JBL On Stage 200ID High-Performance Speaker Dock for iPhone 1G and iPod (Black)

by JBL

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15.5 x 6.5 x 5.4 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0016BQS12
• Item model number: OS200ID
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description -- Posted May 22, 2008

The JBL On Stage 200ID loudspeaker dock is a complete sound system for iPod and iPhone--one that will become the new focal point of your personal entertainment space. Imagine a total audio system in one place, with no extra wires running across your table or desk. Connected to your new-generation iPod or iPhone, MP3 player, or other music source, the JBL On Stage 200ID system produces clean, powerful sound, letting you take complete control of your music.

A total audio system in one place, with no extra wires running across your table or desk.

Combines many proprietary technologies for the highest-quality sound, offering astonishing bass and clear sound from any direction.

Compatible with dockable versions of the iPod, including the iPod touch, iPhone, iPod classic 6G, and iPod nano 3G.

Which Dock Is for You? JBL has been in the iPod dock business for a while, so it's no surprise that the company has crafted enough models to keep up with an ever-increasing army of iPod owners. Which one is right for you? Well, that depends on what kind of pod person you are: For the Power Hungry For those who seek more volume, the On Stage 400ID should be your first stop. At 2x15 watts, it's the loudest and largest of the bunch, and features an Atlas woofer for added bass. But size isn't everything--the On Stage Micro boasts the same wattage rating without the woofer. For the Weekend Warriors Those who need a dock that they can take anywhere should investigate docks that can be powered by batteries. The On Stage Micro runs on four AAAs, whereas the On Stage IIIP and On Stage III run on six. Take your music to the beach, on camping trips, and wherever you can't bear to be without it. For the iPhone Techies The iPhone owner has a couple choices--if you can stand to put the thing down. The On Stage IIIP provides a smaller and more portable option, or the On Stage 200ID gives a bit more power. These two docks support all docking iPod models as well. For the Featurephiles or Heavy Sleepers Some of us just aren't content with basic functionality; we need more buttons and more lights. Others just need a little nudge to wake up in the morning. If this is you, then the On Time 200ID and 400IHD are for you. Both feature an alarm clock and AM/FM radio, with the ability to wake up to your favorite song stored on your iPod (and then reject it with the snooze button). Of course, for the masochists, a classic buzzer is also available. The On Time 400IHD adds a dual alarm clock and HD radio to the mix, for a crystal-clear signal and a variety of text-based information (artist name, song title, weather alerts, school closings, etc.) scrolled across your screen. Something for Everyone All of these models feature a remote control for full iPod navigation, Evercharge topology to charge your iPod even when it's not connected to a PC or the system is turned off, a mini-jack for auxiliary devices, and the sleek design and solid performance you'd expect from JBL.

Compatibility
The JBL On Stage 200ID loudspeaker system is compatible with docking versions of the iPod, including the iPod touch, iPod nano 3G, and the iPhone. A stereo mini jack connection also allows you to enjoy high-quality audio from a variety of other devices such as MP3 and CD players, desktop computers (all platforms), satellite radios, and laptops. Specific dockable iPod compatibility: iPod mini 1G; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod 3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch; iPhone.

Easy-to-Use Music and Navigation Controls
Just a touch of the music controls increases or decreases the volume. Using the navigation controls, browse songs, playlists, and photos; change tracks and settings; and more. With the JBL On Stage 200ID remote, you have complete control of your iPod, as if it were in your hand.

Connection Versatility
The JBL On Stage 200ID system is a multimedia focal point. Enjoy your iPod, view photos or videos, and listen to virtually any other auxiliary audio component, all through the JBL On Stage 200ID loudspeaker dock. Connect the USB cable to your computer for full compatibility with iPod and iTunes.

Digital Power and DSP
The system features a powerfully tuned digital audio path. The clean and compact digital amplification, coupled with DSP (digital signal processing) equalization, efficiently provides the transducers with cool-running power.

