So what JBL speaker would you pick???

[bigyank]

I have been watching from the sidelines here for the better part of 2 months and got to say that you all are a great bunch and really know your JBL (among other speakers).

I collect vintage gear, but have always been leary of vintage speakers for my heavy listening (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc.). Notice I did NOT say critical listening. I love hard rock, like deep punchy bass (25-40Hz) range.

Now for my question, if I wanted to procure a pair of JBLs what would one or should one look at. I like 4430-4435's but cannot sacrifice the wallet or the space!

Again, great site and very, very informative information!

John

[Zilch]

Get the 4430's you like. They're a special breed.

MAKE room for them.

They go for $800 - $1200 used....

[bob newton]

Zilch, I think he is saying that he likes the sound of the speakers he listed but is looking for something cheaper and smaller that would sound similar :bouncy:

[bob newton]

So what JBL speaker would you pick???

BIGYANK, what do you have for power? Watts to power whatever you buy?

[bigyank]

Good question! Currently I am using for my main rig Adcom gfa-5800 power amplifier mated with gtp-450 tuner/pre-amp. 250 watts/ch @ 8 ohm. Yes I actually listened to the 4430's (I think, might have been the lesser 4425) at work when I worked at GE in the 80's they had them for the auditorium there!

Bottom line is I own Klipsch Heresy I's (clean but absolutely no bottom end, have had Acoustic Research AR-1s (bass boomed but sounded like crap to me!) and other odds and sods. ALWAYS liked the JBL sound and until this stage in life I could never even think I could afford them:applaud:

John

[Titanium Dome]

Now for my question, if I wanted to procure a pair of JBLs what would one or should one look at. I like 4430-4435's but cannot sacrifice the wallet or the space!

John

How much wallet and space DO you have?

[Zilch]

I think he is saying that he likes the sound of the speakers he listed but is looking for something cheaper and smaller that would sound similar.That's the problem. If what you like is 4430, there's nothing similar. Even 4425's are voiced differently, and those need subs for big, deep bass.

Well, not THIS big, necessarily. :D

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3533

[bob newton]

250 watts/ch @ 8 ohm

Should be enough, Hey T D that was my next question :applaud:

[bob newton]

ZILCH : He will just have to swallow hard then:dont-know

[bigyank]

I ran the Klipsch Heresy I's with the Adcom (everyone says go tube) and a JBL PSW-D112 sub (12" 250 watt sub) but never liked that either.

Sub & monitor combo then? Hey I appreciate the help on this!

John

[speakerdave]

If I'm inferring the facts correctly you should be looking at the JBL family of 12" 3-way monitors from the L100 to the 4412A. Probably will not actually go a lot deeper than your Heresy's, but they will go some deeper, I believe, and will have tighter, punchier bass response. I would look for a pair of 4311's and later get a pair of L56 (LE14A woofer--probably will need a refoam-- and LE20 tweeter) to put under them. You could run both pairs with one stereo amp stable at 4 ohms.

David

[mikebake]

I ran the Klipsch Heresy I's with the Adcom (everyone says go tube) and a JBL PSW-D112 sub (12" 250 watt sub) but never liked that either.

Sub & monitor combo then? Hey I appreciate the help on this!

John

C'mon, give us the space/wallet info. Don't worry, we'll be gentle.

[bob newton]

JBL family of 12" 3-way monitors from the L100 to the 4412A.

I agree with Dave!! 100% unless you got mulla for more and bigger.

L-100's for eva !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :applaud: :dj-party: :band:

[bob newton]

BTW, My brother has them expensive Kiypch speakers with a mighty superman amp and he says my peanut L-100's and mouse 9090 sansui put his big buck system to shame! SO THERE!!! :duel:

[bob newton]

David, not to change the subjest but, Do you really think the 4311's sound better than the L-100's? I got both and everyone says the L-100's sound better??????????????????

[jblnut]

Maybe we need to setup a FAQ for the "I'm ready to get a JBL" folks who show up and ask very similar questions. We just did this a few weeks ago as I recall..

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=4971&highlight=time+rocker

In summary - get a decent 3-way like 4313B, 4410 or 4412 which will set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. If you get lucky and happen across a 120Ti or 240ti they can often be had for similar money and are a step up. If you want mega bass you might look into the larger L150, L220 or L222 if you can get 'em in the door pass the wife. Those will probably run closer to $1k for a nice pair. From there you could go L300, L250 or look into any of the large format 4-ways like a 4343 for example. You'll be well on your way to $2k for any of those.

Welcome aboard !

jblnut




jblnut

[bob newton]

Maybe we need to setup a FAQ for the "I'm ready to get a JBL" folks who show up and ask very similar questions. We just did this a few weeks ago as I recall..


GREAT IDEA! :applaud:

[majick47]

JBLNUT liked the way you grouped the JBLs according to size, price range etc. Third the motion for the FAQ!

