Sound quality is quite good. It sounds a bit thin without additional Bass Boost settings, but with Bass Boost it's perfectly fine. Definitely not Bose, but very comfortable to listen to and loud enough for my use. You don't need to download the app, but if you download it you can sync the time and some other settings to the dock. My iPad Air fits on it without a case, but I wouldn't recommend it - it can rock back and forth (left to right) and it can also fall forward if hit because the lightning connector attached to the dock protrudes slightly can rotate for easier iPhone connection. The remote controls play/pause, volume and next/previous music app, google play, downcast and similar audio player apps. Also has an audio input connector to connect another device. I use it for movies on my iPad, the iPad is connected to something else for power and a cable from the headphone jack to the audio input. I could definitely use a few more of these - in the workshop, on the road, etc.
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