The OFFICIAL JBL Owners Thread - Page 2

In a previous system I had four L7s and two L5s in a 7.1 set up with an L3 as center. The L3 was a near perfect timbre match since it had the same 035TiA tweeter as the others and the 8" driver (708G, I think) was the same as the 8" in the L5 and L7 cabinets.

Kinda depends on your screen or TV, however. I have a large projection screen that's 30+ inches above the floor and the L3 fit nicely standing upright, helping uniform dispersion and time alignment.

The CL505 center speaker from the same time looks a lot like an L Series center enclosure should with the grille on, but JBL states that it is not intended specifically as an L Series component. It was a general center channel release to allow center channels for a number of lines at the time.

JBL specifically identifies the current Studio L LC1 as a likely good match.

Oh yeah, I'm still running a pair of L7s in stereo at home and another pair in one of my offices. Even after all this time, they remain amazing speakers and one of the best consumer four-ways JBL ever made. They love the power and can play exceptionally loud without distortion or clipping with a suitable amp of 300W/ch or more.

Yep, the L100s are set up in stereo, driven by a classic Kenwood KA-801 integrated amp and Kenwood KT-815 tuner with a Technics turntable. I really enjoy playing vinyl on these.

It's tough on the venerable L100s to compare them to modern JBLs. The Studio L Series is technically and sonically better in almost every way. Yet, there's a lot of nostalgia and history in those L100s, and there's a different engineering and aesthetic goal. So, for what they are, they're wonderful. But they really can't touch the big members of the Studio L Series.

Since I cut my rock'n'roll teeth on L100s and vinyl, it only sounds right to me when I hear some of the old stuff that way, even though it's reproduced "better" on the newer stuff. However, for classical, electronic, acoustic, choral, and more, the newer stuff really handles it much better.

Well, last week I did some tweakings with my front speakers, mainly by swapping the EC-35 center by the E-50. Some people say that by having 3 identical speakers at front stage is the best bet, though.

Even though the S38II's are not the same as the E-50's, I found the overall front stage sound to be better now, with a more "fuller sound" all around.

Furthermore, the center is about 28" higher than the L/R mains, but directed to the MLP. Cosidering that a photo worths a thousand words...

Avliner, how centered fo the sounds out of the center channel sound now seeing as the mid/tweeter set is a few inches to the left of the main woffer? This might be an alternitive to getting a EC35 for me (EC25 sounds funny in the upper mids) .

Utcpyro,

truth is that the center channel sounds fuller now. Don't know if there's something to do with the fact that all 3 fronts now have an 8" woofer.

Perhaps an even better option would be achieved by having all 3 fronts vertically mounted though. BTW, the center speaker is tilted down a little bit, pointed to ears level, at MLP.

As for the couple of inches to the left of main woofer, I didn't find any difference either. May I suggest - in your case - to try both options and choose the one that fits better for you.

I am replacing my old system with all JBL speakers. My first buy was the center, EC35 (a fantastic center speaker). My question is do I need to stay with the E Series to get the best voice matching? I have been looking on fleebay for some E100 mains and E20 or E30 surrounds. Need some professional help before I purchase please.

Yes you should stick with the E series. Keep an eye on ebay. I have the E30s, very nice. The E50s are great but are huge and heavy for bookshelves. Good luck finding stands, I use cinderblocks, though montior stands from Musicians Friend also works.

I wouldn't spend extramoney on towers unless you are planning on not running a sub, or get a good deal.

Sam,

yeah, you'll be better off by getting the E Series all around, though.
As a suggestion, try to grab the E-30's for surrounds (a whole lot better).

Cheers and kep us posted.

Thanks for the quick response guys. So, are you saying I would be better off to get the E50 for mains and E30 surrounds, and back off the E100 towers? Assuming I will get a sub eventually.
There some E100's on ebay now for $229 each.

I Love my E90 mains. I went with JBL Northridge series for my first HT and still enjoy the hell out of 'em for both movies and music. I had a set of E50's for my L & R surrounds but went with the Infinitys due to the fact that I wanted 180 degree on my side surrounds and the Infinity series is close to the JBLs as they are from the same manufacturer. I started all of this in September 06 and have learned alot since then from all of the online forums.

Bill

If you're getting a sub and don't want a 2.0 music setup, E50s will be great.

Thanks Eugovector,
Don't listen to a lot of music, unless it's a concert on my 61" Samsung. The speakers will be for mainly HD TV and Blu-ray movies.

Sam,

Get the floorstanders (E90's or E100's) and E30's for surrounds. It'll be a killer HT system. And yes, that EC35 is a really nice center channel.

Here is the review of the EC35 from CNET:

CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
Reviewed on 2/12/04 Release date: 9/15/03

JBL's Northridge E Series EC35 three-way center-channel speaker ($299) aces the most crucial test for center speakers: reproducing the human voice. The EC35's muted-gray front baffle is dominated by four drivers: dual 5.25-inch woofers flank a 3-inch midrange and a 0.75-inch titanium dome tweeter. The speaker feels like it's crafted from a solid block of wood, and it demonstrated the acoustic muscle to keep pace with JBL's mighty Northridge tower speakers. Timbre matching with the Northridge E90s was perfect--pans across all three front speakers were remarkably smooth. Speaking of timbre, er, timber, the EC35 is offered in Black Ash, Beech (EC35BE), or Cherry (EC35CH) vinyl finishes.

The speaker's handsome good looks and first-class build quality are all the more remarkable when you consider its price. As far as we know, the EC35 is the least expensive three-way center speaker on the market. In contrast, once you get past Infinity's $399 Alpha 37c, prices of three-ways go through the roof. We couldn't detect any signs of cost-cutting on the EC35; in fact, the JBL's twin sets of all-metal binding posts exhibit the kind of quality we expect on higher-end models. The arrangement allows you to biwire the EC35 with two sets of speaker cables, a technique that slightly improves sound quality. The connectors accept banana jacks, U-shaped spades, or bare wire ends.

