I NEED HELP

Research group Student Monitor conducted a recent study among America's college students which revealed that 73% of students surveyed rated iPods as more "in" than drinking beer.\nCongratulations, Apple. You have officially conquered the college demographic.\nBecause of the portable MP3 player's intimidating popularity, the iPod has become a household name with other brands like Ford and McDonald's. The gadget has become engrained into our culture.\nBut again, the American subculture that has probably been most influenced by the handheld, digital music craze is that of college students. Think about it: the chances of making it all the way to class without spotting at least one passerby with those white earbuds and wire running into their coat pocket are slim to nil. For many, it makes the walk to the always desolate parts of campus a bit more bearable.\nMany students find that their iPod listening bliss is not limited to when they are on the go, walking from building to building on campus. With iPod compatible speaker systems and stereos, the iPod has not only solidified its title as "most popular portable listening to device," but it has also become many students' primary source of music at home.\nHigh-end electronics dealer The Sharper Image has been at the forefront of the iPod speaker craze in recent years. With its wide selection of iPod-specific players and regular stereos that can have iPod-playing capability included as an additional feature, it's easy to find a speaker that's right for both you and your iPod.\nSome of the more popular—and more affordable—speakers include the iPulse and iSphere, both exclusive to The Sharper Image. \nThe iPulse is a speaker system designed for not only for iPods, but any MP3 player. Multicolored built-in lights alternate and pulse as the music plays for a both psychedelic audio and visual experience. The iPulse runs for $69.95.\nIts cousin speaker, the iSphere, uses the same "ZipConnect" technology that allows you to play both an iPod and MP3 player, but also features a built-in subwoofer in addition to the dual aluminum cones found in the iPulse. Plus, its spherical shape is just cool. Because of the improved bass quality, the iSphere will set you back a little more than the iPulse would, retailing at $89.95.\nBut the iPod speaker-seeking consumer can find more quirky, goofy and downright bizarre options at The Sharper Image.\nOne speaker that was wildly popular last year and continues to endear itself to customers today according to employees is the barking, whimpering and dancing iDog Musical Companion for iPod and MP3. The small, dog-shaped portable speaker that can fit in the palm of your hand lights up and dances to the beat of the song you're playing. Available in white, pink, black and blue and sells for $34.95.\nAlso in the way of fauna-inspired gizmos is the iFish Musical Pet. Similarly to the iDog, iFish dances and "swims" to the music's beat. It also lights up and responds to touch, spinning 180 degrees. This marine musical device goes for $49.95.\nFinally, in a truly weird means of playing music, the $29.95 miFlower animated MP3 player and clock not only plays your iPod, but serves as a clock as well. The speaker stands eight inches tall, and is in the shape of a daisy-esque flower in a pot. Its leaves wave, petals illuminate and LCD display flashes happy faces and hearts.\nYou can find any of these products at either of The Sharper Image's Indiana branches: at Jefferson Pointe in Fort Wayne or at Castleton in Indianapolis. You can also visit the company's website, www.sharperimage.com.\nBut some students prefer to pass on the more expensive products, like the iPulse that are more flashy, buying speakers for their computer and playing their iTunes that way.\n"I have a pair of Altec Lansing that cost $50," says junior Brett Gage. "They are great speakers for the price—definitely worth it."\nOr, if you're looking for a set of speakers that's cheap and compatible with now retired iPod generations, like the Shuffle, try looking at amazon.com or at J&R. The Logic3 IP105 i-Station Sound Deck for the iPod Shuffle can range in price from $19.95 to $34.95. \n"Logic's new i-Station 3 has an emerged as an ultra-low-cost portable docking speaker system," says Jeremy Horwitz, software reviewer on ilounge.com. "iLounge gives it an A."\nRegardless, both The Sharper Image and Best Buy still offer higher end iPod and MP3 speakers. Be warned, though, many of these products will cost you at least a price in the triple digits.\nBose, one of the most recognized and respected brand names in the audio industry, offers several options for crystal clear iPod-playing quality.\nThe Bose SoundDock Digital Music System runs for $299.95. Its sleek black design and thin profile gives you unmatched sound quality from a very small package. It comes complete with remote that allows you to switch tracks from afar. Just dock your iPod into the included docking cradle right in front of the speakers, and let the system do the rest. Conveniently enough, the SoundDock also charges your iPod while it plays its music, allowing you to listen to your playlists for an unlimited amount of time, free from worry of a dying battery or having to charge in between songs. \nApple also offers its own take on an iPod speaker. The Apple iPod Hi-Fi Compact Sound System has two three inch wide-range speaker cones and a five inch built-in subwoofer, providing deeper, richer tones to your iPod's music as it fills the room. Similarly to the SoundDock, the Hi-Fi system comes with a docking station that charges your iPod as it plays. Additionally, the docking station is universal, making it compatible with any iPod version under the sun. The included remote allows you control from up to thirty feet away, and the entire unit just plugs into a standard outlet using an AC adapter, or you can run it on six D batteries. The Hi-Fi system costs $349.99 at Best Buy.\nSo, clearly, whether you're looking for a way to enjoy your iPod in other ways than making the trudge to class a tolerable one or not, you can still find fantastic deals and great product quality in any of these iPod speaker systems. \nThat is, if you're willing to go a few months without pizza money.