k2 s9800 vs k2 s9500.

[Brian DK]

I am a happy ovner of a pair of 250ti jubilee.
but i am thinking of going all the way, and by the k2 s9800, or the older model k2s9500.
I have listen to k2 s9800.(A VERY FINE SPEAKER). But i have never listen to k2 s9500.
Is there anyone who has compared these two speakers??
And if you maybe couldt help my with some tecnical data on k2 s9500.?
It wouldt help my a lot. Thanks.
Brian dk.

[Niklas Nord]

Hello
I have the s9500 at home.
This weekend i listened to the s9800 also, it was a big dissapointment. I really did not like it.

I´m so happy with my s9500 :)

happy happy

[Mr. Widget]

Hi Niklas,

Could you elaborate? I would assume that the level of bass is significantly less in the K2-S9800, but what were the other differences?

Also could you compare the two listening rooms and associated equipment?

Thanks.

[sebackman]

Hi Brian and Hi Niklas

Niklas, I saw you at the exhibition when talking to Nagref, but missed you with a split second.

I was at the same expedition as Niklas and have the complete opposite view.

It was a big “high-end” HiFi (mainly 2-channel) fair with loads of retailers, manufacturers and distributors with all kinds of systems and electronics. The fair was in a hotel so some of the systems were in reasonable large rooms on the conference floors and some in the smaller rooms on the mezzanine floor. The rooms ranked from reasonably good to lousy, so it is difficult to get a fair read on how all the systems would have sounded in the same environment.

Furthermore some of the vendors had been proactive and brought damping materials and some had not. I listened to at least 20 different systems, some of which were very expensive. As usual I brought my own CD’s (4 different CD’s, of which one HDCD) and had them played on numerous systems. The same songs were played on cheap (well, relatively) and expensive alike. It’s obviously much easier to listen to music that is known to you and also to compare if you use the same songs.

To my ears there were a few systems that clearly were in a league of their own and among them were the K2S9800. The room they (Harman) were using was way to small, which made the sound somewhat “middy”. But that seems always to be the case, IMHO, with driver/horn combination in large size monitors with short listening distance. BUT, the tonal balance was very good and the sound was very crisp and detailed. Better than any JBL large size speaker I have heard before.

From my own experience, I do normally not get at all excited over a sound profile when it is very good. That’s just the thing, if the sound is balanced there are now WOW factors, which make me jump and down and say nice words. But the more you listen the better it gets. The wow factors on other systems that initially gets your attention, quite quickly fades and sometimes even gets annoying. I have done that mistake a few times over the years.

To my ears the 9800 series is a real improvement over the old K2’s (and most other speakers as well). I personally find it interesting that they have returned to a three-way construction after a couple of years in the two-way territory.

The limitation of the working area for the compression driver/horn paired with a separate tweeter makes the sound more homogeneous and nicer to listen to. All big drivers (>1”) seem to be rather uneven over 12k and also see a roll off from about 12-14k. By adding a tweeter you can avoid some of the equalisation needed to compensate for the driver and the CD horn combination to reach over 10-12k. To my ears that sounds better. The differences are easy to measure but more difficult to describe in words. In my world it just sounds more natural and less “strained”.

To me the two-way construction of the 4430/4435 worked better then others to follow since they used the 1” drivers that have a more even curve and slightly less roll-off. As for the 1,5 and 2” driver based two-way speakers, including DMS-1, I have always lacked the last ounce of “sparkle” on the top.

The limitation in 4430/35 (if any) IMHO were that driver/horn combination needed a higher HP XO frequency than the 1,5” or 2” drivers do and thus the woofers had to go further up in frequency. That may in some instances be a challenge for a 15” size driver. I like the sound of the 4430/35 but compared to the S9800 I don’t experience the extremely homogenous and defined sound.

I built a 4-way monitor some years ago using a 2234, a 2118, a 2426 connected to a 2344 and a 2404 on top. The filter solution was inspired by the 4430/35 and they sounded pretty good. The “bullet” tweeter on top made system more “stabile”, more definition.

