Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)[UPDATE: Suddenly the value appears to be with black and/or silver JBL Micros. In answer to a question, yes, the Micro comes with a small, compact power adapter. One caution: most iPod dock-speakers can be quite "fussy" about which iPod models they choose to charge and play or simply play and not charge. Check on the return policy of the product, especially if it's not coming directly from Amazon, and be sure to test it frequently and thoroughly for the first couple of weeks. It's not entirely clear what distinguishes the newer Micro II from this 2008 model, but I would assume that the newer model has been minimally tweaked to cover some newer players. Also, although Amazon's prices are among the most reasonable anywhere, some bargains can occasionally be found in warranteed refurb models through the JBL store (located on that "other" big site). Finally, in answer to the purists who find any discussion of speakers used to play MP3 files without merit, there are many degrees of compression in MP3 files, with 128 kbps by no means the "norm." Moreover, even at 128 kbps the differences in the quality of sound is often as dramatic as night and day among some of these little overachievers.]
Presently this JBL On Stage Micro is going for 60% below the price of any other color, making it a no-brainer pick-up among docking speakers normally selling on Amazon for $100 or slightly more. JBL is a stylish, quality brand manufactured by Harmon International--durable, dependable, crisp-sounding. Despite the sharply divided reviews, the sound quality of virtually all speakers in the $80-$150 range is the same, with minor variations subject to differences in taste. I've found popular rechargeable units such as those made by Altec and Logitech to be unstable--sometimes changing iPod models will throw them off completely, requiring a reset with no guarantee of a fix. The JBL Micro, on the other hand, can be depended upon to deliver with either its AC connection or AA non-recharging alkalines.
Best disregard low-end merchandise--iLuv, GPX, Colby, J-Win and, unless you're looking for a clock radio, iHome. The sound is best described as "plastic-like," clearly inferior to a monaural speaker such as that of a Tivoli, Sangean, or Boston Acoustics radio. If you want a substantially improved system, one that goes beyond merely "covering" the entire frequency range to "reproducing" the sounds of the actual instruments, think more in the $200-300 range and look for a Klipsch iGroove, Athena iVoice, or Bose Sound Dock (the drawback--they're not for portable, battery use).
[In response to some misleading reviews: the JBL Micro has proven one of the more durable systems in its price range, and it comes with exceptionally smart packaging (form-fitting, padded storage bag with places for the adapter, remote and cord), guaranteed to make a great impression even before it's been used. Finally, it indeed DOES have a volume control--the left button for softer; the right for louder. Bass is admittedly weaker than some models in this range, but treble is superior and power is ample. If you hear cabinet "rattling," back off on the volume of your source; if you get a loud "hum," simply do an off-on reset. And hang on to the tiny remote (or learn how to live without it). Harmon's answer to my question about a replacement is usually, "It's out of stock."
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