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One last point about the dock area that we do like is the auxiliary line-in jack. While there is another input round the back, having one up top means you can nestle your iPod-alternative in the dock area (where you can see the screen and it's within easy reach) and not have to have huge long cables trailing down the back.

Along with the auxiliary input, the back of the MPX is home to a line-out; a sub-out for use with the additional matching BX2 sub-woofer; speaker connections for the MPX; and a power socket. We're disappointed to note that the speaker connections use sprung clamps and bare wire rather than properly terminated cables, though this is probably to be expected considering the price.

We weren't provided with the BX2 for testing so we can't vouch for how much extra kick it provides. What we can say, though, is that the MPX&MPY do sound perfectly okay as they are, and should improve upon the bass level of your TV's inbuilt speakers. Likewise for music, the downward facing sub of the MPX provides plenty of warmth to satisfy most listeners. If you're a dance music fan you'll probably want to consider getting the BX2, though.

Just three buttons adorn the MPX&MPY themselves. These control volume and power and are nestled under the iPod dock on the MPX, just above a couple of distractingly bright LEDs that indicate power and remote signal activity. For basic playback controls, though, you'll need the remote.

The remote is also home to input selections, a mute button, and even has some basic EQ controls. It's nothing special but it does a decent job of controlling everything you need, has a good range, and is uncluttered. It's only real failing is its thin and relatively small size. After using these speakers at home for a couple of weeks, I found that the remote had a tendency to easily slip down the back of the sofa more often than your average TV clicker.

Not that this is even close to being the MPX&MPY's main failing though. No, that honour goes to the ridiculous way in which volume is controlled. Not that the set doesn't get loud or quiet enough, just that each step between the two extremes is gargantuan. One click of either the remote or the volume buttons on the MPX and the volume seems to double. This lead to constant frustration as we flicked back and forth between two volume levels while trying to hear the quiet bits yet not disturb the neighbours with the loud bits.

This really is a shame as the MPX&MPY sound great whether listening to the blast beats of Napalm Death, the sumptuous ivory tinkling of Martha Argerich, or the battle scenes of a refuge camp in Children of Men. Were it not for the volume issue, the MPX&MPY would have got a recommended award, and if Voix was to fix the iPhone support this could even have stretched to an Editor's Choice.

Verdict

The Voix MPX&MPY take a unique approach to iPod speaker dock design creating, potentially, the perfect all-in-one living room audio upgrade. However, they're let down by one simple flaw that is simply untenable - and they could do with a fix for the iPhone problems as well!

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