JBL OnTour Portable Music Box

by JBL

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 8.5 x 9 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002SAE56
• Item model number: 4955-TOUR
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (131 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Share your music while on the road with the Harman JBL on Tour portable speaker system, which features an integrated protective cover that slides open to reveal a pair of full-range speakers. The slightly curved chassis measures 7 by 1.4 by 3.5 inches (W x H x D) when closed. When open, the cover shifts focus to serve as a stand, pointing the speakers upward to produce optimal sound on a flat surface. The system is compatible with most portable audio players thanks to its stereo mini-jack connection, which hooks up to such devices as the iPod, iPod mini, and a variety of other MP3 players, CD players, desktop computers, and laptops. The JBL on Tour is also easy to control, with a touch volume pad that both manages the volume and mutes the sound when desired. The speakers also remember the previous volume setting once the system shuts down.

Unlike many portable speaker systems, the JBL on Tour prides itself on its steady bass and clear, accurate audio. The device employs Harman's digital amplifier technology and Odyssey aluminum-domed transducers to deliver a full, rich frequency response that extends from low bass notes to high-end tones. In addition, the system uses computer-optimized equalization to improve the soundstage and an advanced energy management system that keeps the unit from wasting battery power during use. Additional features include gripping rubber feet below the speakers, an audio input cable, and a universal AC adapter. When used as a portable system, the JBL on Tour provides more than 24 hours of continuous play on four AAA batteries. The device also includes a low battery alert.

What's in the Box
JBL on Tour speaker system, audio input cable, AC adapter, user's manual.

Product Description

The JBL On Tour is a compact, lightweight, high performance sound system. Connected to your MP3 player or other music source, the On Tour will provide hours of clean, powerful sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 135 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent compromise!, October 14, 2004

By 

Tom D (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: JBL OnTour Portable Music Box (Electronics)

Impressive sound compared to other portables. I have a set of Wharfedale Loudman's used for 2 years. They're good value for the $40 I paid, but the "On Tour" has much more "depth" The sound is pure, rich, "on" I've listened to some of the more expensive portable alternatives and didn't think they beat the LoudMan's so didn't buy. Took a chance on these based on a review and the brand name. Doesn't have boom box volume, won't blow you out of the room, but there's plenty of volume without setting on max. And even on max setting, there's no sense that you're on the edge of distortion.

They're heavier than I expected, just less than 14 oz, exceptionally well made, sized more like a hip flask than the 'glasses' case described in one review. This isn't for your pocket, but OK for a brief case or tucked in the corner of a suitcase. I use mine in small group meetings and on travel.

The folks who designed this created a winner.

103 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice and very portable set of speakers, December 3, 2004

By 

Ricardo Carreon Quinones "http://ricardosblog... (Sao Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JBL OnTour Portable Music Box (Electronics)

The OnTour speaker system from JBL is a very nice set of portable speakers. It's best suited in combination with an iPod or other popular MP3 players in the market.

Pros:
* Nice sound, much better than other truly portable and small sized options in the market place.
* Simple, elegant design that is in tune with the regular iPod.
* Can be powered by a a wall outlet or by a set of AAA batteries.
* Good for filling a midsized room or even for some small group outside parties.
* Can be fed from the earphone jack of your iPod or (better) if you use its cable in conjunction with the iPod cradle, which provides "line" output.

Cons:
* The cover slides back and there is no way to fix it so it stays open.
* The typical price of $99 at Apple stores is a bit steep.
* The bass is not as rich as with other larger speaker systems.

Recommended usages:
* In conjunction with your iPod you can easily transport your music within rooms in your house.
* It can help you provide background music to indoor or outdoor parties. Can work independently of a wall plug.
* It can be very easily stored in a suitcase or laptop case to take it on the road.

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever Design and Accurate Sound, February 28, 2006

By 

Nathaniel C. Moffat "Nat" (Bethesda, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JBL OnTour Portable Music Box (Electronics)

The flask-shaped JBL on tour combines attractive design with accurate sound in a grab-and-go form factor.

The top of the case slides open to reveal two aluminum-domed speakers with metal grilles and accent rings separated by a JBL logo (the logo is visible through a clear window when the top is closed). To the right are two small LEDs between two volume push buttons. There's also an audio jack (cord included) and a plug for the power supply (also included). Sliding a button underneath the unit releases the front panel, which covers the 4 x AAA battery compartment. The underside of the unit has grippy rubber strips running its length.

Overall build quality is good, with nothing cheap-feeling or looking about the device. The only obvious flaw is that the detent needed to hold the cover open isn't deep enough and it's easy to knock the case halfway shut over the speakers.

HOW DOES IT SOUND?
Unless you are hopelessly jaded, you will be impressed hearing these speakers for the first time. They create a spacious sound field and are happily free of the gross defects common to most small accessory speakers.

Where they really get things right is in the midrange, where most music happens most of the time. They are quite neutral (or "flat" - it's a good thing) from the upper bass to the lower treble. My listening notes indicated a shallow dip somewhere just north of 500 Hz, and measurements with warble tones and SPL meter indicated it's more like 800 Hz and indeed shallow.

The excellent midrange segues to fairly balanced treble. There's some emphasis in the 5 kHz-8 kHz region, which can make for a slightly zingy (though not unpleasant) sound character in near-field listening (sitting very close to the speakers). This slight excess energy melts away with distance.

Speaking of treble and distance, these speakers sound great off-axis, which is a good quality for upward-firing speakers. This means the treble response doesn't fall off the map when they aren't pointing right at your ears. Consider it a real-life benefit -- you will enjoy a more balanced sound as you move about the room than with speakers that beam the treble in a narrower cone of sound.

There is no low bass (consider the size of the speakers). What bass you do get - shelved down mid-bass and smooth upper bass - is relatively clean and stands out in a class of speakers where a distorted one-note "thump" masks lack-o-bass. All speaker designs involve tradeoffs, and I prefer errors of omission to comission.

There is some punch when the music punches and when the music rumbles, you hear the outlines of rumble, though bass-heads will not be in the market for speakers the size of a paperback.

The speakers play reasonably loudly, and I could not drive them into harsh clipping with any source material. Unlike a boom boxes that break up and crackle at high volume, these continue sounding open and uncompressed until they simply don't go any louder.

The combination of low distortion and relatively flat midrange response make these very listenable speakers (they can sound bright unless you sit a few feet back), and their biggest benefit may be lack of listening fatigue; I routinely find myself enjoying music for 30-40 minutes longer with them than with other small speakers. An easy five stars.