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The OFFICIAL JBL Owners Thread - Page 447

post #13381 of 14056
1/3/13 at 9:37am
^^^
that's actually a "P35" but appears to be the same animal. Agreed, it's an unbeatable price, the EC35 has been selling at around $100 used on eBay.
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post #13382 of 14056
1/3/13 at 12:56pm
Found a pretty good craigslist deal on some studio series speakers. The guy is selling: S310's, S36's, S-center, and a PB12 sub. I currently have: N36 fronts, N26 surrounds, s-center, and a klipsch sub. Would the other studio speakers be worth picking for an upgrade?
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post #13383 of 14056
1/3/13 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StiCy View Post

Found a pretty good craigslist deal on some studio series speakers. The guy is selling: S310's, S36's, S-center, and a PB12 sub. I currently have: N36 fronts, N26 surrounds, s-center, and a klipsch sub. Would the other studio speakers be worth picking for an upgrade?

they're both somewhat outdated models. The S36's have a small plastic cabinet that doesn't sound particularly good, and a 6" 2-way in a real MDF cabinet might sound better.

The S310 will be a noticeable upgrade for your fronts. I'd try to get him to sell you just the S310 pair.
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post #13384 of 14056
1/3/13 at 10:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes View Post

they're both somewhat outdated models. The S36's have a small plastic cabinet that doesn't sound particularly good, and a 6" 2-way in a real MDF cabinet might sound better.
The S310 will be a noticeable upgrade for your fronts. I'd try to get him to sell you just the S310 pair.

The guy is only asking $125 for everything. Is this a good deal?
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post #13385 of 14056
1/4/13 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by StiCy View Post

The guy is only asking $125 for everything. Is this a good deal?

You bet. You can sell what you don't want and probably turn a profit.
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post #13386 of 14056
1/5/13 at 5:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

It's nice to have a little home for JBL fans on the site.


OK guys, I'm a bit of a JBL fanatic, and if I listed all the stuff I've collected over the years, you'd want to slap me. It started right out of high school when I got a summer job on the Penn Central Railroad and could afford a real stereo before going off to college. My first JBLs were a brand new pair of L100 Centuries, which survived college, three kids growing up, and a divorce, and I still have them today. Not bad for $546 a pair in 1970.


I have lots of different JBL systems around the house and in my offices, but my main home system these days is the JBL Performance Series. Altogether I'm running six PT800s, one PC600, two PS1400s, and three HTPS400s as subs. Two of the PT800s are stacked with the 14", 400W PS1400s to run as main L&R front full range HT speakers and as a standalone stereo pair.


One day in Fry's Electronics I came across a pair of Northridge E50 open box specials for a crazy price, so I grabbed them and subsequently took one apart to examine it. It's an amazing speaker in many ways, even incorporating some of the same JBL technology as the Performance Series. In most ways the E50 is superior to my venerable L100s, though the L100 goes lower with it's 12" woofer and it has a nice walnut veneer cabinet. The E50 cabinet is technically superior, however.


The newer Venue Series brings much of the value and innovation of the E Series to a lower price point, and the upcoming ES Series should be a discernible improvement over the E Series. The best of the main consumer lines is the Studio L Series, which is out of the price range most of you are looking at right now, but sound for sound and dollar for dollar it is the best deal in its market segment. If you ever find a way to squeeze a set of those out of your budget, you'll be very happy.

I was lucky enough to be searching for new speakers when the Studio L series were plentiful and easy to find. I have never felt the need to upgrade since their acqusition. Totally satisfied! I get the most enjoyment from the L830/LC1/L830 + L810 X 4 rig. Not necessarily because it sounds any better, worse or different than the L880/LC2/L880 + L820 X 4 rig but for what purpose it fulfills. And that is weekend movies in bed and music to drift off into dreamland. The L880 rig serves it's purpose to add the atmosphere during more serious movie watching plus annual favorite dead musician marathons. While the world was sweating out the approaching Zombie Apocalypse I was celebrating Frank Zappa's birthday (Dec 21, 1940) by applying Logic7 in a vigorous circular motion.

