Hands-on Review: Saitek My Spkr A-100

Previously I covered an ultraportable speaker, the JLab B-Flex, that connects to any USB port and lets you bump up the audio quality of your tinny laptop speakers. Here's another option that I like even better...provided you have a standard speaker port on your rig.

The Saitek My Spkr is considerably larger (roughly the size of a thick checkbook or a Treo) than the B-Flex and is powered by four AAA batteries. It's got an odd, oblong shape that is actually quite stylish, with a glossy black casing and metal grille over the two neodymium drivers. A tiny stand in back lets you prop it up to direct the sound forward.

Again, it uses a standard audio connection, so you just plug the cable (several are included) into your line-out or headphone jack. This is good news if you want to use the My Spkr with an iPod or other audio player, though it also works fine with a laptop.

So how's the sound? It's great, very loud and crisp, noticeably better than integrated notebook speakers when put head to head. The bass response is the big draw: There's a bass port on the side that really does up the low-frequency performance in music and movies. But highs are clear, and dialogue comes through just fine as well.

My only complaint comes in the relative touchiness of the system. Jostle it a bit and the speaker has a tendency to turn itself off. There's no power switch: The My Spkr turns on when you plug a cable into it, which seems like a neat way to simplify the device, but in reality I'd prefer a button I can push.

All in all, for a reasonable $30 (after rebates), this is a nice way to improve your mobile audio experience.