This speaker set folds up in to a rectangle cubeish thing. folding itself up protects the speakers...smart and simple.Uses the headphone input from your ipod or ANY other audio source including headphone out from your PC or some other mp3 player.Uses 4 AAA batts or INCLUDED AC adapter.The sound is very good for a pair of speakers this small it will fill a small hotel room with sound.I bought 2 sets and a Y audio splitter which gives you a nice powerfull audio system for less than $15.This is almost the same product as Pro Power digital ipod speakers except those exchange the AC Adaptor for a USB power adaptor, so you can power your speakers with the USB power on your laptop.