iLive’s iT188B ipod dock soundbar looks great and sounds OK, but doesn’t offer features and power to match the category’s big boys. But that’s just fine, because it’s a cheap way to get something that doesn’t embarrass the furniture it rests on.

The dual subwoofers on this 2.1 system aren’t going to rattle any bones, but the sound was surprisingly meaty, filling a 900 square foot room better than similarly-specced gear in its price range that I’ve messed around with bedore. There’s an integrated AM/FM radio (but only an AM antenna in the box), an auxiliary input for other devices, composite video pass-through, and a sub-out for attaching a proper subwoofer. A wall-mounting kit is also provided.

iLive paid attention to design. The unit is clean-lined, with a mechanized, retracting iPod dock and a white, somewhat dim LCD display. There is some chrome trim lurking around the edges threatening the otherwise pleasant look, but hey, it’s only $99.

The iT188B will be out in April at big boxes.

Product Page [iLive]

Tags: games, dvr, TV, wireless