Dome's house: JBL demonstrations in LA [Archive]

Titanium Dome

09-16-2010, 01:54 PM

If I can generate enough interest from Lansing Heritage and the AVS LA Home Theater Group, I will hold an open house at my place on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The open house will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (or thereabouts) and include demonstrations of the following JBL systems.

JBL Synthesis® One Array 7.1 dedicated home theater calibrated by Chris Neumann
JBL XPL200 stereo pair active biamp through a Greg Timbers-built DX-1
JBL S/2600 stereo pair final pre-production prototype
JBL Performance Series 5.1 music system
JBL K2 S9900 stereo pair

In addition to the demonstrations there will be a brief technical talk about each system.

I need to limit attendance to no more than 10-12 people, though usually it's hard to get more than 2-3 people to show up. :dont-know: In any case, it'll be a first-come, first-served RSVP basis for both LH and AVS members.

I'm located in San Pedro, CA near the LA Harbor.

If interested, PM me, but please ONLY do so if you're certain you'll attend. This is a lot of work to put together, and it pisses me off when people don't show up. :frantic:

spkrman57

09-16-2010, 02:46 PM

I would be there in a heartbeat if I lived within 8 hrs road trip from you!

I would love to hear those speakers!!!

Nice pic!!

Regards, Ron:jawdrop:

hjames

09-17-2010, 02:42 AM

Okay, now that's 2 strikes against you for the event.:D
You are too far away to attend ... :(
We have tickets for the musical Chess on the 25th ...:D

But otherwise, what a great thing, sharing with your peeps this way ...!:bouncy:

Sounds like a great time and if we were just a bit closer ...

bigyank

09-17-2010, 04:19 AM

Too far for me as well but what an awesome gift to the LH community. :hurray:

Yank

Hoerninger

09-17-2010, 04:39 AM

... though usually it's hard to get more than 2-3 people to show up. :dont-know:
Doug, you should not end this day with being disappointed. :)
There is a great interest by me, thank you for the offer.
Although I have plenty of time right now, ... it is the distance.

47611
____________
Peter

timc

09-17-2010, 06:59 AM

I live in the wrong country!!!! :banghead:

I were living in the US i would be there.

Titanium Dome

09-17-2010, 10:09 AM

Those of you living too far away: If you ever make it to SoCal, we can discuss a private demo.

timc

09-17-2010, 10:46 AM

Those of you living too far away: If you ever make it to SoCal, we can discuss a private demo.

If i go to the US you'll be the first on my "to call" list ;)

On the other hand. If you find yourself suddenly in Norway, please come check out my DIY mess :)

Audiobeer

09-17-2010, 04:45 PM

San Pedro, Ca. I was there in 1975 drinking many an ale coming from the USS San Bernadino while it was in dry dock. That town was quite a kick start for a rural midwestern teenager! :D Wish I was there to see your new Babies!

BMWCCA

09-17-2010, 08:18 PM

I'd love to come! What a great invitation.

The airfare is really quite reasonable. $500 round-trip!

I could leave my home town Saturday at 5:30am and with one stop be in LA by 10:08am. Return would be on Sunday at 10:30pm and I'd arrive home by 10:30am on Monday, including a three-and-a-half-hour layover in Charlotte.

Unfortunately I work every Saturday these days. :banghead:

Titanium Dome

09-19-2010, 09:38 AM

The AVS contingent is lining up for this event, the LH folks not so much. There's still room for a couple more participants, but I expect to be full in a day or so, so please RSVP soon if you're interested. :)

grumpy

09-19-2010, 02:06 PM

Having had a sneak preview, I can say that whoever
can make it is in for a real audio treat!

JBLAddict

09-19-2010, 05:21 PM

Having had a sneak preview, I can say that whoever
can make it is in for a real audio treat!

http://www.jesseshunting.com/images/flounder_oh_boy.png

Altec Best

09-19-2010, 11:44 PM

Sounds like a great time. Why are they always 3000 miles away ?? :banghead:

TD I hope there is a full contingent to be able to hear this treat. ;)

JBL 4645

09-20-2010, 06:16 AM

I don’t see why Dome shouldn’t video this, and put it on youtube least that would be one way rough way of hearing it, just use a decent microphone with the volume at lower level so that the low bass doesn’t overload distort the recoded sound.

