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JBL Studio 590's? Price drop.

jdwdmi

jdwdmi

Active Member
I am really curious about these.

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio-590-Floorstanding-Loudspeaker/dp/B0060IG3R0

I was looking to purchase some vintage JBL's, I had 4312B's awhile back and some L166's. I was keeping my eyes open to give a pair of L112 or L96's, possibly even some 4412's or 4410's a try.

Anyone have any experience with these? With the price drop they are intriguing. I'm going to see if a local shop has them for demo. I wish they had real wood veneer.
 
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I have had a pair of studio 590's for almost a year. I also have a vintage pair of JBL L110's and the 590's are better in every way. I am very impressed with their overall sound. I have used them with vintage tube gear and vintage SS. They do prefer the power of SS over tubes. I am currently running them with a restored Marantz 2330, conservatively 130 watts per channel. They present a very good soundstage with a wide sweet spot. Bass is deep and accurate and I have no want for a sub-woofer. I do use them in a strictly music system. A sub may be good for HT applications. They can be a bit laid back on the top end but is only a minor complaint. Build quality is pretty good but could be better. The plastic footers are on the cheap side but work fine. I have had many friends and aquaitences listen to them with no negative comments. Overall, at the current price, they are a real bargain IMHO. I think it is an awesome speaker!
 
Thanks for the reply Jenkster! I have been doing some searching on here and not much has come up, or elsewhere for that matter. Its good to hear a fellow AKer can recommend them. The 590's would be for two channel only. I will be using a Mcintosh MC 2105 and C34V preamp, with no powered subs. I like the idea that they are under a grand delivered and are new, no surrounds or caps to mess with. They would be replacing some EPI 100's. I listen to all types of music, would like them to play well with female vocals, acoustic guitars and good bass. The wife wants something she can crank up and listen to her more pop/dance music . Do you think these could handle all that ok??
 
I'm also pondering an order of these speakers. I had a conversation about the return policy and I was told, in a saved transcript, I will not be charged if i decide to return them. Now, just have to work on the SO and figure out where to put the lamps that would otherwise sit on my speakers. I also have 4321a's so interesting to hear that these best that linage at least.
 
The unique design of the cabinet does not lend it to being a shelf. The company line is the design helps curtail standing waves. Far be it for mr to argue with a speaker designed by Greg Timbers.

I have read that shipping damage has been an issue and I can see why. The packaging is not what I would call stellar and they are top heavy. Mine were shipped via freight on a pallet and they arrived without issue. Fortunately they were shipped from Los Angeles, about a ten hour drive up I-5 to my house. They are kind of right on the edge of ground vs freight. If I were to order another pair, I would inquire on how they would be shipped. I would ask for freight but I'm not sure if Amazon would spring for that? They do have a great return policy so the risk would be minimal I would think.

I have had more than my share of speakers as some here can attest. I have to say the Studio 590 does everything right and very little wrong when it comes to overall sound. Give them some quality abundant wattage and adequate break in time, and they will reward you with beautiful music. Of course YMMV.
 
I am enjoying the Studio 530's in my small space and find them incredible. The low crossover point really helps the drivers to work in their best range. Vocals are incredible as well as instrumental textures. They have the best imaging along with a wide soundstage. They have none of the annoying distortions of budget tweeters and that true compression driver excels at detail.
 
Thanks for all your opinions! Seems like alot of speaker for $899 delivered. I am going to give them a shot, should be here Thursday. Might be the weekend before I get them set up.
 
Cool, give them some time and futz around with placement and I'm confident you will be impressed. I have mine about 8' feet apart, 8' from the Lazy-Boy and 16" from the back wall. Seems to be the perfect placement in my room. Vocals are generally dead center, provided the recording was mixed that way. I'm getting very good depth and soundstage. I have had quite a few horn speakers and these are the most un-horn like horn speakers I have ever had if that makes sense. I have not experienced any horn related fatigue with the 590's unlike with others.
 
Not sure if its just me, but when I click on the ops link, I get the Studio 580's, not the 590.s that everyone is talking about?

Dan
 
Wow, me too. It did show the 590's initially? Maybe someone screwed up and priced them too low? Or, maybe they sold out? Or............................
 
Jenkster said:
Cool, give them some time and futz around with placement and I'm confident you will be impressed. I have mine about 8' feet apart, 8' from the Lazy-Boy and 16" from the back wall. Seems to be the perfect placement in my room. Vocals are generally dead center, provided the recording was mixed that way. I'm getting very good depth and soundstage. I have had quite a few horn speakers and these are the most un-horn like horn speakers I have ever had if that makes sense. I have not experienced any horn related fatigue with the 590's unlike with others.
Click to expand...

Thanks again Jenkster. They are going to be setup less than optimal, but I'm sure will be enjoyable. I have had a few horn loaded speakers myself, I love the dynamics of horns, but sometimes I agree they can lead to fatigue.

It looks like they only have one in stock. I hope mine arrive safe, probably not going to be any replacements available. Glad I didn't sleep on it and just pulled the trigger. Seems like s great value for $899.
 
Who had only one in-stock?
The vendor at $516 each allowed me to put at least two in my cart, not that I continued with the order to make sure. You were talking $899-each, right?
 
Hey BMWCCA. I was referring to Amazon. The $899 is what I paid for the pair. I didn't check the vendor you found.
 
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