JBL or ADS?

[Porkloin]

Oh well....to each his...o...he-he-he-ha-ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-HAW -HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW *wheeEEEEZE* HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW!
(I had to look back at the choices presented in the original post to know what I was laughing at)
-HAW-HAW-HAW-HYUK-HYUK-HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW,etc.
(I wouldn't be guffawing like this if you'd have simply said, "I wasted all of my speaker budget on hookers and blow." I'd understand that.)
WhoooOOOOO-HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW-HARR-HARRRR-HAW-HAW-HAW-HAW!
(The forum moderator will be putting a scarlet B on your profile picture.)
WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-EEE!

 

[BMWCCA]

You all will laugh at me, but after all this, I came across some Boston Acoustics T930 - and I like how they sound best after everything else I listened. So, I picked those up. Go figure....

Everyone's ears are different!

 

[Porkloin]

Everyone's ears are different!

Yes, but it's rude to point that out.

 

[jdurbin1]

Lol, that was funny... speaking of the outcome on the purchase decision.

As to the "ADS are forward, JBL aren't" - sorry, that one is staying a "ymmv" for me. I *have* gone back and forth (between L96 and L710, between L112 and L710, between L1290 and L150A, L1230 and L150A, etc. etc.) and I've never found myself wondering where the highs went in the process. Also not buying that the L166 were voiced anywhere close enough to the pro models more often used in studio to support that argument (have you listened to L100's or 4311?), but it's specious anyway - we don't WANT studio monitor nearfield performance in our homes all that often. Doesn't mean I don't like the L166, but I wouldn't listen to one thinking I was getting the studio experience any more than I do when I listen to my various pairs of slightly newer JBL speakers.

If you wanted to make a case that the L166 is pretty close in voicing to the later 4411, I'd probably argue less... but they do use different drivers and crossovers and were tuned to deliver that nearfield studio performance, where the L166 were not.

Besides, who cares? You like yours for your own reasons, I like mine (and wouldn't sneeze at your L166) for different reasons, and I also like ADS and don't find them forward at all and you do - so what? Different strokes, it's all good.

John

L166s wernt used to mix records. But they were voiced with the same idea in mind.

If you listen to ADS all the time. Then you listen to JBL. Youre going to be like... Where are the highs!? When actually youve just been blasting the highs on your ADSs the whole time.

 

[Krosya]

I dont really want to start a new thread about this (among other things I dont want people to think that I'm trolling - and I swear I am not), but reading many replies in this thread and just reading overall opinions on ADS speakers - I really got curious about this brand of speakers. Not one that often comes up for sale locally. So now, every time I see one listed some place I try to get a look/listen. Today I got to play with a L880 at a local vintage audio store. From what I read online its a great speaker. Based on my observations - only having to listen to it for about an hour ( comparing to other speakers there) I would say - it IS a very good speaker. But .....some others I found there sounded better to me. Like Altec Bolero 890b (they were same price as ADS). Sure, I couldnt do A/B with my home speakers, but as soon as I got home and impressions were fresh in my head - my Advent Heritage and BA T930 at the very least sounded as good - enough for me to NOT want to go back and buy ADS. I still hope to try L1290 one of these days as they are supposed to be much better than any ADS I heard so far. But as of right now, all I can say is - I can see why people like ADS, but I think there are pretty good alternatives out there in a same or lesser price range.

 

[Goggle1824]

In the end, there are sooo many factors that the "what's best or what's better" discussions or debates are just that, discussions.

Listening in a store or for that matter in ANY OTHER SPACE than your own listening space, things are going to sound different, so there should be little surprise that speakers sounded different.

The lowest hanging factor and the biggest factor in reproduced sound is ALWAYS the space in which the listening occurs. Speakers also a big factor of effecting the reproduced sound. Then of course there is the type/style/genre of music, the music source, how it was recorded originally, how well (or not) it was mastered, and then there is the type and AMOUNT of amplification, the PRE-amplification, and ultimately the individual listeners hearing capabilities as well as personal tastes...

There's LOTS of other factors I'm just trying to hit what I see as the most primary factors .

In my opinion that's what makes this such an enjoyable hobby/experience/pursuit. Everything is so personal and relative. I don't believe it's as simple spend $xxx,xxx and you have the "best", it's more spend $xxx,xxx and you have spent $xxx,xxx.

Some folks want the sound AND the looks AND "bragging rights", others are more focused on the sound, others yet, want to impress others through various methods.

And to me, it's ALL good, it's fine and acceptable, I just try to understand where the responder is coming from while I'm looking for advice, thoughts, input, etc.

 

[Drugolf]

So as you can see in my signature I have a few pairs of ADS including an unlisted pair of 710's. My 1590's are my primary speaker in my main system and I do not see those going anywhere anytime soon.

I have been lent a pair of JBL 4313b's by another of our community here that lives here in my area to try out which he is selling. I have had then now in my office system hooked up to a fully restored Pioneer SA-9100 and using various sources since Sunday. I just took them out and moved them into another system to try elsewhere. I am then going to pull in the ADS 710's into the office where the JBL's were to see what I get. Will provide my impressions once gained. So far though I will say the JBL's do not do much at low volume levels and I can see why folks qualify their sound often as neutral. Not saying that is good or bad, definitely different than the Allison Ones that I usually listen to in my office.

I will not weigh these JBL's against the 910's or 1590's as that would not be apples to apples in the slightest. The 710's should be a good sample comparison I would think as a similar form factor.

