Altec Lansing Moondance GLOW

The Moondance GLOW is a speaker system by Altec Lansing, one that is described as a high performance iPod music device. The compact audio system-plus-alarm clock features a wireless snooze remote and mood lighting.


What’s in the box?

The unit, a remote control and two strange pyramid-shaped devices, without the pointy bits. One of them is a separate "snooze" remote and the other is a receiver that plugs into the back of the system. The design is rather swanky, modern-meets-retro style. The glossy black unit tilts slightly backwards and when the Moondance is powered on, it has a LCD backlit in orange. The remotes have the same design.
The touch-sensitive buttons are at the top on the unit, with one button per function. The audio remote has all the controls, while the second remote enables you to stop the alarm and can also be used to play and pause music. Those who like to bang their hand on the alarm clock in the morning will be thrilled, the shape fits the palm perfectly. In terms of auxiliary input, the device can connect to a second audio source. There is also the possibility to add a FM antenna but that is it. A USB port would have been welcome…

Audio quality

There are two 3’’ full range drivers which is far more than what you usually get on an alarm clock. Sound quality is good for such a compact device.Sounds are well-defined, clear, well-balanced and powerful. Difficult to say anything bad on this level (except maybe a weakness in bass) but then again, in what world could two 3" speakers produce the same bass as a 15’’subwoofer? After all this is an alarm device to wake you up, not one to be dancing to !

We liked everything on the Moondance GLOW and we are rather sorry to see that it can only be used as a dock with an iPod.