Offering surprisingly decent sound for its small size, the JBL OnBeat Micro makes for a good little desktop or bedside speaker and charging station for iPhone 5 owners.
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72
Conclusion: We're mixed
JBL's OnBeat Micro is a basic dock that works with the iPhone 5's Lightning connector. It has a decent speaker, can be powered by 4 AAA batteries, and can charge your iPhone 5 (or 5th-gen iPod touch) while it's connected. However, it lacks a remote, and at a time when very good Bluetooth speakers that will work with almost any smartphone or tablet are available for less, the Micro seems like a step backwards. As GadgetMac puts it, with the Micro, "you end up losing the luxury of Bluetooth wireless audio streaming, universal compatibility, speakerphone functionality and true portability." However, if you want a dock that will charge and play your Lightning-equipped device, as PC Mag says, "for its price, and its first-to-market Lightning connection, it's a good deal."
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Critic reviews
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For a reasonable price, the Lightning connection-friendly JBL OnBeat Micro speaker dock delivers more audio power than you might expect from its diminutive frame.
Read the full review →The JBL OnBeat Micro doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of its rivals. --But it is one of the few on the market with a Lightning connector, which raises its profile considerably.
Read the full review →Even though the audio quality is not amazing, it’s still very good and the features and sleek appearance make up for it. We love that it fits iPhone 5 with thin cases too.
Read the full review →It’s hard to see where the extra value is with this model, relative to the last On Stage... Until and unless the price of Lightning connector-equipped speakers comes down to match prior Dock Connector-based ones, ... most users will be better off with the far more capable Flip or other Bluetooth...
Read the full review →While JBL's OnBeat Micro lacks some basic features found in many speaker docks of its kind, it'll satisfy your most basic needs for an all-in-one Lightning speaker dock that sounds great and has a clean looking design at a decent price.
Read the full review →It plays perfectly just as it should, and its simple volume and power buttons work as you’d expect. I’m surprised a remote didn’t come with this; it would have been a nice addition.
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How it stacks up
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