Portable Sound Laboratories’ (http://www.imaingo.com) US$119.99 iMainGo XP is a beefy case/speaker combo for the iPad 2 and new iPad. It offers better-than-I-would-have-expected sound, though whether the added heft (three pounds with an iPad enclosed) is worth it is a judgement call you’ll have to make.

The iMainGo XP sports four speakers and an internal, Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that lasts for up to eight hours. The iMainGo X weighs nine ounces and measures 10.2 x 7.6 x 1.5 inches inches. However, its design makes using the iPad in portrait mode practically impossible.

The iMainGo X case feels pretty tough thanks to a soft touch rubber coating. However, a handle would have been a great addition. After all, this is one substantial case and you have to remove the iPad to charge it.

How does it sound? Good, but not great. The sound quality is quite good at lower levels; however, the midrange tones dilute at higher volumes. This makes the iMainGo X a decent movie speaker system, but a less-than-idea speaker system for music.

Rating: 6 out of 10

— Dennis Sellers