iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

Reviews

Reviews

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

Last updated: May 16, 2021 12:46 am UTC
By Jeremy Horwitz
Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

Pros: A uniquely user-customizable portable speaker for the iPod nano, capable of transforming into white-on-black or black-on-black designs thanks to an included extra plastic frame. Fold-out clear hard shell and included bag protect speakers and inserted iPod during travel; power supply is included to power iPod and speakers, AA battery power is an option.

Advertisements

Cons: Sound quality is only decent for the price, no data synchronization or audio input ports, so unit is useless without an iPod nano.

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

XtremeMac’s MicroBlast is one of the most impressive physical designs we’ve seen from an iPod speaker system – using swappable, included white and black plastic shells, you can convert part of its body to match white or black iPod nanos. An integrated clear shell doubles as a protector for the black speaker grilles, which hide four total drivers, as well as the nano you leave inside. A power supply and carrying bag are included; the system also runs off of battery power. Audio quality? We’ll have more to say on that soon.

Advertisements

Especially over the past six months, we have been incredibly impressed by the design team at XtremeMac: they’ve clearly figured out how to take items that could otherwise be commodities – cases, cables, and even speakers – and add enough of a new cosmetic and/or functional twist to make them interesting again.

The company’s MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano ($120) are a great example; they wrap so-so portable speakers in a visually and functionally smart package, using swappable white and black plastic frames to let iPod nano owners pick their preferred color scheme. A flip-out clear plastic shell acts as a base for the speakers when opened, or as a shield for the speakers and an inserted nano when closed.

Advertisements

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

Color customization is MicroBlast’s most stand-out feature. A black metal speaker grille and black plastic rear remain on the unit at all times, but using a Philips head screwdriver, you can pull two screws out of MicroBlast’s sides, quickly detach the clear guard, and then slide off a separate plastic accent frame. The white frame outlines the black speaker grilles and inserted nano with M-shaped plastic piping; the black frame blends into the grilles and the rest of MicroBlast’s body. Both shells look good, but in our view, the white one makes the speakers look more interesting.

Advertisements

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

MicroBlast was clearly designed first and foremost as a traveler’s audio companion. In addition to the clear and replaceable plastic shells, it includes a simple travel bag and a power supply, as well as a pop-off compartment on the lower back that can hold four user-supplied AA batteries.

Unlike other inexpensive portable speakers we’ve seen, such as Altec Lansing’s $100 iM11 (iLounge rating: B+), Xtreme didn’t include other pass-through data or audio ports on MicroBlast’s back: you buy this system solely to listen to and safely charge the iPod nano, nothing else – currently, or in the future.

Advertisements

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

Similarly, MicroBlast’s controls are kept exceedingly simple: there’s only one switch, an on-off toggle with status indicated via a green power light on the unit’s back. This switch required enough of an initial push that we initially thought the MicroBlast was broken, but thankfully, it wasn’t – that’s just how it works. Once it’s flipped on, everything else is handled by your iPod, including using the Click Wheel for volume and track controls. Given the $120 price, we weren’t surprised that there isn’t a remote control in the package, or that the unit’s maximum amplitude was basically identical to that of the iM11. This is a good speaker system for several-person listening, but not a room filler.

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroBlast Speakers for iPod nano

In fact, the iM11/MicroBlast comparison is a pretty fair one in other ways, as well. As low-end portable audio goes, neither system is designed to blow you away on clarity; you’re paying for the thin (1”) portable enclosure, integrated dock, and styling more than the sound, which isn’t up to snuff on detail with JBL’s On Tour (iLounge rating: A-), our favorite dockless portable speaker.

Advertisements

Latest News
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air WiFi 128GB is $100 Off
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air WiFi 128GB is $100 Off
1 Min Read
Apple Debuts ‘F1’ Movie Haptic Trailer
Apple Debuts ‘F1’ Movie Haptic Trailer
1 Min Read
Package Tracking Feature to be Added to Wallet App
Package Tracking Feature to be Added to Wallet App
1 Min Read
iOS 26 Will Have Anime-Style ChatGPT in Image Playground
iOS 26 Will Have Anime-Style ChatGPT in Image Playground
1 Min Read
The AirPods Pro 2 is $80 Off
The AirPods Pro 2 is $80 Off
1 Min Read
Journal App Heading to iPad and Mac
Journal App Heading to iPad and Mac
1 Min Read
Apple Music to Have Pin Feature on iOS 26
Apple Music to Have Pin Feature on iOS 26
1 Min Read
Apple Reveals New Major Software Redesign
Apple Reveals New Major Software Redesign
1 Min Read
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is $50 Off
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is $50 Off
1 Min Read
AI Battery Management Coming to iPhone 17 Air
AI Battery Management Coming to iPhone 17 Air
1 Min Read
Apple Music ‘Reboot’ Might Get AI Treatment
Apple Music ‘Reboot’ Might Get AI Treatment
1 Min Read
New AirTag May Debut Soon
New AirTag May Debut Soon
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?