Use the webcam on very long with an SPL db metre attached to the microphone input on the pc you can use the weighting setting to help keep down some of the noisy bass/sub bass peaks from overloading.

Oh, by the way I can’t attend as there is something like 17,000 miles between England and southern California.:D

Titanium Dome

09-20-2010, 09:24 AM

Oh, by the way I can’t attend as there is something like 17,000 miles between England and southern California.:D

Sorry to hear that. I was holding a spot for you, just in case. :)

Unfortunately I don't have a video cam, though I do have a small portable Web cam. The audio is terrible, however. Plus, once this event starts, I'll be too busy to think about video.

If someone wants to volunteer...

JBL 4645

09-20-2010, 03:40 PM

Sorry to hear that. I was holding a spot for you, just in case. :)

Unfortunately I don't have a video cam, though I do have a small portable Web cam. The audio is terrible, however. Plus, once this event starts, I'll be too busy to think about video.

If someone wants to volunteer...

Well that’s nice to have spot open for me, unless of course I scored on lottery for a few grand :D for plane ticket.

Come on now, Dome, video is for documentation. this is an Event!;) I trust you have an SPL db metre? If not rush out buy a cheap SPL db metre they work great once connected to the pc audio input, I use mine on the pc as the webcam microphone is dreadful sounding.

Set the webcam up in corner looking down or slightly across the room. Place the SPL db meter about middle and set the weighting or run a few tests with different weightings to get a balance that’s not too boomy or has to much treble.

Get a long lead to run from the room to pc or better still laptop pc.

Placing it at the back tends to pick up boom in the bass.

scott fitlin

09-20-2010, 11:17 PM

Doug, you and I share some common ground when it comes to audio and music, we have had good conversation here on the forum, I do wish I could make it out there to hear your new system. Your level of enthusiasm just tells me you got the goods, and I really want to hear what you have! At a later date, I might just PM you one day and say Hey I am in town, and lets go out for some great food. I have always enjoyed our conversations online, so in person should be equally good if not better, as we do share some common ground with our audio and music.

Anyway, you know I have been running some HALO amps on my horns and tweeters, and so far, I find my amps to be VERY good. REALLY powerful, but very finesseful, and clean, and totally quiet, no background noise, etc! My mid horns are sounding superbly clear, no glare, or harshness, notes jump out with authority, yet refinement.

I kind of think you might get Widget to let you play with a pair of the big HALO JC-1 mono blocks. Myself, tomorrrow, I am going to take my A-21, and switch it to bridge mono operation, and drive one of my double 15in TAD loaded basshorns with it, to get a glimpse of what the big HALO's might do in my system, as I am seriously looking at SIX JC-1 to power my 15,s! So far, what I am doing with the amps I have already, I am really happy with them. Without a doubt, for me, these are the most refined HIGH POWER amps I have ever had in my system, and tomorrow I will find out what they can do for the low end, well a small portion of the low end in my system. I am finding that as powerful as my A-21 is, they never make my 2in horns shout, bark or bite! Notes are incredibly clean, smooth, and detailed, without becoming shrill or brash sounding.

I will tell you my 1st impressions of the A-21 in bridge mono on low end tomorrow. My TAD woofers, are comparable to your JBL. For sure, what they say about the A-21,s strength in it's midrange I agree with. I am happy with what I have so far, and the price of this brand is nice, the build quality is GOOD! Sound quality is excellent, maybe this could be a possibility for you, too? And, with you being there, and near the Widget, and the Widget being a HALO dealer, and so on, and so forth. Of course, yes there are brands of amps that are even more pedigreed, but I am finding my money well spent thus far.

Food for thought.

Titanium Dome

09-21-2010, 11:57 PM

One spot left for Saturday. Any takers?

glen

09-22-2010, 09:14 AM

Hi Dome,

If that last open spot is still available I'd like to claim it.

Been very busy for months, missing the fun on the forum.
Can't think of a better way to jump back into Lansing-Land than hearing your great systems.

Glen

Titanium Dome

09-22-2010, 10:00 AM

louped garouv

09-22-2010, 12:31 PM

And the last spot is filled! :)

too cool of you TiDome....

