JBL On Stage II with RF Remote Review

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(More customer reviews)Last summer I purchased an iPod Mini 6GB to ease the stress and boredom of an intercontinental flight. It sounded great with Sony noise-canceling headphones and served its purpose well. However, since then I haven't used it much. So with the advent of the iPod speaker docking stations, I saw the possibility of saving my investment. I wanted one that was cubicle compatible, since I'm unable to use my computer for music CDs. With that in mind, I began my research.
I ran across the JBL On Stage II with remote. Its compact size and clean styling were appealing. It didn't look like it would overpower my desk or irritate management, and it was small enough so I could put it away in a drawer or cabinet if necessary. Also, the remote expanded the placement options on my C-shaped desk surface. Finally, most of the reviews I read were positive (although the earlier model apparently had some issues). Even though I was tempted by the Klipsch Audiophile iGroove Stereo, I went for the On Stage II.
Setup was quick and easy. First, I popped in the plastic adapter for the iPod Mini. Then I plugged in the power cable and inserted my powered-down iPod. Finally, I hit the power switch on the back of the On Stage II, turned my Mini on, and was in business. Since I had to place the On Stage II out of arm's reach, the remote proved its worth right away. I can control the volume so my office mates aren't disturbed (or crank it when they aren't around), and pause it to take a phone call. Of course, I still have to wheel over and manually navigate my iPod to a desired playlist.
The remote is a bit larger than the average flash drive, and it has a clamp on the back so you can attach it to your shirt (I'd prefer a magnet so I could stick it on my metal cabinet cover). Keep an eye on the remote, because it blends in with a busy desk. That, combined with its tiny size, makes it somewhat easy to misplace. The battery is already installed, so it works right out of the box. The manual claims the CR2032-type battery will last for one year under normal usage. To change it, you'll have to remove 3 tiny Phillips screws on the remote's back. It also has a side-mounted on-off switch, although I wonder if the switch can stand up to repetitive use.
I tried out some mp3s of Steely Dan, Boston, and The Alan Parsons Project. Whether the mp3s were compressed at 128kbps or 192kbps, the music was clear and crisp. However, at times it sounded tinny and lacked significant depth. If you like deep, pounding bass with "Anvil of Crom", or demand audiophile quality, you'll be disappointed. For home use, I'd go the Klipsch route. But for background music in an office setting, the diminutive On Stage II is more than adequate flair.

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The JBL On Stage II with RF Remote is a revolution in personal sound for the iPod. The On Stage II is a compact, yet powerful high-performance sound system for iPod and other MP3 players. You can now fill a room with clear, accurate JBL sound with all the volume you can handle. Use the wireless remote to control the music from up to 50 feet in any direction -- even through walls. This device is compatible with most iPod models, including the mini, nano, and 5G versions. (Note: On Stage II does not dock the iPod shuffle.)
In addition to being compatible with most versions of iPod, the On Stage II allows you to enjoy high-quality audio from a variety of other devices, such as MP3 and CD players, desktop computers (all platforms), and laptops via a mini stereo jack connection. No matter what device you're using, volume control is a breeze -- just a touch increases or decreases the volume. And if you need to stop the party quickly, touch both pads to mute the system, and then touch them again to bring the music back. The On Stage II is small enough to take on the road for great sound wherever you go. The lightweight, compact sound station can provide full, rich sound in any location. Additional features include the OnePoint iPod connector that provides the connection to your computer, or you can connect the standard iPod cable to the rear of the On Stage II and every time you dock your iPod, you'll be ready for synchronizing and charging.
This device provides power to charge your iPod when it's not connected to the computer -- even if the system is turned off. Just plug your iPod wall charger into the back of the On Stage II and your iPod will charge with or without the system turned on. Adapters for most iPods are provided for easy use of any generation (except the iPod shuffle). Plus, JBL has included an auxiliary audio input cable. The On Stage II combines many proprietary technologies to provide the highest sound quality -- you'll be astonished with the bass and clear, accurate sound. All of this great sound is delivered through four aluminum-domed Odyssey transducers that are drive by powerful neodymium magnets. This design provides a full, rich-frequency response from the lowest bass to the highest highs, and the system equalization has been computer-optimized to provide a rich, complete soundstage.
What's in the Box JBL On Stage II, RF remote control, auxiliary audio input cable, and an user's manual.

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