JBL needs no introduction; it makes mid-range and high-end systems for homes and cars – and pretty good systems at that. It's one of the feathers in Harman International’s profitable cap. This of course is the company that owns and distributes some killer AV brands such as Harman Kardon, Infinity, Mark Levinson and many more.
One of the most famous innovations by the company is the JBL Creature – and now the Creature 2. Take a look at the photo below and you'll see why. This freaky 2.1 system for multimedia scenarios has been bagging good reviews everywhere, so we decided to give you the lowdown in our own way.
Design and Features
I don’t know how to put this, but the Creature 2 is the only system that distracted me more on account of its design than by its output. But let's discuss the output later... right now I feel the urge to get myself a space suit to feel at home with this system.
The woofer and satellites share a similar shape, both being an ovoid with a curvy base, sort of like a distorted 'shivling'. The units rest on a surface through four tiny legs jutting out of the four corners, rather than a flat rest – the sides of the base arc upwards, helping to give the unit its 'alien' design.
We received the black model, which according to me is the best color for a device with such contours. The finish is glossy while the knobs on the woofer are metallic with a shiny reflective surface. The satellites (apt name for this system, right?) have a flower-shaped 'window' to expose the driver, with the same shiny exterior.
The connections are all provided with the system; in fact the wires of the satellites are permanently attached. These color-coded wires slip in firmly behind the woofer, into a rack at the bottom. The power delivered is about 9 watts per sat and 27 watts for the sub.
The driver of the sats is known as Odyssey Plus, while the woofer is 4.5 inch Magnum woofer, which I assume is another proprietary part. The rated frequency response is 45-20 kHz while the crossover point for the system is at 180 Hz.
This one is good, but I'm so disappointed that JBL discontinued its encounter series. They looked like aliens with a rocket ship (for bass)
