Using JBL Onstage II UD with the iPod Touch

[Phoenixfury]

I just put in an order for the JBL Onstage II UD for the iPod Touch to replace my current JBL Onstage speaker system. However the reason I'm posting is because I want to know if other Touch users have had experience with using their Touch with this speaker system. More importantly I need to know if the home button is easy to access. This is a sticking point with my current Onstage as it's difficult to reach. However the Onstage II UD appears to hold the iPod raised up much higher, so I have a hunch the home button will be easier to get at.

I'm looking forward to getting this speaker system because the Onstage really does rock. The reason I'm going to the Onstage II UD is because of the dock never was made to accommodate the Touch at all.. Currently I'm wedging two Nintendo DS carts and the cleaning cloth that came with the Touch in in order to use my Touch with the Onstage now.. The other reason is because my Onstage is white which clashes with the color of my Touch. Otherwise I've been quite happy with my Onstage. I'll probably rig to work with my Nano.

[Phoenixfury]

I just received my brand spanking new Onstage II and man I love it! However it doesn't come without it's share of minor problems. That minor problem is solely cosmetic and that's because the UD adapter that comes with the iPod Touch is white and sticks out like a sore thumb. JBL did one thing I really like and that's that they supply clear UD adapters for just about all other model of iPod through the 5th generation.. So what's a guy to do? Call JBL to see if they are stamping out new clear UD's for the Touch of course! However I did that and surprisingly everyone through the chain assumed that the Touch doesn't even work with the Onstage II UD at all.. I was stunned! My Touch works perfectly fine with my brand new Onstage.. They were really surprised to hear that this works at all, they thought the TPM in the new iPod's would prevent them from working with the Onstage II.. I told their support guy that I was surprised that the remote worked with the Touch, but it all worked fine.. I even hit play on the remote and the Touch played music beautifully through the Onstage.. He was really surprised..

Well anyway long story short, they don't have or plan on making a clear adapter for the newest generation of iPod's. In fact they told me they plan on releasing a new version of the Onstage just for the iPod Touch and the iPhone. That's all well in good, but I'm pefectly happy with my new Onstage save the icky white UD adapter. I guess I'll just have to paint the thing or see if anyone else offers a clear or black UD adapter for the Touch online.

There was only one other slight issue, but it's not JBL's fault what so ever.. The UD fits flush into the Onstage perfectly fine, but the home button is slightly recessed into the adapter.. This only makes it slightly awkward to get to, but not too bad. However it's much easier to get to now than when I rigged my first gen Onstage to use with my Touch.

I'd still recommend other Touch owners getting the Onstage II UD, but just be aware your icky white adapter looks awful on it, and JBL doesn't supply a more aesthetically pleasing one.

On on a side note, the remote has only simple basic functions.. Volume up / down skip forward and back, and play pause.. Yes, they all work! Also I for those concerned, it does charge the Touch no problem. I haven't tried using it to sync with the computer, but I suspect that would work too.

[skybaker05]

Thanks for the post! I was just shopping for the JBL on stage II for my ipod touch too! Are you using the auxiliary cord to plug into the speakers or the same docking unit? I really thought that it wouldn't work either.

Also, did you compare between the onstage II and the on stage micro? The micro uses battery. Does you onstage II charge itself when you take it as a portable device? As well as sync and charge the ipod touch when connected to your computer.

Sorry, trying to sort out the slight differences between the two and its a bit confusing. Glad you're enjoying your new purchase! =)

[Phoenixfury]

Im using the dock & it works great! I'm planning on painting my UD adapter so it matches the speakers. I did not look at the micro at all however. I had the 1st gen Onstage and wanted to stick to that very line because I know how it sounds. The Onstage does indeed charge the ipod Touch battery and the remote works too.

[daihard]

I just came back from Best Buy where I tried both Onstage and Onstage II with my iPod touch. Now, you guys are talking about docks, but what docks? I was able to plug in my iPod touch to both models without any adaptor. Or am I totally off here?

If I buy one of them, it will probably be Onstage because it is cheaper. :)

[skybaker05]

Hmm...after more googling and reading reviews. You don't need adapters at all for the on stage speakers, which is awesome! Sorry for not reading your post as thoroughly, phoenix, but you've really convinced me to get them now. Sorry diehard for the confusion.

The question for me now is still whether i want to get the on stage II w/ remote, or the onstage micro, which has a better remote (IR) with navigational capabilities where it can browse through libraries, whereas the Onstage II only does vol up/down and fwd/back as phoenix had wonderfully mentioned. You might also want to look at the micro, diehard, since it's also cheaper.

They both sync and charge, yet the micro apparently doesn't include the USB cord to sync or the adapter (?)- a bit unsure about that since the jbl site was a lil unclear.

Otherwise, they both look amazing and sound great. I did the same thing this summer with going to best buy and plugging in my 30 gb at the time. Now, since I've gotten the ipod touch, i want speakers even more!

For me, where navigating through the pretty ipod touch is so fun, the IR navigational remote on the micro just may get me.

[daihard]

Hmm...after more googling and reading reviews. You don't need adapters at all for the on stage speakers, which is awesome! Sorry for not reading your post as thoroughly, phoenix, but you've really convinced me to get them now. Sorry diehard for the confusion.

The question for me now is still whether i want to get the on stage II w/ remote, or the onstage micro, which has a better remote (IR) with navigational capabilities where it can browse through libraries, whereas the Onstage II only does vol up/down and fwd/back as phoenix had wonderfully mentioned. You might also want to look at the micro, diehard, since it's also cheaper.

They both sync and charge, yet the micro apparently doesn't include the USB cord to sync or the adapter (?)- a bit unsure about that since the jbl site was a lil unclear.
No problem at all. In fact, you've answered my (unmentioned) question about the USB cable jack. I was wondering what it was for. :)

[skybaker05]

Ok, hopefully last post of the night but the new line of speakers for the ipod touch/ iphone pheonix mentioned is debuting this month. The new JBL onstage IIIP is like II but with an IR remote. Then there'yre also coming out with JBL on stage 200ID and 400ID. All very similar but very close to the prices you might be paying for right now if you're looking at Onstage II. You guys might want to wait for the newer models coming out later this month for the same price. This site sums it up pretty nice with some fab photos : http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/ces_jbl_rolls_out_new_speakers_ipod_docks/

[Phoenixfury]

Yep, that jack is for using the Onstage as a dock to sync the iPod to the computer if you wish. As for the UD adapter, this is a necessary evil for the iPod Touch since it is so thin. The UD adapter gives it it's necessary support. Make sure you have your adapter that came with your Touch. Also you may want to consider picking up black spray paint if you get a black Onstage. Make sure you get the paint meant for painting plastic. Otherwise that white UD adapter sticks out like a sore thumb.

[daihard]

Yep, that jack is for using the Onstage as a dock to sync the iPod to the computer if you wish. As for the UD adapter, this is a necessary evil for the iPod Touch since it is so thin. The UD adapter gives it it's necessary support. Make sure you have your adapter that came with your Touch. Also you may want to consider picking up black spray paint if you get a black Onstage. Make sure you get the paint meant for painting plastic. Otherwise that white UD adapter sticks out like a sore thumb.
I guess I didn't need the UD adaptor because I had a plastic case on my iPod touch, which gave it enough support while on the Onstage speakers. Actually, the case came with a black UD adaptor of its own, apparently because the stock adaptor is too thin for the case. I guess I lucked out this time. (Yes, I am planning to get a black Onstage.)