I hope everybody there has a most excellent adventure!

:)

boputnam

09-22-2010, 11:52 PM

Thanks for the generous plan - but for me, another gig weekend. :crying:

I'll await the reports from the field. Rain check(s)...?

Titanium Dome

09-23-2010, 11:01 AM

too cool of you TiDome....

I hope everybody there has a most excellent adventure!

:)

Thanks for the generous plan - but for me, another gig weekend. :crying:

I'll await the reports from the field. Rain check(s)...?

I'm a little nervous about it. It's a long way from being how I want it with the K2s, but I know I'll get lots of feedback. :dead_horse:

My hope is to implement any suggestions I consider "not crazy" over time as my bank account recovers.

JBL 4645

09-23-2010, 12:13 PM

I'm a little nervous about it. It's a long way from being how I want it with the K2s, but I know I'll get lots of feedback. :dead_horse:

My hope is to implement any suggestions I consider "not crazy" over time as my bank account recovers.

What from the K2.:D

I like the cosmetic elegant sleek look finish of the K2 just don’t have that sort of money lying around.

I’d still video the gathering and I wouldn’t sweet it Dome, its bound to get positive and negative feedbacks, mostly positive I would think.;)

For the home cinema demo, you need to select a DVD or coughing bluray with lots and lots of dialogue panning and plenty of bass to sub bass to enveloping surround effects to show that can deliver smooth dialogue pans from centre to left and right and slightly in-between half pans.

Not many films around today that show this off. I’d look for classic selection Alien dvd 20th anniversary edition is a good show-off with plenty of now and dialogue panning over LCR.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is another with stereo surrounds.

My Fair Lady, lots! Of dialogue panning!

Bass heavy weight champions, like Titanic! The Matrix! Die Hard! Transformers!

The Matrix well reach down to 20Hz Titanic just tickles the near end depths of 20Hz Die Hard a bit shy of the 20Hz mark, more less around the 30Hz mark, Transforms, load of bollocks of film, it has I think a few or just one scene that gets down near 20Hz I think it’s the helicopter scene approaching the Pentagon for brief few seconds.

Altec Best

09-23-2010, 12:40 PM

And the last spot is filled! :)

Can't wait for all the observations of the equipment and really looking forward to it.:bouncy:

BTW: Everyone who is going Have a Great Weekend !! :)

Titanium Dome

09-24-2010, 03:56 PM

For those who RSVPed, I look forward to seeing you. I feel like I need another week to get ready, but...

Anyway, I'll be providing you with a light lunch, and there'll be beer, too! As a bonus, there's a little attendance gift you can take home.

If you want to bring music or video, just keep it reasonable, since you'll have to sit through the demo first. Then after lunch I'll probably have two or three systems open for use for your own discs. Just don't get me kicked out of the community!

See you tomorrow.

JBLAddict

09-25-2010, 05:48 PM

First, a HUGE thanks to Doug for opening his home and toys to a good sized group today. Also for supplying all the fixin's for a bona fide Chicago style hot dog, which I don't get much these days since leaving my hometown years ago:hurray:

There was a very well organized itinerary to move through the systems of mention, with calibrated listening levels (thanks Doug for holding an SPL meter during each segment:)) and duplicate demo DVD-A's for each setup, so the comparisons were normalized.

The PS 5.1 was everything I hoped for and much better than I really expected. The all Ti dome PT800 was a reall audiophile treat, and absolutely has me second guessing my choice to go all L series when I could have gone this route--wow, talk about clean airy high ends, speak to you vocals, with unwavering bottom end from the 4-PS1400s and two HTPS-400s....if I had this setup I'd remain plastered to those couches with all my SACD and DVDA for days on end....definitely my next move up the chain is this series

The XPL200A was something I've read extensively about but figured while great in the day, no longer relevant. Expected very little from this setup and boy I could not have been more wrong! When GT said the "killer combo of the Ti mid and tweeter", he wasn't kidding, and it's still very relevant. Doug stated that the DX-1 made the night and day difference, but either way, these are very special speakers, and while the MF/HF was almost shockingly good, the bottom was fantastic, any weakness in the mid-bass I read so much about was undetectable to me. Maybe the Citation electronics and custom DX-1 deserve the credit, I'll never know, but man I wish I had a pair

The S/2600 had a little tech difficulty from the amps, but nonetheless, their character was evident. They had a very smooth, mellow sound with a lot of "weight" but clearly lacking the fine detail of the other systems. I could easily spend a great deal of time listening to them, but the fact that they were horns was evident.

The Syn One HT was insane, I figured it would be a cool thing to have, but completely underestimated the power that two 18" subs would deliver and how phenomenal the action and dialog would be from the SAM1/2. While the cannon blasts were going off in Master and Commander, the sunglasses hanging from my shirt were literally rocking back and forth, the rear/side action from the S4Ai's makes in clear why they're in the Syn line. This was a true movie theatre, but with refined dynamics to boot. Watching movies on my Lseries HT is going to be tough coming from that.

Last, the K2. The right words are hard to find, you just had to be there;) Power, dynamics, finesse, detail, air, articulation, all the "superlatives" as Bob Costas would say, and this minus the ultra high end Pre/Amp that one would typically find. As I told one of the guests, and I mean this honestly, if I had these at home, I'd be finding reasons to ditch work early to come home like a desperate addict, and staying up way later than anyone should every night. They have the ability to make good music great, and take you into the music experience in a way other systems just can't match. For those who haven't heard them, it's worth finding someway, somewhere, to get the opportunity, the impression they leave is a life experience, and Doug's one lucky guy.

Sadly, Doug supplied each of us with a copy of the DVD-A used today, to compare our home systems.:p Looks like I have no choice now but to start greasing the upgrade skids at home....

Finally, thanks to Grumpy who spent a huge amount of time helping to setup the systems, notably the K2, and all the past working helping with the Two Jim's theatre. Was great to meet him, a genuinely nice guy with tons of knowledge and willingness to share it.

Altec Best

09-25-2010, 10:10 PM

JBLAddict Thanks for the update.It really sounds like it was a great time.A whole lotta fun comes to mind. ;)

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 09:54 AM

It was great to see Tony, Dave, and Glen again. They represented the Lansing Heritage membership with real class. It was interesting to see the interplay between them and the AVS LA Home Theater Group. More on that later.

Thanks to the excellent resources on this site, my owners manuals, and a little research, I put together a guide sheet for the day. Thanks especially to Greg Timbers and Techbot (you know who you are) for the wealth of facts at our fingertips. The order on the reference sheet is more or less he order we followed, which meant a lot of stair climbing on four different levels of the house (well five if you want to get super technical).

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 10:22 AM

As Tony wrote, I used a demo disc. It was the Kenwood DVD Audio Demonstration Disc 5.1 Collection (Silverline: EMI Capitol 72434-77900-9/6)

I chose six tracks.

Never Going Back Again--Fleetwood Mac (acoustic)
Sing Song Sung--Big Phat Band (big band)
Beethoven's 5th, Ist Movement--London Symphony
Rebel Yell--Bill Idol (punk rock)
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy--Cannonball Adderly (live jazz)
Only the Lonely--The Motels (pop)

Beforehand I cehcked each system and set volume/gain to achieve an 84dB level on my trusty RS analog meter. Then during each demo I rechecked the SPL, as the addition of bodies in the room and random seating arrangements made small changes necesary to maintain a uniform level.

I just shot a quick photo of the case, cuz I couldn't find an image online.

Everyone who attended got one of these as a parting gift to take home and use for comparison on their home systems. I bought thirty of these in a lot some tome ago to give out for just such occasions, so everyone got a legal copy.

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 10:40 AM

It was a farging hot day, even near the ocean, but we got started at 10 AM while it was still cool, though by 2:30 PM it was 94F outside and 80F inside.

We started with the XPL200A set downstairs, with me giving a bit of technical info, the story of the DX-1 coming out of Greg Timbers' closet, the rescue of the XPLs from a pawn shop in LA, etc. Then I shut up and let the speakers do the talking. Everyone was surprised by how amazingly good they were.

The DX-1 really brings these babies alive, along with two good amps and a really nice analog pre. Sweet.

Then it was up five flights of stairs to the S/2600s. After giving the spiel about how they were acquired from a former JBL employee, etc., etc., and naming the design features, awards won in Japan, etc., I fired them up, and...

...one channel wasn't playing! Crap. Well, in fact, it was playing but at a very reduced level, and if there's one system that requires good balance, the S/2600 with the Directivity Horn is it. It worked perfectly at 11 PM the night before. Just ask my GF whom I kept up while I rechecked every system one last time.;)

So I futzed around a bit and either an amp pot or pre pot was flaking out, so I gave an abbreviated demo.

Since I'm used to having SNAFUs like this everyday in life, it wasn't a big deal, but it was disappointing nonetheless. Of course, when I went back and checked it later, it worked perfectly. :banghead: :rotfl:

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 10:54 AM

From there it was down to the main floor and the Performance Series. This was a bit of a change up in that we listened to all those tracks in 5.1 rather than stereo. I must admit, it sounded damn fine. They wanted more than 84dB, so I obliged, and the system was more than up to the task. There were grins all around.

The home theater guys loved it, because, uh, they're home theater guys. Surround sound rules for them. I popped off one of the PT800 grilles, and a few eyes widened. What are those?

Why they're inverted Ti domes!

Why do you have eight subs?

I don't. The four stacks are running full range, just as the L205 and 250Ti do. In fact, look, here's the same 14" woofer in its -3 iteration.

Why four subs, then?

Ah well, let's talk JBL/Harman multisubs, shall we? Grumpy and Sanjay from AVS had been over when the JBL BassQ unit was hooked up here, so they carried the load on that discussion Good stuff, guys.

Erick, the Revel Ultima2 Studio HT owner offered, "Man, those drivers look a lot like mine, except I don't have anything like that big 14" woofer. What a difference!"

The AVS guys were reluctant, but we needed to move on, and I decided to go straight to the K2 S9900s, since they were a mere 18' away, and time was flying.

Altec Best

09-26-2010, 11:00 AM

Of course, when I went back and checked it later, it worked perfectly. :banghead: :rotfl:

Don't that beat all. Seems like you did a very thorough Demo Doug.Nice job.I have never heard the K2's and they are something I would really like to listen to if given the chance. :yes:

Thanks for the Updates ! Kind Regards ~ John

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 11:11 AM

The Lansing heritage guys were eager for the 2-channel K2s, but the AVSers really were more interested in going downstairs for some Synthesis® goodness. Nevertheless, everyone was obliging and moved quickly into position.

I spoke briefly about the lineage of the K2 S9900, including its relationship to Everest II and how it is actually newer than the Everest II. I shared the California Audio Show story of how the K2s topped the Ultima2 Salons within 30 seconds of hearing them, put in some plugs for Widget and Design Interaction, and shared the "white van" in San Luis Obispo story for everyone's entertainment. :p

Then I had to share how Grumpy and I had spent a whole day swapping amps, moving speakers, etc. A few folks were getting that, "Okay, here comes the snake oil hype" look, so I shut up.

Then we listened.

The bobbing heads, closed eyes, deep concentration of some revelaed their immersion in the experience. Others were just looking at the speakers, first one speaker, then the other, back and forth; or they were looking in the middle, appearing to place sounds, instruments, and artist in the soundstage; or they simply marveled.

I finished the demo, and people started reaching for discs. I fended them off, by saying we needed to move on, but after lunch, they could play any system they wanted, so they seemed pacified.

I noticed a couple of guys had to go up and touch them--I would call it a caress--before they left.

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 11:36 AM

Back down two flights of stairs to the room we started in, the AVS guys sort of stopped and started to sit down in the folding chairs again. Since there is a screen and projector in the fitness/game/music room and I hadn't fired up the SVA system, they thought that was the theater. Plus it's festooned with movie posters.

I came in and redirected them, "Uh, no guys, it's actually up there" as I pointed up the short stairs to the Two jims Theatre. "Take four chairs with you, since it only seats six as is."

Everyone got settled in, and I gave them the whole design, construction, component, calibration lecture. :D I decided to skip any music and go straight to cinema, so Master and Commander to the fore!

The AVS guys like "full reference," so I agreed to do -8dB as a compromise, because 0dB will kill you in that room.

The opening scenes are very effective at high volume due to the incredible atmosphere created by the sound engineer. This Synthesis® One Array does this better than any other system I've heard, and it's always an ear opener for folks who think they've heard an immersive system before. The experience has such great verisimiltude that it completely captures you in its seafaring spell.

As Tony wrote above, once those cannons open up, all bets are off. I was sitting on the floor at the side near the front so I could steal glances at the participants. When that fist salvo hit, at least half the group lurched in their seats, and two guys winced. It wasn't distorted or painfully loud; it just has unexpected impact. At -8 with my back against the wall, I could feel the room pressurize. It wasn't mere LF vibration; it was a bowing outward of the entire wall, then a recoil as the pressure diminished.

Thank goodness Chris Neumann told me not to put a door on the room and to use the adjacent room as a bass dump. He knew what he was doing.

After that harrowing experience, which was met with momentary complete silence after I turned it off, I gave Sanjya the remote (he's familiar with the system) and told everyone they could start playing their own stuff while I got lunch ready, then afterward they could use any of the systems to try out their own material.

After a nice lunch--Chicago dogs, YES!--and a few beers, people divided up to do auditions for themselves.

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 12:04 PM

Most attention was given to the One Arrays and the K2s, of course.

What I found most interesting is that two of the hard core, and I mean HARD CORE, AVS guys who are all about surround sound went immediately to the K2s and essentially stayed there for the rest of the day. I was truly shocked. Most people went down to the One Array system first.

Grumpy had swapped in his Audio Research pre during lunch, and it was a sweet companion for the K2s. Sadly, I couldn't talk him into leaving it. :( It made the K2s even more attractive to listen to, and I was very pleased. Thanks, G!

The K2 listeners put in disc after disc after disc, listening to favorite tracks which I'm sure they've heard hundreds of times. The guys were full of one word exclamations (amazing. unbelievable. unreal. wow.) and short bursts of commentary (can't believe this. never heard that before. first time I've ever really heard this track.)

There was the occasional rhetorical question (what in the world was that? did you hear that? how can I ever listen to this at home again? do I really have to leave?)

Eventually, everyone trickled up to the K2s, and there was a constant stream of guys with discs they wanted to hear.

Meanwhile, Grumpy and Glen had started a conversation with a couple of AVS guys that continued for some while. I was in and out of it so I'm not sure what all they talked about, but one thing I'm sure they talked about was the Lansing heritage and its impact and influence throughout the industry. I know I heard Locanthi and Ausberger come up.

Some of the AVS guys were a little skeptical when a JBL enthusiast (me) joined their ranks, but over time they've come to appreciate things JBL quite a bit more with my hosting of a few events like this. The thing that Dave and Glen brought to the mix was the knowledge and credibility to back up my slavish devotion to the brand. :banana:

I know a couple of the AVS guys really appreciated having the conversation and getting some solid info from them, so thanks, guys!

Tony's enthusiasm for good sound was a nice catalyst for different conversations, and I especially appreciated his fresh ears on my systems. I also appreciated the bottle of wine he brought. Well done, sir!

Even though I set 2 PM as the ending time, I really wouldn't force anyone out. They were having a good time, so we rolled on until nearly three or so. I think a couple of them would have stayed longer, but they felt peer pressure to leave when the bulk of the group departed.

Titanium Dome

09-26-2010, 12:15 PM

My final thought are these:

This is a lot of work to do right.
The day before it happens can be stressful.
Something will always go wrong.
There are a lot of very nice people on AVS and LH.
I always enjoy getting together with audio and video enthusiasts.
Hosting and feeding people is one of the great human social expressions.
Despite my premonitions and the goof with the S/2600s, every system sounded amazing even to my hypersentive state of mind.
There's a ton of good music out there that I'd never hear if I didn't have people over.
AVSers and LHers are generous by nature and good and respectful guests.
I am an extraordinarily fortunate man.
It was FUN!

