JBL OnBeat Xtreme Bluetooth 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Speaker Dock

• JBL Ridge tweeters and JBL Atlas woofers with computer-optimized DSP equalization and user selectable EQ settings deliver stunning sound quality
• High-quality Bluetooth wireless music streaming supports advanced A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles for interference-free operation, and uses the higher quality AAC codec for the best quality audio streaming
• Hands-free calling with full speakerphone functionality with Bluetooth phones, via the built-in microphone and DSP with echo cancellation
• Rotating dock connector for iPad, iPod and iPhone devices allows them to be positioned in portrait or landscape orientation for optimal video display, with extendable docking arm for optimal placement
• Exclusive JBL Weave design offers an elegant and dynamic, one-of-a-kind look

Some of the other reviewers said they were disappointment with the sound but I can't agree.

Pros:

-Sound is amazing. Stands up to thumping bass and the highest opera/classical I've got. I tested using FLAC and Apple lossless files.

-Size is nice and compact for a speaker this size. Smaller than the Zepplin Air with the same punch. Also the top makes a nice carrying handle for moving around.

-Power adaptor is a simple universal cord found at any radio shack. No huge power bricks or different adaptor. Also 110-240V capable for those overseas.

-3 of the 5 buttons are backlit. Nice touch.

-Bluetooth works well. Took all of 5 seconds to set up.

Cons:

-App isn't the greatest. Just use the normal music app on the ipod.

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Last year I received the Harman Kardon GO + PLAY II Portable Loudspeaker Dock for iPod and iPhone which I really enjoyed. As I wrote in my review of the HK at the time, it allowed me to keep my sanity while cleaning out my garage.

So when I got this, I was curious as to how this would compare... first thing to note -in order for it to work with your devices, you do have to download an app. Wasn't wild about that (particularly since I'm running low on storage on my iPhone as it is). But MAN... the sound quality of this is SO much better than the Harmon Kardon -much more "oomph" but good balance with the higher ranges as well.

The foot print is about the same size as the Harmon Kardon but the device weighs quite a bit more. And unlike the Harmon Kardon which relied on an awkward angle to dock your phone, it is very straight forward (and in my opinion, safer) to put your phone in and out of the dock -you don't feel like you are going to snap anything off in the process.

The iPad dock mechanism also feels secure. I have a Philips alarm clock which will accommodate both an iPhone and iPad but the iPad always seems a little precarious because of the size and weight. I don't have that problem with this system.

When I unpacked this, my nephew -a classical percussionist at the San Francisco Conservatory was with me... he told me how his school uses JBL for all of their studio work and they are known for their fidelity. We were also able to do the side-by-side comparison of the 2 systems... I actually did a "blind test" using my sister and nephew as guinea pigs... both agreed that it was no contest and picked this one as their favorite.

Of course, this system costs twice what the Harmon Kardon does and about 4 times what the Philips did so you would hope that it would sound better. Is it worth the extra money ... to me, DEFINITELY. I live for my music -especially my classical music. Mahler sounds pretty darn good most of the time... but this system brings out the best! As with many things in life, your decision will come down to your budget... if you have the budget for this system, it is well worth the extra money, in my humble opinion.

[NCJVR]

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For reference, I have been using the Bose SoundDock for some time with my Iphone, and so was interested in how this unit (JBL Beat Extreme) would stack up.

I will start with a summary of the pros and cons of this unit:

Pros:

1) Easy to Use. I had it out of the box, bluetooth synced to my iphone, and playing my favorite music in under a minute. No need to read the instructions.

2) Looks pretty slick

3) Handles incoming calls well if someone calls while you are listening to music. It becomes a speakerphone.

4) Sound quality is good when you are playing it loud.

Cons:

1) You can not dock your iphone to it if the iphone is in an otterbox. Even though the unit will sync through bluetooth, I would love to be able to use the unit as a charging station. If you have ever put an iphone in an otterbox, you know it is a big job, so you dont want to be taking the phone in and out of the otterbox just to dock it to a speaker system.

2) Sound quality is poor if you have the volume low or medium. By low, I mean you are not blasting the music, but maybe listening to music as you work.

3) Integration with Iphone bluetooth is not perfect. In some aps, it is hard to get the sound to go through the speakers, or if the sound is going through the speakers to come back through the phone. Some aps have a little popup that lets you choose where to send the sound, and some don't. This might not be a limitation of the speakers, but the particular ap on your phone. Just know that there is some frustration using this unit switching back and forth between iphone speakers and this speaker system.

How does it stack up against the Bose SoundDock:

The major advantage over the Bose system is the bluetooth sync feature. I like being able to find a song on the iphone screen, and then play it. Using the Bose system, you are sort of operating blind with the remote and the iphone mounted on the unit. Also, this unit will play a lot louder than the Bose, and sounds good when played loud.

The major advantage of the Bose system is that the Bose sounds MUCH BETTER at low or medium volume. The music from the Bose is much more "crisp".

For me personally, I am going to have to say I like the Bose better. That is because I am 50 and I don't blast music any more. I would bet that if you are in your 20's or 30's you would like the JBL system better. If you are in your 40's or 50's you would probably like the Bose system better.

