Customer Reviews

JBL On Stage Speakers for iPod

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(34)

 

 

I read all the reviews about this product's problems, like its shorting out on the second day...but I didn't believe them. Maybe those reviewers were using it wrong. Maybe they were playing it too loud (I'm too old to listen to loud music, so I figured that wouldn't be an issue for me). Maybe their iPods were somehow the culprit.

Lo and behold, mine did indeed short out on the second day. I got about 10 good minutes of use out of it the first day. Next day, I turned it on, and the speakers crackled even with the volume down low. And every time I hit either volume button I heard loud distortion. Basically, it is now useless.

In short, this product is trash. Amazon would only offer me a refund - I guess I should be glad I won't have to get a replacement and go through the same thing all over again. JBL says 1% of their devices have these problems? Yeah, right.

My advice: STAY AWAY from this defective piece of junk. And believe the reviews - they're actually true. I've learned my lesson.


UPDATED 3/8/05

I went to the Apple Store, took a chance, and bought a new one of these, one with the new chip that allegedly corrected all the problems (I didn't like the sound or the design on any of the other speakers, except for the Bose, which is a bit too pricey for me). Apple said they'd take it back if anything happened within 14 days, and would work with me if anything went wrong after that.

I have to admit, the new model is working great - JBL has sorted out all the problems. I have no static, no shorting out, great sound, working volume controls, etc. etc. I think JBL did understate the original problem - and, to be honest (and refute one reviewer here), not all the defective models showed up in their database (I typed my SN in, and it said it was fine - which was clearly untrue, because Amazon sent me a recall notice).

Net net: if you can get your hands on the new version (Apple stores sell them, not sure if Amazon does yet), you will enjoy this product. It is definitely the best value - great sound for a great price. But make sure you're getting a newer one, not an old one that's been sitting on a shelf for several months.

So now I would give it 3 stars overall (not 5 only because of my initial problems). The product itself is 5 stars.

I was quite impressed with the volume of the Sound Stage. It sounds great also. Just remember that for the best sound you can adjust the equalizer on your iPod.

Three of my friends now have a Sound Stage based solely on how impressed they were with listening to mine.

It is great for taking on the road and listening to in Hotels rooms etc.

I can't really even emphasize how much use and enjoyment I have gotten out of this player in the year I have had it. I might even go so far as to say that I believe you really aren't getting the full value out of your iPod if you don't have these speakers, or at least some other comparable speakers. The sound on these is great, the design is simple and compact yet attractive, and most conveniently of all... your iPod charges while plugged into it.

One thing that might be kind of annoying... if you have a case for your iPod, you'll have to remove it each time you use these speakers. Also, I've never had any problems with these speakers, but apparently there is some sort of malfunctioning chip in some of them. From the sound of it, though, JBL has done as much as they can to fix the problem and replace faulty items.

Overall, I couldn't be much happier with this product and would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.

Also...secret hint: you can mute the player by simultaneously pressing the "+" and "-" button.

This little edible donut shaped speaker is a wonderful accessory. Instead of listening to your music with headphones, you will have loud speakers with crisp sound. You have an included feature. You can mute and unmute, so if you get a phone call, mute the speaker. Fits in a backpack or suitcase for anything trips or going to work. These speakers work with mostly every iPod as follows: (you must have white adapters for different iPods to work on speakers. Set of four are included with speakers.)

iPod mini
iPod
iPod with color display
iPod with clickwheel
iPod Nano (adapter included in Nano box)
does NOT work with photo iPod!!!

Do not go out and buy Bose speakers which have the same crisp sound. Who the heck pays THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN BUCKS (with tax) on speakers? These speakers are only ONE HUNDRED SEVEN BUCKS on Amazon!!!!!! Come on now??..!!

note: some units are defective. Some of these units have a bad chip inside. Make sure you call or email JBL for a replacement. All you have to do is ship out the defective one and they will replace it. You have to pay for shipping, but when they ship you a new one, thay will pay you back the amount.

I noticed that many of you like this product but are having problems with the volume controls. I found this on the JBL website.

"JBL has discovered that a certain chip used in the production of JBL On Stage will fail under certain circumstances. Not all On Stage products are affected. iPods are not affected and cannot be damaged by the problem. We have re-started production with a new, reliable chip. We are in the process of determining the exact batch numbers of the affected units. As soon as this is determined, we will re-supply all dealers and our own service department with new units for exchange. If you experience this problem, please contact us at websupport@harman.com or call 516-255-4JBL (4525) and select the prompt for "Multi-Media Computer Speakers". JBL is noted for its 50-year reputation in the design and manufacture of high-quality, best-in-class performing speakers. On Stage is no exception. We value your business and thank you for your patience as we exchange the defective units."

