ION Block Rocker Battery Powered Speaker System for iPod

by Ion

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22.5 x 19 x 15.2 inches ; 35.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 43.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000I51FF6
• Item model number: ION IPA06
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Ion Audio's Block Rocker Battery Powered Speaker System for iPod is the perfect portable speaker system for traveling musicians, entertainers and event coordinators. A long-lasting rechargeable battery, sturdy construction and portable design, make certain the Block Rocker can be taken anywhere and everywhere. It features a high-efficiency amplifier with four inputs for connecting microphones, instruments, CD/MP3 players, and a universal dock for iPod. This powerhouse sound system makes every mobile event a success.

Portable Power

The Block Rocker pumps 22 Watts of peak power through an 8-inch woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, enabling you to deliver high-quality sound to over 150 feet. The system's enhanced bass response (a frequency response of 70Hz - 50kHz) means full, rich audio no matter the setting.

Four Input Options

With four inputs and independent level controls, the Block Rocker is a versatile system. Give a speech with some background music, play instruments over recorded music, or any other combo you might come up with. Inputs include:

• iPod: Integrated Universal Dock for iPod, iPod Mini, or iPod Nano
• Microphone: Balanced XLR or 1/4" microphone
• Instrument: 1/4-inch jack for guitar, keyboard, other instrument, or second microphone
• CD/MP3 Player: RCA line level input for CD player, MP3 player, or other audio device

Party All Day

Thanks to the Block Rocker's built-in rechargeable battery, you'll get over 12 hours of amplification on one charge. Level indicators let you know when it's time for a recharge.

Take It Anywhere

The Block Rocker's heavy-duty aluminum construction means it can handle a bit of banging around. The two-wheel system with retractable handle makes for easy portability, and it's also 1-3/8-inch PA speaker stand mountable, so you can get full sound projection

Mic Included

A professional quality microphone is included, along with a cable--plug right in and go.

What's in the Box

Ion Audio Block Rocker, microphone with cable, power cable.

Product Description

The Ion Audio iPA03 Portable PA System with iPod Attachment lets you broadcast your iPod anywhere, anytime with professional line level output and high sound fidelity.Compatible with all iPods with universal docking connector. The iPA03 is perfect for music on the go. You'll find it at seminars, fitness instruction facilities, outdoor musical and sporting events and even in a one-man band. Ion Audio iPA03 Features two-way sound with hornRuns on rechargeable battery for over 6 hours with level indicator, professional XLR microphone included, retractable handle with wheels, pole mountable, iPod docking, and charging station.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

135 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Short-Lived, December 21, 2009

By 

Holly C. Shelley (Greater New York Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ION Block Rocker Battery Powered Speaker System for iPod (Electronics)

As promising as this product sounds, based on our experience it will be short-lived. Here are some facts about the unit and Ion Audio's business practices (as of 21Dec09) that you should know BEFORE PURCHASING:
1. 90 Day Warranty - that's about how long it took for our product to systematically malfunction. Our teenagers and we used the unit less than 10 times and never outdoors. You might even say it was pampered. And yet, it won't hold a charge and now emits no sound at all (regardless of the input device; in our case an iPod(G4 Nano, G1 iPod, and/or G2 iPod Video), microphone, and electric bass guitar).
2. Battery - oddly enough, according to Ion's own technical support staff (whose contact information was very difficult to find) you can NEVER overcharge the battery or allow it to drain completely, else the battery CANNOT BE REVIVED! Honestly, who builds batteries like that anymore or incorporates them into consumer electronics? We can't think of a single appliance that we own that doesn't self regulate. Furthermore, what human is so fastidious as to ever be able to monitor battery life with such expertise? Honestly, unless the device came with a meter, one would never know how close to overcharging or undercharging he actually is. And yet, one slip up and the unit is toast? That's an old-fashioned technology at best.
3. Repairability - finally, if you're going to install a battery of this sort or any other component that is likely to fail within 90 days, design and manufacture the unit in a repairman-friendly fashion(eg. easy to access compartments and swappable components). This unit required 22 wood screws to be removed for diagnostic purposes alone and nearly everything inside was soldered. As for the speaker, forget about ever getting to it without destroying the cabinet. You'll have to dissassemble the entire unit.

Take our advice, stay away from this product until the company addresses these 3 basic issues. We still love the concept, but this product is poorly executed. (Note: As far as we can tell, the: (1) Ion Audio iPA03 Portable PA System, (2) Alesis Transactive Mobile/Portable PA System and (3) PYLE PCMX240I Battery Powered Portable PA System are identical and probably manufactured by the same company, so beware. A lemon by any other name is still a lemon.)

Disappointed,

D & H Shelley

PS: If Ion Audio LLC ever wants to contact us and make things right, we'll gladly retract this complaint...and may even consider starting a fan club instead. Until then, it's just a great idea, poorly executed, and frustrating to the consumer.

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars iPA03 Portable PA, October 27, 2007

By 

Helo Geek (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ION Block Rocker Battery Powered Speaker System for iPod (Electronics)

I was looking for a portable speaker to drive my iPod loud enough to be heard in an open hangar.
I read a review of the iPA03 in the 9/15/07 Seattle Times and it looked like this would work. I searched on line and found it listed at Best Buy. I was hoping to try it, and pick it up and go. But it had been listed out of stock for some time with no idea when they could get it.
I tried Amazon and immediately found it in stock and ordered. It arrived within 2 days and also delivered more then I expected.
* It was cheaper then at Best Buy.
* It provides a rich full sound for the iPod. I also tried a portable CD played in the RCA plugs and it sounds great.
* It also charges the iPod when it powered by AC. (it also runs on a self container battery.)
* The karaoke function is and added bonus that's a lot of fun to play with. Just que up the song and back down the volume on the iPod input crank up your volume and you are singing with the stars.
* It's fairly solid, over 40 lbs on wheels with an airport styled wheelies toater pop up handle.
* It also has a plug in to use as a guitar amp.
* The mike could be used as a PA for meetings, playing harmonica with the music or an anywhere speaker system.

On the needs improvement side the white case is almost too nice looking.
I don't know how long I can keep it looking that way in our hangar. I wish it also came in black. It wouldn't show the dirt.
The directions/instructions are worthless.
I saved the review from the Seattle Times 9/15/07 and it was more helpful exploring all the things this unit does.

Overall, I highly recommend this item. It does so many things, and does them well.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ion IPA03, January 28, 2008

By 

K. Brockman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ION Block Rocker Battery Powered Speaker System for iPod (Electronics)

I am using this item as a PA system for wedding ceremonies and it had been ideal. I own a DJ service and many times I am asked to provide music for the ceremony and reception. This is perfect for ceremony and rehearsals without having to set up a complete outfit. It ran on a charge at medium volume(master and ipod vol)for nearly 48 hours. Good value