Superb for what it is, IMO works best as an indoors close-range desktop speaker, but has some punch for other applications. It's biggest benefits are its good stereo imaging up close, extreme portability, ability to run off battery, and input flexibility...you can take it anywhere & use it with many devices. Bluetooth worked beautifully, chosen over mini-jack link. Direct dock delivers astonishing sound. It's great being able charge & listen simultaneously. As others have noted, a negative is that you can't dock your iPhone/iPod 5 with most cases on. I purchased a little Miniturtle case that snaps on the iPod back...covers the sides but not the top or bottom of the iPod, docks fine. The speaker's lightweight small size (12" wide, 4-1/2" tall, 1-1/2" deep, w/pull-out stand) truly will fit easily into backpacks, briefcases, purses, etc. As to sound... SUMMARY: REMARKABLE FOR ITS SIZE. That said, given previous glowing reviews, I bought this speaker over others because I was expecting decent loudness with smooth, deep bass. Well, you can crank it, but bass, while smooth and impressive for a tiny unit, doesn't deliver a sharp punch. If you want that punchy ooomph, perhaps try a more traditional sound delivery system. I mostly use it placed just beneath my computer monitor at work, so keep it low & handy to turn down the volume when receiving calls, & it works exceptionally well in this environment, giving clear, crisp, detailed, balanced sound, good stereo imaging that actually seems to extend beyond the speaker's physical dimensions, with fair bass. (UPDATE: I've had this about 2 weeks & sound has improved over the break-in period. Thought it was a tad bright at first, which has mellowed out.) Haven't tried it outside yet. FYI...I finally chose this more expensive, Bluetooth capable speaker over the Philips DS3205 Charging Speaker Dock for iPhone 5/iPod with Lightning Dock (around $60), which I'm returning to Amazon. The little donut dock was cute & a nice charger, but the mini-jack input didn't work, its roundish shape wouldn't fit easily into carry bags, there was virtually no - if any - stereo separation, weak bass, and sounded muffled to my ears...and no Bluetooth. If ya gotta chose one...the DS7880 is your best bet!!