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Anyone experienced JBL's K2 S9800?

There is such a dearth of commentary on this speaker anywhere, and yet I have some reason to believe that this may be one of the finest speakers currently in production. I recently was able to audition a pair in a most unusual setting--an art gallery.

The speakers were raised up off the floor on pedestals (perhaps 18 inches) with no walls or corners within 10 feet or more. All the front-end equipment, including amplifiers, were Mark Levinson, but I later learned that in order to hide the speaker cabling, there was approx. 80 feet of speaker cable running up vertical columns and then across the ceiling and down other columns in order to reach the speakers. Now that's gotta hurt.

Nonetheless, during that audition, I was blown away by this speaker's ability to resolve complex orchestral passages, its dynamic capability, and its overall neutrality (though it was distinctly lacking in warmth), but I was also completely non-plussed by a lack of transparency that I heard in two separate piano recordings of the highest quality (the pianos sounded muffled and much low level detail was missing). I found this mix of good and bad to be most unusual.

Is there anyone out there who owns these speakers and could comment on their performance relative to others they have owned or listened to? I have a feeling this one may be a real sleeper that, by virtue of its price tag, has been overlooked by most. If I could resolve the transparency issue, I just might blow my life's savings a buy a pair. Any commentary from anyone with actual experience would be most welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!
theloveman
Ag insider logo xs@2x
porschecab
335 posts
 
http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/jbl_k2_s9800.htm

Dean,

I bought the K29800 (standard version) strictly for 2 channel. I needed to learn about them, make sure they were as good as many of my Cello friends indicated.

Indeed they were. I had run many of the speakers above mentioned and had the CJ set up with B&W Sig 800s which I felt were as good as I had heard. When I dropped the K2 in place of the S800s, I was SHOCKED at the dynamics of the speakers and the coherence of the JBL.

The bottom end was strikingly deeper and more 'gutty' than the S800s. I have not heard many speakers that can actually play full range, which is why I am a beliver that most every speaker needs a sub to play true full range at refernece levels.

Like the Quad 989, the K2 is greatly improved when the Velodyne DD-18 is added, as would ANY speaker, imo.

I have not found ANY downside of the K2 and enjoy them so much that I bought two pair of four pair of gloss black SE versions JBL made. For 2 channel, I have yet to hear better. I have friend that run the largest Wilson speakers, with the individual sub towers, which I will heading over to listen to in March.

I did hear a slight tighter/quicker bottom end with the SE and the top end slightly less pronouced. Both benefits to the SE over the non-SE.

Dan
theloveman OP
34 posts
 
Dan,

Thanks for the link to the review in Ultra Audio. I had actually seen that review before arranging to go listen to the K2s. I wonder if that is the same review that Jond was referring to? I believe the Ultra review and the Hi Fi Choice review were written by the same reviewer, Paul Messenger.

Have you ever tried bi-amping your K2s? I'm completely unfamiliar with the JBL S800 monoblock amps you mentioned, but those on the bottom with the CJs on the mid and tweet should be AGAIG (as good as it gets).

You mentioned Quad 989s. Have you ever owned the Quads or spent significant time with them? If so, do you feel the K2s have a comparable level of transparency? I currently own Beveridge 2SW electrostats, and to my ears, these are the most transparent speakers I've experienced. Unfortunately they are old and not entirely up to their level of performance when in their prime--thus my quest for new speakers and amplifiers. The only dynamic driver speakers I've heard that can compete, more or less, with the Beveridges in transparency are the Linkwitz Orion and the Zu loudspeakers.

BTW, the K2s I auditioned were SEs done in Zebrawood. The finish is absolutely gorgeous. JBL has done a superb job in the fit and finish department on the K2s.

Thanks again for your comments. What part of the country do you live in? Just curious if there might be an opportunity to hook up for another audition.

Dean
jond's avatar
jond
3,400 posts
 
Dean,
The HiFi+ K2 review is in issue no. 21, from January 2003. You should be able to order the issue online at www.hifiplus.com. Happy listening!
hiend3
38 posts
 
Does the woofers handle up to 800 hz like the rest of JBL's Line? ( Not Good )
jond's avatar
jond
3,400 posts
 
Dean,
My apologies, I just looked at the UltraAudio review, and the reviewer, Paul Messenger, is the same guy who did the HiFi+ review. Therefore I would assume that it's pretty much the same. That being said I really think that HiFi+ is a great magazine, the best audio mag out there for my money. Happy listening!
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