Here's a link to a Polish review with pictures of the crossover, cabinet insides, and drivers:
https://hi-fi.com.pl/testy/kolumny/5939-jbl-l52-classic.html
https://hi-fi.com.pl/testy/kolumny/5939-jbl-l52-classic.html
The L52 is a bit more forward, so I can see how Erin heard some harshness, but it's not as forward as most Focals, for example. The positive to this, to me, is that I think it sounds better at lowish volumes.
I am curious if you can try
View attachment 355023
Masterpieces in Miniature
San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano
1. Henry Litolff: Scherzo from Concerto symphonique No. 4 7:36
Yuja Wang, piano
Which is available on the usual streaming sites.
The reason I returned my L52 even though I got it for a deal in 2022
View attachment 355024
is that while I liked that 100 Hz boost as well, and the wide dispersion was great, all I could hear on that track was the piano as opposed to the whole orchestra. That is, the L52 boosted the perceived volume of the piano relative to everything else. With reference headphones, and my other preferred speakers, I found the piano clear but in balance with the perceived volume of the rest of the symphony. This forward nature was too jarring for me.
You don’t have to be a classical fan to appreciate the track. I am curious to get your thoughts on how it sounds with your two speakers.
I did keep and collect several Bose 901’s after listening to them, so the idea of “questioning everything” is one that I have experienced too . I was able to sell several more expensive speakers as a result.
Presumably the L82's and L52's are very similar in that respect? Are you not a fan of three-ways?I got the impression of slightly sharper attack with the JBLs throughout it all, as well as a little more air.
Presumably the L82's and L52's are very similar in that respect? Are you not a fan of three-ways?
it was simply an observation that your preferred speakers seem to be 2-way (as in drivers) rather than 3-way types. However meandering off topic, so apologies..Not sure what you mean with your question about three ways?
it was simply an observation that your preferred speakers seem to be 2-way (as in drivers) rather than 3-way types. However meandering off topic, so apologies..
Napi, have you seen the JBL 4305p irl? If you did, how does the L52 veneers finish compare? I saw the 4305p in a shop once and was very impressed with its wood veneer finish.Two things to note visually:
-the L52 is tiny! I knew it was small, but having used the M105 and Def Tech 9, I was still taken a little aback by how small the L52s are. They also have a shallower cabinet than many smaller speakers I've used.
-The shade of blue on the blue grills is significantly darker than shown in the photos, and it has a slight green tint. This was a pleasant surprise as I like the IRL color quite a bit more.
Not the 4305P's, but maybe the 4309 I've used is similar?. But I do think the L52's have a very nice veneer with a realistic texture.Napi, have you seen the JBL 4305p irl? If you did, how does the L52 veneers finish compare? I saw the 4305p in a shop once and was very impressed with its wood veneer finish.
Glad you're enjoying them! I do think these are a good deal at the common open box price of $750.I got a pair of these two years ago. Over time, I kept coming back to these speakers over and over again. (Other speakers, Warfedale 80th, Triangle Bro-3, Kef 150, SOund Artist 6.5b) Each time I did, they stayed in my study rig longer. My study is a small 10x10x8 room. I have wall treatment and a small sofa and chair. The pair are tweeters outside, about 4.5' feet apart 2', no toe in, from wall and I sit about 7' away. I use a balanced SMSL HO200 pre and DO200 Mrk II stack into Schiit Galljhorns mono blocks. Basically this winter, the JBLs have not left my study except to try them out in my home theater (which has a 2.0 channel system adjacent the home theater 7.2.1 system shares the fronts with my 2.0 system) I really find these speakers are the best of my speaker collection. I have not grown tired of them on this last audition period (since last Oct.)
I am older and retired struggling musician. My study was a electronic music production studio for many years....
I find the L52s have superior sound stage and a liveliness across different sources. I am looking to purchase a second pair for the living room theater. I got mine on sale and are definitely worth the 750 I paid for them. I listen to jazz, electronic, chill, classical...vinyl and streaming. I think the speakers have a break in period not only for the speaker itself but for the listener. We all have expectations, and after a while, comparing them to other speakers, my preference changed. The L52's won over my other speakers for the accuracy and sound stage....when I listen to other speakers I long to hear the JBLs again and it makes me sad. Frankly I think it took me a while to get use to hearing so much more of the music.
Napilopez, I really need to try your tutorial for quasi anechoic measurements! I so much appreciated your contribution to the community. Just out of curiosity, how much time does it take from start to finish? From setting up the speaker to getting a final measurement?Although I had no intention of measuring these speakers, I realized I had a rare opportunity to try to match NFS measurements using the same exact test unit.
Spent a few minutes on a very janky setup in my building's basement. This is the lowest-resolution and least careful quasi-anechoic measurements I've done, as I did it indoors with just 8 foot ceilings, plenty of junk in the room, and a 5ms gate. I'm only about 2.5 feet away from the speaker, although i didn't measure; it's all kind of eyeballed.
Mine in blue,Erin's in red:
View attachment 359842
Erin and Amir use a squatter scaling than I do:
View attachment 359844
My brief takeaway is that my measurements miss out on some of the narrower peaks, but I'm surprised at how well the bass lined up.
If I have time, I'll try to do a full spin at some point.
BTW, here's the range of the tweeter knob at the "Noon", "0", and "Max" Position (Note: this measurement wasn't at the same axis as the above):
View attachment 359847
Not the 4305P's, but maybe the 4309 I've used is similar?. But I do think the L52's have a very nice veneer with a realistic texture.
Glad you're enjoying them! I do think these are a good deal at the common open box price of $750.
Thank you! It depends, of course, on if you're doing the full spin or just a single quasi anechoic measurement. For the full thing I'd say it takes 1.5-2 hours overall, but significantly more if it's your first time.Napilopez, I really need to try your tutorial for quasi anechoic measurements! I so much appreciated your contribution to the community. Just out of curiosity, how much time does it take from start to finish? From setting up the speaker to getting a final measurement?
I looked it up and it seems like the 4305 and 4309 share the same finish. Well the L52 and L82 are now on my list of considerations the next time I go shopping for speakers.Not the 4305P's, but maybe the 4309 I've used is similar?. But I do think the L52's have a very nice veneer with a realistic texture.
Definitely save up for the L82 if you can. I'm really enjoying my L52s but I still think about the L82s! I don't know if they've made any meaningful improvements to the MK2 version. I would just try to find the L82 open boxI looked it up and it seems like the 4305 and 4309 share the same finish. Well the L52 and L82 are now on my list of considerations the next time I go shopping for speakers.