link: Arcam

Best: Easy Listening
SoundFreaq Sound Platform
£200
Love: Groovy retro styling. Effective Bluetooth connectivity. Useful online app adds iPhone control. Reasonable VFM
Hate: Speakers lack projection and distort
SoundFreaq Sound Platform pics I SoundFreaq SoundPlatform review I Link: SoundFreaq

Best: Rock
TEAC SR-100I Aurb
£240
Love: Powerful audio. Good value. Interesting elliptical design. Useful CD and USB playback
Hate: Some may find the boomy bass a bit much
TEAC SR-100I Aurb Pics I TEAC SR-100I Aurb review I Link: TEAC

Best: Dance
Geneva Sound S
£300
Love: Very cool styling. Powerful, seductive bass
Hate: Not much in the way of extra connectivity
Geneva Sound S pics I Geneva Sound S review I Link: Geneva

Best: Acoustic
B&W Zeppelin Mini
£300
Love: Potent sound from a small dock. USB input
Hate: Lacks the bass warmth to fill a big room
B&W Zeppelin review I Link: B&W

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Home Cinema Choice: Arcam has launched its first power amplifiers designed for multi-zone install use.

The ‘fit-and-forget’ MZ8 and MZ12 amps were shown at the ISE show and are pitched as the first audiophile-standard custom install ampllfiers.

The Class AB amps offer 8 or 12 channels with 65W power into 8 ohms per channel. Each channel has an individual gain trim, and all zones can be set to slave to Channel 1 mode.

Features include 12V trigger input, RS232 control, EMC damping, SDS resonance damped chassis, forced air cooling, oversized toroid power supplies and 1W standby power consumption.

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Electricpig: British AV manufacturer Arcam not only creates great sounding kit, but serves it up in eye-popping designs too.

The brand new FMJ AVR600 is no exception. Tired of stale AV designs, Arcam’s ditched the knobs for a minimalist look.

Up front there’s a sleek, yet sparse design, while inside it’s all business.

We’re talking 7.1 surround sound, DAB and FM tuners, iPod and MP3 compatibility, optional networking for internet radio and streamed music from home computers, as well as five HDMI inputs, and two outputs for all your home cinema kit.

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