Sakar's MP3 Sound Case aims to combine a hardshell iPod case and a portable speaker system into a single package. It's a noble goal that would benefit many a frequent traveler if done well, but Sakar's effort falls short. On the positive side, the case itself offers significant protection for your iPod -- the shell is rigid and the interior is well-padded. (The metallic blue finish is also quite attractive.) A belt clip and shoulder strap rings offer two ways to carry the case outside of your bag. And although the audio quality is about what you'd expect from a single, inexpensive speaker driver powered by a 9-Volt battery -- low-quality mono reminiscent of a transistor radio -- we understand that not everyone needs high-end sound; sometimes it's nice just to hear some tunes out loud. (The speaker connects to your iPod's headphone jack; you adjust the speaker's volume using the iPod's volume control.) Unfortunately, the Sound Case is quite bulky for the sound quality it produces -- you'll get similar protection and sound quality in a much smaller package using MacAlly's PodWave speaker with Matias' iPod Armor case (granted, for $30 more). And in a puzzling shortcoming, the Sound Case's design requires that you completely open the case to access the iPod's controls and the speaker's on/off switch. Taken as a whole, the MP3 Sound Case is a good idea that needs some work.--Dan Frakes

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