Great looking rig SasaDF! I admire the neatness and organization of your library.
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post #13387 of 14056
1/6/13 at 9:45am
Hey guys, new to this thread. Been looking into revel and noticed 4dhd had some jbls so i did a little looking around and saw the studio 590's and wondered what you guys thought about them. Are they a reference speaker? Any comparison to revel speakers would be nice.
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post #13388 of 14056
1/6/13 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bthrb4u View Post

Hey guys, new to this thread. Been looking into revel and noticed 4dhd had some jbls so i did a little looking around and saw the studio 590's and wondered what you guys thought about them. Are they a reference speaker? Any comparison to revel speakers would be nice.

I have not heard the Studio 500 series, but as I remember when reading the lit. that they are only 2 1/2-way designs.
This is opposed to the Studio L series which are 4-ways. I don't think Revel has any 2 1/2-way designs.

But one can only truly tell how good a speaker is by auditioning them.
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post #13389 of 14056
1/6/13 at 4:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bthrb4u View Post

Hey guys, new to this thread. Been looking into revel and noticed 4dhd had some jbls so i did a little looking around and saw the studio 590's and wondered what you guys thought about them. Are they a reference speaker? Any comparison to revel speakers would be nice.

I've got JBL PT800/PS1400 stacks, and Revel F12s and M12s. I also once got to borrow a pair of Performa M22s for an extended period. I realize that only the Concertas haven't been discontinued yet out of those, but to me, the PT800s are the better speaker.
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post #13390 of 14056
1/6/13 at 5:06pm
I tried to get the pair of PT800's on fleabay last week but got outbid, it would have been a good deal. I would love to snag a set. I'll just keep looking for what I can afford and when.
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post #13391 of 14056
1/6/13 at 5:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4DHD View Post

I have not heard the Studio 500 series, but as I remember when reading the lit. that they are only 2 1/2-way designs.
This is opposed to the Studio L series which are 4-ways. I don't think Revel has any 2 1/2-way designs.
But one can only truly tell how good a speaker is by auditioning them.

Technology may change, but right now it is hard to beat 4 way speakers, there is just some sounds missing in other designs.
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post #13392 of 14056
1/6/13 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gferrell View Post

I tried to get the pair of PT800's on fleabay last week but got outbid, it would have been a good deal. I would love to snag a set. I'll just keep looking for what I can afford and when.

You can still get them as refurbs in cherry here for about a third off original MSRP and with at least some warranty. Even at that price, I feel that they are still a good value.
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post #13393 of 14056
1/6/13 at 6:11pm
Thanks but still too much for me. Still recovering from raising 4 children. I had a good listening to my XPL160's this weekend and they will keep me happy for a while.
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post #13394 of 14056
1/7/13 at 3:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 65 Electra Glide View Post

I've got JBL PT800/PS1400 stacks, and Revel F12s and M12s. I also once got to borrow a pair of Performa M22s for an extended period. I realize that only the Concertas haven't been discontinued yet out of those, but to me, the PT800s are the better speaker.
One of the posters on the Revel thread, a couple of years ago was wanting something better than his M22 for surrounds. I looked over the specs and design of the M22 and knew the PT800 was better. I suggested them and he bought a pair and was completely in agreement.
The problem JBL had was their marketing team, they did not have a glue as how to present the PS. Lumping them in with Synthesis was not a good idea. In fact when Synthesis dealers had all the work they could handle, they did not want to be bothered with a system that only totaled around $9,000.
And by then JBL was thrown to BB and we know what BB sells in the way of speakers. And there were very few independent dealers that carried JBL by then. Tweeters had the PS, but I think only online, not in the stores, or only part of the series.

