The upcoming JBL OnBeat Xtreme will join the club of unique looking iPod docks. When I say iPod dock that’s underselling it, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme also works with Apple’s iPad, iPhone and iPod, working to pump up the sound to your music, movies and games, plus functioning as a speakerphone.
JBL launched the OnBeat Xtreme at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin last week. Packed inside the inverse arch are JBL Ridge tweeters, JBL Atlas woofers and computer-optimised DSP (digital signal processing) equalisation system.
The rotating dock of the JBL OnBeat Xtreme allows you to position the docked device in either landscape or portrait mode, and the inbuilt Bluetooth allows you to play music wirelessly, or punch up the sound of your games, apps and Face Time chats. An included RF remote control allows volume and track control throughout the home or office.
The dock might be built for Apple devices, but the presence of Bluetooth means the OnBeat Xtreme will also work with Android-powered smartphones and tablet computers.
Completing the package is the JBL OnBeat app for iPod, iPad and iPhone, that will be available for free download from the App Store. This app allows control of the playlist, the tweaking of equaliser settings, and the setting of alarms and sleep timers.
The JBL OnBeat Xtreme is expected to go on sale in Europe in October, selling at around the £500 mark. At the time of writing there is no information on the Australian release date and price of the JBL OnBeat Xtreme.
Update: 27 September, 2011 – JBL OnBeat Xtreme pricing and release date
Australian pricing and release date has been announced. The JBL OnBeat Xtreme will be in stores within the next week, and will sell for $199 RRP.
