So much about audio these days is focused on portable sound and home theater that people who simply want to listen to music at home get short shrift. A co-worker's recent request for home-audio ideas prompted this survey of cool and useful products that go beyond the typical receiver-speaker setup. They take advantage of the latest in wireless and other technologies to provide great sound at various prices and the flexibility to meet many needs. If you want to explore more options, check out the helpful websites CNET Reviews (reviews.cnet.com) and Audio Review (www.audioreview.com).

A moving experience IPod docks are convenient for around-the-house listening, but not so handy when you're moving from room to room. Enter Eos. The base unit, with your iPod docked, stays in one place, but a remote wireless speaker can be moved to any other room. Just plug in the power cord and the speaker automatically finds the base unit's audio signal and streams whatever's playing on the main unit with no loss of fidelity. The speaker unit plays in stereo and includes a ported subwoofer for full-range sound. While Eos is optimized for iPod integration, any audio device can be connected to the main unit. The base unit with one remote speaker and a basic remote control costs $250; additional speakers (up to four can be used with one base unit) are $130 each (www.eoswireless.com).

Look, no wires -- really For truly wireless portability in iPod dock speakers, there's the Griffin Evolve. Its two 5 1/2-inch speaker cubes have rechargeable batteries, so no power cord is needed when they go mobile. The speakers charge while sitting on the main unit and can be removed to take to any other room. Simple. On the downside, if you grab just one of the speakers, you'll get only mono sound, and their small size doesn't handle high volume or bass well. But the hip factor is off the scale. Evolve, which includes a basic remote, retails for $300 (www.evolvespeakers.com).

Just the right size A compact, all-in-one table-top stereo might be better suited for people who don't need wireless portability. For versatility and sound, it's hard to beat Cambridge Soundworks' bestselling Radio CD 745i. It has AM/FM radio and dual alarms and comes bundled with an external iPod dock. Its CD drive can play regular audio discs or CD-Rs encoded with MP3 or WMA files. A dedicated subwoofer driver provides pleasing bass. The 745i retails for $400, but often sells at a discount directly from the manufacturer (www.cambridgesoundworks.com). If that's too much, consider the similar iLuv i199, which CNET loves, for $200 (www.i-luv.com).

Total remote control With iPod docks all the rage, a remote control is important because it's inconvenient to access the plugged-in iPod without it. But most remote devices that come with a dock do only basic functions. That's where the wireless TuneView comes in. Its LCD screen displays the contents of your iPod and allows you to navigate among the songs -- from just about anywhere in your home -- with buttons that mimic the functions of the music device. The iPod nests in the supplied dock, which connects to any stereo or TV. TuneView isn't cheap, $179, but serious iPod users will think it's worth the expense (www.keyspan.com).

Web-enabled sound It's difficult to find a home-audio setup that has received more raves than Sonos. CNET calls it "the best multiroom streaming audio solution available." The base package, the BU130, includes a main amplifier that connects to your home's computer network (Ethernet), a wireless remote unit for another room and a super-duper iPod-inspired remote control with an LCD screen. You have to connect your own speakers to each unit. But then your sonic world comes alive. You can stream music directly from audio files on your computer, listen to free Internet radio stations or hear subscription services such as Rhapsody and Sirius. You can also access any connected audio device, such as a CD player or iPod. The cool thing is that you can buy extra units (each with its set of user-supplied speakers) for wireless sound in up to 32 rooms -- and you can play different tunes in different rooms. Sonos offers so much that it's worth reading CNET's detailed review (www.startribune.com/a4130) and seeing the company's demo (www.sonos.com). All of this innovation comes at a hefty price, $999 for the base package, $349 for each additional other-room unit. But considering the labor and expense of installing in-wall, whole-house audio, Sonos is a serious, flexible option for those who want great-sounding music throughout their home without ripping up walls.

Randy A. Salas • 612-673-4542