Fun stuff and I thank my fellow AK'r for lending me the JBL's. Now if I can just get him to forget I have them......

 

[bd1886]

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 -

The ADS L 980 was the speaker that
"informed" my younger ears that there was another right out there besides that "West Coast Sound" I'd been used to....what a wonderful speak.

 

[GD70]

The ADS L 980 was the speaker that
"informed" my younger ears that there was another right out there besides that "West Coast Sound" I'd been used to....what a wonderful speak.

Yes, the L980 is a fantastic speaker! They cant best the 910 in overall big sound or bass, but they do a bit better in the highs and delicate details, which I attribute to newer design mids and tweeters. It's also the only ADS of this era with a 12 inch woofer making it quite unique in the lineup, and somewhat rare!

 

[will d]

The ADS L 980 was the speaker that
"informed" my younger ears that there was another right out there besides that "West Coast Sound" I'd been used to....what a wonderful speak.

I love my 570's that I bought new in the mid eighties. They are mint and always surprise me.

 

[will d]

Of course my one of my 780's needs a tweeter repair, but the 630's and the 690's are going to be great. Just waiting for some rubber feet to come from the net before setting them up. ADS has been one of my favorites since my first pair of l-700's I bought in 1977. Fourty years speakes for itself. Will D.

 

[will d]

Of course my one of my 780's needs a tweeter repair, but the 630's and the 690's are going to be great. Just waiting for some rubber feet to come from the net before setting them up. ADS has been one of my favorites since my first pair of l-700's I bought in 1977. Fourty years speakes for itself. Will D.

Speakes ( no pun intended, well yea, I guess it was. Whatever you like just enjoy, right? Will D.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Interesting thread with the JBL lovers standing pat as did the ADS contingent. Those with knowledge of both from current ownership seemed to give both speakers credit. since both companies made a number of different speakers, JBL in the high hundreds probably, narrowing it down to ADS sounds like this and JBL sounds like that seems a bit of a stretch. I have never heard the good JBLs, but I have collected some nice better speakers from some companies including ADS which were the main rig for a year. Now on to something else and the ADS await their turn again.

 

[SaturationPt]

True Shadow, there is a lot of loyalty in speaker brands. The question is: the chicken or the egg?

All of the gear that I've bought through the years was after researching reviews (if available) and listening to the contenders. If possible, I'd A-B them in the store with the same (amp, speakers, tape deck, etc.) mating components so that I would have a fairly accurate picture of how they'll sound on my system in my home.

I didn't weigh into this (classic which do you prefer) thread, but if I did share my preference it would be a matter of preferring brand X over brand Y before I bought brand X, not after. I however would not recommend one of the speakers over the other in this thread because although I did own a pair of L166s, I did not compare them to the ADSs. Because I've never compared the two (or if I did, it would have been in 1978 and there's no way I'd be able to report on it accurately).

I'm sure that there are many people here who fell into a piece of equipment, fell in love with its sound, and are loyal to it also, and will recommend it over anything else regardless of whether they have objectively compared them.

 

[will d]

True Shadow, there is a lot of loyalty in speaker brands. The question is: the chicken or the egg?

All of the gear that I've bought through the years was after researching reviews (if available) and listening to the contenders. If possible, I'd A-B them in the store with the same (amp, speakers, tape deck, etc.) mating components so that I would have a fairly accurate picture of how they'll sound on my system in my home.

I didn't weigh into this (classic which do you prefer) thread, but if I did share my preference it would be a matter of preferring brand X over brand Y before I bought brand X, not after. I however would not recommend one of the speakers over the other in this thread because although I did own a pair of L166s, I did not compare them to the ADSs. Because I've never compared the two (or if I did, it would have been in 1978 and there's no way I'd be able to report on it accurately).

I'm sure that there are many people here who fell into a piece of equipment, fell in love with its sound, and are loyal to it also, and will recommend it over anything else regardless of whether they have objectively compared them.

Well said, and I agree with you. I personally don't like to compare speakers as one brand being better than the other, that's why I have multiple systems in the house. I obviously have an old favorite, but I truly like my other speakers. Why not (if possible) buy both brands and have the best of both worlds? Pretty much what i've done with three systems in the house. So I don't compare them, they each have their own signature sound, and I enjoy that greatly. Variety is the spice of life my friends, Will D.

 

[gonzomeep]

That's James B Lansing in my avatar, so you know I love JBL. I've owned L166's and smaller ADS models. My very good friend in SoCal has some of the bigger ADS models. My first pair of JBL's were L166's. I have to admit that the large ADS models walk all over the L166. Having said that, get some large floor standing JBL's next to those 1290's and then you'll know why JBL is revered amongst Audiokarmites the world over. Regards, Steve G.

 

[Fomoco1649]

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

Agreed….

 

[Blue Shadow]

Agreed….

A most excellent post. We got tired of reading in every effing ads thread that you got a pair. You didn't do that here, you posted pictures of your gear and well everyone on ak likes pictures. Nice looking gears whether folks like that word gears or not. Party on and enjoy.

 

[Fomoco1649]

Thanks….appreciate that….you guys are the best….heres one more L780s / V1

 

[Blue Shadow]

Thanks….appreciate that….you guys are the best….heres one more L780s / V1

Oh that explains it. Since you sleep with your 780s you gotta brag about them. Couldn’t help it, I don’t see speakers on beds that often.