First Look: Jensen JiMS-205i + JiMS-260i Digital Music Systems for iPod + iPhone

Over the past few years, Jensen has made a name for itself as a developer of quality budget-priced iPod and iPhone speaker systems, including some that have actually represented price and performance breakthroughs. The company’s latest speakers are JiMS-205i ($80, also known as Docking Digital Music System for iPod and iPhone) and JiMS-260i ($100, also known as Wall-Mountable Docking Digital Music System with CD for iPod and iPhone); the subtitles tell quite a bit of each system’s story. JiMS-205i is a 10-watt all-in-one system with a 10-preset digital FM tuner and a simple alarm clock in its base, with blue button illumination and a video line out as standout features. By comparison, JiMS-260i packs the same modest 10-watt power into a three-piece unit that has two floating speaker enclosures and a central amplifier, radio, CD player, and iPod/iPhone dock hub, connected by wires that are permanently fused to the components. This model has detachable stands for all three of the parts, as well as a wall hanging kit, and preserves the FM tuner, video out, blue lights, and integrated clock features of the 205i. While both of the systems feel lightweight, they’re inexpensive, and bundled with both remote controls and power supplies.