If I do another, I hope some more of you can attend. :yes:

Altec Best

09-26-2010, 12:46 PM

If I do another, I hope some more of you can attend. :yes:

Hey Doug, Will you be moving to the East Coast anytime soon ? :D

Regards ~ John

tom1040

09-26-2010, 02:01 PM

It sounds like everyone had a great time. I am bit disappointed with the S/2600 reaction however. I LOVE these speakers. As I have mentioned, I personally feel they need a great high powered SS amp.

With mine, a MC402 does the trick. Someone, sometime, may actually try this. I would love to read impressions. Abeit, I do have a Tannoy ST for a tad bit of coverage on the HF, but damn.....

I don't think it won the awards for the JBL name but I may be wrong.

Nonetheless, I wish I was there. Sounds like a great time-awesome TD that you could do this. I also thing your family needs a bit of :applaud::applaud:

Be well everyone & take care of your loved ones :)

glen

09-26-2010, 11:31 PM

Thanks Dome!

That was a really awesome demo.

Your standardized procedure allowed the differences in character of even these uniformly fine systems to become quite distinct.

It was also easy to appreciate how effective the acoustic treatment in your JBL Synthesis equipped screening room was.

Hearing the systems was great,
hearing Dome's stories about putting them together was priceless.

The K2s were my favorites.
By far the best speakers I've ever heard,
maybe the best I'll ever hear.

Thanks Again,

Glen

JuniorJBL

10-05-2010, 08:34 AM

WOW!!

What a great time Dome! I do wish I could have been there.:(

If in the future if you do this again try to give me 4 weeks’ notice so I can get a plane ticket to come and enjoy the gathering.

Congrats to you and yours for the social aspect of your generosity and just plain old "good people".:applaud:

Titanium Dome

02-10-2011, 11:49 AM

On Saturday, February 26th from 10 AM to 3 PM, I'm doing another JBL demonstration and meet at my place. This will be less formal than the last one, but most of the same systems will be available for listening.

Once again, association rules limit me to about a dozen visitors, so if you're interested, PM me soon, as I'll have to put anyone after #12 on a waiting list. Since this is also open to the AVS Los Angeles Home Theater Group, it will fill up.

As last time, I'll even feed you lunch, but it wouldn't hurt if you brought a beverage or snack to share. Bring a favorite disk or two as well.

Hope some of you can make it.

EDIT: I'm already at #7.

EDIT 2: I'm not giving out free discs this time, though I may raffle a couple.

cosmos

02-10-2011, 07:45 PM

Sir Dome, I cannot begin to tell you how tempted I am to book some flights.. What an incredible opportunity you are offering. I regret wholeheartedly that you aren't a couple thousand miles closer.

Titanium Dome

02-10-2011, 08:55 PM

Sir Dome, I cannot begin to tell you how tempted I am to book some flights.. What an incredible opportunity you are offering. I regret wholeheartedly that you aren't a couple thousand miles closer.

Hey, I'll be in Ohio in late March/early April. Unfortunately, I won't be bringing my JBLs with me. My mom's near Toledo, and Bose is the order of the day for her and her husband.

Toledo-Chicago-LA is doable. So is Cleveland-St.Louis-LA and Cincinnati-LA. I've done 'em all.

mikebake

02-11-2011, 06:25 AM

Hey, I'll be in Ohio in late March/early April. Unfortunately, I won't be bringing my JBLs with me. My mom's near Toledo, and Bose is the order of the day for her and her husband.

Toledo-Chicago-LA is doable. So is Cleveland-St.Louis-LA and Cincinnati-LA. I've done 'em all.
What town is she in?

Titanium Dome

02-11-2011, 08:20 AM

What town is she in?

My mom's near Waterville; my dad's in Perrysburg. I grew up near Monclova.

Titanium Dome

02-26-2011, 11:10 PM

Thanks to Grumpy and JBLAddict for showing up at the meet today. We had several AVS LA Home Theater Group attendees, so I was glad a couple of Heritage members made it.

In spite of dire predictions of rain, the day was sunny, but windy and cool. We had plenty of eats and lots of cool audio and video to digest, so, woo-hoo! :homer:

Now, if I can just figure out how to entice more JBL fans to show up. :dont-know:

rusty jefferson

02-27-2011, 05:24 AM

Now, if I can just figure out how to entice more JBL fans to show up. :dont-know:

Got any frequent flier miles going unused? I could use a trip out west. :yes:

doodle6

02-27-2011, 07:14 AM

Sir Dome, I cannot begin to tell you how tempted I am to book some flights.. What an incredible opportunity you are offering. I regret wholeheartedly that you aren't a couple thousand miles closer.

