JBL - Spyro - 2.1 Speaker System (Black)

JBL - Spyro - 2.1 Speaker System (Black)

I've reviewed a couple of weird looking speakers before in our test labs. Surprisingly, JBL has a range of them. Such speakers are for some niche market - possibly someone looking for a unique set of speakers. At least if the buyer isn't impressed with the sound they'd be shocked by the looks. Shock could also be in a bad way - like what happened to me when I unboxed the speakers. They'd "chick" written all over them. Much to my relief, the speakers are offered in various other color options, but would possibly compliment the desktop of a gal more than that of a guy.

Here, I'm talking about SPYRO from JBL. It's a 2.1 channel audio system, which is formed with the weird combination of 2 flowers for satellite speakers and a mushroom head for a subwoofer. Well, I can go on criticizing the weirdness - thanks to the color option we received pink - but I'll stop for now. Let's carry on with business.

Color Options

Thankfully, there are other color options available as well. It was the first thing I checked after the un-boxing and setting up the speakers. Make a choice if you really find these speakers cute. (This was for the gurls.)

Design, Build & Setup

JBL SPYRO - being a 2.1 channel speaker system - has 2 satellite speakers and a subwoofer. I wouldn't want to repeat what I've already mentioned about its shape: I just leave you with a couple of images.

Satellites

Subwoofer

To get in touch with your feminine side: each flower-resembling satellite is made up of 4 petals. The right satellite has volume controls on the upper 2 petals. One petal has the volume up - and the other, the volume down - control. The controls are touch sensitive, so you just touch the plus or minus sign and the volume increases or decreases (doing so seems like you are feeling the petals and being one with nature P.S. pun intended). There's no treble control; a knob for bass is placed at the rear of the subwoofer.

The build of the speaker set is good, even though it's all plastic. The speakers have a whole gloss finish with use of chrome here and there. The base of the subwoofer looks like a spring with distinguished spaces between the layers. The set looks a bit cheap - especially coming from a brand like JBL. The cables provided are long enough to keep it away from sight, but the system demands it be within reach. Even the power switch is placed behind the subwoofer with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) on the button itself to signify its status.

Performance

JBL SPYRO has an average sound performance. To be honest, I didn't enjoy it, especially compared to my all-time favorite 2.1 system Altec Lansing ATP3. I put it through our test tracks, and here's what it was like: the highs and the lows sounded different. The system wasn't wholesome. The mids were the only relief factor for the speakers. The reproduction of the is pretty good. The bass was below average, with no thump. It was tight, but I guess the use of plastic for a subwoofer is never a good option however supreme the quality. The subwoofer had to be kept at 70%: above that it was jarring. Even keeping it lower than 30-35% created a weird bass. As for the highs - as I said - it sounded different from other systems. The highs felt out of frequency - and at times, with the volume raised - sounded like screeching. The system sounded pretty good when I played some easy listening tracks - but even such tracks demand a bit of bass. Moreover to get the best from these speakers they need to be facing the listener to deliver a good experience.

Conclusion

JBL SPYRO sells for Rs.7,990 with a 1-year warranty. This price is just too high for the performance. There's the MX5021 from Altec Lansing which is a THX certified 2.1 system with much better sound quality and lots more features. Add to that the fact that MX5021 is available for around the same price. So buy the JBL SPYRO if it appeals more to your eyes than to your ears.

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1415 in Consumer Electronics
Color: BLACK
Brand: JBL
Model: JBLSPYROCHB
Dimensions: 8.00 pounds

Features
It uses Odyssey® tansducers that give clean, accurate, high frequency sound.
JBL uses advanced technologies to provide the best possible audio sound.
One touch increases or decreases the volume: one touch mutes or unmutes the system.
The sytem uses a large excursion subwoofer for impressive bass performance.
A stereo mini jack connets the JBl Spot to a variety of multimedia devices.

JBL SPYRO Speaker - Orange

JBL - Spyro - 2.1 Speaker System (Black)