And the Revel Gem2 is a step up from the PT800, nicer boxes, a couple of controls where the PT800 has none. But at a much higher price point. The full retail of the PT800 was listed @ $1700 where the Gem2 I think is more like $5K. One big advantage of the PT800 is being able to be used as a full range speaker when docked to the SP1400.
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post #13395 of 14056
1/7/13 at 9:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4DHD View Post

Tweeters had the PS, but I think only online, not in the stores, or only part of the series.

The first time I ever saw them was back in '05 or so in a store that eventually got bought out by Tweeter a year or two after that. Tthe retail price on the full system which included separates and a bass processor was like $14 or $15 K IIRC.

Regarding the Gem2 vs the PT800, to me, the most obvious difference is that in addition to better looking cabinets and the boundary controls, the Gem2 has somewhat deeper bass extension, but also has somewhat lower sensitivity. Me personally, I'd rather have the higher sensitivity rating and let subs handle the bass.
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post #13396 of 14056
1/7/13 at 1:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 65 Electra Glide View Post

The first time I ever saw them was back in '05 or so in a store that eventually got bought out by Tweeter a year or two after that. Tthe retail price on the full system which included separates and a bass processor was like $14 or $15 K IIRC.
Regarding the Gem2 vs the PT800, to me, the most obvious difference is that in addition to better looking cabinets and the boundary controls, the Gem2 has somewhat deeper bass extension, but also has somewhat lower sensitivity. Me personally, I'd rather have the higher sensitivity rating and let subs handle the bass.

If the PT800 and Gem2 could be auditioned side-by-side, I am not sure there would be much difference, despite the price difference.
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post #13397 of 14056
1/7/13 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4DHD View Post

If the PT800 and Gem2 could be auditioned side-by-side, I am not sure there would be much difference, despite the price difference.

The tweeter is probably the biggest difference, but I am perfectly well satisfied with my PT800s. wink.gif
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post #13398 of 14056
1/8/13 at 11:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by howaboutthat41 View Post

..., but I am perfectly well satisfied with my PT800s. wink.gif

Ditto. Any performance gain from the Gem2 over the PT800 simply would not be cost effective, to me anyway.
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post #13399 of 14056
1/9/13 at 12:49pm
Well my Infinity IL120 sub died last week and I'm looking for replacements, I might be able to repair the built in amp but I saw a great deal on L and R JBL Syn3's. Since I've purchased my interludes I moved into a dedicated theater room, are the Syn3 overkill if only at ~$240 a piece? I would be driving them with my old Harmon high current 525, which I'm also looking to upgrade. thoughts?

TIA!
Regards
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post #13400 of 14056
1/9/13 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GamerCorps View Post

Well my Infinity IL120 sub died last week and I'm looking for replacements, I might be able to repair the built in amp but I saw a great deal on L and R JBL Syn3's. Since I've purchased my interludes I moved into a dedicated theater room, are the Syn3 overkill if only at ~$240 a piece? I would be driving them with my old Harmon high current 525, which I'm also looking to upgrade. thoughts?
TIA!
Regards

Overkill, NO. But better off driving them with a power amp. Say a Crown pro amp or Synthesis amp.
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post #13401 of 14056
1/9/13 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GamerCorps View Post

Well my Infinity IL120 sub died last week and I'm looking for replacements, I might be able to repair the built in amp but I saw a great deal on L and R JBL Syn3's. Since I've purchased my interludes I moved into a dedicated theater room, are the Syn3 overkill if only at ~$240 a piece? I would be driving them with my old Harmon high current 525, which I'm also looking to upgrade. thoughts?

TIA!
Regards

Are you thinking for music or movies?
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post #13402 of 14056
1/9/13 at 6:46pm
sorry to but in. but, my dome tweeters arrive!. i know i said i was going to get pioneers, but i v decide to timber match fronts with my jbl sub.
JBL ES20 rated @60-40hz, center ec250 80-40hz jbl sub es250 25hz. I haven't re calibrated it yet, but i did a quick sound test and i am pleased how well they sounded. open, and not closed nosed sounding. But, they sure sound different compare to my horn hsu speakers.!.