We noted one minor downside: the EC35's rear-mounted port limits placement options. For example, if you place this speaker inside a TV stand, the sound may suffer. You're better off sticking with the TV-top scenario--many smaller TVs won't comfortably support this 22-pound, 22-inch-wide beast. JBL's two-way Northridge center speaker, the EC25, is smaller and will lighten your wallet to the tune of $199.

For all of our listening tests, we mated the EC35 with an all-Northridge package: E90 tower speakers ($399 each), E20 ($199 per pair) bookshelf speakers in the rear, and the E250P ($449) 12-inch powered subwoofer.

A center speaker's prime focus is movie dialogue, but only the better three-way models, such as the EC35, ever get it totally right. Not only did male and female voices sound natural, they had a three-dimensional presence we associate with much more expensive designs. The EC35 is really special, breathing life into the sound of DVDs, and it's well suited to revealing the high-resolution sound of DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD music.

Just picked up an almost new pair of E100's off ebay. I've read too much good stuff about them to pass them up. Now that I have base (100's & EC35) taken care of, on to the surrounds. Several have said get the E30's. Anyone have any thought on the E10's? I can pick them up pretty cheap. The thing is placement. I really need to hang in the back corner of room. Room is 20x20.

Certainly if you have space/placement issues that preclude the speaker size, then it's a no-brainer. But if you have some flexibility in size, the E30's are the ones you want...more air moved, fuller sound...the FR extends down to 50 Hz vs. 75 Hz of the E10's.

Now...just do not get a JBL subwoofer. Go with Hsu or maybe SVS (if you have the space). JBL subs do NOT measure up. Their speakers are fantastic values. Not so the subs.

Either way you go with the surrounds, you should really enjoy your new system! Have fun with it.

Mudslide,
Can you elaborate on the placement of the E30's? Can they be placed in a corner, or do they need to be on a flat wall, and do they need space behind the speaker or flat against the wall? Thanks, Robert

Words of wisdom Mudslide

Sam,

as for the surrounds, the E-30 would be the best bet indeed; specially now that you have the big towers upfront. BTW, congrats on your purchase!!

They work best if they're out just a bit from the corner. But they're front ported so they can go next to a wall, or even mount on it. It's not a problem. They are your servant and will play well wherever you put 'em. Those E10's should go on a wall.

Happy Independence Day fellow JBL peeps!

I just looked.....

There is a pair of E30's on ebay...about to expire with no bids (but expensive shipping).
There is a pair of E20's on audiogon...$90 obo.

I have no relation to either, but you might want to give them a look-see.

One of the bass issues with the E90 & E100 is if you have a quality sub like the SVS or HSU, you need to have your mains set to small and not large. Running them large for movies gives you too much bass and it sounds "muddy". This is the recommendation from SVS & HSU and you get good clean bass. However, this is just my opinion having tried all the various bass settings that I could get from my E90 and HSU 3.3 Turbo. Dr. Hsu makes the same recommendation for his subwoofers.

Bill

Thanks guys. I'll keep u posted. Happy 4th of July to all as well.

Yup. Run all the speakers as small and set the crossover (the fronts if you can separate them from the surrounds on your AVR) at 60 Hz (surrounds at 80 Hz). Those E90's and E100's will sound cleaner when sloped off at 60 or 80 while having the Hsu eatin' the deep stuff. I set my system crossover at 80 and the big S312's as 'small'. You'll not miss a thing from the JBL's, and you're not 'wasting' anything. If you don't believe me, try it both ways and see which you prefer. But if you're sending a full-range signal to the mains (set to 'large') they're going to struggle at 30-50 Hz. It's also a burden on your amp/avr...unless of course you have watts to burn.

But play with it. Just don't go nuts on the bass side. Let the sub do the work.

I got my first 5.1 set this summer off of craigslist.

Mains: HLS820
Center: HLSCENTER
Surrounds: HLS410
Sub: PSW-D112

all for 150. Still looking for a receiver. Any suggestions?

I like the HLS series.
I got a pair of HLS 620s for $20.
Best $20 spent on speakers haha.


I would get something from the usual companies, Onkyo, Pioneer, HK, Denon, etc.

I have a similiar setup. I have E100's with the EC35. I opted for the E20's for surrounds. A major difference between the the E20 or 30 (besides size) is that the E20's are rear ported so you would not be able to have them flush against a wall. Just something to consider.

I would be interested to know your placement in your room. I have a 20x20 room. I did some measuring and believe I will have to go with the E20's as well due to size of the E30's. Will the 20s' sound ok with the rear port firing in a corner, assuming I leave 6"-8" behind them?

Using large speakers like the E50s for surround means they have to sit on something or be attached to the wall. What I did so that I could hang and support my E50 rears, I used those small monitor wall hanging support trays and they can be rotated for the desired angle. Got them through Amazon at around $23 each and they support up to 60 lbs. They don't look too bad once you get used to them and my room is 20x28 with sloping ceilings and at 6000 cubic feet.

Your room is a bit larger than mine (2100 ft^3). I think you should be fine with the speaker in a corner with that distance. Since they are small bookshelf speakers they are not going to produce a significant amount of bass (compared to a floor spk.) so I think it should be OK. They are small but I was a bit suprised (pleasantly) how dense they are. Definitely robust build quality. They get plenty loud for movies, but I haven't really tried them for music. I usually stick to 2.1 when listening to music. Maybe I'll try to temporarily replace the E100's with the E20's to see how they will work as fronts to get an better indication of their performance (I'm actually kinda curious now). I'll keep you posted.