JBL Stage A130 Review (speaker)

[TonyJZX]

i always wondered why the Arena 130 went from 7" to the 5.5" of the Stage 130?

i have a pair of the Arenas and that are pretty damn good for 7" and the money.

Again at RRP.... hmm... but when they're half price or less as typical of Harman sales... well...

 

[375HP2482]

For smaller enclosures, the smaller woofer will usually provide more extended bass response. Replacing it with a larger woofer tends to make the response overdamped with less bass. IOW, larger woofers require larger enclosures for equivalent low-frequency corner.

 

[Head_Unit]

Gee these are inexpensive right now. Tempting to get 5...or what is it 9 to run Atmos...not too big (at one location I'm looking to get towers off the floor).
- If right smack against a wall, what would y'all comment if I blocked off the ports (and stuffed these, assuming they are not)
- That midrange peak, Audyssey/ARC/Dirac should be able to tame that down?

 

[Juampa1989]

Hello dear, I am thinking of buying the JBL Stage A130 and selling my Klipsch RP-160M, I just have one question. Before lis klipsch I had a jbl arena 120 and I changed them for these because in the arena the voice was heard as if they were underwater. I don't know if the same thing would happen with these? Because I still use the equipment to watch movies and if I can't even hear the voices it will be a problem.
I await your advice.
Unfortunately, because of where I live I can't test speakers.

 

[Teeter]

What equipment is driving your current speakers? IMO, buying the A130 is a few steps down from the RP-160M. If you don't have a good center channel, dialog is most questionable. I tried the A-130 a year ago and is okay for movies and very neutral to MY ears. Do you have a 5.1 surround system?

 

[Juampa1989]

Hello, I am currently using the fosi v3, in stereo 2.0. No center channel and no subwoofer.
When I used the Arena 120, voices were difficult to hear in movies and the excess bass bothered me. I think the Klipsch have a quiet bass, I like it, and the voices are heard very well, especially in movies. Although I do consider them a little bright, when bells or high-pitched metallic instruments sound it is a bit annoying.
I don't know if the stage 130s would work better for me, I'm afraid of selling them and the voices being lost, for films it would hurt me. In addition, I only hear through one ear, so I don't pick up sound effects very well.

 

[Juampa1989]

Since I can't try the stage 130, maybe it's better to stick with the Klipsch because I already know what they sound like and well, even though they aren't planar speakers, I can hear them clearly.

 

[375HP2482]

I don't know if the stage 130s would work better for me, I'm afraid of selling them and the voices being lost, for films it would hurt me. In addition, I only hear through one ear, so I don't pick up sound effects very well.

It might make a small difference with the slightly raised mids in the Stage A-130s. However, understanding dialogue in modern movies is a common problem these days regardless of equipment. See this article from the NYT.

 

[Juampa1989]

It might make a small difference with the slightly raised mids in the Stage A-130s. However, understanding dialogue in modern movies is a common problem these days regardless of equipment. See this article from the NYT.

Dear thank you very much, then I will stick with the klipsch. I can't try the 130, I don't want to risk it. My living room is an open wooden living room, it's not dedicated at all either.

 

[Teeter]

Yes, stay with the Klipsch that you have. I will give away my A-130's, couple Klipsch centers, and psb Imagine Center channel.

 

[375HP2482]

The best solution for difficult dialogue, besides captions, is the one my 101-year-old mom uses: Wireless headphones.

 

[Head_Unit]

Before lis klipsch I had a jbl arena 120 and I changed them for these because in the arena the voice was heard as if they were underwater. I don't know if the same thing would happen with these?

I don't know either but I agree with @Juampa1989 keep what you have if it is clear.
- As a loudspeaker engineer my vague rule of thumb is to get a clear total improvement in a speaker (instead of just trading for different imperfections) you need to spend like 3X as much.
- Some places (Crutchfield for one so I hear) will let you try at home with inexpensive return/restock fees.
- 3-way systems with a separate midrange will tend to have clearer vocals. Maybe not always, but the dedicated midrange helps from a design point of view.

 

[Juampa1989]

I don't know either but I agree with @Juampa1989 keep what you have if it is clear.
- As a loudspeaker engineer my vague rule of thumb is to get a clear total improvement in a speaker (instead of just trading for different imperfections) you need to spend like 3X as much.
- Some places (Crutchfield for one so I hear) will let you try at home with inexpensive return/restock fees.
- 3-way systems with a separate midrange will tend to have clearer vocals. Maybe not always, but the dedicated midrange helps from a design point of view.

If I thought that for it to be a significant leap I should aspire to something like the kef r3

Thank you very much

 

[MJC310]

How do you implement the PEQ fixes that Amir suggests in his initial review? Have the WIIM Pro which has (4) and not sure how to make the suggested adjustments. Currently have everything crossed over at 80hz in my Yamaha and running with dual subs. Thank you!