JBL Radial iPod Room Speakers Review

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JBL Radial iPod Room Speakers

JBL Radial iPod Room Speakers Hot

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iPod Speaker System Features

Price (MSRP): $229.95

Manufacturer: JBL

Weight (in lbs): 2.50

iPod • iPod Mini • iPod Color • iPod Nano • iPod Video

Remote Control: Remote Control Included

Colors Available: Black • White

System Type: Home iPod Speakers

Power Options

Power Sources Available: Power Cord

Input / Output Features

Input Adapters: Auxillary In for MP3/CD players

Speaker Description

Surround your iPod® with legendary JBL® sound. JBL Radial delivers clean, powerful high- and mid-frequency sound — and plenty of deep, distortion-free bass — from a compact device with almost unlimited versatility. As a music system, JBL Radial stands alone. As a computer peripheral, it replaces (and seriously upgrades) your external speakers and subwoofer. And as a multimedia entertainment center, it even sends your iPod photos and video to a TV monitor. But however and wherever you use it, it's the sound that sets JBL Radial apart.

The Radial incorporates a universal iPod dock adapter, which is compatible with most docking versions of the iPod, including the iPod video 5G and 5.5G and the iPod nano 1G and 2G. Simply slide your iPod into the dock and you're set--no additional cords to connect or adapters to fuss with. As an added convenience, the Radial also offers an auxiliary input for connecting a variety of other portable audio devices, including the iPod shuffle, personal MP3 and CD players, desktop and laptop computers (all platforms), and satellite radio receivers. As long as your portable audio device has a 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack connection, you can play the audio through your Radial speaker.

As a bonus, the Radial comes with a wireless RF remote control, giving you the freedom to enjoy your music from across the room, in another room, or outside up to 20 feet. The wireless remote lets you easily change tracks, browse libraries, adjust the settings, and scroll through the extras. Other details include a sleek white housing, convenient one-touch volume and muting controls, a computer-optimized equalization system that produces a complete sound stage, and a USB 2.0 cable for synching and charging your iPod. The Radial, which offers a frequency response of 40 Hz to 20 kHz, measures 12 inches wide by 10.5 inches tall and weighs 2.5 pounds. It's also backed by a one-year warranty.

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User reviews

Average user rating from: 1 user(s)


Overall rating		4.7
Value (Price vs. Performance)		4.0
Sound Quality		5.0
Style and Design		5.0

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Overall rating		4.7
Value (Price vs. Performance)		4.0
Sound Quality		5.0
Style and Design		5.0

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

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Radial Rocks

Written by Chuck Merrill
Sunday, 18 November 2007

I've own both a Klipsch iGroove and the JBL Radial. I've had my Radial for nearly a year now. If you've read the reviews comparing the iGroove with the Bose Soundock and listened to them you won't waste your time with the Bose. So for those considering an iPod speaker system here's my two cents worth. The Klipsch seems to have a slightly brighter, more natural sound to it, which some prefer, while the JBL is a little more mellow. I liked the iGrooves bright, untouched sound a little better, however is doesn't even come close to the bass response of the Radial. But after playing around with the EQ settings on my iPod I found that by selecting the DANCE setting I could obtain the same brightness found in the iGroove while still getting the amazing bass the Radial is known for. The JBL remote control is nice and works well. When pushed, the iGroove will go louder than the Radial but the bass begins to distort. The Radial, while not as loud, remains clean pretty much to the limit, which is plenty loud for most uses. If you need louder you're going to have to spend a lot more money. The minimum volume on the Klipsch doesn't go very low. I had it on the headboard of my bed and I couldn't get as low as I would have liked when listening to it before going to sleep. And at the lowest levels there was also a lot of amplifier noise. The Radial will go as low as you want before going completely silent.

Some have complained about the power button being on the back of the Radial. You don't need to use it. The STANDBY setting from the remote (hold the PLAY button for three seconds) powers down the Radial and iPod (which still charges, even in STANDBY). Hold the PLAY button again for three seconds and it powers up.

Unless you're willing to spend a LOT more money you won't find a better system on the market. The Radial is one sweet speaker system!