Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 18

Thread: Help me decide?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Steve K's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The Far East
    Posts
    128

    Help me decide?

    I have got to make a painful decision in the not too distant future. Contrary to my wishes, I have no choice but to part with one of the two large JBL systems I currently own: a 250Ti and a 4344MkII. At the moment, I'm leaning towards keeping the 250Ti, for mainly two reasons: 1) The overall sound balance is better on the 250Ti for playing a variety of music genres, including occasional classical pieces, and 2) it will be difficult to find another pair of 250Ti's in the future here in Japan, especially a pair in almost mint condition as mine. I also own a pair of 4313B, which will complement the 250Ti when I feel like listening to a JBL monitor sound. The 4344MkII is a crisp sounding system that suits my preferred type of listening material, jazz, very well, and is very direct and has a tighter bass(it's a studio monitor, after all), but I sometimes feel it to be too analytical, if you know what I mean.

    I would be inclined to know what other members here think. Any and all comments are appreciated.

    Steve K

  2. #2
    Senior Member Michael Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    175

    Descisions Descisions

    Hey Steve
    that's easy DONOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT do it!
    they are both rare birds, there has to be a way for some one to baby sit the monitors I would gladly oblige but the geography isn't perfect is it?
    "Some of the best deals I ever did, I never did"my father used to say that.
    Regards
    Michael

  3. #3
    Senior Member Steve K's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The Far East
    Posts
    128
    Thank you, Michael.
    I know! However, keeping both is not an option.
    I'm down-sizing my abode, and it costs a bit to move so I need to convert some of my audio equipments into cash . I plan to put these, including one of the subject pairs, up on the local web auction 48 hours from now, which will be late Sunday night here.

    Another factor is that the expected sale price for the 4344MkII would be much higher than for the 250Ti. The 250Ti was never that popular among Japanese JBL fans, who think that its sound is much too calm for a JBL, although I'm sure that over 90% of them have never actually heard one in person.

    Whichever way it goes, I know I'll miss either pair.

  4. #4
    Administrator Mr. Widget's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    9,720
    I'd keep the 250Tis myself... but I know I'd find myself in the shop down the road building another pair of horn speakers... it's a viscous cycle.


    Widget

  5. #5
    Senior Member Michael Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    175

    Bugger!!

    Don't you hate common sense Steve, any way I'm with Mr Widget on this one keep the 250tis.
    Then run to the bank weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
    Have a good weekend
    Regards
    Michael

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Central Coast California
    Posts
    9,042
    For me it would be an easy choice: 250ti stays. As Widget indicates, one can always build another horn system down the road, even a 4344MkII clone with available parts. It's a tough call to try to build some 250Ti cabs, though, and to construct the networks. Keep the 250Tis.
    Out.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    120
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve K View Post
    Whichever way it goes, I know I'll miss either pair.
    If I felt that way I would sell all three, move into my new place and buy a new pair based on the room. If you are unhappy loosing a pair why not be a little more unhappy and lose all three but with a possibility of a better sounding future.*

    *I have no ideal what the market is like in Japan.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Steve K's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The Far East
    Posts
    128

    Thanks all.

    I decided to keep the 250Ti pair, mainly because I'm satisfied with its sound qualities, but also for its scarcity here in Japan. As member Shane implies, there still is the question of whether the 250Ti will be a good match for the room where it'll be placed next, but at this time I am still looking. The 250Ti loves space, and probably would sound boomy in a smaller room, and if that may be the case then I might do what Shane suggests. In any case, ever since becoming a member of this great forum, I've had so many opportunities to listen to different JBL systems, both older and new, which helped me a lot in forming a clearer preference in the kind of sound characteristics, as well as the system (amp, cd-player, etc) that I like, and so, what will be left would be whats most satisfying to my ears today.

    So, I put out on the auction block, a pair of 4344MkII, a pair of L100 Century, a Bryston 3B-SST amp, and a Musical Fidelity X Can headphone amp. The results will be out next Sunday. If anyone's curious as to what the market for these items are in Japan, let me know and I'll post a link to my auction listings.

    Thank you all for your feedback, and wish me luck.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    120
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve K View Post
    The 250Ti loves space, and probably would sound boomy in a smaller room, and if that may be the case then I might do what Shane suggests.
    I have a very small room. The biggest problem I have found is not with boomy bass, but the lack of distance masking the phase problems. 3 and 4-ways sometimes sound "chopped up" because you have to sit too close for them to blend together. The boomy bass is at least somewhat fixable.