A bunch of my friends are currently using two-way systems based on the 2235/34 or the 2206 paired with the 2446. The same goes for them. They sound very clean and crisp but the uneven curve of the driver/horn and the lack of absolute top end would steer me towards a three-way system. Which also by the way is what I’m building.

I have played around with the 2451/2332 combinations quite extensively over the last couple of months. I bought 6 sets to build a HiFi/HT system. Maybe a little overkill at home, but hey, we need to have some fun now and then J.

I’m not claiming that they have the same tonal quality as the horns or the drivers in the K2 series, but even with a digital filter it is almost impossible to get a two-way setup that can match the three-way alternative I’m playing with. I’m using the 025Ti above the driver, but the K2 unit I probably way superior.

There were a number of nice system at this expedition, some of them high profile brands and very expensive. Regardless of all that, if I only could take home one speaker set it would beyond doubt be the S9800’s.

At the end of the day only YOUR ears can tell YOU what to go for.

Best regards

//Robert

[4313B]

Thanks for the info! Excellent :)

[Brian DK]

Thanks for your info, Robert.
From what you write, and what i have experienced.
There is no way out for my.
I must do a serious job, saving money, to get my hands on
a set of s9800.
But they are very expensive, so time vil show..

Brian dk.:) :)

[Brian DK]

Hi again..
finaly I made it..
A beautyfull sæt S9800 has replaiset my 250it jubilee.
and what a sound..
To listen to them at a radiostore is one thing, but to get them home, and listen in your own room, with your own equipment,
is something else.
It's the best speaker I have ever listen to.
What a joy..

[leif]

Does that mean that there is a pair of 250 jubilee for sale in Denmark then?

Leif Arild
Sandefjord, Norway

[Brian DK]

Hi Leif.
I have sold my 250jubilee to a radiostore called KT-Radio, for 3 weeks ago.
you kan try and call them at phone nr. 0045-33311440.
Maybe they still have them. if not, try and look at www.hifi4all.dk, or www.dba.dk. on these 2 websides there is often different kinds of 250ti for sale.
good luck.:) :)

[Tomas M]

Hello!

How much is a pair of (new) JBL K2 S9800 in USA (or in Denmark)?

Tomas

[Guido]

Originally posted by Tomas M
Hello!

How much is a pair of (new) JBL K2 S9800 in USA (or in Denmark)?

Tomas

In Germany it is 30.000 Euro! We should not talk at price/value coefficient.
IMO one can not justify such a price. As I said IMO!

[Tomas M]

Horrible!!!!!!!

They cost 27.000 Euro in Sweden. I thought that was a joke.

Tomas
:eek:

[leif]

I also think that is a crazy price.

Well, there is a shop 5 minutes away from my home that has a pair for sale. They have earlier said 250.000 kroner = about 30.000 euros. I think that is more of a dream than a real price for what they can get for them.
The pair of speakers has been used for demo in the shop, and also at exebithion. One of them got a scratch after being moved into the car on the way to an exebition. Not a very big one, but is is not "new in box".
They have had them on seconhand market for a long long time without selling them. They are asking for bid.

www.imageaudio.no

The pictures of the speakers is not identical to the one in the store.

[Tomas M]

Referens audio på Götgatsbacken?

T

[Brian DK]

in Denmark they kost 190.000dk. In euro abaut 27.000..
A lot of money..
:( :)

[Mr. Widget]

... and we thought they were expensive here in the US. Here they are $25,000 which is about 20,500 EUR.

What a bargain, I guess I'll get my order in.:rotfl:

Last weekend I was listening to several speaker systems that were much more expensive than the K2-S9800s and wish I could have done some comparisons with JBL's flagship, but alas here in the good old USA the K2-S9800 is a very rare animal.

Widget

[robpatton]

US retail is now $30,000.00 USD for the SE model. The SE model is now the only model produced as of this year, no loger will a non SE model be produced.

Sonic Advantage
JBL K2 Dealer
Orange Park Florida 32065 USA
904.505.1645 Mobile

[robpatton]

I am really getting attached to my my new PMC BB5 pair. They retail for around 25K in cherry and have a VERY strong and flat bass in comparison to a K2 setup. The more I play them, the less I miss the K2s. I see now why the big studios around the world use these religiously, and even more powerfully in the XBD configuration.

