JBL OnStage II
March 30th, 2006 | by Vince Veneziani
Full Review - Performance and Conclusion
Performance The quality of OnStage II's sound is excellent. Even at high volumes you'll be hard-pressed to find distortion. The bass booms and other instruments are heard with ultimate clarity. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a $2000 home theater system, but for the MSRP of $170, you'll discover it's difficult to find sound this good for such a price anywhere else. The combination of portability and excellent sound make the OnStage II one of the best iPod docking systems available today. The remote works well even from semi-far distances. I wasn't able to go all the way upstairs and change songs while in the kitchen, but I was able to point the remote towards the wall in the direction of the bathroom where the OnStage II was and change songs. You won't find many other remotes this size that work as well as a professional remote. It's a nice feature that JBL included to maximize the use of your iPod. But how does the OnStage II sound compared to other docking systems with speakers? I was able to listen to the Bose SoundDock and Altec Lansing inMotion IM7 speaker sets, and I found out that although both are quite a bit more costly than the JBL OnStage II they have similar features. The OnStage II sounds a little better than the IM7 set when in a small room, but the IM7 wins in a larger setting such as a store or backyard. The Bose SoundDock beats both and has excellent quality sound that you'd expect from Bose. However, at $300, the SoundDock is not affordable for everyone, making the OnStage II the best all-around choice for the average consumer. Audiophiles will obviously want something a bit better than what JBL has to offer, so perhaps the SoundDock would suit their tastes best. Conclusion JBL has really hit a home run with their OnStage II docking system. The easy-to-use features and high quality sound make it worth your time. You'll have a great listening experience using the OnStage II in your home. The remote feature works great and the price you'll pay for it won't break the bank. Although not as high-end as some other docking systems available today, the OnStage II is the best choice for people looking for an affordable, yet quality iPod dock. Pros: Cons:
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by J. Burns on November 25, 2006:
“I know JBL from my early years of big stereo speakers...great then, still great...bought this iPod speaker system for my daughter's boyfriend who plays guitar and drums and only had headphones to listen to his iPod. He loves this OnStage. He says the sound...” More...