JBL Creature: A bargain to catch ...
Written: Sep 12 '03 (Updated Jul 19 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: design (if you like), performance (for average user), space saving
Cons: design (if you don't like), high distortion at maximum power, power switch location
The Bottom Line: Put something 'pretty' on your desk! JBL's Creature is hard to ignore, especially at current clearance prices.
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| theuerkorn's Full Review: JBL Creature II Computer Speakers |
Tired of those built-in speakers of your monitor or the beeper that's inside conventional PC's (regardless of the OS)? Try something new, and while you're at it ... Go radical! And what could be more out of the ordinary than JBL's Creature? It even comes in 3 species to match it's new habitat.
While the Silver version inhibits most retail stores, the Blue and White seem more rare and preferably hide in Apple stores or online. The only difference is in color and the LED color in the satellites. Silver comes with a green LED while Blue and White come with a blue LED. While I would have preferred latter (blue/blue), the Silver matched my keyboard and monitor best.
DNA Section 1: Looks
Let's be honest, whether we're talking about Supermodels, cars or gadgets, looks are important. It's also what distinguishes the Creature series from the crowd of computer speakers.
The design is a little bit out of the ordinary and from that perspective should appeal most to Macintosh owners. It looks best next to a flat screen in my humble opinion. Go for a wireless keyboard for minimal clutter.
While all these things are very subjective, more conservative users might argue that the Creature looks a little bit like a mishap from the bio-lab and prefer something a little more conventional. (To each its own.)
So if the Creature's outside doesn't convince you, maybe the current clearance makes you reconsider. After all, this set cost $130 not too long ago and getting that for roughly $75 should qualify as a bargain.
DNA Section 2: Performance
Price or design are both like beauty, they fade. However, it's the performance that sticks with it once the first 'fling' is over. And the Creature won't let you down ... in most cases.
This is not a 'true' 2.1 speaker system where the sub-woofer is driven by a different channel of the sound card. The input signal is normal inline stereo signal rated at 5kOhm and 400mV. That means that normal stereo equipment as well as Walkmans can drive these speakers.
The included amplifier drives the subwoofer with up to 24 Watts and each satellite with a maximum of 8 Watts. The maximum, however, is rather theoretical since the distortion is relatively high with 10%. (A typical value for integrated amplifiers when driven to the max.)
The Signal-to-Noise ratio of more than 80dB may not compete with dedicated stereo equipment but should be sufficient for most applications. The amplifier generated noise is low enough to not give away when the output power is set to maximum.
The frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz (3dB) covers most jobs any user will throw at it without a hick-up, however the crossover frequency of 180Hz leaves the Odyssey Plus transducer satellites to handle a relatively broad range from 180Hz to 20kHz. Judging by the three inch package, it surprises positively in the midrange.
The subwoofer fits a four inch Magnum transducer into a nine inch (square) package, which produces surprisingly rich deep bass - better than its size and rating may suggest. In fact, the rumble may be more than most neighbors are willing to handle in the long run. However, the punch bass is not very strong and is almost absent in comparison to say at least 6 1/2 inch bass speakers.
All in all the technical parameters are what one would expect for the $130 price range and get elevated to 'above average' due to the clearance.
All this usually doesn't mean much to the average user. So in a nutshell, parties are out due to maximum power and associated distortion. Further, audiophile users might demand more in the midrange and overall reproduction. Everybody else should find an excellent set of speaker in the Creature series.
Having stepped up from two built-in 1 Watt speakers, the fun in already tense games like TRON2.0 and Midnight Club 2 get a big boost from the Creature support. Even Enter the Matrix is more fun, but unfortunately the controls managed to dim that excitement quickly. ;-)
Playing music from CD is mastered very well by the Creature speakers and only lets you down when turning the volume up considerably. (Note: The reproduction could be slightly more detailed but is subjectively better than similar priced models.)
DNA Section 3: Practicality
Sure, it performs but do I have to jump thru hoops to make it work? The answer is short and simply NO. After all, it's a set of active speakers ... not more, not less. However, a few things stand out when looking into usability.
Head phone output: Sorry, but no such thing here. While this is something I personally don't need, its absence requires the user to unplug the speaker from the computer in case one wants to use head phones.
Power switch location: While the right satellite speaker sports volume controls, the actual power switch is on the subwoofer which I stowed under the desk. Being a little paranoid about power consumption I would like to turn everything off when not in use. Having the switch in a somewhat inconvenient location makes it a little harder to deal with.
Mute: Say, the computer boots up and the volume is set to maximum. The Creature will scream your boot sound before you have a chance to use the volume knobs or any controls in Windows become available. This is not the only case where a [easy to operate] mute button would come in handy. [The Creature's 'mute' function is triggered by simultaneously touching both volume controls. While it is existing, it may be impractical for quick and easy operation.]
Visual Feedback: Due to the use of the touch sensitive buttons, there is no feedback regarding what power the speakers are set to. It's sort of a surprise especially in situations as described under 'Mute'.
Size: For smaller spaces the 'tiny' satellites come in handy and the fact that the subwoofer can be stowed away (out of sight. Aside from issues that arise from moving the main unit out of reach, the arrangement is very space saving. The cables are somewhat short though.
Idiot proof: While there is no such thing, the speaker cables are both color and shape coded. Unless using great force each connector will only fit the designated outlet. This is necessary since one satellite also includes controls which are communicated back to the base unit via the same wire. Very good solution by JBL.
Conclusion:
What used to be a little bit pricey just came a lot closer into reach to a majority of users. Given that a clearance may not last forever on these excellent (midrange) speakers, one should hurry to get your set before it's too late.
More demanding users (more power or more channels) might skip this opportunity though and with considerably more money get a better system.
However, the average user who may not need more than 2.1 speakers and does not insist on the most accurate music reproduction will find this to be a stylish and good sounding companion for the desk.
Update (19-July-2004):
Thanks for the comments. Apparently I missed the mute function of the combined use of both volume buttons. So that takes care of some of my criticism. However, a dedicated Mute would still be easier to deal with as the (Plus / Minus) buttons may be hard to touch at the same time since there is no tactile feedback. (On occasion the mute was immediately reversed when accidentally 'double triggering the electrostatic switches or just one of them.)
Recommended:
Yes
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