Best of Show CES: iHome iP39

CES produced an almost non-existent crop of new stereo systems for iPhone and iPod users once you stepped outside of iHome’s suite, making it easier for a not-revolutionary-but-still-impressive product like the company’s kitchen-oriented iP39 to sneak into our Best of Show winners. Small and narrow systems like this one can rarely count audio quality as a plus, and in fact most of them are significantly hampered by their lack thereof, but this system actually sounds good for its size. The winning features, however, are the retractable iPhone/iPod dock (a smart move for a kitchen, both in terms of saving space and in terms of keeping crumbs out) along with an included remote control that sticks to the side of the unit magnetically (helping ensure that it doesn’t get lost under a baking pan or slid into the sink). And it’s not limited solely to the kitchen, as the built in alarm clock and USB port for connecting to a computer suggest. Then again, it does have a kitchen timer built into it.

iHome’s larger and more expensive iP2 was the clear winner in terms of new stereo systems at CES, but the iP39 is a winner in its own right.

Read about all of iProng’s “Best of Show at CES 2010″ winners and finalists in the January 14th issue of iProng Magazine, which will feature a cover story interview with The Flaming Lips and more.

About Bill Palmer

Bill Palmer is Editor in Chief of Beatweek Magazine. His editorial contributions include interviews with musicians and iPhone industry coverage.