Classical Music...Do you prefer JBL's or other speakers?

[jblsound]

Yes, everyone has his or her favorite, and you're right that the room is a key player. Nevertheless, exploring is half the fun. I enjoy going from dealer to dealer listening to the various brands and models within those brands. At least here in SoCal that's still possible, though getting harder. Going to acquaintances' houses is an adventure,too, usually with predictably bad results but a few delights as well.

IMO the best thing about JBL is the diversity of its offerings. Whenever someone intones the revered "JBL sound" I get a little -ed in my mind. JBL has many sounds. "Which one do you mean?"

Yes JBLs can sound different from other JBLs. My L55s sound nothing like the L212s or PT800s. But the L212s and PT800s sound quite similar (at least my custom L212s). But the difference between the L55s/L212 is a progression from the early '70s to the late '70s~early '80s with the L250.

But I find that other speaker brands won't come close to the JBL sound. Actually maybe some Canadian speakers do, as a result of Floyd Toole and Sean Olive both working for Harman and the Canadian National Insitute, or whatever it is called, before.

[hjames]

Well, with the 2234 woofers, 2405 slots, and the 2420s on smith horns, (and 4313B's great crossover design) I think my L200s are as good as L300s these days, maybe better.
And I love to play Beat Farmers on mine,
hubba hubba hubba hubba hub!

[MikeBrewster77]

I definitely prefer the Bose 301's for classical music ... oh, whoops - wrong thread!

I actually find the premise of "genre" speakers a bit silly. I've always been of the thought that the attributes I look for in a speaker should translate well across all genres: Accuracy, transparency, imaging, balance, realism, et al., are all desirable traits irrespective of what you're listening to, right? I like my rock to be just as accurate as my jazz personally, but maybe that's just me? :dont-know

Not to say that there aren't speaker systems that excel at a particular genre to the detriment of another, but I've usually found that it's the result of some imbalance in the system (overly emphasized bass, great high-end reproduction but lack of bass, excellent imaging but lack of dynamics, etc.) or some other limitation. If a speaker qualifies only as a "good rock speaker" for example, then I'd have to question whether it's actually a good speaker at all when considered holistically. Maybe I'm over-simplifying things?

So, yes, I listen to classical, chamber, choral, symphonic, and orchestral on my JBL's - well, certain ones anyway. Others are just good for rock...

[Titanium Dome]

What's that funky looking avatar? Do you use THOSE for any serious listening?

[Ducatista47]

Maybe because I have heard similar effects to what he is describing in my own room with small tube amps his post sounds simply like a statement of fact to me? Then again, it could be that I am just an arrogant SOB and don't mind that trait in others.

I am really enjoying the thoughts emanating from this wonderful post, Widget, but I have to point out that Doug was taking exception to my remarks about the large orchestras presently found in symphonic halls. Not my take on the speakers and amps to play them.

You are preaching to the choir in my case, but I always like to hear the sermon. I don't need any convincing about the importance of the room.

Clark

[Mr. Widget]

I am really enjoying the thoughts emanating from this wonderful post, Widget, but I have to point out that Doug was taking exception to my remarks about the large orchestras presently found in symphonic halls. Not my take on the speakers and amps to play them.

I guess I misread it. I thought he was talking about your post singing the praises of small tube amps.


As for the rest of it... not just rooms but setup and listening style too. Some listen while doing their laundry. Others listen in a darkened room with no distractions, offering their full attention to what is coming from their system.


Widget

[MikeBrewster77]

What's that funky looking avatar? Do you use THOSE for any serious listening?

Ughhhh, those old things ... I honestly don't even know why I keep them around! I mean, occasionally I'll put them on but only for background music - never for anything serious, of course.

[Ducatista47]

As for the rest of it... not just rooms but setup and listening style too. Some listen while doing their laundry. Others listen in a darkened room with no distractions, offering their full attention to what is coming from their system.

Between being firmly in the latter group and enjoying the music I do, I consider myself a fringe element in the continuum of listeners. In most situations where music is being played, the humanoids in attendance are talking over it. That means I am closer to the symphonic listener than to the party goers, and I do feel an affinity with the subscription holders. It is playing non Romantic works with the huge ensembles that I find in bad taste.

I recall that you listen both ways, don't you, Widget? I am not a complete listener because somewhere along the line I lost the ability to enjoy casual listening. If I can't give it my full attention I turn it off until I can. And if I don't want to give it my full attention, I don't want to hear it anyway. Not involving enough to be worth the time, and a distraction from what is.

Clark

[JBLRaiser]

classical music once. But, they just spit it out.

