AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › The OFFICIAL JBL Owners Thread
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The OFFICIAL JBL Owners Thread - Page 448

post #13411 of 14063
1/14/13 at 9:22pm
So i decided a while back to upgrade my bedroom setup which was all JBL Venue Series speakers running on a mid level pioneer amp and a nice but over priced Sony SACD player. Which was my first system I ever put together back in 2008. I bought a pioneer elite vsx 51 and was bouncing between the Studio 1 series and the ES. I decided to go with the ES series because i was curious to hear those UHF tweeters since they are crossed over at 9Khz or 12Khz(pending on the model) and well got carried away redface.gif So over the last couple of months I ended up purchasing the ES90's,ES30's,ES20's,ES10's,ES25C and even 2xES250P's Damn amazon and their blow out sales biggrin.gif
Reply
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #13412 of 14063
1/15/13 at 3:37pm
I always say, anything worth doing is worth doing well.

What you did was worth doing, so congratulations!
Reply
Reply
post #13413 of 14063
1/16/13 at 10:20am
I currently have 2 jbl 180s, 2 bookshelf 130s and the center 120.... I'm looking to add two new front speakers to replace 180s as primary... I see the 190s aren't available online in many place and on jbl site are 450 each... Are there any recommendations for replacements that are more readily available and will work well? Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #13414 of 14063
1/16/13 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vdawgs22 View Post

I currently have 2 jbl 180s, 2 bookshelf 130s and the center 120.... I'm looking to add two new front speakers to replace 180s as primary... I see the 190s aren't available online in many place and on jbl site are 450 each... Are there any recommendations for replacements that are more readily available and will work well? Thanks!

AFAIK, the Studio 180 is more or less discontinued and replaced by the newer 580/590 series. Either of those will be an upgrade of sorts, and also the L880/L890 will be a decent match. With the L880 and L890, prices are often very close, so the L890 usually wins. In general I'd expect the tweeter based systems to be a better match for you than the newer horn-based systems. Issues of cosmetic similarity aside.
Reply
Reply
post #13415 of 14063
1/16/13 at 12:22pm
Would the klipsch rf-82 be a Good match??
Reply
Reply
post #13416 of 14063
1/16/13 at 2:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vdawgs22 View Post

Would the klipsch rf-82 be a Good match??


Its never a good idea to match horn speakers to dome tweeter speakers.
Edited by 4DHD - 1/17/13 at 12:52pm
Reply
Reply
post #13417 of 14063
1/16/13 at 2:42pm
I thought I read these jbls had horn... Is that false ?
Reply
Reply
post #13418 of 14063
1/16/13 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vdawgs22 View Post

I thought I read these jbls had horn... Is that false ?

The EOS Waveguide is technically a variant on the biradial horn, but that means greater horizontal dispersion rather than the "beaming" directivity of a more traditional horn design like Klipsch uses.
Reply
Reply
post #13419 of 14063
1/16/13 at 7:33pm
I came across this interesting link at AK.

http://seanolive.blogspot.com/2012/11/behind-harmans-testing-lab.html
Reply
Reply
post #13420 of 14063
1/16/13 at 10:12pm
I'm building my first surround setup and I'm having trouble with picking speakers. I'm on a budget ($500 for 5.0) and want 5.1 now.

Here is what I've purchased already:

AVR: HK AVR1700
Sub: Polk PSW10

I've looked at the Jamo S426 and Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers, but then I saw a deal on Polk ES80's for $274 (pair). I'm not sure I can justify the $220 price tag of the matching center.

Please let me know if it's worth it to jump on the ES80 sale or if I should be focusing my budget elsewhere.

Thank you!
Reply
Reply
post #13421 of 14063
1/17/13 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by garrickb View Post

I'm building my first surround setup and I'm having trouble with picking speakers. I'm on a budget ($500 for 5.0) and want 5.1 now.

Here is what I've purchased already:

AVR: HK AVR1700
Sub: Polk PSW10

I've looked at the Jamo S426 and Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers, but then I saw a deal on Polk ES80's for $274 (pair). I'm not sure I can justify the $220 price tag of the matching center.

Please let me know if it's worth it to jump on the ES80 sale or if I should be focusing my budget elsewhere.

Thank you!

Did you mean to post this in the Polk thread, or are you asking for JBL alternatives? If the latter, I'm sure you'll get some. smile.gif
Reply
Reply
post #13422 of 14063
1/17/13 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

Did you mean to post this in the Polk thread, or are you asking for JBL alternatives? If the latter, I'm sure you'll get some. smile.gif

My brain thought one thing and I typed another.... They're JBL ES80's, not Polk.
Reply
Reply
post #13423 of 14063
1/17/13 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by garrickb View Post

My brain thought one thing and I typed another.... They're JBL ES80's, not Polk.

