Sound Step Lightning Speaker Dock review
The Sound Step Lightning speaker dock is compact and versatile. It features connectivity to your mobile device via the Lightning Dock for iOS users, Bluetooth 4.0 as well as an Auxiliary input for Android and other standard media players. The dock is shiny black plastic with white led back-lighting and touch sensitive buttons; it’s perfect for any office or contemporary living space. If you’re a dust freak, the shiny black polished surface will have you wiping it off incessantly as it loves to show off the dust in any sunlight.
The Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning speaker dock features what else but a lightning connector for all you iPhone 5/5s and iPad Mini users. Any future lightning dock connector iOS devices will also be compatible. It even has a built in FM receiver for those times you just want some public radio, but you’ll need to download a free app to use it.
Bluetooth pairing with the Galaxy S4, iPhone 5s, iPad mini were a snap and surprisingly I didn’t drop connection with the device like I normally do with Bluetooth units. The supplied remote can be snapped into the bottom of the unit which is a bit odd. But I don’t find much of a need for it anyway, maybe that’s why it’s on the bottom.
When docking an iOS device to the lightning connector, your mobile device will lean on the top edge of the Sound Step Lightning and may be a bit unstable if you plan on using an iPad Mini. I wouldn’t recommend allowing the dock to be accessible to children.
Sound Quality
Don’t expect to provide music for the masses, even with the built-in bass, it sounds a bit on the thin side for a party. If you raise the volume too much you will notice it and if you continue you’ll probably blow out the cones. For optimal results, keep the volume at a moderate level. The Sound Step Lightning is perfect for your office, kitchen, living room and produces clear mid’s and highs for clarity. Works great for talk radio and classical music where clarity matter. I’ve even used it to watch a movie on my phone whilst working, or play real racing (shhh) and broadcast the sound to the Sound Step Lightning.
When connecting via Bluetooth which utilizes A2DP for stereo sound I did notice some slight loss in quality, an ever so slight airy quality in my opinion vs using the auxiliary direct input. I am an avid hater of Bluetooth myself, but I have to say I’ve enjoyed the user experience with the Sound Step Lightning dock overall.
It may not blow you away like the Zeppelin Air iPod Speaker dock from Bowers & Wilkins but the Sound Step also won’t break the bank and it’s much smaller if space is an issue. 
Technical Information
The Sound Step Lightning measures 13×3.6×4.4 inches and weighs 3.1 lbs. The 2.1 audio system also has a built-in subwoofer and the USB port gives you the ability to charge your devices while streaming them over Bluetooth or connecting via aux port. On the rear of the unit you will find a 5v USB port, 12v 2.5A power port, FM Antennae port and Auxiliary line-in and the open slot where the dedicated subwoofer resides. The compact and versatile design is A2DP Bluetooth enabled, lightning dock compatible and the aux input makes it ready for iPhone 5s, iOS and Android mobile devices.
Conclusion
The Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning speaker dock system is compact and it’s aesthetically pleasing design fits well in any contemporary living space or office. It won’t blow you away with volume but clarity and sound quality are great for the money. It’s the perfect size for your office desk and it’s all shiny black!
available from soundfreaq.com for $129.99
