S3900s inbound!

[migman]

I will be receiving a pair of gently used S3900 speakers next week. I went back and forth trying to decide between Array 1400s or the S3900s, but for my small room I felt the S3900 would be the best fit. I will post pics and listening thoughts once they get here.

[Mctwins]

Yeah!!!!:applaud:

Nice....

[audiomagnate]

Be honest, did the way they look have anything to do with your decision? I love the way the 1400's sound but sure wish they didn't look like a man eating duck.

[migman]

Be honest, did the way they look have anything to do with your decision? I love the way the 1400's sound but sure wish they didn't look like a man eating duck.

While I do prefer the aesthetics of the S3900 over the 1400, I could have easily gone with the 1400 if it fit. I had Array 800s for a couple of years and the vertical horn didn't bother me at all.

[BMWCCA]

Do they happen to be coming to you from Home Audio Sound in Colorado?

[migman]

Do they happen to be coming to you from Home Audio Sound in Colorado?

They would have had I bought new, but these came from a private seller.

[JoeNelis]

I will be receiving a pair of gently used S3900 speakers next week. I went back and forth trying to decide between Array 1400s or the S3900s, but for my small room I felt the S3900 would be the best fit. I will post pics and listening thoughts once they get here.


nice........:applaud::applaud:

[Dave_72]

I will be receiving a pair of gently used S3900 speakers next week. I went back and forth trying to decide between Array 1400s or the S3900s, but for my small room I felt the S3900 would be the best fit. I will post pics and listening thoughts once they get here.

Congrats! I can't wait to see your review so to speak. :coolness:

[migman]

They're here...

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Listening impressions to follow. :D

[SEAWOLF97]

is that stacked turntables ?

[migman]

is that stacked turntables ?

Nope, Scoutmaster 2 turntable is sitting on top of a 3" thick maple block.

[JeffW]

Those are nice looking speakers, congrats on the purchase.

What are the other speakers off to the sides?

[Mr. Widget]

Very nice looking analog centric system!

Congratulations!!


Widget

[migman]

Those are nice looking speakers, congrats on the purchase.

What are the other speakers off to the sides?


Thanks, the other speakers are Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand SEs. Also an excellent speaker, but very different from the JBLs.

[Dave_72]

Awesome. Congrats on finally getting them! And you have an Accuphase integrated, another winner. It looks like you have many hours of great listening sessions ahead of you! :coolness:

[SEAWOLF97]

Nope, Scoutmaster 2 turntable is sitting on top of a 3" thick maple block.

A fan of Pierre Sprey ?

[migman]

A fan of Pierre Sprey ?

I like Mapleshade's stuff but not their prices. I got my block from a carpenter for a fraction of the cost of a comparable Mapleshade.

[SEAWOLF97]

I like Mapleshade's stuff but not their prices. I got my block from a carpenter for a fraction of the cost of a comparable Mapleshade.

I sure hope it works as well without MS's proprietary cryo burn-in (at extra cost) ;)

He writes entertaining copy (as did DAK) , but cable towers and the like just loose me.


Congrats on the new speakers, after living with them a bit ... opinions ?

[Mr. Widget]

He writes entertaining copy...:applaud:


So now with a bit of time on them, how are the S3900s?


Widget

[migman]

:applaud:


So now with a bit of time on them, how are the S3900s?


Widget

I am really enjoying them. They are quite a bit different to my previous speakers. The amount of clarity and detail is amazing. I thought at first they might sound a bit too detailed, but after listening for a while they are not fatiguing at all. I find that they do bass very very well. The bass is extremely tight and quick with just the right amount of punch. My prior Viennas went a touch lower but the S3900s sound more correct to me. Another characteristic of these speakers I enjoy is how effortless they are. They play at high SPLs (for me mid 90s in my small room) extremely well without any sense of compression or distortion. They just play the music louder. JBL must be a bit more honest in their sensitivity ratings compared to other manufacturers. I must also say they match well with my Accuphase E-560 integrated amp. I still do not have a ton of hours on these, so I will revisit this thread as my listening experience goes on. Thank you all for the kind words.

