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JBL or ADS?

Krosya

Krosya

Well-Known Member
Yep, that's right, I cant just simply enjoy what I have. Have to always look at other toys. In this case I found JBL L166 and ADS l1290. Both seem to be in good condition. Both about the same price. And no - cant afford to get both now. Price is not "super deal" - so it's not something to try and flip if didnt like it. Looking for a quality keepers. I listen to all sorts of music and do not have any high end amps. Most of what I have are 50-100 wpc and I do not plan to upgrade any time soon. Never heard either of these speakers (had some JBLs but of that level). So, given this info - what would you recommend? Or look for something else entirely? (Have a pair of smaller ADS L-570 locally available as well - are they any good?) Any advice is appreciated.
 
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I'm a JBL fan, tho I have had other brands ...

JBL L166 speakers are pretty well received - and they have the 066 tweeters.
I just got a pair of L212s that use the same tweeter and its a great tweeter!
That said, the tweeter is long since out of production and unavailable.
But they do have those cool grills ...

if they are in good shape and sound good, I'd certainly go for those!

4532-JBL_L166.jpg
 
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Give each a try. Weigh any restoration needs costs. Different sound. Ported vs not. The 1290's of course are a tower form. If the 1290's are Rosewood, don't hesitate. Hard to deny the beautiful mid range on that level of ADS.
 
I've owned both. I love the 166 but they just aren't as refined as the ADS. The JBL 066 tweeter is rare and expensive. The JBL will also need new surrounds and pots cleaned at least if they haven't been.
 
I've owned both JBL and ADS - but not either of these two models. I'm an A/D/S guy, for the softdomes ... they tend to be less forward and I like that. Had a set of JBL L150s with a metal tweeter (035 Ti) I think it was. Not a bad speaker but I couldn't get that tweeter to settle down. That being said, the JBLs have name recognition ... might hold their value a bit better. I would lean towards the 1290's depending on the condition but I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Too bad all life's decisions aren't this complicated ...
 
Krosya said:
I found JBL L166 and ADS l1290. (Have a pair of smaller ADS L-570 locally available as well - are they any good?) Any advice is appreciated.
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Re: L570 they are quite nice. They compare (favorably) with nearly any 80s-90s quality 2-way and hold up well today. I own a set, they aren't leaving.

Re: L166* vs L1290, I'd bet they will be comparable on the bottom end. There will be qualitative differences between each but pretty close. I might give the L1290 the nod for punch but that could also be my own bias. The real issue for me would be the midrange & treble balance, which images the best, and which sounds natural on a wide range of vocals? Both will be good but personal preference as to which one is "better". Only listening will tell.

Good Luck!

*The ADS equivalent of the L166 was the L980 bookshelf -

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I also tend to lean towards the ADS. You can listen to these all day long at volume with zero fatigue. Extremely well balanced sounding.
As stated above, go audition both. Remember, room environment and power supply will make big differences.

Glenn
 
Two totally different sound producers. At first I would probably lean toward the ADS. But if you have a bigger room which demands more detail, then I would say the JBL. This assumes they are both in working order. There is no way an ADS can compete with the dynamic range of the JBL. But that said in a smaller space where you are looking for a larger sweet spot and smooth sound I would go with the ADS. The ADS mid driver is hard to beat.
 
Agree with most of the others. The only speakers I own right now, that I regularily listen to, are JBL and ADS. While my listening habits tend to gravitate me to my JBL's, in this case you may prefer the ADS. They are quite different from each other. ADS wins with me for a few reasons, the soft domes, the smooth bass, ability to listen to them for hours, and the looks. I sold ADS years ago and the 1290's were one of my favorite all time speakers.
 
The first time I listened to ADS speakers I was out buying some JBLs. The guy I was buying from told me his ADS speakers blew his JBLs away. I asked him to show me. He A/B'd the 4410As that I was buying with some ADS 810s. To me it just sounded like the tweeter on the 810s was hotter. That's pretty much what he described liking too I have some 810s that I never use and should get rid of sitting in a corner now just because of this.

