JBL Encounter 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System

Other products by Harman

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 16 x 16 inches ; 17.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00077IHTC
• Item model number: ENCOUNTER
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,327 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #22 in	Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Computer Speakers > 5.1 Speakers
  #99 in	Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Computer Speakers > 2.1 Speakers

• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Harman Multimedia, the genius behind the JBL Encounter 2.1 Multi-Media Speaker System, has long been known for the stylish designs and world-class technologies it brings to its products. The JBL Encounter Speaker System happily extends that reputation. The Encounter 2.1 is a stylish, compact, high-performance sound system for your desktop computer, laptop, iPod, MP3 player and other digital audio sources. The Encounter 2.1 will provide a rich, clean, and powerful sound stage for all of your listening activities while enhancing your desk with style.

A stereo mini-jack connection allows you to enjoy high quality audio from a variety of devices such as MP3 and CD players, as well as Macintosh and PC desktop computers and laptops. The system also supports all iPods with a headphone port. With touch volume control, a simple touch is all it takes to mute, un-mute, increase or decrease the volume.

The bass control utilizes FCS, a fixed crossover shelving topology. This allows for a pure bass adjustment that does not affect the sound imaging as the bass level increases. Four aluminum-domed transducers are driven by powerful neodymium magnets to provide a full and rich frequency response from the mids to the highest highs. A magnum six-inch driver is optimized for clean powerful bass response. And the JBL "OnStage" system equalization, based on a proprietary compression technology, is computer optimized to provide a complete sound stage from your desktop. Lastly, the satellite and subwoofer ports rely on patented slipstream port geometry. This design maximizes port efficiency while minimizing port noise.

The result of all these features is a speaker system that you'll love showing off and that will provide astonishing clarity for all of your digital audio listening needs.

What's in the Box
Two 13-watt Odyssey satellite speakers, 34-watt Magnum subwoofer, connecting cables, user's manual.

Product Description
This is a powered satellite and subwoofer speaker system.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a must have for any music lover, September 19, 2005

By	Noah F. Hasenfang "The Mechanical Touch" (Richmond, Va USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

my girlfriend found this system on sale locally and bought it on the spot. i met her at her place, hooked it up to her ipod and before the first song was over i already had my money in hand, walking to the car so i could get myself a set. This setup is a great addition to any computer. I was planning on buying an altec lansing speaker setup, and i've been a JBL car audio amplifier user for years. I love the quality products that Harman Kardon puts out (within reason, none of the 20 dollar systems) and this is no exception. I first thought my system didnt sound as good as my gf's setup, but after a little playing around I came to realize that the fuzzy, overwhelming bass and poor vocal reproduction was actually caused by the fact that my computer's integrated sound card is not good enough to utilize the full potential of these speakers. I'm actually listening to the setup right now with my ipod, and I have to say, it's some of the clearest music you could ever ask for no matter what your taste-rap to classical, it's wonderful. The satellite speakers are so clear that you can actually hear slight breaths and the vibrations of the guitar strings on professionally recorded tracks that you simply would never hear on a standard speaker system. as you can see, I gave it a 4 out of 5. at higher levels the system can become slightly distorted, but that is the nature of any speaker system. I'm a professional car audio expert, and i can tell you that these are, by no measurable margin, worse than any comparable product on the market.
my only real complaint is that sometimes the touch pad volume controls stop working. that's happened about 3 or 4 times over the last 2 months that i've had it, but a simple connection check fixes the problem. The sub is mounted in my foot area, so I may be causing the problem, but i thought it was worth noting.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for music!, March 25, 2006

By	langelo68 - See all my reviews

I just bought these speakers to replace my old set of Cambridge Soundworks, which I must say, did a very decent job for the last 4 years. Being a TOTAL music lover, I am VERY picky about sound quality, even if it is just from a computer where is going to be coming from! I of course don't expect computer speakers with a sub-woofer to sound like a pair of Pro-Standing speakers, but I want at least to be able to hear downloads or CDs with decent sound quality while at work...Well, after much research and LISTENING, I went ahead and bought a pair of Encounters. Before buying them, I compared them with the Creature and Soundsticks speakers, also by JBL. I have to say the Encounter have a better imaging and a deeper warmer sound than the Soundsticks. The Creature ones simply don't even get close! As I pointed out, these are computer speakers, and as such, the bass (specially)is artificial, a sound that lacks "breath"; but...what could you expect for a plastic sub-woofer? On the other hand, is the most decent bass sound I've ever heard from computer speakers! better and more natural than any other sub-woofer on this price range and considerably higher. The mid and high registers sound really nice, great stereo separation, and as pointed out before, nice warmth without sounding un-natural. The power handling is superb! you get 13Watts RMS from this mini speakers plus a 34watts subwoofer...enough sound to fill a mid size room with excellent sound quality. You won't get the fancy design of the Soundsticks, but the sound of the Encounter is considerably better, and that ultimately is what I care about. Very higly recommended!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sounding Speakers, August 7, 2005

By	Mav Block (Haverford, PA USA) - See all my reviews

These speakers deliver superb sound. I mean SUPERB! It is just crystal clear. Plus it has really nice bass, and an excellent subwoofer. I don't know what people have been saying about rattling or buzzing, because I have experienced none.