Will 350$ active studio speakers seriously output music in the same quality as a 3k $ system? Are my speakers worth it? JBL L82

[CaptainBeyond]

The audio system I’m currently listening the music, watching movies etc. from are the JBL L82 speakers (stereo set) plugged to Yamaha A-S801 amp outputting signal via optical cable from my desktop computer directly to the amp’s dac. Im very happy with this system but with broad eq fixing some stuff ever since I solved initial problems with it that I described here somewhere around 2021-22.

As I recently move from place to place a lot I find it harder and harder to fit this gear to the new apartments since JBLs are lets say pretty boxy design as for an 8inch woofer bookshelf, not to mention the amp itself.

Also, recently by an accident found in the internet the replacement new jbl manufactured grille for the speakers to cost 120 euros (!!!) considering its just a quadrex foam with some thin plastic around it that manufacturing costs are (at most extreme case) worth like 20 euros. Not to mention these speaker stands cost 250 euros which are in reality at extreme worth 60-70 euros in my opinions (have them too) which is hillarious.

Also in a recent months I had an opportunity to try lets call it higher end dac on my system (about 800$ price range), which changed completely, audibly NOTHING regarding the sound quality over the cheap lower end built in amp dac. Later on some audophiles argumented in other place that its because the rest of the system (amp to be exact) is lower quality (really? Considering all of the gear has a flat frequency response if I understand correctly? – maybe excluding the speakers, but they are not coloring that drastically judging by the measurements IMO).

Remembering the realities of modern audio gear marketing and audiophile b(ia)s I learned here came to thoughts how much overall I overpaid for the speakers (which themselves are very nice, I like them a lot, they have very unique dynamics I never found before with any other speakers I tried, that fit so right for the music I like, not to mention these retro looks, but are these dynamics and looks are worth lets say 1,5k dollars? If the speakers were up to 1k dollars range msrp, I wouldnt have such doubts at this point

I also recently started playing around with audio production, or let say, just guitar home tracking for further processing by the professionals.

To sum it up all together I started wondering if I could get back some of the funds, I maybe, lets say it straightforward, wasted on the speakers, since they still hold a value being pretty new and in excellent shape, and still get the same quality of the sound and music I have right now, having more versatile (in terms of fitting to the room), smaller speaker with the same woofer size (8 inch) , same dynamics, same music details that I could additionally also plug via xlr to the audio interface Im recording on with? For less than I spent on the JBL L82. I mean - to switch from a stereo speakers powered by the integrated amp I have now to the fully active speakers (near/mid field) and then eventually add a dac with xlr output which could be handy for me in such configuration for a recreational listening?

Keeping in mind to not fall from the audiophile rabbit hole to the measurements and tech hype for the sake of the tech or some states of the art designs – not the real audible profit - rabbit hole. Just pure price-quality ratio economics, not overpaying for non audible stuff etc.

The models I considered so far, are (used):

JBL 308P MKII

Yamaha HS-8

KRK Rokit RP8 G5



With strong emphasis on JBL’s. And was thinking about something like the cheapest Topping dac model with xlr outs, D70 or something (used too).

My questions are:

What I would eventually loose switching from previous system to such configuration? Which specs play the crucial role here and which I should pay the most attention for? Remembering the studio monitors by their principle have flat frequency response and are made for the music production that is further listened also on a ‘high end audiophile gear’? Will such swap be a degradation? What are the pros and cons of it?

Will really budget 350$ active studio monitors wont be indistinguishable in a blind test with a higher end „audiophile” 3k $ system?

Will switching from 120 watts per channel in 8 ohm (yamaha as801) into 80watts per channel and 50watts on woofer (in JBL 308P MKII) will make me loose sound quality on a louder volume gain? Near - mid field room listener here.

Maybe I should also consider keeping the JBL-s with lets name it – collector reasons and they will gain value over longer time for collectioners like for example the guitars do? Once they will get deadstock. But I bet its gonna take a while.

And finally - If you were me with such doubts, simply would you keep my system? Or take some of the actives Im considering and sell L82's? If so, which ones from these three and why?

Thank you very much for responses and best wishes!

 

[Avp1]

$350 active monitors are acceptable choice for desktop speakers to pair with your computer. Use cases are like watching Youtube video or participate in Zoom conference. But no, they are not replacement of $3500 worth speakers of any kind. Over the years I followed the whole path from $600 hi-fi speakers to something that I fully enjoy: active $20000 studio monitors.