IMO, JBL L166s are underappreciated right now but seem to be gaining traction. I see tons of posts about these speakers. Interest is high. Most people who are getting in to this kind of stuff would buy L100s over L166s nearly every time. I think just because of lack of knowledge. The grills will likely never be repopped. The tweeter domes are quite rare in good condition and may never be repopped. They have a great look and sound. I'd take L166s over 810s every time.
 
SPEC2man said:
I've owned both JBL and ADS - but not either of these two models. I'm an A/D/S guy, for the softdomes ... they tend to be less forward and I like that. Had a set of JBL L150s with a metal tweeter (035 Ti) I think it was. Not a bad speaker but I couldn't get that tweeter to settle down. That being said, the JBLs have name recognition ... might hold their value a bit better.
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The tweeter in the L150 isn't the Titanium 035Ti, it is the 033 which is nearly identical to the 066 in every way except color. Its dome is phenolic-impregnated linen. Even the L150A isn't titanium but instead uses the 044 which has a phenolic dome covered in vapor-deposited aluminum, very similar to that of the L166. If you had a too-hot tweeter, it likely wasn't in an L150 or L150A. Perhaps you had an L100T?
 
Another vote for "both!"

Different for sure but I enjoy all of mine... L96, L112, L150A for JBL and L1290, L1230, L710 for ADS as well as an L400+sub system.

John
 
Glad my 1530's never sold here on BT. When my 1590's are completely done I can't wait to hear them. To me, they just do everything very well without any kind of fatigue. Acoustic guitar music and female vocalist especially.
 
Thank you, everyone, for your advice. I didnt get anything yet as this became more complicated - I found Heresys and Cornwalls as well and now I'm really confused which way to go. I already have KG4 and like them a lot and thats why Klipsch is something that I would consider as well. What do you think?
 
10 years ago there were 4 pair of JBL speakers in my house L100/46/26/220, as of today? The 46's are still here. However, I now have 6 sets of ADS speakers, the JBL were all given away to make room.
This is one person's opinion. I liked the JBL's but for my musical tastes, The smooth ADS sound is more appealing. That JBL L46 I have stayed because it sounds closer to an ADS, perhaps having a dome tweeter and butyl woofer surrounds helpsin that regard.
 
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Krosya said:
Thank you, everyone, for your advice. I didnt get anything yet as this became more complicated - I found Heresys and Cornwalls as well and now I'm really confused which way to go. I already have KG4 and like them a lot and thats why Klipsch is something that I would consider as well. What do you think?
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Quite the decision. First thing, I would give all a listen, properly set up, then see what I thought. IMHO Cornwalls are a fine sounding speaker and Heresys can be much improved on with a sub or two. Classic Klipsch speakers have that horn sound though, which some love and some don't. You have a little bit of an inkling of that sound with your KG's but these two models are much more noticeable. Not necessarily a bad thing, depending on what you like.

JBL's definately have their place, especially if you are looking for lively speakers that are great for rock and hot jazz. For all their faults, I still love most JBL's.

Of all the pros and cons of each brand, ADS probably have the fewest faults and certainly are the smoothest of the group, but whether you think they are the best or not, depends on what your listening habits are.
 
Krosya said:
Yep, that's right, I cant just simply enjoy what I have. Have to always look at other toys. In this case I found JBL L166 and ADS l1290. Both seem to be in good condition. Both about the same price. And no - cant afford to get both now. Price is not "super deal" - so it's not something to try and flip if didnt like it. Looking for a quality keepers. I listen to all sorts of music and do not have any high end amps. Most of what I have are 50-100 wpc and I do not plan to upgrade any time soon. Never heard either of these speakers (had some JBLs but of that level). So, given this info - what would you recommend? Or look for something else entirely? (Have a pair of smaller ADS L-570 locally available as well - are they any good?) Any advice is appreciated.
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ADS. And yes the L-570's are very good bookshelves. And you can see what brand is the star of my avatar :) Although I did enjoy a pair of Klipsch kg 4.2's for sometime, and I enjoy my speakerlab 4's and my Magnepan mg-1's. BUT,,,,,, ADS speakers are just engrained in my d.n.a., I love em. And honestly, I don't think you would be disappointed with any of the speakers you mentioned. Will D.
 
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