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

Just left a large electronic store with dozens of Ipod/Iphone docks.
I’m impressed. I very rarely write reviews, so trust me when I say I was TRULY impressed.
Wife wants one with a small footprint, nothing fancy just a way to play the Iphone (3G) in the kitchen with good sound and not gawky like a big boombox — and not miss incoming calls, etc. Walked around plugging my phone into the docs and playing songs on the compatible ones. The JBL’s are well made and sound good, though others not as good as this one. Most other brands sound predictably tinny and very few work with the Iphone, esp. without using Airplane mode (disabling the phone – GSM is very bad to cause RF interference) This one sounds great. I actually wouldn’t pay extra for the much bigger Bose units, and by the way the Bose and some futuristic looking and also much bigger Altec Lansing product (that wouldn’t interface with the Iphone) were the only ones of the models more expensive than this one that I’d even consider close competition for it from audio quality standpoint.
And in fact at low/normal volume levels I still prefer the sound of this unit, especially the bass, to even those more expensive units mentioned above. Rivals your average small multi-satellite+subwoofer units (and blows away anything of this compact size I’ve ever heard), in an amazingly compact and svelt footprint.
And I can vouch that it is compatible with iPhone 3G. Didn’t try to receive calls on it but other reviewers have addressed that.
You don’t get the frills of alarm, AM/FM or a digital display, but lack of an LCD screen only makes it that much cleaner in my opinion.
JBL On Stage 200ID High-Performance Speaker Dock for iPhone 1G and iPod (Black) Feature
- Compatibility: iPod mini 1G; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod 3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch; iPhone
- OnePoint iPod dock connection for synchronizing to iTunes application; Evercharge topology charges iPod even when unit is switched off
- 3.5-mm mini jack allows connection of other audio devices, such as MP3 and CD players, desktop computers, satellite radio and laptops
- Phoenix Transducers, Slipstream port design, and DSP provide a full, rich frequency response and great sound
- Includes an RF remote control with full iPod navigation
The JBL On Stage 200ID loudspeaker dock is a complete sound system for iPod and iPhone–one that will become the new centerpoint 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. |
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Which Dock Is for You? For the Power Hungry For the Weekend Warriors For the iPhone Techies For the Featurephiles or Heavy Sleepers Something for Everyone |
Compatibility
The JBL On Stage 200ID loudspeaker system is compatible with docking versions of the iPod, including the iPod touch, iPod nano G3 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 radio, 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 not connected to the 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 sound 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, audio cable
Available Check Price Now!
Customer Reviews
best ipod dock – Roger Knudson – Rural Minnesota
Sound quality is better than the Bose in a side-by-side comparison (to my ears). Amazing volume capability, amazing bass, crystal clear sound.
Best buy for the price! – G. Randy Wood – Riverside, CA USA
JBL Speakers have always been one of the best on the market. Costco used to carry this item for several years before I had an iPod. A couple of years ago they stopped carrying it in stock. Shortly after that I got an iPod. Consumer Reports said this iPod dock by JBL has equal or BETTER sound than the Bose iPod dock for less than half the price of the Bose!
Thank God for Amazon when it came to finding this item. I actually bought 2 of them! One for myself and one for a Christmas gift!
You can’t miss on this JBL iPod Dock! Very simple, well made, and the sound is superb. Whether you listen low or want to crank it up to fill the room with sound. I listen to classical music, country, bluegrass and classic rock. If you’ve got an iPod, this is the dock you want!
amazing sound from small item – JoeManFL –
I bough this unit after listening to it and a few of its competitors on a dsiplay I found at Target. The display had a selector button you could press to hear the various manufacturer’s units. I was surprised honestly to find such a nice display at a Taget store. That really helped me make my mind on which speaker to buy. They also had the Bose unit there. Frankly the JBL and the Bose sounded the best – but the JBL is 1/3 the price.
I bought this particular unit and set it up in less than 3 minutes. The whole family was surprised how good the sound was. It has really remarkable base for such a small unit. I just bought a brand new 64GB iTouch and I can report that it works flawlessly with this unit. The remote also works fine. I had been concerned as to whether the iTouch would fit snuggly on the base – it does. JBL includes in the box little rubber spacers that attach to the plastic semi-cirlce on top of this unit – including a slightly thicker one for use with the iTouch.
Well, it works perfectly, the iTouch fits very snugly in there. To change songs or playlists, you can either use the remote or the iTouch – either works fine.
I’m not sure about the other reviewers claims of distortion at high volume. I can tell you that the volume on this unit is as high as I would want it to go for a 20′ x 25′room under normal listening conditions.
If you want to have a dance party with 20 people this is not a unit for that… get some big speakers if that is what you want to do…but it would be silly to expect that from a small unit like this.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jan 13, 2010 17:00:29
