Additional Features

• Smart remote--The Smart remote has several modes of operation. The Music mode allows you to control the volume, change tracks, fast forward, and fast reverse. The Navigation mode allows you to navigate menus for your iPod, just as if you were controlling the iPod itself. You can access your music, view your slideshows, and find and play your videos.
  
• Evercharge topology--The JBL On Stage 200ID system charges your iPod or iPhone, even when it's not connected to a computer or if the system is off.

Advanced Technology
The JBL On Stage 200ID loudspeaker dock combines many proprietary technologies for the highest-quality sound, offering astonishing bass and clear audio from any direction.

• Phoenix transducers--The Phoenix drivers provide accurate high frequencies and are also capable of low-frequency extension to bring you clean, powerful bass.
  
• Slipstream port design--The JBL On Stage 200ID port minimizes boundary layer separation, resulting in high-output bass with low distortion.
  
• COE (computer-optimized equalization)--The JBL On Stage 200ID system equalization is computer-optimized, for a rich, complete soundstage.
  
• OCT (optimized compression topology)--The proprietary compression technology ensures clean, accurate sound at high output levels.

What's in the Box
JBL On Stage 200ID, iPod/iPhone adapters, IR remote, power supply, and audio cable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best bang for buck. Best sound for its size. Portable. Has Remote., December 26, 2008

By 

E. Berry (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JBL On Stage 200ID High-Performance Speaker Dock for iPhone 1G and iPod (Black) (Electronics)

If you don't want to read my full review and just need to find a small speaker with great bass and a remote control that works with your iPhone and all iPods under $300 then this what you need to buy. Nothing comes close in that price range or size. And it's only $150, so it's easily the best value too; JBL could have charged well over $200 for this and it would still be the only one to buy. I was so impressed I decided to take 30 minutes and write a review.

I wanted something small with big sound (eg, good bass, which almost always sucks on small speakers). I wanted to be able to throw it in my suitcase if I travel. Usually Bose owns this space with their amazing engineering (I own a couple Bose products). I figured to get that kind of sound I was going to have to cough up $350-$500 for Bose's portable solution. Bose have two versions - one that uses AC power, and another with a built in rechargeable battery and it's $100 more. Nice units, and priced right. But when I was at Fry's, I stumbled onto this JBL. For $200-$300 less, this unit sounds almost as good, and is much smaller. Same footprint, but about 1/3 as tall. Nothing in the other 30+ units I tested came close to the sound to this unit in its size and NOTHING touches it under $300 for the sound it products. It also works with my iPhone which was a requirement. What this really means is you don't have to put it in "Airplane Mode" which turns off the phone to keep the interference from wrecking your listening enjoyment - which means you can still get calls when it's docked - it mutes the music and plays the ringtone though the speaker. Kind of funny, though, when the phone is in silent mode, it mutes the music and plays no ring tone- I would expect it to just show on the screen but not interrupt the music until you answer the call. This is the iPhone's fault I think, not this unit.

Another thing I like about this device is it seems to auto-equalize the volume of the music to each song so you aren't continually re-adjusting the volume. I don't know if the Bose units do this. Since every album is engineered at different levels, the annoying problem of some songs being loud and others quiet causing a constant readjustment seems to be solved. Very cool. I am guessing that JBL built a signal processing chip into this that does this, and also gets the bass/treble balance perfect and adjusts itself. It also seems to expand the stereo field to make the sound stage much bigger than this unit is, but not so much that it sounds weird. None of the other JBL units seemed to do this, so my hat is off to the signal processing in this unit.

The ten button remote control works great, but it's hard to read the buttons in low light, so I guess I'll have to memorize their position. You don't need the remote control to turn down the volume - the only two buttons on the front/top are volume up/down, so you can always get it quiet in a hurry if you can't find the remote.

