Headphones are really nice if you like having your music with you everywhere you go, but when you want to share it with someone else nothing can beat a portable sound system, JBL setting the tone yet again with the On Stage IV and On Stage Micro III iPod and iPhone docking stations.

Although many of you should be familiar with JBL's On Stage docks (since the series has now reached its forth generation), these new offerings depart from the usual design that made this series famous, boasting a new industrial look that JBL refers to as “the Weave.”

But you can rest assured the new looks have not interfered with the great sound the On Stage solutions have come to be known for, the Northridge-based company deciding to keep its signature Odyssey transducers, both the On Stage IV and the On Stage Micro III using them in order to deliver accurate, high-frequency response and four octaves of rich mid to low-frequency sound, the On Stage IV using four while the smaller Micro III has to made due with two such transducers.

On Stage Micro III will however get an improved battery life (four AAA batteries can provide up to 24 hours of continuous play) together with a much smaller footprint making it better suited for being carried around with you for whenever you feel like sharing your music with someone.

However, the differences between the two end here, both On Stage docking stations coming with an IR remote, iPod and iPhone charging capabilities as well as touch-volume settings, mute controls and a built-in stereo mini-jack input for connecting to other digital music players.

“Connecting every music lover to their music no matter where they are is what JBL is all about,” said Christopher M. Dragon, director of Consumer and Field Marketing, HARMAN International.

“We’re excited to unveil a dramatic new look with the same amazing sound and set the tone again with our most recent lineup of iPod and iPhone docking stations.”

Both the On Stage IV and On Stage Micro III docking stations are available in any color you like as long as it's black and will hit retail for $179.95 and $119.95, respectively.