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The bottom line: While it's missing a couple of key features found in competing models, the T612 distinguishes itself with a sleek design, decent sound, and some mobile phone anti-interference technology that makes the system particularly appealing to iPhone owners.

The T612 is a good-looking speaker with solid sound quality, so long as you don’t push the volume too hard. We’re thrilled to have a speaker that works with the iPhone... and we’re extra glad we don’t have to put the iPhone in Airplane Mode and miss our important calls.

This speaker dock may have some low-end distortion issues, but the T612's selling point is clear: It lets you dock your iPhone, play music, and take calls without having to put it into "airplane mode"—something no dock has accomplished before.

T612 is a good baseline for the iPhone speaker category, and though it’s not as strong on frills or low-end performance as some of Altec’s best prior releases, its good looks and competent handling of iPhone music playback are undeniable selling points.