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Polk es15 or JBL a130? (first stereo system)

rfdi

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Hello everyone!
I’m setting my first budget stereo hifi system.
I’m from Brazil and high quality audio components here are hard to find or extremely expensive compared to Europe or USA, for example.
I will listen to music mostly from Tidal and I have decided to buy an amp/dac Loxjie A30.
My question is about the stereo speakers that will be driven by the Loxjie.
I‘m between the new polk es15 and the jbl a130.
The problem is that the polks here are very expensive, it will cost me around 480 dollars.
The a130 will cost me around 260 dollars.
My questions are: does it worth the polks considering the big price difference? Will I have a far superior sound quality with the polks? Or, because of the price difference (and not so much sound difference maybe), the a130 are a better rational choice?
Thank you so much!
 

abdo123

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Do you have any other options?

The A130s respond well to EQ but out of the box they may not be the best thing out there.
 

Jmudrick

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Have you considered the JBL Stage 180? 800 BRL more per pair (you'll save on stands) but a lot more speaker. A130 really needs a sub, the Stage 180 rated to 40hz and is more efficient.
 
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rfdi

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Do you have any other options?

The A130s respond well to EQ but out of the box they may not be the best thing out there.
Sorry, just realized that I have posted at the wrong forum section.

abdo123, other options are: polk xt15 (also 260 dollars), pioneer SP-BS22-LR (also 260 dollars), cambridge audio sx50 (300 dollars), monitor audio monitor 100 (400 dollars).

And thank you so much for the suggestion, but I'm looking for a passive speaker.
 
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rfdi

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Have you considered the JBL Stage 180? 800 BRL more per pair (you'll save on stands) but a lot more speaker. A130 really needs a sub, the Stage 180 rated to 40hz and is more efficient.
Jmudrick, thank you so much for the suggestion, but I think I don't have enough space for the a180.
 

abdo123

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Sorry, just realized that I have posted at the wrong forum section.

abdo123, other options are: polk xt15 (also 260 dollars), pioneer SP-BS22-LR (also 260 dollars), cambridge audio sx50 (300 dollars), monitor audio monitor 100 (400 dollars).

And thank you so much for the suggestion, but I'm looking for a passive speaker.
Check this thread out: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-recommendations-for-usa-by-sweetchaos.28296/

At least one of them might be available for you.
 
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rfdi

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Check this thread out: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-recommendations-for-usa-by-sweetchaos.28296/

At least one of them might be available for you.
Thank you, abdo123!
XT15 and XT20 are available.
XT15 are available at the same price of the a130.
Due to the divergence of amir (highly recommended) and erin's reviews of the a130 and the possibility of getting a a130 not so good, do you think the XT15 are a better option?
Also, will I be able to solve or at least minimize the brightness issue of the a130 using the Loxjie A30 EQ settings? Is it possible to the a130 get better than the xt15 using the Loxjie A30 EQ settings?
Thank you again!
 

Erici

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Thank you, abdo123!
XT15 and XT20 are available.
XT15 are available at the same price of the a130.
Due to the divergence of amir (highly recommended) and erin's reviews of the a130 and the possibility of getting a a130 not so good, do you think the XT15 are a better option?
Also, will I be able to solve or at least minimize the brightness issue of the a130 using the Loxjie A30 EQ settings? Is it possible to the a130 get better than the xt15 using the Loxjie A30 EQ settings?
Thank you again!
Another option worth considering is the JBL Studio 530. It's on sale at multiple sites in the US for $240USD. I think it's better than the A130.
 

abdo123

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Thank you, abdo123!
XT15 and XT20 are available.
XT15 are available at the same price of the a130.
Due to the divergence of amir (highly recommended) and erin's reviews of the a130 and the possibility of getting a a130 not so good, do you think the XT15 are a better option?
Also, will I be able to solve or at least minimize the brightness issue of the a130 using the Loxjie A30 EQ settings? Is it possible to the a130 get better than the xt15 using the Loxjie A30 EQ settings?
Thank you again!

All these three have audible resonances and i would not recommend any of them.

But if i have to choose, it got to be the XT20.
 
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Jmudrick

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Another option worth considering is the JBL Studio 530. It's on sale at multiple sites in the US for $240USD. I think it's better than the A130.
I would have mentioned the 530 but JBL Brazil doesn't offer it.
 

whazzup

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Have been pretty happy with A130's performance as desktop speakers.

A130 speakers (in-room, ~70cm away):
FMnOgWM.jpg


A130 (eq to roll off at 80Hz) + eq'ed Sub:
u6gv6gg.jpg


Save the money for a subwoofer, if you don't have one already.
 

Erici

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Have been pretty happy with A130's performance as desktop speakers.

A130 speakers (in-room, ~70cm away):
FMnOgWM.jpg


A130 (eq to roll off at 80Hz) + eq'ed Sub:
u6gv6gg.jpg


Save the money for a subwoofer, if you don't have one already.
If the JBL 530s are not available, the A130s are a great alternative. You could try the A130s and see how they sound to you. If you think they are too bright, then you could apply EQ since they will respond well. There are many people here on ASR that can help you get started with EQ.
 
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rfdi

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If the JBL 530s are not available, the A130s are a great alternative. You could try the A130s and see how they sound to you. If you think they are too bright, then you could apply EQ since they will respond well. There are many people here on ASR that can help you get started with EQ.
Thank you, whazzup and Erici.
Considering both xt15 and a130 are available here at the same price, I am between these two.
Any thoughts about?
 

Erici

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Thank you, whazzup and Erici.
Considering both xt15 and a130 are available here at the same price, I am between these two.
Any thoughts about?
My opinion is that the A130 is the better speaker without EQ. The Spin (frequency graph) for the xt15 looks very elevated above about 5000 Hz versus the A130. The A130 also goes about 10 Hz lower than the xt15. Here is a link to comparison of the two speakers by @pierre who has done a great job pulling together data from various sources.
 

whazzup

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Thank you, whazzup and Erici.
Considering both xt15 and a130 are available here at the same price, I am between these two.
Any thoughts about?

Both look competent measurements wise. I don't have the XT15 to recommend it. I can use A130 without any eq, except to account for external factors, like integration with subwoofer and reducing boosting effects from one speaker being much closer to the wall.
 

Buckster

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I have the JBL 308 IIs and they are fantastic - but within their limits

Lower volumes they sound fantastic - but to me at higher volumes (listening distance at 3.5m) they begin to sound a bit strained

Hiss even when no signal is acceptable - but not great - can be heard (just) at distance of 3.5m

I'm probably going to change mine for a pair of A130s
 
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rfdi

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Thank you, @Buckster, @Erici and @whazzup!
Given the small variety of speakers here and prices (polk es15 for 480 usd, xt15 for 260 usd and xt20 for 480; monitor audio bronze 50 for 530 usd, for example), seems like the a130s (260 usd) will be the best option.
 

Maxlaw2022

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Imho the XT15s should satisfy your needs. JBL is well overrated i. g. I'm not a Polk guy but the XT15s r great speakers.
 
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