 

[CaptainBeyond]

$350 active monitors are acceptable choice for desktop speakers to pair with your computer. Use cases are like watching Youtube video or participate in Zoom conference. But no, they are not replacement of $3500 worth speakers of any kind. Over the years I followed the whole path from $600 hi-fi speakers to something that I fully enjoy: active $20000 studio monitors.

How is so and whats the science to back up this statement? As many professional studios use such monitors to produce a music audiophiles consider audiophile?

 

[RobL]

Spinorama for your L82’s:

Lots of active monitors will give a comparable sound, many will better this speaker. At $350, the main place they may fall behind your L82’s is SPL.

I’ve had dozens of different speaker/systems, right up to Genelec 8361A’s. Well measuring speakers all sound very alike, now I’m using small active monitors and a small sub in nearfield and it’s all I need.

 

[Avp1]

How is so and whats the science to back up this statement? As many professional studios use such monitors to produce a music audiophiles consider audiophile?

I often hear mastering compromises or errors in that kind of music when I listen it on full range monitors like I have. I attribute them to lack of proper monitoring capabilities. See my comments in other thread. All serious music production studios have rooms with main monitor class speakers, now often in full 7.x.4 setup for Atmos. And please do not reference measurements made at 85dB SPL. Show them at 105dB, which would be a common peak level when listening at 85dB average.

 

[voodooless]

Those JBL speakers are quite good:

JBL 308P MKII Studio Monitor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the JBL 308P MKII 8-inch Monitor (powered speaker). I purchased this from a member a few months ago. New, they cost US $249. The 3 series look the same for good or bad: The large plastic waveguide is really in your face. Wish JBL would provide...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I think the major tradeoffs are extension and maximum SPL. Good speakers will be easy to EQ and equalize to taste. Go with a DAC that has EQ!

 

[CaptainBeyond]

I often hear mastering compromises or errors in that kind of music when I listen it on full range monitors like I have. I attribute them to lack of proper monitoring capabilities. See my comments in other thread. All serious music production studios have rooms with main monitor class speakers, now often in full 7.x.4 setup for Atmos. And please do not reference measurements made at 85dB SPL. Show them at 105dB, which would be a common peak level when listening at 85dB average.

If its really like this, are these mistakes really that significant when like 1% of the population of the listeners can afford and are willing to buy the speakers to catch em up and there's a small selection of recordings to benefit from owning such system? Looking strictly with a common sense and logic. Btw What room needs a 105db load and is this really worth to sacrifice thousands of bucks instead of just listening on lower volume?

 

[RDoc]

We have a pair of JBL 308P MkII speakers and are very happy with them. However, we also have a separate subwoofer which makes a significant difference as does room equalization as voodooless mentioned.

IMHO, if you have a relatively modern DAC and amplifier chain, the electronics problem has been solved as long as you're more interested in what the system sounds like than bragging rights. Speakers are a very different story though. Check out the speaker reviews here. If you don't understand how to interpret a spinorama diagram, look at Amir's explanation, it's not very difficult to pick up at all.

 

[CaptainBeyond]

Those JBL speakers are quite good:

JBL 308P MKII Studio Monitor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the JBL 308P MKII 8-inch Monitor (powered speaker). I purchased this from a member a few months ago. New, they cost US $249. The 3 series look the same for good or bad: The large plastic waveguide is really in your face. Wish JBL would provide...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I think the major tradeoffs are extension and maximum SPL. Good speakers will be easy to EQ and equalize to taste. Go with a DAC that has EQ!

Do you think these tradeoffs will be audible and are worth the 1500$? Are there other, better options in this price range insted of these 308P mkII to compete with the speakers I own rn for a smaller price?

 

[voodooless]

Do you think these tradeoffs will be audible and are worth the 1500$?

I don’t know… it depends highly on your preferences. At $ 350 used, just get them, compare, and if you don’t like them, sell them again at the same price.

Are there other, better options in this price range insted of these 308P mkII to compete with the speakers I own rn for a smaller price?

I think they will be pretty hard to beat at that price point.

 

[Doenerkunde]

Do you think these tradeoffs will be audible and are worth the 1500$? Are there other, better options in this price range insted of these 308P mkII to compete with the speakers I own rn for a smaller price?

You could take a look at Kali Audios LP8v2. Kali Audio was founded by former JBL employees and the Kali LP series is their direct competitor to the JBL LSR series.

Kali Audio LP-8v2 (Second Wave) 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

Kali Audio LP-8v2 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

JBL LSR is back ported, Kali LP is front ported. As a result there are a few more ripples in the Kalis midrange frequency response, because some of the midrange from the back of the midwoofer leaks through the port and is directed at the listener (comparable to your current JBL L82, that also has some ripples around 1khz). On the other hand the Kalis have lower distortion. Neither is better than the other in all aspects, but I think the Kalis look much much better.

