System Requirements: All docking versions of the iPod Test System: An iPod with video 60GB (White)
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 apples

The JBL On Stage Micro portable audio system for the iPod is a small, good-looking, portable, and efficient sound system from JBL/Harman Multimedia. It is both, a mighty compact speaker and a dock for your iPod; perfect to take along to a party to share your iPod music while keeping your iPod charged at the same time (if plugged to electricity). It includes a charger, 3.5-mm stereo mini jack connection, audio cable, dock adapters for many iPod models, and a soft carrying case to hold the iPod, speakers and IR remote control comfortably. It takes four AAA batteries (included), which makes the system portable. I tried rechargeable batteries and they also worked without a problem. Audio in, audio out, and USB-in (no cable included) are supported by rear ports.

The design and materials of this product are extremely well chosen and live up to the standards of other JBL speakers. It is gorgeous and complements the iPod's design perfectly. These speakers come in red, black, and white.

On the basic unit are volume up and down buttons, which mute it when pressed at the same time. The IR remote control allows the user to raise or lower the volume; mute, pause, go to the menu; and select songs, play lists, photos, videos and morebut there is no Off button. You have to turn it off manually. When the unit runs on batteries it will turn off when idle for 10 minutes to conserve batteries.

The speakers are small and fall short in audio clarity when raised to the maximum volume but the sound is rich enough though limited to a 20-foot distance. The value of this iPod audio system is that it includes both an iPod dock and a remote control at a low total price.

Though it falls short of greatness because of its tiny twin speaker drive, it is a compromise for its design, efficiency, portability and affordability.

You will be happy with JBL's new On Stage Micro from one of the most consistently impressive speaker designers around. "A huge sound for tight quarters," says Fred Faulkner, Harman Multimedia's vice president of sales and marketing.

2007 Maria O. Arguello. Maria is the vendor liaison of the Main Line Macintosh Users Group (MLMUG). To see more reviews go to <http://Mlmug.org/Reviews.html>. Maria is also a member of NCMUG, PMUG, CCPMUG, MUGSNJ, PPUG, and SJAUG. She is the Apple User Group Regional Liaison for the Northeast United States (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT).