JBL B380 Sub - looking for comments..

[chilledspode]

I see one of these on ebay, but I know nothing about them.

Wondering if it would be a good addition as a sub to my folks system which is nice stuff, but is limited by having only two 6" drivers in each cabinet.

My folks miss the 12" sound :D

Cheers and thank you

Mark

[Paul D]

Yes, it would work fine even with small speakers. I used one with a pair of control 1 monitors and it worked fine with the crossover level set way back. However, this sub requires the BX63 crossover to work properly.
I don't see it included with the add in ebay but I would still go for it!!

[Robh3606]

I use a B380 clone for my HT sub with a BX-63A. It works fine for me. Depends how loud and how big the room is. An average sized room it should be OK.

Rob:)

[chilledspode]

Yes, it would work fine even with small speakers. I used one with a pair of control 1 monitors and it worked fine with the crossover level set way back. However, this sub requires the BX63 crossover to work properly.
I don't see it included with the add in ebay but I would still go for it!!

Thank you for that, Paul.

I would have missed it completely.

Are the BX63's hard to come by?

Cheers

Mark

[hjames]

I see one of these on ebay, but I know nothing about them.

Wondering if it would be a good addition as a sub to my folks system which is nice stuff, but is limited by having only two 6" drivers in each cabinet.

My folks miss the 12" sound :D

Cheers and thank you

Mark
I got a B380 a few years back, but don't have the BX63 EQ/Adapter or the later improved BX63A unit. They are kind of rare these days and can command well over $100 on ebay without a power supply wallwart and in unknown condition.

That said, I do like mine. If you have a receiver that can sum and feed a subwoofer channel (My HK AVR 345 receiver, or the JVC receiver I had before can), you feed that sub channel out to a mono amp that can drive your B380. Yes, you'll need a powerful amp to run your sub properly.

I run mine with an old HK Citation 22 amp, previously in bridged mode (well over 500w peak) to feed just the B380, and currently I feed that sub channel to both L & R inputs of the Citation in conventional stereo mode to feed 2 subs.

Its a real nice sub, even without the BX63

[chilledspode]

Thanks Heather

I am so out of my league on this stuff....:)

As I understand things now, I am going to need a x-over and a big amp, on top of the sub to complete this upgrade. The amp I think I could manage with subwoof's help but the x-over issue intimidates me..

I need to get better informed before I jump into this sub game.


Cheers

Mark

[hjames]

Thanks Heather

I need to get better informed before I jump into this sub game.

Cheers

Mark

There are a couple of approaches to doing a sub.

The simplest way to start down that path maybe to get one of those lower priced JBL self-powered subs that you loop your existing amp's left and right speaker feed through, it has a crossover/combiner that pulls the lows off and feed the internal "plate" amp - its as painless as you can get, and you have a low parts count to do it that way.

I see that kind of thing of Craigslist for $100-150 pretty often.

If you want to get one new ...
http://www.jbl.com/home/products/category.aspx?CatId=SUB&Language=ENG&Country=US&Region=USA

[chilledspode]

Hi Heather,

Most of the text descriptions of those 'package' subs all suggest they are intended for HT, does this in any way imply they may not be appropriate for a stereo/audio system?

Thanks for the advice

Cheers

Mark

[hjames]

Hi Heather,

Most of the text descriptions of those 'package' subs all suggest they are intended for HT, does this in any way imply they may not be appropriate for a stereo/audio system?

Thanks for the advice

Cheers

Mark
There are some subs that are more musical than others, but I don't think many of the "plug and play" subs were designed primarily for music.
Most of the market for add in gear like that is home theatre/home AV systems. Frankly, I just don't think most companies are aiming for high-end stereo fans - I mean, thats not the majority who's buying audio gear any more - most buyers are building home entertainment systems - movies and multichannel TV and such. High end music fans are a pretty small market segment.

That said - I think if you want to get your feet in the water and try out a subwoofer, getting one of the smaller JBL systems isn't a bad way to go.
You can even get a used one for not too much money and try it out, make up your own mind with your music (and movies) and see how it works in your home.

You may decide you prefer having larger woofers in your main speaker and not having a subwoofer. But this way you can try it out without a huge outlay of cash.
I have 15s in my main L & R speakers, so I don't run my sub when I'm playing stereo music - but some folks do.

[Titanium Dome]

Most of the text descriptions of those 'package' subs all suggest they are intended for HT, does this in any way imply they may not be appropriate for a stereo/audio system?



There are some subs that are more musical than others, but I don't think many of the "plug and play" subs were designed primarily for music.

That said - I think if you want to get your feet in the water and try out a subwoofer, getting one of the smaller JBL systems isn't a bad way to go.
You can even get a used one for not too much money and try it out, make up your own mind with your music (and movies) and see how it works in your home.


I have 15s in my main L & R speakers, so I don't run my sub when I'm playing stereo music - but some folks do.

As most here know, I've got a ton of HT systems, MC systems, and stereo systems.

Our JBL Performance Series HT is a 7.1 set up supported by four JBL subs as LFE only (two HTPS400, two PS1400), one at the midpoint of each wall. Music sounds pretty convincing on this system as well, but clearly it's optimized for the cinematic experience.

There's also a Performance Series 5.1 multichannel (MC) music system upstairs that runs PS1400/PT800 stacks full range AND one corner-loaded HTPS400 sub on LFE. On multichannel music, the HTPS400 makes a world of difference, and the set up provides one of the finest musical experiences I've ever had.

Down in the music room there's a 5.1 SVA Series MC system with big SVA2100s, SVA Center, and SVA1800s, which puts out quite a bit of bass above 35Hz. However, it's augmented with two Fosgate Audionics THX400 subs (w/ JBL LE14H-1 Drivers) placed at the midpoint of the sidewalls to provide the 20–35Hz oomph. It is a rock and roll dream, and also very nice for jazz, trance, and dance. Plus there's a little karaoke going on down there. :D

In one of my offices, the JBL 4430s are supplemented by a corner-loaded B380 and BX63A. It adds just that little bit of the solid deep punch that I like, without being overbearing (or freaking out my employees).

Finally to close on Heather's point, I also have a little stereo set up in the music room with two Performance Series PT800s supported by a center-placed L8400P sub from the Studio L Series. It's quite the musical set up, easily beating the XPL200 and L7 pairs that also can be switched down there.

The point of all this is to demonstrate that subs can be used in a variety of set ups to great effect, as long as they're carefully placed, matched, and calibrated to integrate into the system. The L8400P is probably as low as I'd go in the JBL line, but the one I got was a refurb at a ridiculous price and the finish matched the fake cherry on the PT800s very well.

The B380 is a bit of a beast size-wise, and placement can be awkward, but if it's hooked up right it's a very good, subtle addition. AN L8400P would be much easier to handle, and you wouldn't need another amp. Since it's a sealed enclosure, it'll produce more bass than you expect, but it's still not going to go as low as the ported B380.

[chilledspode]

Heather & TDome:

I think the packaged sub approach is a wise entry point - I 'll leave that B380 on fleabay for someone with more resources/capability.

Thank you both for sharing your experience.

Cheers

Mark

[johnaec]

Hi Mark. Those L8400P powered subs that Ti Dome mentioned are almost always on sale from Harman Audio direct on eBay. They're "refurbs", but I picked up a pair and can find nothing to differentiate them from new. I've even wondered if they actually are new, and JBL/Harman is just listing them as refurbed for eBay, since I can't believe JBL has that many refurbs, (easily over 100 of them just in the last few months).

They're available in either cherry or black ash finish, have a built-in 600 watt amp plus adjustable low-pass filter/crossover, and come with everything originally supplied - like I said, I can't tell them from new.

JBL/Harman direct has new ones listed at their site at $999, while the "refurbs" are generally going for under $300 on eBay: http://search-completed.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=so&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R9&from=R9&fstype=1&satitle=jbl+l8400&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&fts=2&a6=-24&a14=-24&a31572=-24&a10244=-24&alist=a6%2Ca14%2Ca31572%2Ca10244%2Ca31573%2Ca3801&pfmode=1&reqtype=1&gcs=1578&pfid=1963&pf_query=jbl+l8400&sabfmts=1&fis=2&saprclo=&saprchi=&sass=&fsop=2%26fsoo%3D2

They sound pretty good right out of the box, but I've also dialed them in with external EQ. They're a great deal for the money!

John

[chilledspode]

John, Ya ole dog!

It pleases me greatly to see you are still watching my back:D

I continue to enjoy, immensely, your old 4315's. Mark Knopler's new CD Kill to get Crimson is a real treat on them..:bouncy:

A current ebay search comes up with zero L8400P's so I assume they come on in waves....

How do the 12" subs L8400P/ES250P/HTPS400 compare against eachother?

Take care

Mark

[chilledspode]

John, Ya ole dog!

It pleases me greatly to see you are still watching my back:D

I continue to enjoy, immensely, your old 4315's. Mark Knopler's new CD Kill to get Crimson is a real treat on them..:bouncy:

A current ebay search comes up with zero L8400P's so I assume they come on in waves....

How do the 12" subs L8400P/ES250P/HTPS400 compare against eachother?

Take care

Mark

[Titanium Dome]

Mark

Check it out:

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio_l8400_W0QQfciZ15QQfclZ3QQfsnZHarmanQ20AudioQ QfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQfsubZ10226070QQsaselZ26519532QQso fpZ0

[chilledspode]

What the heck!?

Just before I replied to John I did an ebay search and it produced nothing .. weird

Thanks Doug, I am on it!

Mark

[johnaec]

Just before I replied to John I did an ebay search and it produced nothing .. weirdYou probably searched on "L8400P" and the listings Doug posted are "L8400 P". Your best bet is to search on "JBL L8400" - that'll get them all.

John

[johnaec]

How do the 12" subs L8400P/ES250P/HTPS400 compare against eachother?I've only heard the L8400P, but as far as comparisons go, I imagine their quality follows their list prices.

John

[Titanium Dome]

You probably searched on "L8400P" and the listings Doug posted are "L8400 P". Your best bet is to search on "JBL L8400" - that'll get them all.

John

I use "L8400*" and that usually gets them all.

[Titanium Dome]

ES250P (43 lb.) is a rebadge and/or minor redesign of similar "250" ported subwoofer products from JBL. The ES250P has a stronger amp than previous versions like the E250P, though I don't know if they changed the amp or changed the method of rating power. :dont-know It's an okay performer, but other brands will give you better subs for the same money.

The L8400 (58 lb.) is a different beast. It's amp is truly powerful, and the cabinet design is quite different. It's a sealed system, not ported, and the cabinet dimensions and footprint are somewhat smaller. IMO it sounds better in every way, and at refurb market prices ($250-350) it's currently one of the best 12" sub values out there. Price-wise, it competes more than favorably with 10" products from HSU, SVS, and Velodyne.

The HTPS400 (62 lb.) is in a class by itself. It's not the world's best sub, but it might be the world's best 12" sub for $2000 or less. It's also a sealed system, and its dimensions are even smaller than the L8400, yet it's heavier and more powerful. The enclosure is a perfect 14.62" cube.

When JBL says it has one kilowatt (1000W) of digital power, they're not kidding. Unlike the PolyPlas drivers in the ES250P and L8400, this baby has an Aluminum cone, and it can handle all of 1000W and then some. Plus it has the ability to be daisy chained, so you can add two, three, or four HTPS400s to a single source with no signal loss.

[chilledspode]

TD:

Thank you for the run down on the differences between the subs - I am now enlightened.

The HTPS400 would be nice but clearly beyond my means at this point.

I am off to chase L8400's with a refined search string on ebay :D

Cheers

Mark