What's the point of downloading your favorite songs on iTunes if they sound like crap on your computer's built-in speakers? I have an old Dell laptop. It's not the greatest, but it's mine. And when I'm hanging out in my room, I like to put on some tunes. But the tiny built-in speaker in my laptop sucks. It basically makes everything I play in iTunes sound like AM radio. There had to be a better way to listen to my music.

The answer came to me in the form of a Christmas present. A friend of mine, who actually knows a lot about this stuff (geek), dropped off this big box and tried to explain the devastating karmic impact of opening it before Christmas day. He obviously doesn't know me well enough because I opened it as soon as he left my house. I tore off the wrapping paper and behold! I was now the proud owner of… Darth Vader helmets? Not really, but that might be your first thought when you first see a set of black JBL Creature II speakers.

Here's what's in the box:

• 2 satellite speakers
• subwoofer
• power supply
• audio input cable
• user's manual
  
  

THE SETUP
I tried hooking it up my new JBL Creature II speakers but I didn't want to do something wrong. So I put everything back in the box and made my friend, who gave me the speakers, come over a few days after Christmas. As he opened the box containing my JBL Creature II speakers, his restraint was commendable. Suppressing the urge to inform me that every test lab monkey hooked up the JBL Creature speakers correctly on their first try must have been tough.

Setting up these speakers was actually really simple and took about 30 seconds... for him. Told you he's a geek.

Here's how to properly setup your JBL Creature II speakers:

• Both satellite speakers have color coded wires. And they both connect to the color coded ports in the back of the subwoofer. Simple.
• The power cable plugs into the the subwoofer. Duh.
• One end of the audio cable goes into the subwoofer, and the other connects to your Mac or PC's headphone or audio jack. If you don't have a computer you can use your iPod or Walkman. Do you really still use a Walkman?
  

 

STYLE POINTS
Besides looking like Darth Vader helmets, which I love, located in the bottom of the satellite speakers are green LEDs that illuminate your desk. By the way, they make excellent night lights.

VOLUME, BASS & TREBLE CONTROLS
My favorite feature of the JBL Creature II speakers has to be the touch activated volume control. One of the satellite speakers has + and – buttons on the front. Just tap either plus or minus to raise or lower the volume of your speakers. You don't need to press hard at all. Just a light tap works just fine. To adjust the bass or treble, just twist the silver knobs located on the subwoofer.

I really like these hands-on dials. They let me quickly adjust the sound quality of my music. But that might be a little bit difficult if you keep your subwoofer under your desk on the floor.

SOUND QUALITY
As you can see from the pictures, the satellite speakers are tiny. So how on Earth can a set of speakers, approximately the size of my fist, be able to produce decent sound? Although I may not be a tech wizard, I'm a vocalist and know what sounds good. These speakers are awesome. It's amazing that such a full and rich sound can come out of these little Darth Vader helmets. The subwoofer has this deep low bass that can totally fill up an average sized room and make your hanging pictures vibrate against the wall. And even though the satellites are barely the size of my fist, they deliver a beautiful compliment to the subwoofer of high- and mid-range frequencies. If I had to be picky, I'd say that the mid-range lacks just a little but not by much to the average ear. Trust me, you'll need to pay a lot more money for something better.

Product Features & Specs:

• 3-piece multimedia speaker system with 2 powered satellite speakers and subwoofer
• Ideal for connecting to computers, boomboxes, digital music players, and portable audio devices
• Includes Odyssey Plus satellite drivers and 4-inch Magnum subwoofer transducer
• 50 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response; built-in volume controls and treble and bass knobs
• 40 watts total RMS power (8 watts x 2, plus 24-watt subwoofer)
• Power - 8 watts per satellite @ 10% (THD+N); 24 watts subwoofer @ 10% (THD+N)
• Frequency Response - 50 - 20kHz
• Size (Subwoofer) - 9.0H x 9.0W x 9.0D
• Size (Satellites) - 3.0H x 3.0W x 3.0D
  

 

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
The main power switch is fairly inaccessible. It's located on the back of the subwoofer jammed between two cables. This can be especially annoying if you keep your subwoofer on the floor.

I usually just leave my JBL Creature II speakers on all the time. Like I said, the green LED lights under the satellite speakers make a nice nightlight.

FINAL THOUGHTS
These weird looking JBL Creature II speakers have completely enriched music and movie experiences. The sound quality and volume these inexpensive speakers emit, much to the chagrin of my neighbors, is truly phenomenal.

Now my biggest problem is keeping my gay roommate from blasting the Dreamgirls soundtrack in my bedroom… just wait till the DVD comes out!

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com Harman Multimedia (www.harman-multimedia.com), a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, is a leading provider of high-fidelity audio products to major computer manufacturers under the JBL, Infinity and Harman Kardon brands. Harman Multimedia has revolutionized the multimedia audio category with award-winning products such as SoundSticks®, Champagne®, Creature® and Invader® loudspeakers. Rating: Requirements: JBL Creature II is compatible with all analog stereos and desktop and laptop computers, as well as with game consoles, and digital music and personal CD players. Manufacturer: harman/kardon