Happy new year all! I'm disappointed to join a new forum, and then become negative. Especially at the start of a new year. I chanced upon this thread, and against my best judgement decided to post a reply. In a few words, this whole thread is indicative of some of the negative aspects of the web. A huge exchange of mostly worthless comments and information, most of which isn't well informed or even accurate. Or on target. The OP started out commenting that he couldn't make sense of the price of the new JBL speakers, at $4000. Okay, I get that. In the entire thread, there was only about 2 comments from people who have heard the speakers.
Well, I have heard them, and listened to them carefully on equipment ranging from $10,000 ARC tube gear, to Emotiva, to McIntosh, to PS Audio. I went to my favorite audio store to listen to other speakers, and to look for a tube preamp. The first listen to the new JBLs was just for fun, and based on the suggestion of the store owner. I've owned many of the speakers people mentioned in this thread, such as Cornwalls, other JBL products, KEF, etc. And many, many others. Who really gives a crap about comparing old Rectilinear, Klipsch, etc to these speakers? Wasn't the thread about a $4000 re-issue?
Why don't you go listen to a pair, and then comment?
So, want to know what I found? It has nothing to do with what the actual definition of "high efficiency" is. They sound great. In my mind, nothing like the originals. Certainly no boom or screech. They are very dynamic, and they grab your attention, and hold it. They do not become wearisome after a couple hours of listening. They sound fabulous on 60 watt amps that are solid state, and killer on $6000 McIntosh gear. They play low enough that I wouldn't bother for one minute with a subwoofer, and I have several in my current system. The cabinets are solid, and well made. The tweeter is excellent. They have a very convincing and satisfying sound stage. There is no horn honk, screech, or any other such thing often attributed to older speakers like JBL, or for that matter, Klipsch.
Like I said, I did not go to that store to listen to JBLs. In fact, I've listened to their more expensive offerings at $7k, $10k, etc, and I don't like them at all. I would not put a pair in my home even if my friend sold them to me below cost. But, I'm going to buy a pair of the re-issues. They do many, many things very well. I wish they were a different shape, wish that they were less money, wish that there were options for other colors, etc. But there aren't. The bottom line is they are a great sounding speaker that could fit a lot of requirements for a lot of people. If what you want to do is to trot out every 30-50 year old example of what something else sounded like, do everyone a favor and start a different thread. Or, go listen to a pair, and then chime in.
Have a great day all.
