I own three docking stations and the XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 is the best one! I totally love it for many reasons. It is eXtremely easy to operate and the sound is eXtremely LOUD! If you turn up the volume All the Way, you can create a party. Also, this docking station is eXtremely portable. The XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 arrived securely wrapped, taped and cushioned within its box. It would be difficult to damage this docking station during shipping. Operation instructions and functions of the XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 are printed on the box. The box should be saved for storage. Also, the contents of the box included the docking station (Soma Stand), AC power adapter and user guide/warranty statement. See the various photographs that I have posted on Amazon's website for this product.I was able to begin playing music within five to ten minutes after opening the box. This attractive, stylish pyramid-shaped docking station is eXtremely easy to set up and operate. Diagrams for opening and closing the docking station are on the box. Simply open up the two halves, swing out and lock the Apple dock connector in place, and then dock your iOS [iPhone Operating System (Apple)] device, i.e., iPod, iPhone and iPad. I own the Apple iPhone 4. It is protected by a heavy, thick case, which is nearly impossible to remove: Speck CandyShell View Phone Case (Speck CandyShell View Phone Case for iPhone 4, Fits Verizon and AT&T Models - 1 Pack - Retail Packaging - Batwing Black). Therefore, I cannot dock it without attaching a Charge and Audio Extension Cable (Charge and Audio Extension Cable for Cars and Speaker Docks Fits Apple iPod / iPhone (White, 4 Ft)). See my posted photograph. In the rear of the right side of the upside down "V," there is the power button (a yellow LED on the Apple dock connector glows orange when the power is ON) and "+" and "-" buttons for increasing and decreasing the volume, respectively. There is an AC adapter for connecting the docking station to an electrical outlet and a line in jack for connecting it to MP3 players, such as my Philips GoGear Cam 8 GB MP3 Player (Philips GoGear Cam 8 GB MP3 Player (Silver)). Because of the AC power adapter, this docking station will charge your iOS device while it plays music. Also, because the electrical outlet is the power source rather than the iOS device itself, the volume on the docking station can be greatly amplified. I was disappointed with the XtremeMac IPU-STR-11 (Xtrememac IPU-STR-11 Portable Stereo Speaker with Dock for iPod, iPhone and iPad); it has a very compact design that makes it eXtremely portable but, it has a low volume, doesn't charge iOS devices, and doesn't have an alarm. On a positive side, the XtremeMac IPU-STR-11 does have a mini USB cord that allows the owner to sync their iOS device with their iTunes accounts while their iOS device is still docked. The owner can download the free XtremeMac alarm clock app to their iOS device and turn it into an alarm clock. I already had it downloaded because I own the XtremeMac Luna SST Dual Alarm Clock with Detachable Speaker. It plays music loudly, has a detachable speaker that can be placed across the room, and two alarm clocks that can wake one up to their favorite song. However, this docking station is too large to be portable and can be difficult for a novice to set up and operate. I have used the XtremeMac alarm clock app on my iPhone to wake me up while I was napping in my La-Z-Boy recliner; my iPhone was docked to my pyramid-shaped XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11. After turning off the first alarm, I laid back in my La-Z-Boy and waited until the second alarm awoke me to a different song that I had pre-selected using the XtremeMac alarm clock app. In order to download the XtremeMac alarm clock app on one's iOS device, simply go to App Store/Search/xtrememac alarm clock. If you want the alarm to wake you up to your favorite song, dock the iOS device and touch the Alarm Clock app. Touch the settings icon at the bottom center. Alarm 1 and Alarm 2 will appear. Touch Alarm 1. You then have options to select Time, Source, Repeat, Volume and Snooze. Select Time and use the roulette wheel to program the time. Remember to select the proper AM or PM. Touch Alarm 1 and select Source/Song. All the songs in one's library will appear in alphabetical order by title. Select your favorite song. Then touch Alarm 1 and select Repeat and touch the day(s) you want this Alarm to wake you. Then touch Alarm 1 and select Volume. After pushing your finger across the screen to the right (increase volume) or to the left (decrease volume), touch Alarm 1 and select Snooze. Using the roulette wheel again, select the time interval you want the alarm to ring again after hitting Snooze. Touch Alarm 1 and touch Alarms. Ensure that Alarm 1 is ON and touch Sync. Repeat process for Alarm 2 if you want this docking station to wake someone else up at a different time. While playing music on my iPhone I never have to miss a call when it is docked on my XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11. When someone calls my iPhone, my music ceases, the iPhone rings and I answer it by pressing once the On/Off button on my Jabra EASYGO Bluetooth Headset (Jabra EASYGO for PCs Bluetooth Headset with USB Adapter - Bluetooth Headset - Retail Packaging - Black). When I end the call, the music commences. The music will also cease when I begin dialing a number; once again the music will commence when I terminate the call. The XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 can be operated using four AA batteries in lieu of plugging it into an electrical outlet. Batteries were not included. I installed four AA batteries and the sound was fairly lower than if I had the docking station connected to the electrical outlet. The battery door is located on the bottom of the left side of the docking station's inverted "V." It was easy to slide open but difficult to shut after I inserted the batteries. To open the door, place your thumb on it and slide it away from the hinge. To close the door, slide your thumb towards you. After inserting the batteries, continue to slide your thumb across the door away from the hinge until the door is shut tightly closed and then slide your thumb back towards the hinge in order to lock it in place. I seldom use the batteries. Normally, I just plug the docking station into an electrical outlet. If I took it to an outdoor event, such as a pool party or picnic, I'd have to insert the four AA batteries. I connected my Philips GoGear Cam 8 GB MP3 Player to my XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 (Philips GoGear Cam 8 GB MP3 Player (Silver)). The sound was clear and the volume was high if I had it connected to the electrical outlet. The sound was much lower if the power solely came from batteries. I love my XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11. I love its portability. Recently, I packed it in my suitcase when I flew home to visit my relatives in Knoxville, Tennessee. In Virginia Beach, Virginia, my best friend threw a surprise birthday party for her oldest daughter. I brought my XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 to her home and connected her iPad to it. We were able to listen to some modern R&B during the party. The sound was great. Furthermore, I sing in the choir at Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia. We are performing a 4th of July celebration. I downloaded the music to my iPhone so that I could listen and learn it. After docking my iPhone on my XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 and turning up the volume, I can hear the 4th of July music all over my apartment. The XtremeMac IPU-SAS-11 is the best docking station I own and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a portable one.Joseph B. Hoyos