The ongoing iPodification of audio has generated a huge number of products designed to sync up with, amplify, and otherwise expand the possibilities of Apple's ubiquitous player. Many first-wave iPod add-ons got the cosmetic part right (white plastic cabinet? check!) but failed to impress when it came to music reproduction. A few new systems attach equal importance to both the design and performance parts of the equation, however. Recently I gave one of these — Apple's own iPod HiFi — a big thumbs-up (May 2006). This time out I'm looking at another formidable arrival on the iPod audio scene, the Geneva Lab Sound System Model L iPod speaker system.

The Swiss-made Model L looks a thousand times better than all the other iPod audio systems on the market put together. With a lacquered-wood cabinet ( in white, black, or snappy red finish) housing its dual speakers and a large, red LED display flashing through the front grille, the design has "high-end" stamped all over it. Even the optional aluminum stand ($99) that Geneva Lab sent me to prop it up on showed exceptional build quality. My wife rarely comments on gear passing through our house, but she immediately took notice of this system — a good sign.

A pop-up compartment located on the L's top surface conceals an iPod dock (adapters are provided to hold a range of models) along with volume and power buttons and an analog minijack input for connecting an iPod Shuffle or other digital music player. Also located on top is a disc slot for loading CDs. On the bottom panel you'll find an input for an FM antenna and stereo line input jacks to connect a cable box, TV set, DVD player, or other audio source. The system's remote control is seriously chunky, but it has a clean layout with big buttons to select sources, control playback of CDs or a docked iPod, switch among six FM radio presets, and adjust volume, bass, and treble.

The Short Form

$599 / genevalab.com / 877-436-3829

Plus

•Stylish looks and superb build quality •Great sound from on- and off-center seats

Minus

•Expensive compared to other iPod audio systems

Key Features

•Integrated iPod dock •Built-in CD slot and FM tuner •Stereo input for external sources

The single-box Model L uses a signal-processing technology called Embracing Sound to deliver a wide stereo image from its two close-spaced two-way speakers. And it works: The soundstage from the stereo recordings I listened to extended well beyond the boundaries of the box. Not only that, the system's off-axis performance was strikingly good. For example, listening to the Coldcut remix of Steve Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians," the track's wave-like instrumental swells sounded just as dynamic when experienced from an off-center chair as when heard from directly in front of the Model L.

I popped Calexico into the CD slot to hear the track "Quattro." The system's midrange clarity was excellent, with the song's reedy vocals and intertwined guitar and trumpet leads all coming through distinctly. Bass was also surprisingly full and deep for a medium-size box, and it remained clean even after I cranked things up loud. With the treble control set to the system's default center setting, however, highs sounded slightly edgy. That was my only real sonic complaint, though, and it was easily addressed by backing the treble control down a notch.

BOTTOM LINE The iPod generation has plenty of single-box audio systems to choose from — some good and some bad. The Geneva Lab Sound System Model L iPod speaker system resides near the top of the good camp, and its design, features, and build quality push it well past the competition. At $699 with the optional stand, its price is in another league altogether, too, but if you've got the cash and want a slick-looking iPod audio system that sounds good from any seat in the room, here's your ticket.

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