Indeed!! I would love to be able to hear a variety of speaker/electronics/media/music combinations, especially when put together by people who share the interest and appreciation of great sounding music.

JBLAddict

02-27-2011, 02:56 PM

Tom, coming back here just for you;) After a second time around, this time with the 2600s powered by a fully functioning Synthesis amp (I believe, Doug correct me if wrong), the 2600s are FULLY redeemed. Doug broke me off from other system listening just to hear these, and I'm glad he did. They were absolutely fantastic with both channels fully driven. Killer balance top to bottom, rich deep bass, and sparkling highs that were absent last time. Like the other top end JBL horn systems I've heard, E2, K2, 4338, S4600, these fit right in.....

The S/2600 had a little tech difficulty from the amps, but nonetheless, their character was evident. They had a very smooth, mellow sound with a lot of "weight" but clearly lacking the fine detail of the other systems. I could easily spend a great deal of time listening to them, but the fact that they were horns was evident.\

It sounds like everyone had a great time. I am bit disappointed with the S/2600 reaction however. I LOVE these speakers. As I have mentioned, I personally feel they need a great high powered SS amp.

With mine, a MC402 does the trick. Someone, sometime, may actually try this. I would love to read impressions. Abeit, I do have a Tannoy ST for a tad bit of coverage on the HF, but damn.....

I don't think it won the awards for the JBL name but I may be wrong.

grumpy

02-27-2011, 05:58 PM

Thanks, Sir Dome of Ti!

A teaser pic for those who missed it -
(actually, I didn't take more pics...
I set the camera down and just enjoyed the company, music,
"mostly meat-free" comestibles, and the obligatory gunfight
scene in the HT room ... Book of Eli this time)

50216

Titanium Dome

02-27-2011, 11:17 PM

Titanium Dome

02-27-2011, 11:19 PM

tom1040

02-28-2011, 11:04 AM

Altec Best

02-28-2011, 12:15 PM

Now, if I can just figure out how to entice more JBL fans to show up. :dont-know:

Move to the East Coast ! :D I'm sure we would be lined up around the block.;)

Why are they always a 3000 mile trip. :(

Titanium Dome

02-28-2011, 05:34 PM

With the winter you guys have had, that would be motivation enough for me to take a trip west. Snow, wind, freezing rain, frigid temps, YIKES!

tom1040

03-02-2011, 07:54 AM

With the winter you guys have had, that would be motivation enough for me to take a trip west. Snow, wind, freezing rain, frigid temps, YIKES!

Man, isn't that the truth!:eek:

80sKid

05-30-2011, 04:02 AM

Doug,

I don't get around to visiting this forum much, but I like keeping an eye on the discussions. I especially like seeing what you post and what you are up to with your systems.

Your generosity in sharing your systems with other enthusiasts is admirable and much appreciated. I hope that I might be in your area some day and get to meet you and "Talk JBL" with you. :)

-Chris

Titanium Dome

05-30-2011, 03:15 PM

badman

06-01-2011, 10:54 AM

If I ever get my butt in gear and Grumpy and I get the PT250s done sometime in June or July, I might try to get something together in August for a LH meet of some sort. I might let a couple of the AVS guys in just to fill the seats, but really would like to have some genuine LH participation.

If any of you outside of SoCal are planning a summer trip in or near LA, I could try to host something that might accommodate your schedule(s). Or I could just pick a date and you could lie to your families about finally taking that trip to Disney Land, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Lego Land, Seaworld, and Magic Mountain.

If I can, I'd want to invite a couple of special guests to honor them, perhaps even host a banquet at a nearby landmark as a fundraiser for LH.

I'm in, if I can be. Please let me know when you are ready to go (I usually stick to the top few forums here so miss some of the good stuff down below). Would be nice to have a decent demo of the K2s. I've seen them at shows but the Harman reps always seem to be morons, to put it politely. College kids with no interest in music, sound quality, or anything but "loud".