 

[CD2]

How is so and whats the science to back up this statement? As many professional studios use such monitors to produce a music audiophiles consider audiophile?

A point to consider is that studio monitors are usually used nearfield, from a fixed listening position, and for purposes that are not quite the same as listening for enjoyment. Bottom line: try to audition speakers yourself, or buy with a right to return, so you find what makes you happy over extended listening.

 

[Crook]

My opinion is that really, only speakers matter. I would suggest that in the reviews of electronics, from fine to excellent are effectively audibly indistinguishable. Functions and looks differ, but that is it. Not so with speakers. If I rip out my £6k of floorstanders and subs and put in £400 of actives, I am pretty sure it will sound worse. Conversely, if I rip them out and drop £20k of KEF or Revel Salon in there, it is going to sound a whole lot better. In summary, better speakers are about the only place the money isn't wasted in this hobby, if your electronics are even half decent / not broken.

 

[RDoc]

A point to consider is that studio monitors are usually used nearfield, from a fixed listening position, and for purposes that are not quite the same as listening for enjoyment. Bottom line: try to audition speakers yourself, or buy with a right to return, so you find what makes you happy over extended listening.

I believe the difference with nearfield studio monitors is mostly how loud they can play. The spinorama and distortion values don't really have a bias for what the speaker is.

 

[Ellebob]

Buy them and try them. The 308s are great speakers. I think your L82s might play louder but if you don't play very loud that might not matter. The 308s probably have deeper bass but the the spinorama shows a little bass boost in the upper bass region which will be more pronounced and maybe preferred with some material. Trade offs as others have said.

 

[CaptainBeyond]

I don’t know… it depends highly on your preferences. At $ 350 used, just get them, compare, and if you don’t like them, sell them again at the same price.

As I said Im trying to cut out from the individual preferences - just cold common sense, logic and economics and trying to save myself time and hassle in the run-up before making the decision of buying something, thats why I started discussion there. Thank you nonetheless!

 

[CaptainBeyond]

If I rip out my £6k of floorstanders and subs and put in £400 of actives, I am pretty sure it will sound worse. Conversely, if I rip them out and drop £20k of KEF or Revel Salon in there, it is going to sound a whole lot better. In summary

Why exactly? Can you backup this with some data? Sorry but for now its just your opinion, assumption and bias. More expensive doesnt automatically means better - not only in audio. Look up at the cars for example, clothes. Every luxury goods. Its very, very often just a hype bubble, values added by a sentiment or brand, like nft tokens or so. What interests me is a pure sound quality and a common sense, not wasting away money on unnecessary stuff

 

[ShadowFiend]

Common sense is that better drivers cost more. A 8" woofer in LSR308 is very different from the 8" woofer in your L82. It have bigger and more optimize magnet, thicker voice coil so they can withstand much more power, and have much lower distortion. Volume is bigger so naturally they can have better bass extension and volume too. In general term, L82 will sound more detailed, more clarity and can produce better dynamic than LSR308. The same thing is also true for tweeter. And I need to mention that cheap active speaker like LSR308 has fair amount of hiss. Finishing is of course different. One is ugly and felt cheap, one has acceptable appearance.

If you need money and want to downsizing, it is understandable. But don't expect some thing like LSR308 can be compared to L82 in terms of sound quality in midfield listening

 

[RDoc]

And yet, when comparing the actual measurements of the L82 with the 308, the 308 looks better. DSP's are a different world.

 

[CaptainBeyond]

Common sense is that better drivers cost more. A 8" woofer in LSR308 is very different from the 8" woofer in your L82. It have bigger and more optimize magnet, thicker voice coil so they can withstand much more power, and have much lower distortion. Volume is bigger so naturally they can have better bass extension and volume too. In general term, L82 will sound more detailed, more clarity and can produce better dynamic than LSR308. The same thing is also true for tweeter. And I need to mention that cheap active speaker like LSR308 has fair amount of hiss. Finishing is of course different. One is ugly and felt cheap, one has acceptable appearance.

If you need money and want to downsizing, it is understandable. But don't expect some thing like LSR308 can be compared to L82 in terms of sound quality in midfield listening

Hey, thanks. So to sum it all, I can play music louder on L82s without the level of distortion I would get on 308 with the same volume (i never go past 11am on volume anyways), and with better dynamics and pronunced microdetails? Does this justify the price difference between the two, or just the L82 msrp in general? Isnt the hiss a matter of eq and dsp anyways? L82s feels very cheap compared to manufacturing materials too, but have much cooler retro looks for me