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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!
128x128phasecorrect
kennesawjet
125 posts
 
I remember back in the I think 80's, when they were about to put out the last of the l100t's....I drove all over town trying to get a pair. I already had a really good receiver to match it with...(carver) that went well with it. any one who had one was over pricing them knowing about the lansing take over. the sound at the time was awesome, I quess due to them using the earlier (like celestion) alnico magnets... I eventually settle for the P50 some time later and eventually moved up to the alon/Conrad Johnson combination.....but no not to me, like bose and other of that price range, we have just moved on or up...
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Check out the current Synthesis line...1400 Array, S3900 & 4700, K29900, and Everests. You'll be pleasantly surprised!
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,483 posts
 
Dave_72, yeah, I was just checking out that new model to the JBL line up, the affordable S3900 speakers, very big bang for the money, these will out compete much more exspensive speakers by well known brands out there, seems JBL recently revamped there cost no object line of speakers, Dave, have you ever had the chance to listen to the K29900 speakers?
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
That's cool. Yes, those are good. I have heard the K2s but it was a while ago.
tonykay
856 posts
 
It's probably my age, but I lose interest in companies when I no longer understand their product line. In the 70's, I knew that the JBL L200 was a step up from the L100, and the L300 a step up from the L200. Today, JBL has a "synthesis line...1400 array, s3900," their Everest 6600 (or is it 6700) model and probably many others. I prefer companies that make a limited number of products, like Quad or Magnaplanar, at specific well-defined price points. I do love the vintage JBL models and I'm always tempted when I see an ad here on Audiogon for a pair of S7R, S8R or any of the early models mentioned above.
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