As always, I use the Viola Labs Cadenza Preamp, Cello Duet 350 Amplifier, Esoteric UX-3 CD/DVD, Viola Labs Silver Litz Interconnects and Viola Labs Copper Litz Speaker Cables.

[Zilch]

I am really getting attached to my my new PMC BB5 pair.Please, Rob,

It'd be better if you didn't try to exploit every posting as an opportunity to hype the non-JBL stuff that you sell here.

It's, well, SO transparent, and, at least for my part, unwelcome.

I appreciate the information you provide, but not at the price of the gratuitous advertisement that seems to always come with it.... :(

[JBLnsince1959]

you provide, but not at the price of the gratuitous advertisement that seems to always come with it.... :(

I don't know for sure if it's an advertisment and if it is I can over look it. besides..how many people on this forum do you think will be buying those. also, Rob has some really Hi end stuff that I've never seen so it's nice to learn ( even if there is an advertisement - but then so does my radio and my TV)

personally I like what Rob shows us..

HOWEVER, I think this post belongs in the NON-JBL/Lansing forums ( General Audio Discussion forum) rather than the Lansing Product General Information or main JBL/lansing forum...

anyway, thanks Rob but you may wish to place the pictures in another forum...

[Zilch]

Let me paraphrase:

"Here's the new non-JBL speakers I sell."

"They have better bass than K2"

"Big studios worldwide use them."

"And here's the other non-JBL gear what I run them with."

"Did I mention I SELL all of this stuff?"

["Contact info...."]

["This is just in case you didn't get my message when I posted these a week ago under 'Lansing Related Gear':

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=11423"]

And from between the lines:

"How come nobody's called me to actually ORDER any of this?"

[johnaec]

I do have to say those BB5's are one of the ugliest speakers I've seen - that alone would be enough to keep me away...

John

[JBLnsince1959]

I do have to say those BB5's are one of the ugliest speakers I've seen - that alone would be enough to keep me away...

John

I agree..but you know the old saying...throw a flag over them and listen for old glory....

and yes, Zilch...I know..I know But I don't mind.....I like having the opportunity to see and learn something new... and Rob is a whole lot better and fun than ARCHAICAUDIO

Still...the post is in the wrong spot.....

By the way Rob can you tell me more about these or point me to a web site about them??

[edgewound]

As always, I use the Viola Labs Cadenza Preamp, Cello Duet 350 Amplifier, Esoteric UX-3 CD/DVD, Viola Labs Silver Litz Interconnects and Viola Labs Copper Litz Speaker Cables.

....and a generous sprinkling of magic fairy dust.


It's, well, SO transparent, and, at least for my part, unwelcome.

I agree with Zilch.

[JBLnsince1959]

....and a generous sprinkling of magic fairy dust.

.

:rotfl:

:applaud:

[robpatton]

Ill put my system on the starting line for pink slips any day you want pal. transparancy , low distortion, and high pressure values win the others system. But then again, I have all the plant stands I need anyway so you can keep yours when I win.

[edgewound]

, and high pressure values .

Sounds like your sales tactics too. You're definitley winning new friends and influencing people, for sure. Go back and read Dale Carnegie, Tom Hopkins, Zig Zigler, et.al.

You better be careful....pal...your personality is showing.

How dare you pump PMC in the L-a-n-s-i-n-g Forum.

...and your blowing to the wrong audience...in case you haven't figured that out yet.

Peddle your bling elsewhere.

[opimax]

Does this mean he isn't happy here? :barf:

Mark

[edgewound]

Profane tantrum deleted by admin



The above tantrum....by a JBL Dealer...pushing non-JBL products...in a JBL Forum...in the most immature, infantile, uneducated, unprofessional, profane, unbusinesslike, disgusting display of outright self serving, ego-manical temper display is exactly what JBL doesn't need in it's dealer network. You've got anger management issues, my friend.

Buddy...I wouldn't buy the last bottle of water on earth from you. And you think your "enlightenment" is doing all us "bumpkins" a favor.

If you don't ever come back here...I won't shed a tear.

Good luck in your business affairs and beyond....you'll need it....because people skills, you don't have.

