Price Paid:  $69.00 from ebay

Summary:
were designed to compete at high end boston acoustics area multimedia speakers but fall short and that is why you see them for 50 bucks just about anywhere, a far cry from there original price of over $200 a couple of years ago. sub is weak but the speakers are competant. better than factory IBM junk anyways that came with the computer.

Strengths:
satellites provide good sound. found a good price for these on ebay, they are a good looking system too, not a boring grey or white.

Weaknesses:
instructions were wrong to hook up the speakers,the sub out was useless,(i have the media 200 speakers with sub with the sub included with media2000). Sub is a peice of crap, can not get good volume or thump.

Similar Products Used:
junk 4 watts that came with my computer

Summary:
Don't even buy them for $20, they're a total waste of time.
And no, I don't work for Bose, and yes I do know what it's like to listen to great and decent speakers- and the JBL's are neither.

Strengths:
They worked.

Weaknesses:
Subwoofer is pathetically weak...it only goes to 50HZ. This thing basically does not produce any thundering deep bass. The size of the satellites are huge considering the only satisfactory level of sound produced. The system is quite overpriced and I only paid $58 [normally $120-$150]! I was quite disappointed to say the least because I have heard many good products come from JBL, but this was my first experience with the company and I am not at all pleased with this product. Even the brochure with product had an incorrect diagram- just sad.

Similar Products Used:
Bose BA-635....what I thought were cheap little speakers that came with my Gateway computer, I now miss terribly and regret not going out and buying another pair. There is absolutely no comparison to the amount of bass and strength that the Bose produced compared to the JBL's.

Summary:
This system is great. Although listed as a "surround speaker" here for God only knows why, this is a 3-piece sub / sat system that looks great on any desktop. go to www.jbl.com under the multimedia section and check out the pics. It is finished in a metalic black looking case (JBL insists on calling it "dark bronze" but decide for yourself)

This system produces amazing sound for it's size, you literally won't believe your ears on this one. If you happen to have a 3D sound card (A3D works wonders on these speakers) the sound literally sounds like it is coming from all around you. It just seems to jump off of the speakers. The highs on this system are pure and crisp, the mids are strong but not over-bearing, and the bass is deep and low, not punchy like some computer system subs.

The controlls are easy to find and consist of a volume, bass, and treble control. However, like almost EVERY other computer speaker system, JBL has decided to exclude a headphone jack. Come on people, if there is one thing you can do to make us happy, put a freakin' headphone jack on the front of the speaker.

Other than the headphone thing, there is only one major gripe i have about this system: it's lack of power at high volumes. don't get me wrong, this system will get pretty loud and hold it together, but turn the volume past 3/4 and the sub starts to push too much air from the small port at the front of the case and it gives off quite an annoying sound. Not the worst problem in the world, but just something that bugs me.

These speakers have some pretty impressive specs.
The two sats can drop to 70hz, and rise to 20khz. The sub can drop all the way to 50hz and still sounds great (i've taken it down to 35hz with a bass mechanic CD and it still sounds decent)

I only payed a mere $120 for these at Office Max when they were on sale + a $50 mail in rebate. Great value.

Bottom line, a great set of speakers. Would have gotten 5 stars if it weren't for the lack of high power.

Strengths:
Great overall sound. Full and rich. Crystal-clear highs and deep, thundering lows.

Weaknesses:
After you turn the volume dial past 3/4 the sub looses it's power.

Similar Products Used:
Cheap speakers that came with my computer.