Customer Reviews

JBL - Spot 2.1 Speaker System

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm an audiophile and if you listen to the likes of Sting, The Fratellis, Deep Forest, Enigma, Linkin Park, White Stripes, Midnight Syndicate, ambient, electronic/trance and classical music at high volumes then you'll appreciate this system. Heavy music such as Five Finger Death Punch, Devil Driver and the like, then this system will produce 'mild' distortion at mid-to-high volume levels.

I bought these speakers because I wanted an affordable and space efficient set of computer speakers with a bass sub. My friends and family are impressed with the sound of these speakers, especially the $100 price tag. Everyone thought I paid much more.

PROs - Good sound quality for the price. Overall this system has clear smooth highs and good lows that aren't boomy. The mid-range is mediocre. The cables for each speaker, power supply and audio jack are generous. I played 'Prey' and `WOW' through this 2.1 system and I am impressed.

CONs - The bass knob at the back of the sub unit is obstructed by the "wrapper" and the knob positioning makes it difficult to reach. Mediocre mid-range.

NOTE- The mid-range is mediocre due to the small size of the satellite speakers and the mid-range and bass tones are competing over this small sub woofer. This leads that some of the mid-range is compromised when mid-to-high levels of bass are passed through this small sub woofer.

MY SETTINGS - I am adding this because I have been asked a few times about my volume settings. I have a MAC and I use iTunes. The volume for iTunes is almost set to 7/8 level, the volume on the speaker is set at max level, the bass level output on the sub is set [almost max] at approximate ¾ and I use my system's volume control panel to make volume adjustments.

For the price I would give this unit a 5 star rating, but the mediocre mid-range and bass knob access cost it one (1) star. The "wrappers" issue is minor, just be careful removing them.

WRAPPERS REMOVAL- As for the so called "removable wrappers" [aka covers] be careful about snapping the "wrappers" away from the base. In order to remove the "wrappers" you have to view the 2.1 satellite unit(s) from the bottom and look at the outer lip(s) of the metallic silver base(s) and you'll see three (3) anchor insets [anchor insets are where the "wrappers" attach/snap to the base] at the bottom of the speaker base(s) outer lip [there are 3 anchor/snap points they are approx. 2, 6 and 10 o'clock] this is where you snap the "wrappers" away from the base and also snap to the base.. I hope this helps.

Great clear, distortion free sound and easy set-up but if you want to change the covers: watch out! You have to remove the black covers that are on there to replace with the white cover option. Well, the tab on the back is right above the speaker wire, there is nothing to grab hold of on the base and you can see the base flex when you pull on the tab to snap off the black cover; the base looks and sounds like it is about to crack. If you know the "trick" to getting the black covers off the satellite speakers, please let us all know!

I just purchased and connected the JBL spot speakers to my laptop computer. The difference between the laptop speakers and the JBL spot is amazing. The sound is crystal clear, rich and vibrant. The bass can be adjusted to a variety of tastes. I personally like a lot of bass and these speakers don't disappoint.

Before purchasing, I researched the $100 and under speaker market and even went to local stores to listen to many of them. To my ears, the JBL spot has he best sound by far.

I really like the design of the components. The two small speakers take up very little room on my already cluttered desk. This is very important to me since my desk is small to begin with.

I initially encountered a buzzing problem that took a few minutes to resolve. The root cause turned out to be my fault. In my haste to setup the speakers, I had not completely connected the cable from the laptop output to the speaker input. Once the connectors were pushed firmly into place, they worked flawlessly.

I can highly recommend the JBL spot speakers for their sound quality and unique space saving design.

I am old enough to have purchased some of the original JBL reference speakers, (either $1000 each or $1000 for the pair), but what I loved is ' the clear sound', that makes you think you are setting in the audotorium.

The JBL spot speaks have that same quality, and for $100, this is a 'must buy'.

In addition, they happily connect to my IPOD, PC, or any other source that I can find. Great product.

I got these JBL Spots, and I couldn't decide if I wanted these or the bluetooth versions available for my macbook pro. There's plenty of cord, and the cords are in excellent manufacture. I hide the bass under the desk, and put the other spots on the desktop and they are simply wonderful. Yes, like the other reviews indicate, the controls are on the bass unit, and all the plugs together are a little tight, but once you get it down, and wrangle your wiring it is space saving. Nothing like it for sound on a laptop. There is a sound limitation if you want to fill a stadium or something, but for home, the sound is quite manageable, and is loud and clear. I haven't found the buzz yet that others speak of, since I keep my bass at range, and you can feel the beats. The teenagers stop and check out my system.

The sound from this is amazing, found it priced wrong at a store, and bought three and kept one and gave two away, one friend is using it on TV has 42 inch LCD, and this is his surround sound system, and it works and sounds perfect, and so tiny. I use it for bedroom, laptop, itunes... sound is again unbelieveable Only one issue, and others said this, on/off switch is in really weird spot, backside between all plugs, so I just leave it on, and now shut off power surge bar better that way, save money i guess..!

after my JBL creature I died (the darth vader version) i was searching for something just as powerful and visually relaxed and i couldn't have found a better product than the JBL spot. if you're looking for something to fill a room with sound look no further.

Wow i was looking for some speakers for my room and i want some powerfull but not too big and not expensive, well i really want to buy razer mako but too expensive,and i really impressive with the size and the sound of these speakers i lov'em.

I was in the market for new computer speakers to match my Apple Cinema Display and white/silver desktop theme of my Mac setup. I came across these speakers in a Mac forum and was taken with their simple but fresh look. I found these speakers new on Ebay for $60 and promptly bought them.

I also currently own the Creature II speakers by JBL. They are essentially the previous version of JBL computer speakers before the Spot's were released. I have to compare the Spot's to the Creature II's of course.

I'm very happy with sound of the Spot's. Just as I was with the Creature II's. I like the look of the Spot's even more and they take up less space on my computer desk. The subwoofer looks awesome with it's round shape, a rare feat for a subwoofer.

My biggest gripe is the subwoofer switch. It is awkwardly placed next to one of the speakers ports in the back of the subwoofer. When you go to adjust the sub level, you can't help but hit your finger on the cord directly next to it. That is annoying. Also, there is one knob for "sub-level". The Creature II"s had 2 separate knobs on the front of the subwoofer. One for bass and one for treble. This only has one. I'm annoyed by the lack of control in that regard.

However having established that, it doesn't take away from the sound experience and aesthetic look. I'm using the white covers and it looks awesome. A HUGE warning though, if you want to use the white covers, you must remove the black covers that come on the speakers as default. The instructions do not mention that the black ones need to be removed first, and it is not as obviously a conclusion as you would imagine. So make sure you remove the black covers first if you are going white. Lastly, taking off the covers is not easy. You will need to pry them off using the instructions noted. Don't be afraid to push, it's the only way they will come off.

THESE ARE GREAT SPEAKERS AND FOR THEIR SIZE PRODUCE GREAT SOUND. I JUST HOOKED THEM UP TO MY NEW iMAC AND THE STYLISH LOOK AND GREAT SOUND GOES HAND IN HAND. THEY WON"T SHAKE YOUR HOUSE BUT ITS PERFECT FOR A COMPUTER. IF YOU WANT LOUDER SPEAKERS THEN GET A HOME THEATER SYSTEM. I WOULD SUGGEST THESE TO ANYONE...