Crossing on the Crown - Day 7: Now Hear This

Sharon Miceli drops us another note from her Transatlantic crossing aboard the Crown Princess, with a travel accessory recommendation:

What to pack for vacation? The expense for the luxury of carrying luggage at all is prohibitive enough these days so chancing the sky high overage fees should you exceed weight limitations, perhaps because of just one extra pair of shoes, makes you think twice about every item that you pack.

The most compact item I carry is my entire music library thanks to my iPod. My trusty little pocket-sized gizmo accompanies me to the gym, to the pool and on every vacation, it’s distinctive white wires trailing from my ears and allowing me to enjoy the soundtrack of my choosing without disturbing those around me.

But when I’m in my cabin aboard ship or in a hotel room I would prefer to unplug myself and have the music surround me. That’s why I found these portable speakers so intriguing.

Named one of the best new gadgets for 2009, these speakers by Origaudio, whose name alludes to origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, are manufactured from recycled materials so they are a sound choice for the environment.

The sound quality, admittedly, is not on the level of Bang & Olufsen, but for only $16 they provide more than enough volume and stereo effect for a stateroom or hotel room. For the amount of money invested it won’t break my heart if they get damaged or lost. And the fact that they fold almost completely flat will earn them a place in my bags from now on.
 

Thanks as always, Sharon... looks like a must-have item for the traveling music fan.