[Don McRitchie]

I wouldn't waste your breath, he won't be able to read it anyway since he's permanently banned.

[edgewound]

Giskard, Zilch and Edgewound have killed this site dead...it can never recover from their negativity and condemnation.

***

Just like The Three Musketeers:cheers:

This is too easy....I got speakers to fix.

[JBLnsince1959]

I was expounding on Mr. Widgets comment regarding other speakers that compete with the K2s that he had seen but not had the chance to listen or A/B with the K2s. Since I have owned over 10 pair of the K2s, I think I am qualified to speak on compairsons of them to other speakers.



I missed that...I take back what I said about moving the post.....

[edgewound]

Couldn't the Admin just edit the profane tantrum rather than delete it? It was a very informative, educational and red-flag raising read.

[johnaec]

It was a very informative, educational and red-flag raising read.I just hope someone at JBL had/has a chance to see it. If that's what JBL has for dealers, it's no wonder you don't see much new JBL stuff out there...

John

[Titanium Dome]

Man, I always miss this stuff, except when it's directed at me. Then of course I don't care to see it. :no:

All right everyone, as you were.

---------

I've been patiently accumulating funds in my JBL insanity account in anticipation of some (demo or used) K2 S9500s, K2 S9800s or even SEs, but the impending revelation of those 60th Anniversary mysteries is keeping me in check. I can't spend a dime on the high stuff until I see and hear the new big boy. Maybe I'll end up with K2 S9800s anyway, but not until I've had a chance to rule out the new gear, or its price rules out me.

It will totally suck if the new stuff is out of the normal guy's range. By normal guy, I mean someone who might have to save for 12 or 24 months to buy them and maybe get a small loan to boot. This means fewer trips, no movies, no new cars, no remodeling, etc. I've been sticking some away since I got the Performance Series in anticipation of moving up to the K2s hopefully for $18k or less (demo or used), and now it looks like the top will be much higher.

Let's hope it's worth the climb.

[JBLnsince1959]

I've been patiently accumulating funds in my JBL insanity account in anticipation of some (demo or used) K2 S9500s, K2 S9800s or even SEs, but the impending revelation of those 60th Anniversary mysteries is keeping me in check. .

Me too, sometimes I kick myself for not getting those k2's in SF for around $13,000 a couple of years ago...

I'll rather by a regular K2 and do the crossovers myself....

we'll see...personally I'm tried of 15"ers going up to 800 to 1200 and would like to see a bigass 4 way with a 10" or 12" in the mid-bass..something like what GT had in his LR..some times I wonder if that was the prototype for the "BIG ONE"

[boputnam]

Just like The Three Musketeers:cheers:Yea, and that's good company to be in!!

This is too easy....I got speakers to fix.Get busy, dood! "Clients" are waiting!

[boputnam]

Couldn't the Admin just edit the profane tantrum rather than delete it? Certainly, "yes".

However, in this, and in all similar instances, I find Don's instinct to be wise and inspired.

Roadkill it is.

[Guido]

..something like what GT had in his LR..some times I wonder if that was the prototype for the "BIG ONE"

Yeah! That's what I posted when I saw Giskards pics of GT's system. He didn't adress this in any of his replys. :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Should this be the secret? ;)

[JBLnsince1959]

Yeah! That's what I posted when I saw Giskards pics of GT's system. He didn't adress this in any of his replys. :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Should this be the secret? ;)

Well, I found out a few things thru the grapvine ...........and all I'll say is this.....From what I heard, the BIG ONE doesn't sound like what was in GT's LR....

...but then again......;)

[Maron Horonzakz]

60th anniversary Paragons with 18" woofers.;)

[JBLnsince1959]

60th anniversary Paragons with 18" woofers.;)

I'd say something but best to just let it go and wait for the release....people in Japan will LOVE IT.....

[Maron Horonzakz]

Or for 60th anniversary JBL bought out Klipsch LLC to regain cinema accounts. :D

[JBLnsince1959]

Or for 60th anniversary JBL bought out Klipsch LLC to regain cinema accounts. :D

Damn!!! that was suppose to be a secret!!!!!:banghead: :banghead:

:rotfl: