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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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audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,483 posts
 
at times on this thread, most do not want to accept the JBL is one of the BEST speakers in the world!, they want to give them a bad rap when they certainly do not desearve so!
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
JBL active pro monitors seem to get a good rap and you appear to get a lot of speaker (and amp) for the money going that way.
kiddman
341 posts
 
Well, Ptss, I don't answer based on the assumption that here is only one answer, and only one brand. That's the all too common way for audiophile forum members, and forum members of all enthusiast products, it seems. "There is one right answer, and it's the one I own". Well, that's anti-reality, and anti-science. There is usually more than one way to apply science while working under the laws of science and engineering.

As for the particular brands I mentioned I heard, I've heard enough to know they have very nice promise. But without extensive A-B, I can't be unfair to those hard-working guys who have achieved something nice by shotgunning an answer that's fully researched, just to what, brag, that mine is the best?

And, the poster asked how do I compare, not how do I find the value.

My comparisons are based on ultimate performance, not value. I'm interested in the ultimate achievements first and foremost, not achievement per dollar. That does not mean I can afford the ultimate achievement. Whether I can or not is not the issue.

But, yes, I agree, there are some great JBL values out there, on very good, realistic speakers.
kiddman
341 posts
 
I meant to say "I can't be unfair to those hard-working guys who have achieved something nice by shotgunning an answer that's NOT (I forgot the word "not" in my response) fully researched......"
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
It's been a week now since I posed a reasonable question. Several of you have seen fit to discuss my question and comment about it, but no one has made much of an effort to answer it.

I have a hybrid system that I put together using B&C DCX 50 compression drivers, Acoustic Horn AH300 horns, an RCF 15 inch woofer in a JBL L-200 cabinets, and passive crossovers designed for me by Bill Woods. I have never experienced any of the speakers I asked about but I have read about them frequently enough.

The JBL Everest and K2 will probably remain an unrealistic consideration for me, as will the speakers I asked about. I'm just wondering what well informed JBL aficionados would have to say.
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