The Intempo IDS-05B is one of the latest of the new Intempo offerings in the iPod speaker system arena. When you first open the box you might get a little bit doubtful of its performance basing on its appearance, yet amazingly, it provides top level audio performance that can be used almost anywhere. Most likely though it will be used more for the home than outside; this is because it is slightly bulky when compared to other portable iPod speaker systems.

Included with the IDS-05B, aside from the main unit, you will find interchangeable dock adaptors so that it can be fitted with the different iPod models, a remote control, and a main power AC adaptor to power up the system. Also, the Intempo IDS-05B comes with a 3.5 mm line in cable so that even if you don’t have an iPod, you can use it for a different model mp3 player.

Available in all black or white colours, the Intempo IDS-05B has a solid block of frame that can’t be folded to make a smaller size if you want to pack it for a travel. It’s relatively light weighing in at 1.2 kilograms and has dimensional measurements of 230 mm x 122 mm x 940 mm. It may be bigger than most portable speaker systems, but it still can be tagged along if need be. The only problem is that it doesn’t have the capability for using batteries and relies only on main power, another minus for the portability column.

With regards to the design, the IDS-05B features an iPod dock in the middle of a small mount in the front of the speaker system. Behind it is a small wall where the two speakers can be found on both sides of an iPod when docked in. Still in the front, you will see an activity lights that glows a different colour depending on its state, blue when the system is in use, red when it’s on stand-by, and flashing lights when the unit is receiving commands from the remote control.

While the Intempo IDS-05B is far from being the best choice for use as a dedicated speaker system for a living room or a large room for that matter, or even for a backyard party, but for a small personal room and general usage, the unit can deliver. Fortunately though, the Intempo has treble and bass levels that can be modified for better performance and this is a feature not many iPod speaker systems provide. This iPod dock though, is still not comparably at par with some of the more power brands in speaker systems in its class and price range, but it still is a decent performer able to fill a small room with sufficient volume with decent quality.

All in all, the Intempo IDS-05B is certainly not the best choice when you are after superior quality, neither is it the top choice for aesthetics and design, and finally, it’s not the greatest choice for toughness, drop it and you’ll find out. But nevertheless considering its price, it is a solid decent performer that can be well recommended for general purpose listening.