Pros & Cons
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- Streams audio via Apple's Wi-Fi-based AirPlay.
- Physical docking area for charging and playing iOS devices, including the iPad.
- Remote control has full menu navigation.
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- Distorts on deep bass tracks at high volumes.
- Not much power for the price.
JBL OnBeat Air Specs
| Channels | 2 |
JBL has had mixed results with wireless speaker docks. Last year, the JBL On Air Wireless ($349.95, 2.5 stars) was one of the first few docks to come with AirPlay, Apple's wireless audio feature—unfortunately, it was an overpriced, underperforming system. This year's Bluetooth-based JBL OnBeat Xtreme ($499.95, 4.5 stars), however, became our latest Editors' Choice for wireless audio docks. Now, JBL's taking another shot at AirPlay with the JBL OnBeat Air. At $249.95 (direct), it's substantially less expensive than most AirPlay docks. This makes sense, as it offers only modest audio performance, with distortion issues at top volume. Even at this price, you shouldn't have distortion, but including AirPlay and a docking arm for iOS devices beefs up the cost of what would otherwise be a less expensive speaker system.
Design
Measuring 5.75 by 10.8 by 5.3-inches (HWD), the 1.9 pound JBL OnBeat Air is compact compared to most iPod docks. Its two overlapping metallic layers that make up the front panel are familiar JBL design flourishes. A matte plastic center portion houses the docking arm for iOS devices. Snap-on, rubberized brackets for iPads and iPods help secure the devices when the rotational arm is pushed into its horizontal viewing position.
Three buttons—two Volume controls, and a Wi-Fi button that glows different colors to indicate Wi-Fi network connection status—are located on the right-hand side of the dock's rounded contour. The rear panel holds a power button, a composite video output (for sending your device's video content to a television while listening to the audio through the OnBeat Air), a USB port (for syncing with your computer's iTunes library), a 3.5mm Aux input, and the connection for the included power supply.
The small, black, cheap-looking remote control sets itself apart by offering full menu navigation. That means you can switch between artist, albums, and songs on a docked iOS device, and not just control playback and volume.
Performance
The JBL OnBeat Air is not intended to be a powerhouse—its two speakers combine for a total of 15 watts. What this means is, while it works well in a desktop scenario and in other lower-key situations, this isn't an ideal system for blasting music at your next party—particularly if you listen to music with deep bass parts. The Knife's "Silent Shout," a challenging song for a speaker system this size, begins distorting when the volume is at about 75 percent—and at maximum volume, it distorts significantly.The system is better-suited for songs with less intense low-end. John Adams' modern classical piece, "The Chairman Dances," benefits from the speakers' bright presence, highlighting the upper register strings and wood percussion. Some rock, hip hop, and pop music can sound great at high volumes, with the drivers focusing on smooth delivery of mid-range and high frequencies. In fact, for non-bass heavy music, the OnBeat Air is a very solid system at higher volumes. It's just not a system for bass fiends or audiophiles.
If it's an affordable AirPlay dock you seek, the OnBeat Air is a reasonable choice, provided you're aware of its audio limitations as the volume level increases. Most options, like the Logitech UE Air Speaker ($399.99, 3.5 stars), start at a much higher price. If you want excellent audio performance, you should probably look elsewhere—some Bluetooth speaker options, like the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker ($299.95, 4 stars) offer better performance and even portability. Of course, there's also the non-wireless speaker route if audio performance is your main priority. With PC speakers, such as the Antec Soundscience Rockus 3D 2.1 Speaker System ($199.99 direct, 4.5 stars) and the Harmon Kardon SoundSticks III ($169.95, 4.5 stars), you can get far more audio performance for far less money when AirPlay and iPod docks aren't part of the equation.
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