I notice that they're a bit power hungry, and i am pretty sure my 1121-k can handle just fine. smile.gif
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post #13403 of 14056
1/10/13 at 10:42am
Probably 80% movies 20% music. I'm reconsidering since I would not have the matching fronts that would sit on top. I've been keeping an eye on CL though...
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post #13404 of 14056
1/10/13 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GamerCorps View Post

Probably 80% movies 20% music. I'm reconsidering since I would not have the matching fronts that would sit on top. I've been keeping an eye on CL though...

There is really no such thing as matching mains with subs. As long as the quality is there for both, all is good.
The one exception would be the PS stacks. Where the PT800 has been perfectly matched to the PS1400, when using the internal crossover. But the PT800 can also work with any quality sub.
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post #13405 of 14056
1/10/13 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GamerCorps View Post

Probably 80% movies 20% music. I'm reconsidering since I would not have the matching fronts that would sit on top. I've been keeping an eye on CL though...

Depending on your location, I could help you out on that. I have the Synthesis® 3 L,C, and R sitting, well protected in my garage right now. The cabinets are great and all the drivers are in very good condition. Grilles are fine, too. The C is the vertical center, not the horizontal.

If I interpret your intent, by matching you mean more than what 4DHD is commenting on. These are in fact the matching towers that sit on the subs and create quite a coherent look and are also designed with the appropriate baffle alignment when stacked correctly on the S3S. I don't have boxes for them to ship in, but I could make a fantastic deal to someone who could pick them up in the Los Angeles area. These need to be played, not stored, and I'll never put them to use again, so a fantastic, fantastic deal...
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post #13406 of 14056
1/14/13 at 9:25am
I have the following setup:

S38II (fronts)
S-Center II
S36II (surrounds)
SVS Sub
Denon 4311

The listening area is about 20x12x8 and opens into another room.

I was thinking of moving to a pair of floorstanding speakers either the S310 or S312 but finding a pair these days that doesn't cost an arm and leg to ship is pretty hard (been looking on craiglists and ebay.) I have been looking into the L series. Getting the L series (I would probably go L890 fronts, LC2 center, and L820 surround - maybe add rears) would be a much larger expense vs trying to find a matching S series speaker.

Would moving to the L series be considered an improvement or more of a side-grade? If its more of a side-grade I might stick it out longer with the S38s, which are no slouches by any means.
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post #13407 of 14056
1/14/13 at 9:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gamedude View Post


Would moving to the L series be considered an improvement or more of a side-grade? If its more of a side-grade I might stick it out longer with the S38s, which are no slouches by any means.

No question it would be an upgrade, but not a "huge" difference. The change from S38 to L890 would be a BIG difference. Not only in the low end but also in the mids and highs.

That said, with a decent setup/EQ system you can also get away with mixing the S and L series. But the LC2 is a big upgrade over the S-Center. With a room that size I'd say you should get as much speaker as you can possibly afford.
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post #13408 of 14056
1/14/13 at 9:47am
Thanks! My only problem with the LC2 is that its too large to fit into my entertainment stand. Nothing a little wall mounting can't fix though.
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post #13409 of 14056
1/14/13 at 9:55am
If you have a flat panel TV, consider mounting both on the wall.
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post #13410 of 14056
1/14/13 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

Depending on your location, I could help you out on that. I have the Synthesis® 3 L,C, and R sitting, well protected in my garage right now. The cabinets are great and all the drivers are in very good condition. Grilles are fine, too. The C is the vertical center, not the horizontal.

If I interpret your intent, by matching you mean more than what 4DHD is commenting on. These are in fact the matching towers that sit on the subs and create quite a coherent look and are also designed with the appropriate baffle alignment when stacked correctly on the S3S. I don't have boxes for them to ship in, but I could make a fantastic deal to someone who could pick them up in the Los Angeles area. These need to be played, not stored, and I'll never put them to use again, so a fantastic, fantastic deal...

I guess GamerCorps has left the building.
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