That's a pretty awesome price for a pair of ES80's if it is indeed for a pair and not a single speaker. You could go with two channel in the front temporarily while you try to snipe an EC35 off fleabay or CL, or you could try and snipe an inexpensive LC1 as a substitute, they show up not infrequently. A good front pair with a phantom center (just using them out of phase to do the center's duties) would in most cases sound better than a cheaper trio of LCR.

Sorry to say, but you may find your PSW10 lacking if you have a nice pair of full range fronts like ES80s or ES90s, but you should be able to better manage the bass by rolling them off higher than their capability to leave more juice for the mids and highs. If it were me, I'd absolutely grab the ES80s. I tried to spread my budget out originally into more channels and--after sniping a pair of L880s off fleabay for cheap, and hearing the difference I'd been told would exist between budget and non-budget speakers--it was my first regret that I hadn't gone for higher quality in my mains and eventually worked up to more pieces instead.smile.gif
Reply
Reply
post #13424 of 14063
1/17/13 at 4:44pm
I just posted this in another "book shelf size" speaker thread, but wanted to repost here as another "thumbs up" for JBL solutions.

******

I just built a new 16' x 24' video production stage/theater fitted with (7) JBL Control 5 monitors powered by a Yamaha 2020 and a BIC PL-200 sub.

The JBL Control 5 monitors are an older, front ported design with a flat, Yamaha NS-10M type response, which has proved perfect for my studio use. All of the enclosures are located near a barrier, so any porting was a real concern as far as any unwanted bass reinforcement. Frankly, I had no option but to find a front ported or non-ported speaker solution and this JBL setup is proving to be every bit as good as the more expensive Blue Sky alternative I almost bought instead.

I am crossing over at the 80hz Dolby spec and these JBLs are very flat down to about 50hz and roll off toward 20hz. The enclosures measure 15"x10"x10" and I was able to use/adapt some old Paradigm (M-60) speaker mounts to hang these babies.

I would recommend these JBLs to anyone who needs a passive, front ported design enclosures.

I have more than enough sound pressure to fill my space well before I see any flicker of the protection circuit inside the enclosures. Surround imaging is excellent as you might expect from using matched enclosures at all locations. The Yamaha 2020 offers a very good calibration albeit less advanced than some alternate methods. I am very happy with the results and my clients have been very impressed as well.

I still mix TV/Radio/Music 2.0 on a set of Yamaha NS-10M Studio monitors. Mixing surround on this JBL setup has been a nice transition.

http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/ProductFamily.aspx?FId=67&MId=5

Reply
Reply
post #13425 of 14063
1/17/13 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by garrickb View Post

My brain thought one thing and I typed another.... They're JBL ES80's, not Polk.

ES80's are a great sounding workhorse speaker. You can't go wrong for the price!
Reply
Reply
post #13426 of 14063
1/17/13 at 5:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vdawgs22 View Post

I currently have 2 jbl 180s, 2 bookshelf 130s and the center 120.... I'm looking to add two new front speakers to replace 180s as primary... I see the 190s aren't available online in many place and on jbl site are 450 each... Are there any recommendations for replacements that are more readily available and will work well? Thanks!

Are you near NY? I could sell you a pair of my 190s.
Reply
Reply
post #13427 of 14063
1/17/13 at 7:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bytehoven View Post

I just posted this in another "book shelf size" speaker thread, but wanted to repost here as another "thumbs up" for JBL solutions.

******

I just built a new 16' x 24' video production stage/theater fitted with (7) JBL Control 5 monitors powered by a Yamaha 2020 and a BIC PL-200 sub.

The JBL Control 5 monitors are an older, front ported design with a flat, Yamaha NS-10M type response, which has proved perfect for my studio use. All of the enclosures are located near a barrier, so any porting was a real concern as far as any unwanted bass reinforcement. Frankly, I had no option but to find a front ported or non-ported speaker solution and this JBL setup is proving to be every bit as good as the more expensive Blue Sky alternative I almost bought instead.

I am crossing over at the 80hz Dolby spec and these JBLs are very flat down to about 50hz and roll off toward 20hz. The enclosures measure 15"x10"x10" and I was able to use/adapt some old Paradigm (M-60) speaker mounts to hang these babies.

I would recommend these JBLs to anyone who needs a passive, front ported design enclosures.

I have more than enough sound pressure to fill my space well before I see any flicker of the protection circuit inside the enclosures. Surround imaging is excellent as you might expect from using matched enclosures at all locations. The Yamaha 2020 offers a very good calibration albeit less advanced than some alternate methods. I am very happy with the results and my clients have been very impressed as well.

