JBL Conceal C62 Invisible Speaker Review

[KenA]

No, it will not change dramatically with a few layers of paint. The surface is already painted. A millimeter or two of paint is not going to change much at all.

The instructions seem to indicate that the entire face of it can be skim coated with plaster as well. Up to 2mm they recommend. I’d think that plaster and paint would make a difference?

interesting product, and I must say I do like the idea for AV, but I‘d want better. Thanks for the review.

 

[Gadgety]

Interesting to see alternative tech tested. Sonys acoustic surface TV screen, which I believe uses DML tech, would be interesting to see measured, too.

 

[Matt_Holland]

The instructions seem to indicate that the entire face of it can be skim coated with plaster as well. Up to 2mm they recommend. I’d think that plaster and paint would make a difference?

interesting product, and I must say I do like the idea for AV, but I‘d want better. Thanks for the review.

The weight of the plaster shifts the modal frequencies down, dampens them and reduces overall SPL.

There are many different types of plaster and mud all with varying densities. No two fully installed invisible speakers will ever measure the same.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

The weight of the plaster shifts the modal frequencies down, dampens them and reduces overall SPL.

There are many different types of plaster and mud all with varying densities. No two fully installed invisible speakers will ever measure the same.

So. That's about the same as if the speaker were to have a different grille on in every single home it was used in. If one were to assess the quality of this speaker, an "average grille" was to be defined as the only way to know the whereabouts of the individuals frequency response. And as this "grille" is part of the speakers design one can't really make much out of the standard anechoic measurements we're used to doing?

/Edit: "?" -As this is more of a thing I'd like to know the answer to than a statement.

 

[Matt_Holland]

So. That's about the same as if the speaker were to have a different grille on in every single home it was used in. If one were to assess the quality of this speaker, an "average grille" was to be defined as the only way to know the whereabouts of the individuals frequency response. And as this "grille" is part of the speakers design one can't really make much out of the standard anechoic measurements we're used to doing.

Essentially yes!

To be fair to Amina, their QC is pretty good and all speakers leave the factory within reasonable tolerances using a small measuring chamber and Clio measuring software. After that it’s a Wild West of variables, lol!

When I worked there we tested new products in a test wall and used guides to try and get an even 2mm plaster coat. Even that was impossible to achieve consistent results.

Most end users don’t care one bit though as long as there’s no obvious distortion.

The technology even when used in other contexts is inherently flawed if your aim sound quality following Harman/Toole principles.

 

[AndreaT]

Invisible to the eye & wall mounted seems to be a major constraint for speaker design and sonic results. I am soooo glad my wife does not know these type of speakers exist as she would force them on me, like broccoli and mangoes.

 

[CleanSound]

My eyes hurts from looking at the measurements.

 

[Matt_Holland]

My eyes hurts from looking at the measurements.

Resisting obvious ears hurting joke...

 

[Lewzke]

Typical Harman product trash. I worked in this company and they don't respect the engineers. Full of greedy managers. Avoid Harman products folks! They don't care about the product quality. Only the profit ...

 

[Power Pop 23]

Typical Harman product trash. I worked in this company and they don't respect the engineers. Full of greedy managers. Avoid Harman products folks! They don't care about the product quality. Only the profit ...

Thank you. I will assess products from Harman International on a case-by-case basis.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

Typical Harman product trash. I worked in this company and they don't respect the engineers. Full of greedy managers. Avoid Harman products folks! They don't care about the product quality. Only the profit ...

That's maybe a bit rough. I think they can do well if they want and your statement isn't in general true. Maybe for some budget products it is but that's why it's great to measure their products objectively.

 

[uwotm8]

Harman

This is one of Samsung audio brands, right? Along with AKG and JBL.
"As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung, HARMAN has retained its leadership team"

Well, I'd not expect much from Samsung audio development but they make nice smartphones

 

[GaryY]

Essentially yes!

To be fair to Amina, their QC is pretty good and all speakers leave the factory within reasonable tolerances using a small measuring chamber and Clio measuring software. After that it’s a Wild West of variables, lol!

When I worked there we tested new products in a test wall and used guides to try and get an even 2mm plaster coat. Even that was impossible to achieve consistent results.

Most end users don’t care one bit though as long as there’s no obvious distortion.

The technology even when used in other contexts is inherently flawed if your aim sound quality following Harman/Toole principles.

Was there long term test if 2mm plaster can hold against continuous vibration?

 

[Deleted member 48726]

Was there long term test if 2mm plaster can hold against continuous vibration?

In the hypothetical situation I'd use glass fibre reinforced plaster and not worry..

 

[uwotm8]

For sure. Certainly in higher end houses. Look at this system we installed:
View attachment 350158
All speakers are hidden. The surround speakers are in the ceiling and we built a custom sub that is below the fireplace landing. Customer would not accept anything else.

Jokes off, that left me frustrated. Maybe because of 15+ years interior design experience, not sure

0) The whole look is far from "higher end" to my taste but that's rather personal
IMO whole speaker system should have been carried out at the stage of the architectural/design project together with the architect or designer, achieving the goal of hiding proper built-in speakers with painted mesh grills in proper places -> same look, far better sound.

But if not, there's a lot of places on that rather boring shelving where you can put whatever-you-want-looking bookshelf speakers which, if you choose properly, will blend in nicely with all other stuff and became a part of the decoration. Some of those would be definitely less strangely looking there than that TV.

Overall, I'd make try my best to explain clients why they should consider making a smallest sacrifice in "clean" look but pass vibro-panel-class completely hidden speakers.

 

[GaryY]

In the hypothetical situation I'd use glass fibre reinforced plaster and not worry..

I see. If usual plaster material can't hold, it sounds more fair to do so at least as recommendation.

 

[Lewzke]

That's maybe a bit rough. I think they can do well if they want and your statement isn't in general true. Maybe for some budget products it is but that's why it's great to measure their products objectively.

It is not rough. I worked as an engineer for car amplifier testing: top of the line amps for BMW, Aston Martin, Ferrari AND .... they don't care ... Sometimes they want "PASS" for quality testing just to keep the production running, even if the product is trash. The company is on downhill with Samsung but it was never good. AKG and JBL quality was trashed, they move the production to cheaper areas and there is too many managers. I have AKG K501 (Made in Austria) for 20 years and I tried the new K612 PRO and one of the membrane was pushed in out of the box, also the sound quality is worse. This is rough? No. This is the fact: the Harman company is producing trash for the masses for profit, it is not about the quality at all. If you check the "evolution" of the Harman curve it is going for the V curve (for the masses), not for studio reference (aka neutral, semi-neutral hi-fi)

 

[Thomas_A]

Headless panther for this one.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Was there long term test if 2mm plaster can hold against continuous vibration?

I'd rather not open that can of worms...

 

[Aperiodic]

This is why I'd rather listen to two really good speakers than 2-3 okay speakers in the front along wit two shi++y speakers behind me.