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JBL Studio 520C Center review (by Erin)
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Hmmm. A bit rougher than I was expecting, but I'm still happy with mine. Considering it went down to $90, this is still pretty great. Maybe someday it will be replaced with a 3 way or coax center.
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The more center channel measurements I see, the more it becomes apparent that the simple “buy one that is same as your other main speakers” advice is seriously flawed.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
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Which ones?The more center channel measurements I see, the more it becomes apparent that the simple “buy one that is same as your other main speakers” advice is seriously flawed.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that get have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
Best to stay with all same speakers in front!
Yes, matching directivity is I think the most important thing and all these 2-way centers fail at that, their directivity is totally different from the bookshelves/floorstanders people will be using for L/R.The more center channel measurements I see, the more it becomes apparent that the simple “buy one that is same as your other main speakers” advice is seriously flawed.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that get have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
But I'm sure companies are aware people are just told to buy "matching speakers", and most people pick the L/R they want and the center is an afterthought. It should really be the other way around -- you build your HT from the center *out*.
While Amir is on vacations, Erin is on fire releasing tons of measurements and reviews!
Take the centers Amir has reviewed and add the ones that Erin has reviewed and do the math.
The center channels that do well are a small minority.
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Have we considered the route of measuring more horizontally placed speakers that can be used for centre duties because of there orientation and if on the off chance the left and right measures well we can just use the L/R for the centre. That is what I have done, but have no idea if my left right measure decent in the first place.
When I say horizontally, I mean by the virtues of something like this.
The more center channel measurements I see, the more it becomes apparent that the simple “buy one that is same as your other main speakers” advice is seriously flawed.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that get have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
Yup. I was debating about repainting my current media stand and laying my bmr horizontal or building a new one that could have the bmr vertical. These reviews (especially the 3 ways) solidified the building new to keep the bmr vertical.
I was really disappointed with the 3 way centers, better than the 2 ways, but they aren't much better.
Unless you listen to a lot of 5 channel music, It's perfectly fine to mix brands. Lots of people have done it to great success.
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The more center channel measurements I see, the more it becomes apparent that the simple “buy one that is same as your other main speakers” advice is seriously flawed.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that get have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
Now there's a design challenge
This speaker regularly goes on sale for $90-$100. I got one for $90 late last year from JBL. Put the price in context with the measurements.
I have not noticed elevated high frequencies that the measurements would suggest, but I also listen to 90% movies/TV, and use CinemaEQ, which rolls off the top end a little.
This will play very loud without harshness. Mine is set about 6db higher than the JBL 580 fronts, but unless you have a small amp, that's not an issue.
I have not noticed elevated high frequencies that the measurements would suggest, but I also listen to 90% movies/TV, and use CinemaEQ, which rolls off the top end a little.
This will play very loud without harshness. Mine is set about 6db higher than the JBL 580 fronts, but unless you have a small amp, that's not an issue.
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Now there's a design challenge
Put a Directiva center on the list?
Yes. In fact a passive 2 way bookshelf made for HT... made for behind screen, wall, or ceiling mounted for multichannel. Maybe a -3dB around 70Hz
iono jack, myself, but i bought the 520 BECAUSE it was 90 bucks for a speaker originally retailing at 350.
i own l890s now. i was using a jbl jc1 center. got it cheap thinking it was JUST a center and prolly wasnt that a big a deal playing movies.
but, omg, this 520 really gave me meat and depth in the middle.
after all this time(3yrs about)i enjoyed the 7.2. but this was next level for my lowly system.
i own l890s now. i was using a jbl jc1 center. got it cheap thinking it was JUST a center and prolly wasnt that a big a deal playing movies.
but, omg, this 520 really gave me meat and depth in the middle.
after all this time(3yrs about)i enjoyed the 7.2. but this was next level for my lowly system.
Was thinking of getting 3 of the 580 as fronts
it seems to me it's not wrong, but more like if you want to use a center, buy the same 2 way as your good satellite, in such case I don't see why you would not like to put another KH80 in center or get a 8331A/ KEF LS50The more center channel measurements I see, the more it becomes apparent that the simple “buy one that is same as your other main speakers” advice is seriously flawed.
There may be 2 out of 10 center channel speakers reviewed here that have good frequency response and decent directivity. That is pretty pitiful.
That would work. I've also seen people lay 570's and 580's on their side to good effect. Either the vertical dispersion rotated 90 degrees is good enough, or any deficiencies are inaudible.
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