[Mr. Widget]

I recall that you listen both ways, don't you, Widget? I am not a complete listener because somewhere along the line I lost the ability to enjoy casual listening. If I can't give it my full attention I turn it off until I can. And if I don't want to give it my full attention, I don't want to hear it anyway. Not involving enough to be worth the time, and a distraction to what is.

Yes, it is true. I do listen both ways.

The thing is, no matter how you listen or what you listen to, or what you listen through... enjoyment is the key. That said, written words are a pretty poor method for sharing our passion for music and sound reproduction.


Widget

[JBLRaiser]

Between being firmly in the latter group and enjoying the music I do, I consider myself a fringe element in the continuum of listeners. In most situations where music is being played, the humanoids in attendance are talking over it. That means I am closer to the symphonic listener than to the party goers, and I do feel an affinity with the subscription holders. It is playing non Romantic works with the huge ensembles that I find in bad taste.

I recall that you listen both ways, don't you, Widget? I am not a complete listener because somewhere along the line I lost the ability to enjoy casual listening. If I can't give it my full attention I turn it off until I can. And if I don't want to give it my full attention, I don't want to hear it anyway. Not involving enough to be worth the time, and a distraction from what is.

Clark

playing an air instrument, it's not worth listening to.

[4313B]

Discovery Channel's "The Deadliest Catch". Its stunning in HD ... if you like men and ships and storms and waves!

Not really... but the quote still gets my Best in Thread vote!

[Krunchy]

Maybe because I have heard similar effects to what he is describing in my own room with small tube amps his post sounds simply like a statement of fact to me? Then again, it could be that I am just an arrogant SOB and don't mind that trait in others.



I was commenting to a fellow forum member the other day, that I now feel that when someone says the A-7 (or insert any speaker here) is the best sounding speaker he has ever heard, and someone else says it is the worst speaker he has ever heard they are probably both right. Everyday on this forum we read each other's posts praising and damning all sorts of speakers and on each side of the discussion a number of people are knowingly nodding their heads in approval of one side or the other.

Some of us listen in carpeted rooms others tiled... some of us sit in the focus of a symmetrical triangle and others have their speakers at random locations in a room... some of us are listening in stereo and others any one of 30 or so different surround modes/configurations... some of us listen to very revealing analog electronics and others listen to digital XM radio... we rarely mention the actual situation the speaker being discussed is being evaluated in. Some speakers will sound better in one environment than another... some will make digital sound warmer and more spacious while others are so stark and revealing that short of marvelous setup and associated gear they can be hard to listen to. A speaker that creates a holographic stereo image my not be the speaker of choice in a surround system... and on and on.

While I do acknowledge some of us prefer more bass bloom than others and some may want to exaggerate the top end... others really want a slightly pronounced midrange like the A-7 for it's extra bit of clarity. The point is without comparing these speakers in the same environment with similar associated gear, we really have no idea what the other guy is talking about when they say this speaker really works or does not.

Widget

Great Points Widget!
This is a "discussion forum" so lets discuss, share ideas & learn.
It all comes down to personal experience & personal preference, that is all, nothing more nothing less.

Why does every little discussion have to become so confrontational, if anyone wants confrontations go for a ride during rush hour in any city (or city-like setting) & you will be presented with numerous opportunities to indulge your confrontational aspirations & desires.

If it sounds good to you, enjoy it!!!! Potato potatoe!

[Ducatista47]

Great Points Widget!
This is a "discussion forum" so lets discuss, share ideas & learn.
It all comes down to personal experience & personal preference, that is all, nothing more nothing less.

If it sounds good to you, enjoy it!!!! Potato potatoe!

That is so convincing that I can think of only one shortcoming. While, to quote Stephen Stills, it makes sense to the point of wisdom and beyond to love the one you're with, what about this:

At one time I thought they were fine but then I heard it done much, much better.

Immodest to quote myself, but you know how it goes. "ABC's Bridge To Your Brain speakers sounded great, but then I heard XYZ's Parlor model and I realized the ABC's were shrill, had lumpy response and were part of the international communist conspiracy..."

The best thing we have ever heard is just that.

Clark

[Krunchy]

Sometimes there's no accounting for preference.
For instance, if one is experiencing some sort of abdominal/gastro intestinal discomforts, the same speakers one loves may not sound as good as when one was regular

To quote Mr. Widget again (Mr. Widget is on a roll!)

The thing is, no matter how you listen or what you listen to, or what you listen through... enjoyment is the key. That said, written words are a pretty poor method for sharing our passion for music and sound reproduction.
Widget

Let us not forget that last part & enjoy your music!