Sprout Creation’s Vers2x is the closest design to Apple’s speaker system, except, of course, that it is covered in a Cherry wood veneer. It a nice, reasonably priced item and at the price the sound is pretty good. Although it works with an iPhone, it is not truly compatible.

When B & W created an iPod speaker system it gave the iPod a stamp of approval as a potential audiophile device. Although this is a quality system, there is something about the design that smacks of the type of thing which might appear in a gadget collection in Wallpaper Magazine, which gives it that ‘Zoolander’ feel. We prefer speakers that try and be some other shape than a box if the shape reflects something to do with the acoustics. The Zeppelin shape seems more like pure styling, so ultimately its a question of taste.

We don’t know what the iBox sounds like, yet. But this is a smart looking, solid, handmade option, that stands out from its competitors by virtue of its unconventional design.

The Bose SoundDock and the newer portable version are the classic 3rd party speaker system for iPods, in some ways more iconic and successful than Apple’s own boom box. Bose made a reputation more for rugged professional sound systems than audiophile gear and their consumer products sometimes lacked design finesse. With the soundDock, they delivered.

Bang and Olufsen were at one time rather like Apple themselves. A technology company with a reputation for design, they were the preferred choice for architects and designers’ hi fi systems in the 60s and 70s. They lost their way with gimmick design for much of the 80s and 90s but now seem to be making somewhat of a comeback with products such as the BeoLab 4.

The Evolve has a docking station with removable wireless speakers that run for up to 10 hours before returning to the charging cradle. This is one of our favorites in this list in terms of ergonomics. It won iPod accessory of the year at iLounge.com

Tube based systems look cool, and this is no exception. However, they are fragile and fail often. Since the Vuum is $700 and is reported to not sound much better than conventional systems at half the price, its tube based design may be somewhat willful.

Available in three sizes, like clothing: M, L, XL from $600, the Geneva Sound Systems iPod docking stations were one of the first to deliver audiophile quality sound in dedicated iPod devices. With a high gloss cabinet, like a Chines lacquer box, they capture the spirit of the Apple design aesthetic and deliver on sound quality.

Being owned by Avid, M-Audio have an obvious tie to Apple. The M-Audio is based on a powered studio monitor, a practical design for any iPod speaker system.

This is a good choice in the $400 range. The design is particularly smart - pdock the iPod in the top of one of a pair of bookshelf speakers.

In real Walnut enclosures, like the dashboard of a Rolls Royce, the Axiom Audiobyte computer speakers are a good choice for quality iPod speakers. They are a sign that the iPod is becoming a device which the bespoke end of hifi is addressing.

If you want a good solid performer for $300 then the George is possibly the product for you.

Great looks, build quality and ergonomics. OK sound. $350.

We have included the NX PS1 in this list largely for its looks. It cheap and sounds reasonable, but has an annoying interface which over complicates things compared to the simplicity of dock based systems.

What could be more ironic than taking the definitive digital music player and combining it with pre-transistor analog sound technology? Several companies have produced valve based iPod systems, none are quite as impressive, or as expensive as this $4000 item.