Syntrillium Backup Forums :: View topic - jbl monitor speakers--comments?

fubar · Posted - Mon Sep 09, 2002 1:03 am

Would anyone care to comment on the quality offered by this company? They are *quite* pricey, but I ran across a few pairs of studio monitors (one pair small near-fields, the other pair huuuuge) at a 2nd-hand shop today. Curiosity led me to the harman.com website, but I don't have enough experience to know what to look for... Anyone used any of these speakers before?

jester700 · Posted - Mon Sep 09, 2002 6:35 am

I'm probably one of the few JBL fans here. Some are great - (like the 4412, a popular model). Some are only "ok", IMO. Some of the home speaker models were even below average as they tried to capture some lower end market share.

In general they're often seen by detractors as a little "hyped" - usually bass reflex cabinets and metal dome (titanium) tweeters with a bit of "boom & sizzle".

Any clue as to the model numbers?

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

Certainly a lot of the earlier JBL monitors could certainly be described as rather 'in your face'. But although I haven't heard any for a while, I've been led to believe that they have improved their monitor responses towards the more 'neutral' end of the market. Maybe one day they'll get there...

Steve

Graeme · Member Location: Spain

I've never been a fan of JBL's - too 'hard' a sound for me. That was in the days when they only really made proper monitors. These days there are lots of 'speakers bearing the JBL label which are nothing like monitor quality - including models specifically for PC's - so I guess one has to be even more careful.

Really, the practical thing to do (if it can be arranged) is to borrow them for a couple of days and see how they suit you and your environment.

VoodooRadio · Location: USA

I tend to agree with SteveG and Graeme. "Hard" or "In your face" are both good descriptions for the JBL's that I have experienced. I have owned several JBL (wedge type) floor monitors, but never a "proper" nearfield from them. Ironically, I have a surround sound system in my home theatre that is comprised of 2 Pioneers floor units and 5 JBL sattelite speakers placed about the room, as Graeme alluded to... there are lots of speakers bearing the label. The advise.... "borrow them for a couple of days and see how they suit you and your environment.", is good sound (pun intended) reasoning and should be applied whenever possible in all purchases. Maybe the 2nd's shop with hold a cheque for a couple of days, whilst you try them out. Good Luck Voodoo

fubar · Posted - Mon Sep 09, 2002 12:11 pm

Great quick replies, everyone, and much thanks. Unfortunately, no, 2nd-hand shops in Japan (or any shops for that matter) won't allow one to borrow before buying... They (merely) *might* allow a testing in the store itself... Lol, I've gotten into more trouble messing around with stuff I "shouldn't be touching" in gear shops here.... This is a country where one may not test-drive a used car, for crying out loud! (Got stunned, shocked looks for even having requested... At the least I got the dealer to let me hear the engine hum!!)

From your replies, and since the speakers I found are indeed second hand yet highly-priced, I think I'll continue searching till I settle on a brand-new pair of near-fields. These will be for studio music recording in my home.

I've got to say that this forum, whether searching and reading or asking directly, has saved me ALOT of headaches that I used to go through--I used to purchase based on company specs alone (not knowing there were resources out here to get trusted opinions!) and wound up with one of the original SBLives because of it... Then again, I also wound up with CEP years ago for the same reason (web search, company specs, download, voila!). Much better, though, to have an outlet of informed opinions!!! That's a thank you to all of you :]

I'll pass on the JBL's. Interesting to note, though, that the harman.com web site is extremely well-made and convincing! I'm talking about the pro-line stuff, with testimonials from pro-musicians, rather than the consumer-end stuff which I didn't peek at. Interesting too that they place alot of emphasis on the titanium tweeters... I don't know much yet about such technical matters regarding speakers, but I assume from your comments that this is not necessarily something to drool over... (?) Jester, the large pair were a 4400 range, but I didn't mark down the specifics and don't know the model of the small pair. The large model, used, was priced at 110,000 yen (about $950 US)--remember though that I'm in the most expensive country in the world. Both models stated clearly, on the speakers themselves, that they are "studio monitors", which is why (price included) I researched in the first place.

I'm aware of all the other current monitors out there... I'll make a final call once I actually have some savings again! Voodoo, I'm curious nonetheless to know how the JBL satellites suit you--I'm looking to upgrade my surround system for my DVD player and *that* speaker market is a whole different game.

Good sound is great, isn't it? :D

-fubar

Havoc · Posted - Mon Sep 09, 2002 12:42 pm

Well, sometimes you have to do something instead of doubting. I passed a couple of urei's and tannoy's that way. Still wondering if maybe.....

Your opinion may not be that of the informed opinions. But if they are that picky out there you do not have much of a choice.

Graeme · Member Location: Spain

I didn't intend to give the impression that the top of the line JBL's weren't up to a professional standard - there must be loads of studios which use JBL's as their main monitors. I certainly saw a lot of JBL monitoring when I was working in the 'states. I doubt if SteveG meant to give that impression either.

The 4400 series is certainly one of their better products and any criticism was not aimed at the general manufacturing or sound quality. Our comments were based purely on personal preferences. To this end, you have to remember that both Steve and I are Brits - as such, we tend to go for something more along the more 'relaxed' lines of Tannoy than JBL You, of course, may prefer it the other way around.

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

Yes, Graeme is right... One of the things about monitors is that once they reach a certain quality level (and I think that these JBLs probably do), it's very much down to personal taste and, more importantly, learning how your particular monitors treat the material that you feed them. Assuming that you can personally live with the particular sound of them, then you do at least have a basis on which to make an informed judgement about what you are listening to. And in fairness to the JBLs, another word that could equally be used to describe them (although still a bit of a double-edged sword IMHO) is 'revealing'.

More specifically, titanium dome tweeters are not something that I drool over (this may be the Brit thing - I don't know...), as I much prefer the sound of fabric-domed tweeters. Although in the other room that I sometimes listen to stuff in is a pair of bookshelf speakers which have metal-dome horn tweeters - the ultimate hot-spot nightmare! These have taken some time to tame as far as the room is concerned, and even now can still do some frightening things to HF! There is actually a long and slightly amusing rebuild history to this particular pair of speakers, and they are something of a 'hair shirt', but they certainly make me appreciate my KEFs!

Steve

fubar · Posted - Mon Sep 09, 2002 9:07 pm

Thanks again for the followups everyone.

Havoc · Posted - Tue Sep 10, 2002 3:30 am

Sorry, I did not want to give the impression you guys are picky in your monitor selection. I reffered to the practice of not letting people listen and try out things back there in japan.

VoodooRadio · Location: USA

The JBL Theatre speakers I have (Flix1) are decent for what they're being used for. I can't imagine them being pressed into any other type of service. I've had them a long time and when the time comes to upgrade the home theatre, I will more than likely go with something else. Good Luck Voodoo