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Relative Comparison of JBL Stage a125C and Magnat Monitor S14 C

Mishaiger

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2020
Messages
24
Likes
25
Location
Russia
Hello, everyone, I own some JBL Stage a125C speakers and use them in vertical orientation, but one of speakers started making crackling sounds even at low volume.
So, I chose and bought replacement speaker from local dealers, Magnat Monitor S14 C.

!!! There is review by amirm here, at ASR: !!!
JBL Stage 125C Review (Center Speaker) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
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vs
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I was planning to use it in home theatre setup, so i needed high sensitivity, high power handling and low distortion. Four 4-inch drivers have more square area, so i thought Magnat speaker would give me that.
I measured both, here are some measurements:

1. Frequency response (in room)​

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Blue = JBL, Green = Magnat

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Same, but closer. Blue = JBL, Green = Magnat

Sensitivity ~88 dB, spec =90 dB. Less bass ~ 4 dB.
Note sharp dip at about 4 kHz, this is due grill and goes away without it.
50 Hz noise is UMIK-1 own noise.

2. Instantaneous Compression Test​

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JBL, 80, 90 and 100 dB

Loss of ~ 1,1 dB at 100dB.

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Magnat, 80, 90 and 100 dB

Loss of ~ 1,7 dB at 100 dB.

3. Distortion​

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JBL 80 dB

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Magnat 80 dB



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JBL 90 dB


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Magnat 90 dB


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JBL 100 dB


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Magnat 100 dB


4. Cinema SPL (105 dB)​

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JBL + Sub + EQ, 105 dB


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Magnat + Sub + EQ, 105 dB

While Magnat almost doesn’t exceed 5% threshold, there is severe crackling, groaning sound.
On graph it looks like higher order distortion:

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5. Additional note​

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JBL

Note box resonance at ~ 273 Hz.
Peak at ~2.82 kHz is some room furniture.


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Magnat

In this aspect Magnat box is better.


Sadly, I will be returning Magnat speaker, it just distorts too much at higher volume. JBL can play fine, but local vendors don't have them.
 

Attachments

  • measurements 100 eq.zip
    1.1 MB · Views: 22
  • measurements jbl.zip
    3.6 MB · Views: 24
  • measurements magnat.zip
    3.6 MB · Views: 21
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