Many of us are upset by the great Apple's imperfection – that is the absence of A2DP in iPod and iPhone. There is a way to alleviate the situation: purchase a special dongle made for iPod. Today let's meet SRS-200BD Dongle by Satechi [buy here]

I've tested this device with iPod Nano 3G and iPhone on the one part, and with the headsets Sonorix C3, Motorola S9, Motorola HT820, Plantronics Pulsar 590, Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970 and Lubix NC1 on the other part.

When I received the package with the Dongle, I saw a rather large box, and then it was fun to see such a tiny small and very lightweight thing – a good match for iPod. Also, I found two dongle covers in the package, for iPod 1G and 2G. As I own 3G, I have no need in dongle covers. The dongle doesn't fall out, as some other dongles do, but it holds tight and securely due to the release button.

Oh, by the way, I wasn't able to connect my iPod to the desktop. BlueSoleil has seen something like this device (but showing no name). One time it asked to enter the passkey, and all the other times as I tried to perform the pairing this application refused to execute the command.

One more thing: if I press a pause and don't start listening for 5 minute (on the average), the connection fails.

With iPhone the Dongle works perfectly. As I started the pairing, iPhone said the device is unknown and not destined for iPhone, proposing to switch to an Airplain mode. Just say No, and start the player.

Functionality. Remote Control (AVRCP) works perfectly, I appreciated it in full. Why? I don't like the way Apple want us to wear iPod. It is not handy and dangerous (someone may steal it or take it away easily). I have to keep it in my pocket, and the wire just hangs down. With the connection to a headset, I can safely hide my iPod in the bag and manage songs and volume via Remote Control.

The Dongle charges from an iPod, so you don't have to think about it additionally. Of course, it drains the iPod's battery faster. According to my test, the playtime of iPod with the Dongle is 11 hours, without the Dongle it is more than 20h. What is strange is that my iPod doesn't switches off if the Dongle is connected (even if a headset is off), though the manual contains a caution not to disconnect it while iPod is on – it may cause damage. Nothin' to do, I have to risk, otherwise I will have to wait until the battery is empty. No such problem I noticed with iPhone.

This iPod Dongle features the SRS (Sound Retrieval System) sound effect function. This indeed improves the sound, making it so broad. Without this function the sound is duller and more boring. There are two types of SRS mode: press SRS button one time, and you get SRS Normal, press it two times – and here is SRS Max. I like the second mode better. If this function is on, SRS LED blinks red. To switch it off, press SRS button again.

Volume is not adjusted from iPod while connected to a Dongle. It is a good sign that the volume level is adjusted in the end point, because the sound suffers less signal processing and it results in less distortion.

All the headsets we tested played the sound of video files from iPod with no problem. Some dongles don't transmit sound of video, but luckily it is a different case.

Sound. We've noticed the distortion of highs while listening with the Dongle. It happens because the Dongle transmits the sound at a lower bitrate.

Just out of curiosity I decided to compare the sound of Treo (with Softick Audio Gateway installed) and of iPod streamed to Sonorix C3. The sound from Treo turned out to be more compact, without background noise, and much louder (the Volume position intentionally was the same). Momentarily I connected the C3 to iPod – the same song sounded quieter. But as I increased the volume, the sound got distorted in highs (not so much voice as instruments).

Sound greatly depends on a headset. I like the sound with Motorolas most of all. Sony Ericsson produces an average quality sound, and without SRS sound is absolutely poor.

In Plantronics basses are the coolest with SRS switched on. But I listened without SRS because the lows were hard to bear, and the sound was dull anyway.

With Lubix NC1 it's unbearable even to listen to audiobooks. If I sit, it's OK. But as I start walking, the awful skipping begins, especially if I put iPod in my bag.

Sonorix C3 plus iPod: good sound, but a narrow range. To make a comparison, we ran the sound from BlueSoleil installed on my desktop to Sonorix C3. I had chosen this headset because it is better compatible with the SRS-200BD on account of the manufacturer. Of course, the sound from desktop is better than the sound from iPod with Dongle – it is louder and juicier. But it was easy to predict.

It is clear that every dongle worsens the sound. This one does it bearably. If you are an average user – not a specialist, without musical education, you'll hardly take notice of the difference. The idea of a dongle/adapter has its great advantages. Style, convenience, freedom...

You can [buy here] this dongle.

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