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First, the requisite qualifier: I have been an audiophile for 35 years and currently have a $100,000+ system. Obviously, the quality of my music is important to me. For the past month I have been laboriously researching and listening to various options available to achieve a singular goal: give me a way to listen to my MP3 library that can play loud (for outdoor parties), can maintain sound quality at moderate to soft listening levels, and offer me portability (so long as AC power is available). I defined portability as "an-all-in-one" box solution.

There are solutions that sound better, or as good, but then you are sacrificing portability (i.e., the Focal Bird system, which is also more than twice the price). The first such device I auditioned was the Arcam Cube. I turned it off in about 15 seconds, it was HORRIBLE! Next was the revered B & W Zeppelin. It was "ok"...it still had that hollow sound that to me is just totally unsatisfactory. After reading review after review that ranked the Zeppelin #1, I figured that I might end up buying the Wadia amp/dac/transport system with some Focal monitors...that I would never be happy with any dock! I auditioned many more, pretty much all the top rated brands. I went to the T.H.E. Audio show in Newport Beach, where I auditioned more boxes (as well as other "lifestyle" oriented solutions; some of them costing upwards to $10,000 that sounded great, yet no portability and much more than I was willing to spend). A representative from my local audio dealer finally nailed things for me when he said: "why are you putting so much time and effort into this...regardless the situation, this is only going to serve as background music for you, and never as a critical main listening environment". Wow, he was right! My current $100,000+ system took me a whole heck lot LESS time to put together than I was putting into finding the perfect dock!

Once that light bulb went off in my head, I just happen to have a connection within Harman/Kardon that enabled me to get the On Beat Extreme at a discounted price. I ordered it without even testing, accepting the fact it was for 'background listening' only. It arrived 1/2 hour before a big outdoor party our neighborhood was having. I did not have time to read the manual, I just plugged it in, stuck my iPad on it, and started playing my Spotify library...LOUD! I was blown away! There was not any of the hollowness I seem to have experienced from all other similar devices I auditioned. Not only was there more presence/clarity, but the frequency response seemed pretty flat across the spectrum. On other docks I auditioned, bass rolled off pretty quickly and it sounded like you just ended up with some low frequency noise that lacked much definition or musicality. The JBL bass was tight and articulate, without overshadowing the mids or highs, which themselves were very impressive.

Bottom Line: The best sounding speaker dock I have heard...bar none..Period! This is not to be construed as meaning it is the best sound in the world, only that for a simple speaker dock solution, this cannot be beat.

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If you can tell from the price point, JBL created the Xtreme to compete with docks such as the Zeppelin, Bose docks etc. What will be your decision is whether or not the JBL is worth it and if it is better than the competition. My review will hopefully help you in that area.

--Quick Summary--

Going by feeling alone, the price is a little bit too high. If I am comparing to the competition, then the price is appropriate. Assuming this price point is within your range, I will defer solely to the output of quality. That being said, the JBL compares very evenly with the Zeppelin, and I have not tried any Bose docks. The Xtreme feels slightly better quality than the Zeppelin because it is heavier and possesses a hard case over the speakers versus the stretch fabric. The Zeppelin does bass well, and is good at filling a very good size room. The JBL matches the latter capability in the bass side and my pick goes to the JBL for the money.

--The Elaboration--

Sound Quality:

9/10.

I can say I was very impressed with all types of music from pop, to rap, to classical. What I look for in sound is not the overwhelming of bass to compensate for bad mids, and sounds just as good with pop tracks as instrumental classical. The bass is tight and punchy but with a nice rumble. Usually higher quality output equates to non-distorted, clean bass but without any 'rumble'--should you want it. The Xtreme does both. Fantastic bass. The treble is sharp and piercing. The mids are subdued and clear. I was actually not expecting exceptional sound quality, though that is exactly what the JBL has. *If I were deciding between this and the Zeppelin, it would definitely be the JBL. *

Volume:

What good is quality if the amplifier is weak, or distorts sound at high levels? For a fairly big room, I could not turn the JBL up all the way because the sound was already too loud. When it was at the latter level, the sound was still as level as at low levels and the bass would start to rumble the surrounding environment. It outdoes my big stereo in sound and volume output. This will be more than enough even for a very large living room. Even enough for a party.

Contruction:

This unit is heavy at around 9 lbs or 4 kg. This means it would be slightly difficult to knock it off a shelf should you bump into it. Where does the weight come from? As said earlier, the outer casing on the speakers is a metal fencing, not the stretch fabric that comes with many. Also, the edging is chrome plated. Turning the iPod/iPad swivel is also very fluid and sturdy--unlike some competitors products I have tried.

When you pull this out of the box you know where your money went--which is saying something.

If you are a music lover and have most of your music on an iPod or iPad, you would ideally like to output it the best way possible--or as least close to it. Below a certain price range, you can easily tell that the outputting device is not very good, and a lot of times the more expensive products do not increase in quality enough to justify the cost. The JBL Xtreme is one of the few products that I feel meets the expense incurred, though is a little high. If you are to have an excellent housing for your music collection that will let them shine on their own without having to 'hinder' them, this JBL is a way to go.