JBL Spot 2.1 Speakers
- Max. Power Output: 6 Watt (RMS)
- Number of Speakers: 2 Speakers + Subwoofer
- Connection Type: Cable
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No true HiFi, but good sound for the computer
Pros
Space-efficient, powerful bass
Cons
Hard to reach bass-level knob, original price
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
This system needs a small amount of space only and still comes with a "rich" sound. Recommended under certain circumstances only, though.
When I was in the market for satellite speakers for our home office computer, I was not aware of actually being so. Sure, the current speakers we had set up were everything but great. They did not even look good.
Considering the fact that most music on computers and/or the internet is compressed anyway, there is no need for HiFi speakers, though. So when I bought the JBL Spot, it was more of a coincidence, mainly driven by the good deal I made, as I paid less than 70% of the original price.
The look
First thing I noticed in the shelf was the huge box, which pictured one of the satellite speakers. It sort of left me impressed, as the speaker looked pretty big. After opening the box (in the store), I discovered that the real size did not come close to the size of the picture. Which was no big deal, as the speakers I was going to replace, were too big for my taste anyway.
On the other hand, the satellite speakers do look a little bit weird to me. Design is a big issue for me and under normal circumstance I would have never thought of buying these speakers, at least by considering their look. Unfortunately the number on the price tag was very tempting. This was the kind of deal I was almost waiting for.
The content
The system comes with two small satellite speakers and a subwoofer. As follows you will find the dimensions:
Satellite
Diameter – 3 ? inches (83 mm)
Height – 2 inches (51 mm)
Subwoofer
Diameter – 8 inches (203 mm)
Height – 5 ? inches (140 mm)
All the necessary cables are included, as well as a power adapter. The connection to any output device is made by a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (included).
Also in the box were both black and white interchangeable wrappers. This makes it a little bit easier to customize the look of it. Additional custom wrappers (with some sort of printed patterns) are sold separately.
Setting up the system
The set-up is easy. All connectors are located on the back of the subwoofer. In the first place the satellite speakers have to be connected to the subwoofer. The left and right one cannot be mixed up, as one comes with a RCA, the other one with a mini-DIN connector. Next is the audio device. Computer, MP3 player or anything else that delivers sounds via a mini jack. Last but not least, the power adapter has the be connected. Voila. Pressing the power button activates the system.
The latter sounds sort of easy, but considering the position of the power button makes it sort of difficult to turn the system on or off, unless constant power is desired. Also located on the back is the bass-level knob. Again, if no constant adjustment of the bass level is desired, everything is fine. As I am listening to all sorts of music styles, this fact is a little bit unfortunate. Especially considering that I positioned the subwoofer at an invisible spot.
Day-to-day activity
As mentioned before, adjusting the bass level is sort of complicated. The volume can be controlled via two buttons on the right satellite. These two buttons are touch-operated, allowing easy control.
According to the manual the frequency ranges from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. Being a home-recording musician with some experience in sound engineering, I am usually skeptical about such data. It tells everything and nothing. From my point of view any speaker can deliver some sufficient sound. You just got to "know" your speakers.
The normal consumer could not care less, though. This is a system mainly designated for use with a computer or MP3 player. It should have a "rich" sound and leave the listener with the impression of being amidst the musicians/band or maybe even in a concert hall. And even though this is not a high quality HiFi system, I got to admit that JBL delivers pretty good. The sound comes in a full range and is way better than many other computer speakers I have listened to (and still do - for mastering purposes).
The subwoofer is the main source of the richness. Which makes it important to find the right bass level. For normal listening, what probably most of us do, it is fine.
Final thoughts
Even though I am happy with my purchase, I got to admit that the suggested retail price is a little bit too high. This is a quality product, but the brand name seems to be part of the price. Anyone who sees this product for less and is looking for some small as well as good computer speakers should get it. I would not recommend this product for anyone who is looking for portable speakers for a MP3 player or laptop, though. The subwoofer is far too big and too heavy to consider it suitable for travel.
Considering the fact that most music on computers and/or the internet is compressed anyway, there is no need for HiFi speakers, though. So when I bought the JBL Spot, it was more of a coincidence, mainly driven by the good deal I made, as I paid less than 70% of the original price.
The look
First thing I noticed in the shelf was the huge box, which pictured one of the satellite speakers. It sort of left me impressed, as the speaker looked pretty big. After opening the box (in the store), I discovered that the real size did not come close to the size of the picture. Which was no big deal, as the speakers I was going to replace, were too big for my taste anyway.
On the other hand, the satellite speakers do look a little bit weird to me. Design is a big issue for me and under normal circumstance I would have never thought of buying these speakers, at least by considering their look. Unfortunately the number on the price tag was very tempting. This was the kind of deal I was almost waiting for.
The content
The system comes with two small satellite speakers and a subwoofer. As follows you will find the dimensions:
Satellite
Diameter – 3 ? inches (83 mm)
Height – 2 inches (51 mm)
Subwoofer
Diameter – 8 inches (203 mm)
Height – 5 ? inches (140 mm)
All the necessary cables are included, as well as a power adapter. The connection to any output device is made by a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (included).
Also in the box were both black and white interchangeable wrappers. This makes it a little bit easier to customize the look of it. Additional custom wrappers (with some sort of printed patterns) are sold separately.
Setting up the system
The set-up is easy. All connectors are located on the back of the subwoofer. In the first place the satellite speakers have to be connected to the subwoofer. The left and right one cannot be mixed up, as one comes with a RCA, the other one with a mini-DIN connector. Next is the audio device. Computer, MP3 player or anything else that delivers sounds via a mini jack. Last but not least, the power adapter has the be connected. Voila. Pressing the power button activates the system.
The latter sounds sort of easy, but considering the position of the power button makes it sort of difficult to turn the system on or off, unless constant power is desired. Also located on the back is the bass-level knob. Again, if no constant adjustment of the bass level is desired, everything is fine. As I am listening to all sorts of music styles, this fact is a little bit unfortunate. Especially considering that I positioned the subwoofer at an invisible spot.
Day-to-day activity
As mentioned before, adjusting the bass level is sort of complicated. The volume can be controlled via two buttons on the right satellite. These two buttons are touch-operated, allowing easy control.
According to the manual the frequency ranges from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. Being a home-recording musician with some experience in sound engineering, I am usually skeptical about such data. It tells everything and nothing. From my point of view any speaker can deliver some sufficient sound. You just got to "know" your speakers.
The normal consumer could not care less, though. This is a system mainly designated for use with a computer or MP3 player. It should have a "rich" sound and leave the listener with the impression of being amidst the musicians/band or maybe even in a concert hall. And even though this is not a high quality HiFi system, I got to admit that JBL delivers pretty good. The sound comes in a full range and is way better than many other computer speakers I have listened to (and still do - for mastering purposes).
The subwoofer is the main source of the richness. Which makes it important to find the right bass level. For normal listening, what probably most of us do, it is fine.
Final thoughts
Even though I am happy with my purchase, I got to admit that the suggested retail price is a little bit too high. This is a quality product, but the brand name seems to be part of the price. Anyone who sees this product for less and is looking for some small as well as good computer speakers should get it. I would not recommend this product for anyone who is looking for portable speakers for a MP3 player or laptop, though. The subwoofer is far too big and too heavy to consider it suitable for travel.