I still mix TV/Radio/Music 2.0 on a set of Yamaha NS-10M Studio monitors. Mixing surround on this JBL setup has been a nice transition.

http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/ProductFamily.aspx?FId=67&MId=5


Nice! smile.gif
Reply
Reply
post #13428 of 14063
1/17/13 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

I always say, anything worth doing is worth doing well.

What you did was worth doing, so congratulations!

Thanks smile.gif these are great speakers, the build quality alone is better than anything JBL has recently put out at their price point. Nobody really talks about them but I can say they are definitely a step up from the Northridge E's and head and shoulders above the Venue's. The obvious weak link is the ES25C but it preforms admirably despite it's lack of a midrange driver. I was surprised by the ES250P's they're much better than I expected. I had no intentions on getting them but amazon was practically giving them away.
Reply
Reply
post #13429 of 14063
1/18/13 at 6:54am
I have a pair of E250P,s I found them to be boomy for music so I stuffed the ports with foam making them somewhat sealed and now they are much tighter. I care much more about music than movie explosions. I have not tried them with a good action movie yet since I stuffed them.
Reply
Reply
post #13430 of 14063
1/18/13 at 9:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gferrell View Post

I have a pair of E250P,s I found them to be boomy for music so I stuffed the ports with foam making them somewhat sealed and now they are much tighter. I care much more about music than movie explosions. I have not tried them with a good action movie yet since I stuffed them.

I'm the same way. If I was to base their performance just off movie explosions I'd say they were awesome. They can't dig into the mid-low 20hz range, but they are quite powerful. As far as music goes I'd have to agree with you. I haven't tried stuffing the ports but found them far less boomy when crossed over at 50hz.
Reply
Reply
post #13431 of 14063
1/19/13 at 1:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nlsteele View Post

That's a pretty awesome price for a pair of ES80's if it is indeed for a pair and not a single speaker. You could go with two channel in the front temporarily while you try to snipe an EC35 off fleabay or CL, or you could try and snipe an inexpensive LC1 as a substitute, they show up not infrequently. A good front pair with a phantom center (just using them out of phase to do the center's duties) would in most cases sound better than a cheaper trio of LCR.

Sorry to say, but you may find your PSW10 lacking if you have a nice pair of full range fronts like ES80s or ES90s, but you should be able to better manage the bass by rolling them off higher than their capability to leave more juice for the mids and highs. If it were me, I'd absolutely grab the ES80s. I tried to spread my budget out originally into more channels and--after sniping a pair of L880s off fleabay for cheap, and hearing the difference I'd been told would exist between budget and non-budget speakers--it was my first regret that I hadn't gone for higher quality in my mains and eventually worked up to more pieces instead.smile.gif

I went to Fry's today, listened to the JBL ES80's and really liked how they sounded. Are the above centers you mentioned the only ones you'd recommend? I've started searching CL and fleabay.

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #13432 of 14063
1/19/13 at 5:30pm
There's been some "heritage" discussion in a couple of other threads, so I hinted I would make a comment here to try to tie a few things together.

JBL currently has a very full line of loudspeakers which includes these floor standers:

Everest II DD67000*
Everest II DD66000**
Everest II DD65000**
K2 S99000*
S4700*
S3900*
1400 Array*
1000 Array*
LS80*
LS60*
(New) Studio 590***
(New) Studio 580***
(New) Studio 570***
L890***
L880***
(Old) Studio 190***
(Old) Studio 180***
ES90***
ES80***
CST56***

* JBLSynthesis® dealers
** JBL Synthesis® dealers until model is sold out
*** JBL Consumer Authorized Dealers

That's a range of floor standing loudspeakers from under $300 to over $30,000 each--twice that for a pair. Besides the JBL logo, what do they have in common?

For starters, everything from the Studio 570 up in the list is horn-based. All the rest are direct radiator models, but they all have at least one waveguide in them, too. So a common element is that directivity and dispersion are controlled in all of them, at least at the HF level.

Could this be because of a uniform corporate design imperative? Could it be due to a consistent design philosophy evolved by a single designer or group of designers? Could it be that one individual oversees all development? Well, there's a qualified "Yes" to all of those.

There's a single and more coherent thread in JBL's recent offerings, which according to your preferences could be a good or bad thing. If the result is improvement of sonic performance up and down the line, then I'd say it's good. If you don't like the evolving JBL "signature," then it might be bad.

I've got a lot more to say about this, but not the time right now. (Talk amongst yourselves.)
Edited by filecat13 - 1/19/13 at 8:13pm
Reply
Reply
post #13433 of 14063
1/19/13 at 6:50pm
Cool. I'm just sitting here listening to my XPL 160's while reading this and frankly I don't know what to say! Other than they still sound sweet!
Reply
Reply
post #13434 of 14063
1/19/13 at 10:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

There's been some "heritage" discussion in a couple of other threads, so I hinted I would make a comment here to try to tie a few things together.