[bob newton]

I think most of us here agree, JBL's can't be beat!:cheers:

[Robh3606]

You might want to do stages. You could grab a 2225 or similar frame about $50 and get it reconned to a 2235 $120. Get the skill saw out and build a cabinet for it. Set the 2235 up as a sub for your current speakers or use an LE-14 and then select a suitable pair of JBL satelites like 4406's L20T/T3 or 4408's L60t/t3 or the larger 3 ways. You will certainly have that low end punch you are looking for.

Rob:)

[bob newton]

You will certainly have that low end punch you are looking for

The punch, clarity , brilliance, and presence that only JBL can deliver!! :bouncy:

[Rusnzha]

Sooner or later, I will get something bigger than my L 100s. There are many interesting choices that can be made, but right now I got 4348s on my computer desktop screen and everytime I call home I ask the old lady if they came yet. JBL rules!

[bob newton]

Sooner or later

Sooner or later love is gonna get you! I'll buy anything that says "JBL" cept the new stuffffff

[Titanium Dome]

Sooner or later

Sooner or later love is gonna get you! I'll buy anything that says "JBL" cept the new stuffffff

Then you run the risk of missing out on some of the best stuff. :duck:

I know that might raise the ire of traditionalists, but then... :banghead: ...old prejudices die hard.

John
If I were to give my considered advice based on the information we have, to ROCK!, then I'd go beyond the safe 3-way recommendations straight to some used L7, L5, SVA2100, or SVA1800 pairs. All are available for well under $800 a pair. The L5s and L7s are 4-way designs, powerful, and lively. The SVAs are 2-way dual woofer and horn designs that will eat all the power you can feed them, yet play loud with moderate power. They will laser their gut-punching, head-knocking sound right into your brain.

And yes, I still love my L100s. :bouncy:

[speakerdave]

Do you really think the 4311's sound better than the L-100's?
I don't really have a preference; I was just being sidetracked by the fact that the cabinet design of the 4311 lends itself to being stacked on another speaker.

David

[bryantkenneth]

L150 might be a good choice for rock...they have a little bigger sound than the L100 and a lot more cost effective than the L300, I've seen a set or two advertised in the past for $250.00 - $350.00. Good luck!

[bigyank]

Wow! A lot to go on here! The L-7's as I stated were ones I let my wife talk me out of and at the time almost purchased a pair from J&R Music World for 1200.00 if memory serves me! Right now I have JBL S-38II's with the sub with the Klipschs upstairs hooked to the office system (old Nikko separates anchored by an Alpha 220). The biggest obstacle though is the fact that the shipping is killer as well and that limits my search area as I am trying to give them a listen as well!

John

[SUPERBEE]

IMHO..........



I use and recommend the JBL Olympus powered by McIntosh tube amps with a McIntosh tube pre-amp.

This current set up is the best I have had for everything, especially Rock & Roll.

[pmakres1]

Lets not forget the L220!!

Peter M. :)

Oops I'm sorry, jblnut did mention the L220. In that case I second the motion for the L220! I've had mine 23 years and haven't ever seen a reason to change. Okay so I'm partial....

[slxrti]

A pair of 240ti would be my choice, In my mind, a clear improvement over the 100's and Klipsch Heresy I',

The Heresy, because of there high sensitivity are very dynamic and have the edge over the 240ti. Refinement, deep bass and smoothness I give it to the JBL’s.

If price and space are available the 4430 or 4435 are my choice, especially at there price point. But in the 500 dollar range the 240ti gets my vote.
The 240ti don't have the following as the L100's. But as far as reproduction of music they are very good.


slxrti

[boputnam]

Hey, bigyank...

I'll chime in "hear", mostly because the 4345 hasn't been mentioned! :(

For my taste, and setting, they are simply amazing. But, they are strictly not "plug-and-play" - they take some specific EQ'ing. But once done, they outperform.

If you ever get a chance, go have a listen somewhere... :bouncy:

[lodoc]

you guys are killing me with these numbers. I have had a pair of L-100's and still have a pair of L-65's. where do I find out about these other speakers in case I stumble across a pair?

[johnaec]

where do I find out about these other speakers in case I stumble across a pair?Look through the libraries here - there's a wealth of information. You'll also find a ton of stuff at www.jblpro.com (http://www.jblpro.com/) . Go to Products, then Vintage Products. You'll find most of the studio monitors in the Recording & Broadcast Sound section.

For the home types of speakers, go to www.jbl.com (http://www.jbl.com/) and look at Product Spport under Home Audio. They have at least some info on most older systems. But the libraries here actually have most the home systems brochures posted, for even more info.

John

[Rusnzha]

Hey Bo -- I'm curious about the big 43xx monitors. Do you need to adjust the relative levels with the 3 adjustments on the crossover or are you using other devices for this purpose. Can you describe how you are setting these up.

Thanks