    Steve, is Hi-Fi Do close on prices? I assume they are a little on the high side. I like to look at their archives for speakers that are rare in the USA. Some of the items go for a lot more than I would have imagined.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Steve K's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The Far East
    Posts
    128

    Hifido et al in Japan

    Here are three audio shops that also sell used items. The first is Hifido, which you obviously have seen already. The next one is of a large audio shop that has several stores specializing in used gear. The third is a specialty audio store from which I bought my 250Ti, and at a great price, too (significantly lower than what I might have had to pay in the US, but that's probably due to its lesser popularity here)! The latter two are only in Japanese, so you might have to guess your way around. And, to answer your question, prices here are at least 30% to 50% higher than what you'd get in the States. For example, the Bryston 3B-SST's suggested retail price is around $42000 new, which of course can be bought at a discount which is anywhere from 15% to 30% lower. I got mine for less than 50% its full price, because it was a special clearance and demo only deal.

    http://www.hifido.co.jp/indexe.html
    http://www.audiounion.jp/bin/products/used/A3/-/-/
    http://www.stereo.co.jp/

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    120
    Thanks for the links Steve. Those Accuphase prices are a steal compared to the US prices.

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    7,942
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve K View Post
    I decided to keep the 250Ti pair, mainly because I'm satisfied with its sound qualities, but also for its scarcity here in Japan. So, I put out on the auction block, a pair of 4344MkII, a pair of L100 Century, a Bryston 3B-SST amp, and a Musical Fidelity X Can headphone amp. The results will be out next Sunday. If anyone's curious as to what the market for these items are in Japan, let me know and I'll post a link to my auction listings.

    Thank you all for your feedback, and wish me luck.
    Steve, Good call,

    See if you can find an X350 or a X150.5 for a reasonable price at some stage, they would be a worthy set-up from the Bryston.

    Ian

  13. #13
    Senior Member Steve K's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The Far East
    Posts
    128

    Sold!

    Well, the auction ended a few hours ago, and the 4344MkII was sold with a winning bid of about $4K. Less than what I paid for at a local audio store, but much more than what I'd get by selling to a business, so I'm happy.

    Also, I came across a Pass X150 which was being offered at a very appealing clearance price which I just couldn't pass (excuse the pun) up. I decided to sell my present Mac MC300 amp, which has a 'sell' value that is much more than the price of this X150.

    Ian, although it's not a X150.5, the newer model, the X150 sounds wonderful! The overall tranparency of the sound improved, as did the sound stage imagery. I also don't notice any reduction in power. Best of all, the bass is more tighter, less boomy, more controlled. I believe the Pass is a better match, for me, with the 250Tis. So, thanks for your recommendation.

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    7,942
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve K View Post
    Well, the auction ended a few hours ago, and the 4344MkII was sold with a winning bid of about $4K. Less than what I paid for at a local audio store, but much more than what I'd get by selling to a business, so I'm happy.

    Also, I came across a Pass X150 which was being offered at very appealing clearance price which I just couldn't pass (excuse the pun) up. I decided to sell my present Mac MC300 amp, which has a 'sell' value that is much more than the price of this X150.

    Ian, although it's not a X150.5, the newer model, the X150 sounds wonderful! The overall tranparency of the sound improved, as did the sound stage imagery. I also don't notice any reduction in power. Best of all, the bass is more tighter, less boomy, more controlled. I believe the Pass is a better match, for me, with the 250Tis. So, thanks for your recommendation.

    So you've had two wins Steve. . That's great news.

    I think a holiday in Japan visiting HiFi shops might be on the agenda!

    Please post picture of your new setup.

    Ian

  15. #15
    Senior Member Steve K's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The Far East
    Posts
    128
    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Mackenzie View Post
    I think a holiday in Japan visiting HiFi shops might be on the agenda!
    Please post picture of your new setup.

    Ian
    Great! Be sure to PM me when you know for sure. I can give you some recommendations on where to go, eat, buy, etc... And of course, it'll be my pleasure if we could get together sometime during your stay.

    I'll try to post a picture tonight when I get home.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. My band's PA (tools, or toys... you decide)
    By chad in forum General Audio Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-04-2005, 05:49 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •