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Does JBL get a bad rap?

For years, all one heard regarding almost any JBL product, especially vintage consumer grade products was that they were all boom(bass) and sizzle( highs). I feel this is an unfair generalization. Surprisingly, I find much of their budget minded gear(80s-90s) actually soft in the treble and very non-fatiguing(titanium laminate tweeters). I also have experienced the L100T and found them fairly well balanced and nuetral. The midrange does lack some realism magic especially on vocals but so do other highly touted speakers. In short, I am a little late to the game in regards to the JBL, but as a mainstream maker I am impressed. And that doesn't even take into account their 4xxx studio monitors which are highly regarded. Back me up jbl fans!
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kiddman
341 posts
 
"....at the recent San Francisco Audio Show the Pass Labs room was driving a pair of Imperials (with Tannoy drivers) with their 50 watt amp and a Technics SL 10 turntable. IMO that speaker shamed 98% of the speakers at that show."

The supposed great progress in speakers and all the horn bashing that has gone on for 30 years in the USA market: comments like this from above put it in perspective, as do comments by dyed in the wool, audiophile magazine thumping audiophiles who hear one my horn systems and go home raving.

Not only does JBL get a bad rap, all horn speaker makers get a bad rap.
mikirob
950 posts
 
Mapman,
I bought a nice system at Tech Hifi back around 1973. Did you work there at that time? I believe John Rutan sold me my system (could be wrong, memory gets foggy with all the rigs either I, or my brother bought). For some reason I really liked that store, fond memories.
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Mik, that was before my time. I was in New Brunswick NJ store circa 1978.
mikirob
950 posts
 
I think I had Heil as well as my first Ohm back then. My brother had the JBL 100s. We loved them. I remember listening to War's, The World Is A Ghetto, and thinking the proverbial WOW!! Loved the sound. The JBL 4319 looks really interesting at that price point. I guess I need to expand my horizons and go back to where I once was.
mikirob
950 posts
 
Boy, you guys are plucking my Low E, on my Ampeg fret less bass guitar with all this JBL talk. Really nice thread.
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