Is the rack about to go the way of the thumbscrew and the iron maiden? Er, the A/V equipment rack, that is. For gear-heads, the question is no longer "what's the signal-to-noise ratio on this big black box," but "what can I plug my iPod into without feeling like a clown." Consider the one-box Zvox Mini, the size of a phone book with a third of the weight. Stripped down, the Mini sells for $200. Optional accessories include the PortaParty carry case ($50) and a rechargable power supply with car adapter (another $50).

The Mini's satin-y dark-gray or white finish makes you want to caress it as you uncrate it. Plug in the AC adapter, then connect an audio source or two into the minijack inputs on the back. That's all there is, my friend. Crank levels with a front-panel knob or two-button remote.

Manipulating phase — that is, the direction in which the drivers move — produces a greater feeling of spaciousness than the trio of 3.5-inch full-range drivers and single 4 x 6-inch bass driver could manage on their own. Yet even with the phase control set on stun, Zvox has little of the unnatural, hollow, disembodied feeling of cruder phase-run-amuck enhancements. Music sounds… well, normal.

Full-range drivers don't offer much high-frequency extension, but the midrange is well-proportioned. There's bass, though not much, even if you max out the back-mounted control. Party volumes will require both the Zvox and your signal source to run full throttle. Don't forget that next time you switch back to headphones, or — ow!

The Zvox outperforms all but the best multimedia speakers. Better rack systems and HTiBs (home-theater-in-a-box systems) still have the advantage in both force and subtlety, but it's debatable whether casual listeners care any more. — Al Boline