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JBL Duet II review

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CNET Editors' Rating

3.0 stars Good
Review Date:

Average User Rating

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The good: The JBL Duet II speakers offer a cool, futuristic design that should blend with most desktop setups. Audio sounds very clear and open, and stereo separation is great.

The bad: The JBL Duet II desktop speakers have several cables that are tangle-prone and make for a messy appearance. Bass is deficient.

The bottom line: If you're in the market for a fun-looking, clear-sounding set of speakers for you office or dorm room, the JBL Duet II is a good choice.

The beauty of desktop speaker sets is that their universal connectivity (usually via a standard 3.5mm plug) makes them suitable for use with MP3 players and other audio devices in a pinch. Of course, many of the models on the market aren't exactly inspiring in the looks department. One exception to this rule is the JBL Duet II, a pair of "space-age" desktop speakers that retail for about $100. If you can get past the tangle of wires sprouting from the back, they're a solid option for your office, den, or dorm room listening needs.

We've always been rather fond of JBL's futuristic designs, and the Duet II speakers are no exception. The package contains a pair of drives that look rather like docked space shuttles. A circular base supports a tapered end that bulges out to form a cylinder that slightly tapers again at the top. The front of each speaker is wrapped in a silver clothe grille that is emblazoned with the JBL logo, while the back is encased in glossy black plastic. The Duet II is a bit on the large side for a desktop unit, with the base of each measuring 4 inches in diameter and the mini towers themselves standing 10.5 inches tall. Still, the overall tall-and-narrow shape works well for positioning on either side of a computer monitor.

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Quick Specifications

  • Release date03/11/09
  • Speaker type PC multimedia speakers
  • Connectivity Technology Wired
  • Color Black
  • Amplification Type Active
  • Input Impedance 3 KOhm
  • Power output 6 Watt

Since 2003, Jasmine France has worked at CNET covering everything from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices to MP3 players. She currently cohosts the Crave podcast and spends the majority of her time testing headphones, music software, and mobile apps. Full Bio

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