JBL Control Now Bookshelf Outdoor Speaker is quite a pleasant surprise. I did not expect these speakers to deliver a strong performance, especially considering the small size which seemed somewhere between an iPod speaker and a full-fledged outdoor speaker (with the power and strong bass to boot). The design seemed gimmicky and I was less than convinced with JBL's suggestions for its use. But after plugging it in, I must say, all my doubts were blown away.
First, let us look at the specs (to satiate the true audiophiles). The speaker deliver 50W continuous, 300W of maximum power with a frequency response range between 80Hz to 30 kHz. The speakers utilize 4" low frequency, magnetically shielded polypropylene drivers, while the high frequency is handled by 3/4" (19mm) titanium-laminate tweeters.
I don't expect you to understand a word of the above paragraph (if truth be told, even I don't understand many aspects). For the layman, the only important thing is how these specs translate into real-world performance.
Design
At first, the speakers seem to be oddly designed. The roughly semi-elliptical shape appears awkward and unwieldy at first glance. However, once you realize that individual speaker units can be stacked on top of each other or joined horizontally, you come to understand the utter brilliance of this design.
The JBL Control Now speakers are sold in individual units. Each unit is a self-contained speaker system. Individual units can be arranged together to create myriad shapes to fit into virtually any space in your house. Combine three speaker units together around a corner, stack two on top of each other for a powerful, compact setup, or turn a unit upside down to install it on the ceiling.
This design makes these speakers very versatile, especially if you don't like bulky speaker stands taking up all the space in your living room. By combining two or three units together, you can multiply the speakers' effectiveness several times. You have to see the possible arrangements to truly understand this versatility.
The speakers are weather-proof and housed in a durable hard-
At 12 pounds, these speakers aren't light. The speakers are sold in two colors: black and white; the white speakers look great on a boat.
Performance
I would recommend these speakers whole-heartedly based on the design alone. But the performance matters, and these JBL outdoor speakers do not disappoint on this count either.
With a peak power of 300W, these speakers are adequately powerful for regular use. The 3/4" tweeters do a great job of rendering high-frequencies, while the mid-range is very clear and loud. The bass, like most speaker systems without a subwoofer, lacks punch. Ideally, you would want to complement these speakers with a powerful subwoofer.
The best part about the JBL Control Now Bookshelf outdoor speakers is their sheer versatility and well-rounded performance. If you want better bass, you should look elsewhere. For everyone else, these speakers are great for regular use and will work very well with your home theater system as well. The unique design makes them incredibly easy to mount for a clutter-free home theater arrangement.
