Tribute to non JBL speakers...

[Akira]

What are some non JBL speakers that have impressed you?
Perhaps to the point of committing audio adultery.

For me it has hearing Joni Mitchell's 'Help Me' on a pair of Allison Ones' --just after buying my first Centuries. Hard to admit they sounded way better.
Twin towers at the perfect height, meant to be mounted against the wall. Smooth and loud with 'JBL like' forward voicing and no fatigue...loved the sealed bass.

Recently saw a pair on Audiogon...almost pulled the trigger....but I would have worn a condom.

[demon]

martin logan vantage.

http://www.de.martinlogan.com/speake...o/vantage.html
listened to jon anderson + vangelis -did sound alot like the music was melting in my ears. the ol' elf never sounded so sweet again.



second, linkwitz pluto, amazing imaging! but way to small...for my disco-attitude.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Pluto/intro.htm

good thread.
cheers,
mikey

[Don C]

I was shopping for 12" three way speakers in 1979, upgrading from my L40s. I did an a/b comparison between L112s and Infinity Reference studio monitors. I bought the Infinities.

[Akira]

martin logan vantage.
http://www.de.martinlogan.com/speake...o/vantage.html
listened to jon anderson + vangelis -did sound alot like the music was melting in my ears. the ol' elf never sounded so sweet again.

second, linkwitz pluto, amazing imaging! but way to small...for my disco-attitude.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Pluto/intro.htm

good thread.
cheers, mikey

Thanks for the references. Nice to see other systems that have a much different design philosophy and build process.

Allison Ones are here: http://www.positiveimagenews.com/allison.html
Newer version of the ones I remember but, basically the same design. Note that the sealed bass sits on the floor and the mid/high is at ear level...just the way I like it.

[SEAWOLF97]

What are some non JBL speakers that have impressed you?
Perhaps to the point of committing audio adultery..

Ohm Walsh A's .....my old mains, now in the HT ...replaced with 250ti's that are not always better.

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...&postcount=133

..almost pulled the trigger....but I would have worn a condom.

on your finger ?

[Regis]

Some of the non JBL speaks I am fond of (and wouldn't mind owning)

1) AR-9's

2) Some of the bigger (and nicer) Cerwin Vega speakers (the 2000 Towers sounded very nice and were comparable to the L-65's).

3) Select Infinity models

4). Definitive Technology

[scott fitlin]

on your finger ?

[laurie]

Some of the best speakers I heard were Spendor speakers and Monitor Audios in a hifi shop in Manhattan in 1999 when I was on holiday.

Floor standing Epos speakers also sound impressive.

[Audiobeer]

Aerial 10T's. Wish there was a pair localy.

[Titanium Dome]

Revel Ultima line and Ultima2 (though it can be argued they are JBLs in disguise)

[BMWCCA]

I'm thinkin' hard. I even went out and auditioned some Theil CS3.7s, at $7,000 each. What a joke! Do people actually buy this stuff? I might have to see if we can get Crutchfield to loan a pair for the great L300 vs. L7 shootout. Sorry. I guess after fifty years of JBLs in the house, my ears are no longer capable of being objective.

I guess I'll have to drop by my friend's local McIntosh emporium and see if he has any of the B&W 800Ds at something like $18,000 a pair I can use to test my hearing. I heard a pair at a friend's house in California this past summer but thought nothing of them as they were playing other than how ugly and over-the-top the design was. See, people DO buy this stuff.

[Allanvh5150]

If you want to see something totaly different visit the Arvus site at http://www.arvusloudspeakers.com/history.html
Most of there gear sounds absolutely stunning. A bit pricey though but it is made down under her in New Zealand. They used to make a subwoofer that had 6 x twelves and a 27" passive radiator, two metres tall or so. They called it the "bladder buster". Their speakers use no crossovers or attenuation devices. Instead they rely on the design of the speaker for the correct level and response. But it aint JBL......................

[Ducatista47]

I like my Hammer Dynamics Super 12's better than anything I have heard in stores, but I have not heard much the last fifteen years. You have to built the Super 12's. The driver and crossover components are a kit for $650US shipped (to build a pair), so they are not the least bit expensive.

In the stores, I like the Canton 809/890 series. Bass is not up to JBL standards, but the midrange is to die for and they are quite coherent for non full range. Vibes are in the room. About $5000US a pair, I think.

Clark

[richluvsound]

Tannoy.... has to be the best speaker I ever heard for jazz, classical-infact anything vocal or ambient in any way........ Great build quality.

If you love music then you have to atleast, listen to Tannoy.


Rich

[4313B]

I replaced all my JBL 6.5" 2-ways (18Ti, 4406) with 6.5" Tannoy DC's once the JBL drivers were no longer serviceable.