JBL currently has a very full line of loudspeakers which includes these floor standers:

Everest II DD67000*
Everest II DD66000**
Everest II DD65000**
K2 S99000*
S4700*
S3900*
1400 Array*
1000 Array*
LS80*
LS60*
(New) Studio 590***
(New) Studio 580***
(New) Studio 570***
L890***
L880***
(Old) Studio 190***
(Old) Studio 180***
ES90***
ES80***
CST56***

* JBLSynthesis® dealers
** JBL Synthesis® dealers until model is sold out
*** JBL Consumer Authorized Dealers

That's a range of floor standing loudspeakers from under $300 to over $30,000 each--twice that for a pair. Besides the JBL logo, what do they have in common?

For starters, everything from the Studio 570 up in the list is horn-based. All the rest are direct radiator models, but they all have at least one waveguide in them, too. So a common element is that directivity and dispersion are controlled in all of them, at least at the HF level.

Could this be because of a uniform corporate design imperative? Could it be due to a consistent design philosophy evolved by a single designer or group of designers? Could it be that one individual oversees all development? Well, there's a qualified "Yes" to all of those.

There's a single and more coherent thread in JBL's recent offerings, which according to your preferences could be a good or bad thing. If the result is improvement of sonic performance up and down the line, then I'd say it's good. If you don't like the evolving JBL "signature," then it might be bad.

I've got a lot more to say about this, but not the time right now. (Talk amongst yourselves.)

Your list does not include the 800 Array. Has it been discontinued?

EDIT: I just noticed the "That's a range of floor standing loudspeakers from under $300 to over $30,000 each--twice that for a pair".
Edited by EZ-Rhino - 1/19/13 at 10:30pm
Reply
Reply
post #13435 of 14063
1/19/13 at 10:59pm
I need help pairing a center with the JBL ES80's. None of the stores near me carry JBL centers (except lower studio series). Someone does have a S-Center II for $80 on CL, but I have no idea how it sounds.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Reply
Reply
post #13436 of 14063
1/19/13 at 11:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ-Rhino View Post

Your list does not include the 800 Array. Has it been discontinued?

EDIT: I just noticed the "That's a range of floor standing loudspeakers from under $300 to over $30,000 each--twice that for a pair".

Yes, you caught it. There are no bookshelf, surround, center, or subwoofer speakers in the list. Imagine how long the list would be with all of those! smile.gif

Plus there are none of the wonderful Pro speakers included (cinema, sound reinforcement, PA, studio, blah, blah, blah) and no mobile (auto and marine) sound speakers. I won't even mention the HTIB stuff, the iPod/iPad/iPhone docks, the portable speakers, the wireless speakers, the bluetooth speakers eek.gif Oops! I just did!
Reply
Reply
post #13437 of 14063
1/19/13 at 11:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by garrickb View Post

I need help pairing a center with the JBL ES80's. None of the stores near me carry JBL centers (except lower studio series). Someone does have a S-Center II for $80 on CL, but I have no idea how it sounds.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

The S Center II is an overachiever, but it's not what you want with the ES80s. Are you in SoCal by chance?
Reply
Reply
post #13438 of 14063
1/19/13 at 11:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

The S Center II is an overachiever, but it's not what you want with the ES80s. Are you in SoCal by chance?

No, I'm up in Oregon. What do you recommend with the ES80's?
Reply
Reply
post #13439 of 14063
1/19/13 at 11:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by filecat13 View Post

Yes, you caught it. There are no bookshelf, surround, center, or subwoofer speakers in the list. Imagine how long the list would be with all of those! smile.gif

Plus there are none of the wonderful Pro speakers included (cinema, sound reinforcement, PA, studio, blah, blah, blah) and no mobile (auto and marine) sound speakers. I won't even mention the HTIB stuff, the iPod/iPad/iPhone docks, the portable speakers, the wireless speakers, the bluetooth speakers eek.gif Oops! I just did!

Have you heard the new Studio 5 Series speakers?
Quote:
Originally Posted by garrickb View Post

No, I'm up in Oregon. What do you recommend with the ES80's?

Most people on here would say the EC35 is the best choice...
Reply
Reply
post #13440 of 14063
1/20/13 at 1:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOM85 View Post

Most people on here would say the EC35 is the best choice...

If I can't find one in decent shape, what is the next best choice? Not being able to listen to my choices in a store makes this a lot harder. Even the newer models aren't available in a B&M here (that I've found)
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Speakers

Gear mentioned in this thread:

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › The OFFICIAL JBL Owners Thread