[Dave_72]

I am really enjoying them. They are quite a bit different to my previous speakers. The amount of clarity and detail is amazing. I thought at first they might sound a bit too detailed, but after listening for a while they are not fatiguing at all. I find that they do bass very very well. The bass is extremely tight and quick with just the right amount of punch. My prior Viennas went a touch lower but the S3900s sound more correct to me. Another characteristic of these speakers I enjoy is how effortless they are. They play at high SPLs (for me mid 90s in my small room) extremely well without any sense of compression or distortion. They just play the music louder. JBL must be a bit more honest in their sensitivity ratings compared to other manufacturers. I must also say they match well with my Accuphase E-560 integrated amp. I still do not have a ton of hours on these, so I will revisit this thread as my listening experience goes on. Thank you all for the kind words.

Thanks for the little review. The S4700s I use are basically what you described the S3900s as. However, the S4700s did not sound good out of the box. It took at least 200-300 hours of break in to sound as good as they do now. Another thing is thanks for confirming my assumption of Accuphase working well with them. I'm going for the big A-70 amp, so that should be enough power to drive the S4700s since your E-560 can drive the S3900s. Anyway, good luck and happy listening!

[martin_wu99]

They're here...

62951
62952
62953
62954

Listening impressions to follow. :D
Great,how does it sound comparing with S4700/4429?waiting for your listening review:D

[migman]

Great,how does it sound comparing with S4700/4429?waiting for your listening review:D

I don't have S4700s or 4429s at my disposal to compare to, so I will never know. :)

[martin_wu99]

Thanks for the little review. The S4700s I use are basically what you described the S3900s as. However, the S4700s did not sound good out of the box. It took at least 200-300 hours of break in to sound as good as they do now. Another thing is thanks for confirming my assumption of Accuphase working well with them. I'm going for the big A-70 amp, so that should be enough power to drive the S4700s since your E-560 can drive the S3900s. Anyway, good luck and happy listening!
Are you sure that you really want Accuphase?:D
Many old JBL enthusiasts suggest tube to match JBL horn such as Conrad Johnson:applaud:

[martin_wu99]

I don't have S4700s or 4429s at my disposal to compare to, so I will never know. :)
Have you ever listened to ARRAY 1400 and 4365?what's the impresssion?
Thanks

BR

Martin

[Dave_72]

Are you sure that you really want Accuphase?:D
Many old JBL enthusiasts suggest tube to match JBL horn such as Conrad Johnson:applaud:

Yes, I'm sure, but only Class A models. I understand, but I'm not a tube guy.

[martin_wu99]

Yes, I'm sure, but only Class A models. I understand, but I'm not a tube guy.
Dave,Accuphase+JBL is a classic match for vintage JBL,but how will it sound with new JBL?you know new JBL need more power than old ones:blink:

[Dave_72]

Dave,Accuphase+JBL is a classic match for vintage JBL,but how will it sound with new JBL?you know new JBL need more power than old ones:blink:

Well, at 94db sensitivity for the S4700s, I would think it would be ok, especially the bigger amps like the A-70. Migman's integrated is less power, and he seems to be doing ok.

[martin_wu99]

Well, at 94db sensitivity for the S4700s, I would think it would be ok, especially the bigger amps like the A-70. Migman's integrated is less power, and he seems to be doing ok.
Everyone has different need.don't treat tiger as a dog, pls perform your S4700 most potential.:D

[Mctwins]

Hallo!

As to my understanding, S4700, S3900, 1000 Array, 800 Array and 4429 share the same HF driver 175Nd-3, the rest is differen't.:)

[Dave_72]

Everyone has different need.don't treat tiger as a dog, pls perform your S4700 most potential.:D

Ok, fair enough. :p

[migman]

Well, at 94db sensitivity for the S4700s, I would think it would be ok, especially the bigger amps like the A-70. Migman's integrated is less power, and he seems to be doing ok.

Agreed. My class A, 30 watt integrated has more than enough headroom for the S3900s. That is one aspect of these speakers I really enjoy, the ability to handle dynamic music. Big orchestral pieces sound absolutely amazing. They also excel at rock music. They are just flat out fun.

[Dave_72]

Agreed. My class A, 30 watt integrated has more than enough headroom for the S3900s. That is one aspect of these speakers I really enjoy, the ability to handle dynamic music. Big orchestral pieces sound absolutely amazing. They also excel at rock music. They are just flat out fun.

That's cool, migman. I figured as much. That's a very nice integrated you have. One of the best on the market. As for the rest, you could say that about the S4700s for the most part. :coolness:

Are you gonna post over at Audio Aficionado? :D