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JBL speakers are they really that good?

Depends on...

mech986 said:
An interesting listening report. Would love to hear how the 4410's and the Klipsch sound with the amplification switched around. Many JBL's will really open up if the upstream components are optimized. Not sure though if 80's and later JBL monitors take to lower power tube systems although there have been positive reports.
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What are you prepared to do? Upstream may include the bi or tri amplification modes. Look; most big pro JBL's from the 70's to the early 2010's allow for at least bi amplification. Compression drivers do not need a huge amp, right? If you have a chance to use a quality valve/tube amp, check out the sound of some 2397's or 2395's with 2441's, TAD 4000 series, small format 2420/2421's,TAD 2000 series or JBL 435Be's. Try a VTL EL34 based amp or a vintage Marantz...etc...etc. Do it and then report back. Speculation is not data. I have owned and listened to the former and was thrilled with the sound, as were quite a few music lovers/friends that have little or no knowledge concerning brands, specs. etc...etc. the proof leans toward experience and no so much speculation. L100's and 4311's can and do have a good sound for what they are. I think that enclosure and driver quality far outweigh crossover quality. There are plenty of upgrades to the crossover and some port plugging tips that can actually produce an exceptional result if you are willing. As an overall well built, quality speaker, IMHO, they are worth the effort. SG-
 
gonzomeep said:
There are plenty of upgrades to the crossover and some port plugging tips that can actually produce an exceptional result if you are willing.
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Sometimes I used to stuff the ports of my 4412's with drinking straws (cut to the length of the ports) to create a little more resistance. In some rooms with certain music it was a subtle but noticeable improvement.
 
If there is one thing I learned after 40 years of Collecting
JBLs and other vintage Horns is When listening to them
What source is your Reference?
If your listening to a cheap CD player on old or cheap electronics
With JBLs especially the horn systems
Well it's gonna sound harsh and shrill!
Don't blame the Speakers!
Try them with a Quality restored vintage Tube Amp n preamp
With a Real Quality CD player or Record
And you will hear why people collect them!
 
Ken Boyd said:
One thing that I think JBL does have, that people really like, an easy to drive load for their vintage receivers. Most of the JBL's were sold to people who like to listen to loud rock music, and most of those rock music lovers didn't really care about refined, articulate accurate music as much as loud volumes, and vibrating bass. I know I have tons of my orginal rock music on records. But listen to those older recordings on good audio and you can realize the lack of quality of recording equipment compared to todays recording equipment. If West Coase sound is loud blaring bass, forward mids, and bright hi's maybe I am more in favor of an East Coast sound, what ever that is.
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The irony is your Infinities were made on the west coast...:smoke:
 
Yeah that old East Coast/West Coast stereotype about speakers is long outdated. I've always thought it was kinda silly.
 
AudioGeek said:
Yeah that old East Coast/West Coast stereotype about speakers is long outdated. I've always thought it was kinda silly.
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Amen to that.

I grew up in the midwest surrounded by JBLs I still have. The fifty-year-old JBLs exhibit none of the supposed "west-coast" sound and neither do the later models including the 30-year-old L112s I've owned since new (bought on the east coast). In fact, IMHO and experience, that old canard is exclusively the result of the success of the 4311/L100 Century which in fact was voiced only to mimic the ubiquitous Altec studio monitor of that era.
 
Strange seeing those old post, one forgets how much has gone by from our early postings. If I didn't see my name their I wouldn't even think I posted it. One thing is for certain, it goes to show how much I have learned over the years..

But I suppose their will still be plenty of opportunities to put my foot in my mouth in the future.:D
 
Ken Boyd said:
Strange seeing those old post, one forgets how much has gone by from our early postings. If I didn't see my name their I wouldn't even think I posted it. One thing is for certain, it goes to show how much I have learned over the years..

But I suppose their will still be plenty of opportunities to put my foot in my mouth in the future.:D
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I was gonna start a thread asking if Infinity speakers were really that good, but thought better of it. :scratch2: :D
 
Darksyde said:
Any thoughts on the modern jbl speakers ,particularly the jbl studio 190s, or the es series?
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I would say look into the Studio 500 series (530, 570, 580, 590, and center & sub). I have the 590's and I'm impressed with them. That's coming from someone that's owned much more expensive models from Magnepan, B&W Nautilus, Martin-Logan, Apogee Acoustics, and others.
 
Enjoyed this thread. Read the wole thing while listening to the Keith Jarrett trio through my JBL L100s. Have had these speakers since 1978 and to me, they still sound great today. Once the music is on, it's as if I can close my eyes and I'm 17 years old again disovering great music - they have been the sound of my musical journey for the last 35 years. This year will likely add a pair of KEF LS50s to my office stereo, but the L100s remain in the front room for now.

i recognize ther are better choices out there. Still, amazed at how often I'll play music on these when guests are at the house and the reaction is always, "wow, those speakers sound amazing." I agree.
 
Great Thread,

It's the build quality that I like about JBL, I have a set of the L-150's and a set of the L-110A's. The L-110A's are by far the some of the best speakers I've owned. I've also owned Klipsch, but not a huge fan of horns.

I agree on the L-100s a friend of mine has a set... While they sound good, they are not as active as other JBL's. I feel my L-110A's have better sound separation between the woofer/mid/tweet... This is partly due to a better crossover.

Are they as good as people say they are? Some are, some not so great... Just like with others mentioned... Some Klipsch speakers are better than others..

Overall... Great History, great quality, and great sound.. :)
 
Lots of people love their speakers. It's a long way from just being a SQ thing. One acquires coolness and status and stuff by having the right speakers. Question the speakers, then, and you question their coolness and status.
 
The thing that I love about my 4430s, besides the fantastic sound, is that they're 35 years old and with an investment on my part I've made them virtually brand new by re-coning with OEM cone kits and new diaphrams.

There's something to be said for a manufactured product that's built to last and not go to the landfill after it's 'planned obsolescence' has come to pass.

Cheers,

Warren
 
Ed Zeppeli said:
The thing that I love about my 4430s, besides the fantastic sound, is that they're 35 years old and with an investment on my part I've made them virtually brand new by re-coning with OEM cone kits and new diaphrams.

There's something to be said for a manufactured product that's built to last and not go to the landfill after it's 'planned obsolescence' has come to pass.

Cheers,

Warren
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That just about sums it up. JBL made (and still makes) many great speakers that follow this philosophy. I can't afford the new stuff though I will patiently wait for it to become a more affordable vintage (yes, project array, I'm talking about you).
 
Uncle Paul said:
... I can't afford the new stuff though I will patiently wait for it to become a more affordable vintage (yes, project array, I'm talking about you).
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Ha ha. I'd love some Arrays as well. They're coming up to ten years old now but unfortunately I don't think they sold that many as they're quite scarce in the classifieds.

My backup plan is to get a pair of SAM1HFs and DIY something with a great woofer.

Cheers,

Warren
 
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