This is my first 'real' accessory for my iPod. I wanted something portable and reasonably priced. Although the Bose speaker is superior in sound quality, I would be too nervous to haul it around with me due to its higher price tag. The JBL On Stage still provides great sound and is much easier to tote. I also really appreciate the dock connector, so I can still synch up to my computer. A wireless remote would have been a plus, but oh well. Overall, I'm satisified with my purchase.

My experience with the JBL Onstage was unfortunately very similar to the bad experiences I've read here, only worse.....

The first one I bought actually caused a severe shock to my son...he had touched the down volume and was jolted quite severely.....after that the volume controls did not work.

According to JBL on their website:

<You may have heard that a very few customers (currently fewer than 1%) have experienced a problem with JBL on stage.

The problem will present itself in one of two ways: Either the unit no longer works or the volume can't be controlled. This condition may occur ONLY if all of the following conditions are present:

1. You dock your iPod® to JBL on stage while both products are on and

2. A significant charge of static electricity transfers from you to the JBL on stage volume control and

3. A specific chip was used in your JBL on stage.

We want to emphasize that there is no safety issue.

We are offering to replace your JBL on stage at no cost to you except for the shipping cost to our warehouse (we will pay return shipping), should you have a JBL on stage with a defective chip. First, let's find out whether your unit has the defective chip.

Please enter the serial number of your JBL on stage into this field.......
*************

I'm afraid I have differ about it being a safety issue....while technically that may be true....the unit did indeed generate a SIGNIFICANT electrical charge....enough so that my son jumped back and when I asked him what happened, he described a receiving a very strong jolt....(like you might get from an electrical outlet)

IMO, this is unacceptable and is in and of itself indicative of a design flaw.

.

I also assumed I had gotten a 'defective' unit and returned for another.....only to have the speakers fry again... either JBL isn't being forthright about the number of 'defective' units or the stores are putting the returned products back on the shelves (something i doubt) because the odds of myself and others who have written getting 2 defective units seems improbable (noting also that most people do not bother to review a bad product)

I believe that JBL should recall these units....again stating that the product (when used as designed) can generate a SIGNIFICANT electrical shock, it is clear there is an inherent design flaw.

JBL should do the right thing and issue a recall, pull the product and rework the volume control such that the consumer isn't at risk of electrical shock

Unless and until the metal volume controls are redesigned and the electrical shock issue resolved, stay away from this produt

I am sad to say that I agree with those who have commented on the speakers blowing out. I should have known, given that the store where I listened to the JBL system had the same problem---but they blamed it on the prior customer. I bought the JBL less than a month ago, and have used it rarely, but when I put my ipod in it today, the speakers blew (even though it wasn't even loud) and the volume control doesn't work anymore. Upon further review today, I've found that many others have had the same problem. This is my FIRST review ever, because I've never been so disappointed to write a review before. I loved it for the first two weeks, but I expect $150 speakers to last longer than that.

Let me begin by saying for the first week that my OnStage was working, it was great. Incredible sound for its size - crisp, clear and plenty of range. Not only does it look cool, it sounds better.

However, and like some of the other reviews, I had a problem with the volume controls. After less than a week of use, my touch volume controls simply stopped functioning. I have read a number of other reviews (here and elsewhere) and this does not appear to be an isolated experience. I have also been working with Harmon to exchange for a new unit but this process has taken more than a month (and to date, I am still without a new unit).

All in all, this will be a great product once the 'bugs' have been worked out. I do recommend (when working, the sound is impressive) but I recommend with caution.

As an audiophile, I can definitely state for the minimal dollars spend (about $100 on Amazon), this unit sounds great. I use it in a large bathroom and in hotel rooms and you would think I had a large boombox in the room (with crisper highs and more accurate bass). The bass is quite impressive for such a small unit. The overall sound quality is quite impressive as well considering how few watts the unit has at its disposal. And the unit, which may not be as portable as others (but it is small), it is solid, does not have folding or bending parts that can break and could easily fit in a suitcase or carry-on. For the money, you'll not find better. If you are looking to have an outdoor superjam with all of our buddies, then you might want to simply get a boombox with an external input. The JBL also looks great.

No real complaints at all. Even the touch volume is nice. Others have more buttons, but no need here, they are in easy reach and the cradle holds hit strong so you can use the wheel without any problem. I saw some complaints listed, but I have used mine with the power on and off and have plugged my IPoD in while the unit has been powered on and off with no problems. A trip to the JVC website showed a recall for older units. Mine was a later unit and I have had it for about 6 months, so any new buyer should not have a problem (and the website says that less than 99.5% of the units sold had the recall problem for which those units were replaced at no cost and all new units have no defects). A great product, money well spent. I may even get a second one!