We like the “Boomtube” portable speaker system from Virgin, because, unlike other portable units we have tried, this one is designed to be durable enough to carry in your backpack for years.
The tube has an anodized aluminum housing which resists stains and scratches, but weighs in at only two pounds. The speakers are 2” aluminium cones with dual neodymium magnets. 
The system can be disassembled for stereo separation purposes, and then reassembled back into tube form. It runs for approximately 20 hours on 4 AA batteries. It is available for $99 from Virgin.
Coming soon is the Boomtube Ex, which is has a sub woofer-like bass tube and more than 40 watts of total system power generated from rechargeable batteries at $199.
NOTE: Virgin Electronics has been closed down. We are not sure if these speakers are available anywhere.
Home Page: Virgin Boomtube
Virgin Boomtube: Portable Speakers
We like the “Boomtube” portable speaker system from Virgin, because, unlike other portable units we have tried, this one is designed to be durable enough to carry in your backpack for years. The tube has an anodized aluminum housing which…
4 AA batteries at a hypothetical 2500 mah = 1.5 * 2.5 * 4 = 15 watt hours. 40 watts / 15 watt hours = .375 hours. thes numbers are EXTREMELY optimistic.
“whoo”
i hope its not a 40w system…. it looks mother frakking awsome otherwise. i really want.
the boomtube regular’s specs say 4 watts RMS. not sure if thats per speaker or joint. i really with they had a sensitivity rating posted on the specs. 4 watts per speaker is great with high sensitivity speakers, and would give about the battery time required to be useful.