Entered CNET Catalog: 11/16/2005
SKU: 0050036912075
Manufacturer: Harman International Industries
Manufacturer description
JBL's newest creation, JBL On Stage II with RF remote, is a revolution in personal sound for the iPod. The JBL On Stage II is a compact yet powerful high-performance sound system for iPod and other MP3 players. Fill your room with clear, accurate JBL sound and all the volume you (and your friends and neighbors) can handle. Use the wireless remote to control the music from up to 50 feet in any direction, even through walls. But whatever you do, rock on. Because JBL On Stage II is the iPod dock that knows how to party, and it's pure JBL. Compatible with most iPod models (does not dock iPod shuffle), including mini, nano and 5G versions.Product summary
The good: Sleek, flying saucer-like looks; clear, bright sound; wireless remote; charges and syncs your iPod; adapters for wide range of iPod models.
The bad: Heavy, bulky AC adapter; no battery option; so-so bass response; expensive.
The bottom line: The JBL On Stage II's new wireless remote makes these attractive iPod speakers even easier to use, but we're still disappointed by its bulky AC adapter and its lightweight bass response.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/18/2006
Measuring about 7 inches in circumference and 2 inches high, the sleek, ice-white JBL On Stage II looks a bit like a flying saucer designed in Cupertino. A gray speaker grille encircles the On Stage, with a 3-inch notch carved out for your iPod--it literally sets the iPod up on a soundstage. Turn the device around, and you'll find a power button, an AC power port, a line-in plug, and an iPod connector, while underneath are three wide rubber feet that give the On Stage a firm grip on a tabletop. While the On Stage is certainly more portable than, say, the Bose SoundDock, it's no lightweight, tipping the scales at 17 ounces, plus a whopping 18 ounces for the AC adapter--and no, it doesn't accept batteries.
The JBL On Stage II comes with a set of four adapters covering just about every iPod model with a dock connector, ranging from the 10GB monochrome model to the 60GB color iPod, while adapters for the latest round of iPods--including the 30GB and the 60GB iPods with video, as well as the 2GB and the 4GB Nanos--are free to order from JBL's Web site. (The iPod Shuffle, which has a USB port instead of a dock connector, won't work directly with the On Stage at all.) If you have a first-generation iPod or another music player altogether, you can always use the included line-in cable, which plugs into any standard stereo minijack.
Once you plug your iPod into the JBL On Stage II's dock connector, the device disables the iPod's volume control and pumps the sound through its own speakers. A pair of silver, touch-sensitive volume buttons flank the iPod dock; you can just tap, or press and hold, to adjust the sound. Just like its predecessor, the On Stage charges your iPod while it's playing, and you can also sync it with iTunes by plugging your sync cable into the back of the On Stage. The big news with the new On Stage is its 1-ounce, palm-size remote, which lets you pause your iPod, skip tracks, scan forward or back within a song, and adjust the volume. According to JBL, the remote has a range of 20 feet, but we had no trouble using the remote from as far away as 35 feet.
We were impressed with the JBL On Stage II's bright, detailed sound, although we could do with a little more bass. Navigating to Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti on our Nano, we poured on the volume, and the On Stage didn't blink, cranking out the soaring strings and vocals of "Kashmir" with power to spare. That said, the On Stage's quartet of midrange speakers couldn't match the bass response of the Altec Lansing iM7 or the Bose SoundDock.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9out of 9 user reviews
good, small but heavy
Pros: Excelent sound quality, not big
Cons: heavy, bulky power supply
out of 9 user reviews
Great quality from a small device
Pros: This unit is perfect for my office, it allows me to charge my iPod at work after the Gym and small enough for the office. It also allows me to use it as speakers for my PC.
Cons: Round shape takes up space on desk, but it is not a deal breaker...
out of 9 user reviews
A great system for the size, but not portable enough for my needs.
Pros: Sounds great for its size. Sleek, compact design, 360 degrees of sound, remote was handy
Cons: Pricey, stationary, no control of sound quality (i.e. bass boost). Video iPod was not stable in the cradle, either.
out of 9 user reviews
Great Deal at Office Depot
Pros: Buy This Speaker for $29.99
Cons: I see no downside
out of 9 user reviews
Surprisingly Great Solid Sound
Pros: Small, easy to use
Cons: Power adapter is too big and bulky
out of 9 user reviews
excellent for small areas
Pros: great sound for such a small device
Cons: no remote, no battery option
i have the earlier version of these speakers, but will be purchasing this one just for the remote. i don't listen to music totally blasting without headphones, so low to moderate volume levels sound great. because of the circular design, the sound really fills a room. although there are some people disappointed in the bass, it is amazing to me what good sound you get from such a small device. if you want something that will fill your whole house with sound this is not the way to go, but this is perfect for travel (yes, AC adapter is bulky but it's just an AC adapter and so it's small anyway), the office, the kitchen, a bedroom, or small apartment.
out of 9 user reviews
Good, but if your looking for some power, not the way to go.
Pros: Great sound, nice design, interchangable fittings for iPods
Cons: Not much power, no battery option
It's very nifty, touch sensitive volume control, good remote (though my first one didn't work), I love how you can charge and update your ipod through the dock.
However, if you have a case on your iPod, you have to take it off to fit in this dock. Also, it doesn't fit Videos or Nanos too well.
If you can find these around for about 100 and your just looking to use them in a small room without being too demanding, then I'd grab this product. But if you're looking for a powerful system, look elsewhere.
out of 9 user reviews
Amazing... but
Pros: Very good sound, remote
Cons: Begins to buzz when it gets to a higher level, large intervals between volume levels
out of 9 user reviews
Super Sound
Pros: Small footprint and remote control
Cons: No battery option (not that I would use it anyway)
The unit also works well as my "alarm clock" using the alarm feature on my Nano. I go to sleep (setting the sleep timer to 30 minutes) to one playlist, and then wake up via the alarm clock funtion to another selected playlist (all functions of the Nano).
The controls both on the face of the unit, and the remote control work well.
One "technical support hint": If you have problems getting your Nano to work with this unit (or any unit actually), read the manual for the Nano and "reset" your unit. It seems to work flawlessly after that.
Adapters come with the unit for various Ipods, but make sure your buying a the On Stage II unit (with remote) vs. the earlier Stage I unit with no remote (or apparently) the adapter you may need.
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