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JBL or ADS?

I had the L166's and to my dismay, found them to be way too bright for me so if you like brightness....go for the JBL. I didn't have the 1290 but did have the L980. Don't know how close those two ADS's sound but the 980 beat the pants off the 166.
 
BMWCCA said:
Too bad you never had a chance to listen to a good pair of JBLs! :biggrin:
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Not interested in a pssing match, not sure you know that I never listened to a good pair of JBL s either, and I don't recall stating that I dislike JBL speakers, there are many sets I am quite fond of in fact. Thanks for sharing the snark assumption. Nothing personal.
 
MJB1959 said:
Not interested in a pssing match, not sure you know that I never listened to a good pair of JBL s either, and I don't recall stating that I dislike JBL speakers, there are many sets I am quite fond of in fact. Thanks for sharing the snark assumption. Nothing personal.
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Nothing personal here, either.

I've heard many a/d/s speakers and even had a pair of 300i in a Nakamichi system in a car many years ago. I don't see many for sale where I live or I'd own a couple of models right now. They are great speakers.

Just saying the JBLs you mention aren't among the best-sounding JBLs—or even close. I feel the need to comment when I hear anyone basing a JBL assessment on the sound of an L100 Century. It generally gives the wrong impression to those who've not had the chance to hear the better JBLs. On any given day I can compare any of the following JBLs in my current collection: 030, L112, L96, L150A, L100 Century, L26, L1, L3, L5, L7, L20T, L80T/3, LX22, 2500, Pro-III Plus, LSR305, 250ti, 4345. All enjoyable in their own way. I'd hate for anyone to miss a good JBL opportunity just because of what they've read about L100s. :thumbsup:
 
MJB sure must have missed that big grin in your post. Obviously, the ones he listed are not the 'good' jbls as JBL has made and still makes some very good speakers, some many can't afford. I didn't see anything in your post that should have gotten him upset. Hell I have never listened to a good JBL speaker either.

Now not having listened to good JBL speakers, but owning a decent pair of ADS, I'm glad to see MJB has ADS speakers and if he recommended those as better than the JBLs I can see why.
 
Too much fun here, having owned a pair of L166's since 1977, I admit a biased opinion. I had a choice of every model back then, although L300's were out of budget. They are the most listen able speaker from that era. My son acquired some ADS 780's, they are nice.
 
Again, not the same comparison, but I owned both JBL L100 and ADS L710 as well as other long term in my bedroom system. I really wanted to like the L100s as I looked long and hard for a nice pair reasonably priced. In the end the ADS won out and are still in my system
 
jtucker said:
Again, not the same comparison, but I owned both JBL L100 and ADS L710 as well as other long term in my bedroom system. I really wanted to like the L100s as I looked long and hard for a nice pair reasonably priced. In the end the ADS won out and are still in my system
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Like I said . . .
I'd hate for anyone to miss a good JBL opportunity just because of what they've read about L100s.
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Again, Thank you everyone for your input. I would love to be able to listen to all these before making a decision. But not all sellers offer such opportunity and its hard to justify spending a lot of money not having heard the speakers. I did get to listen to Heresys and was not too impressed, but its possible that setup was not the best and they may need to upgrades. I really hope to get to hear ADS speakers as I see that a lot of people like them. Cornwalls are not very close, while being somewhat close enough to drive to get them, yet to just go listen is not close enough, even if seller is willing to do that. ADS's are close but one thing that makes me pause - is price. I know its not the right place to talk prices but I wonder whats is a good deal in today's market for a mint pair, considering that parts may be a problem if something goes wrong? Or its not really an issue?
 
Go for the 1290's. Parts are not a problem. There's plenty of info and threads on the various models. Many of us have had mids, tweeters, woofers, and crossovers rebuilt by Richard So, a former ADS employee, who bought all the parts inventory when ADS closed it's doors. Here's his site.
Glenn
http://www.adsspeakersservice.com
 
In Bartertown there is a post in Cincinnati that includes some ADS speakers (780, 1230) as well as AR93's and KLH Model fives for good prices.
 
Krosya said:
Again, Thank you everyone for your input. I would love to be able to listen to all these before making a decision. But not all sellers offer such opportunity and its hard to justify spending a lot of money not having heard the speakers. I did get to listen to Heresys and was not too impressed, but its possible that setup was not the best and they may need to upgrades. I really hope to get to hear ADS speakers as I see that a lot of people like them. Cornwalls are not very close, while being somewhat close enough to drive to get them, yet to just go listen is not close enough, even if seller is willing to do that. ADS's are close but one thing that makes me pause - is price. I know its not the right place to talk prices but I wonder whats is a good deal in today's market for a mint pair, considering that parts may be a problem if something goes wrong? Or its not really an issue?
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PM sent.
 
Krosya said:
Again, Thank you everyone for your input. I would love to be able to listen to all these before making a decision. But not all sellers offer such opportunity and its hard to justify spending a lot of money not having heard the speakers. I did get to listen to Heresys and was not too impressed, but its possible that setup was not the best and they may need to upgrades. I really hope to get to hear ADS speakers as I see that a lot of people like them. Cornwalls are not very close, while being somewhat close enough to drive to get them, yet to just go listen is not close enough, even if seller is willing to do that. ADS's are close but one thing that makes me pause - is price. I know its not the right place to talk prices but I wonder whats is a good deal in today's market for a mint pair, considering that parts may be a problem if something goes wrong? Or its not really an issue?
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I have L1290s and love them. I paid $800 delivered, for Walnut finish and minor flaws in the cabinets.

The price I paid is more than the average AK member gives, but I don't have any regrets.

Parts seem to be available still.
 
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