Downsides: It has an Aux input - which I was looking forward to using it at my desk where my computer is to double as a computer speaker. When the Aux cable is plugged into my computer, it cuts the volume from the iPod in half, and limits the max volume of the unit quite a bit. Once the cable is unplugged (or the computer is turned off) the volume jumps up. This is a line balancing flaw that was apparently overlooked. Also, it is a bummer this does not have a USB port to connect to your PC. This would allow me to sync when docked, but I have to disconnect from this unit and plug into a separate USB cable to Sync. I would have paid more for this feature, at least another $25.

Oddly, the other JBL units I tested (the ones with a clock and other features) completely sucked in comparison to the sound of this unit. They got the sound right on this one and only this one. Bose gets it right every time, but JBL doesn't have the reputation for making small devices like this, so JBL had to price it this way to compete - take advantage of it.

JBL: if you read this, I'd like to see a version just like with these improvements:

1) Add a backlit LCD clock. Nothing fancy. No alarm necessary - the iPhone/iTouch has that. If it had a clock then I could throw away my bedside clock and use this. Your other unit with the clock/alarm sucks compared to this unit in sound, so just add a basic clock to this one.

2) Add a USB interface so I do not have to undock to sync with my PC.

3) Fix the level issue with the Aux input or remote it. As is, the Aux input is useless unless I didn't need the dock port, which is the only reason you would really buy this.

4) Add a battery option. You could sell the battery as a snap-on thing or separate thing so I can take this outside on the deck without a cord. I'd pay $50-$60 for this, when and if I need the feature (unlike the Bose setup which makes you spend over $100 up front). Heck even just a corded dongle with AA's that can replace the AC adapter would be a hack I could live with in this price range.

5) Improve the contrast on the button labels on the remote. Use different shapes for different controls so you can feel them without having to memorize them.

6) Add a wireless (or wired, but wireless would be better) subwoofer accessory to this and charge $150 for it. This would add the thumping deep bass (under 120 Hz) that would make this unit compete with a real home stereo and/or a higher end computer speaker setup. This would give you a setup for $300 that would sweep the market segment for sound and expandability.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good choice for good sound, July 14, 2008

By 

Ann C. Smith (Fort Wayne, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JBL On Stage 200ID High-Performance Speaker Dock for iPhone 1G and iPod (Black) (Electronics)

Yesterday I bought a JBL on stage micro III, which I returned today because of its shallow tinny sound. In its place I purchased the JBL on stage 200lD which is far superior in quality. The additional $20 is well worth it. The sound is rich. If you intend to buy this in the store instead of through Amazon, take your Ipod with you. It's the best way to hear the difference rather than through the store set-up.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great sound, small footprint, good price, May 30, 2008

By 

Jonathan Johnson "NilObject" (Kyle, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JBL On Stage 200ID High-Performance Speaker Dock for iPhone 1G and iPod (Black) (Electronics)

This is a fine product. It's got a very small foot print (I was expecting much larger), but the sound it puts out is great. I'm not an audiophile, but at the same time, I can tell that this will be satisfactory sound quality for most people.

The build quality is excellent. The mesh is a cloth fabric over the plastic enclosure. There are two volume buttons on the top right in front of the dock. The iPhone and iPod touch dock includes the little "arch" you see in the picture. This provides excellent stability for being able to use the touch features while docked.

The included remote is nice, and it works well to navigate the iPod.

4 stars because of these things:
- I would love to watch video on my iPhone/iPod Touch, but they only display landscape. While this isn't a fault of JBL, it would have been great for them to innovate and come up with a mechanism to dock horizontally.
- The speakerphone doesn't actually work as expected. When answering the phone while docked, the audio for the call doesn't come through the speakers. The person on the line can hear me just fine, but I can't hear them. I'm not sure what it would have taken to make this work, but you have to consciously remember to pick the phone up.

All in all, a great product. I haven't tried the Altec Lansing, but this one is $50 cheaper, and certainly worth the money for an interference-free iPhone speaker experience.