JBL's "Statement" speakers

[sfellini]

Hi Gang -

I've been spending some time in the "Library", catching
up on JBL's history (I'm a newcomer to JBL).

One thing that's struck me is how the "statement"
speakers for the home have, in the last 20 yrs, been
quite different from one another. From the Everest
(1985) to the earlier K2s (90-93) and now the K2 S9800s.

Did they sell commercially? Did they really represent
advances in sound, or just various engineering exercises?
Totally driven by the Japanese market (and what does that
mean)?

I doubt many of us have heard even one, let alone more
than one, but I'm just curious...

I guess another way of putting this is, if a pair showed up
for a good price, would anyone consider actually buying
a DD50000 or S5000 ? (I know some euro guys
here have built DIY Everests).

Steve.

[Lancer]

I guess another way of putting this is, if a pair showed up
for a good price, would anyone consider actually buying
a DD50000 or S5000 ?

I'd probably take a pair of M9500's if they were free, otherwise I'd pass. The Statement Systems simply aren't my bag.






<Geez, I hope no one sees my book "The Statement Systems from JBL - They are my bag.">

[Titanium Dome]

I've come close to buying a pair of really nice K2 S9800s from a guy in the Bay Area at about half of original retail. But even at $13,500 for the pair, I didn't pull the trigger.

The reasons, in ascending order:

That's still a lot of money for two speakers.
My GF is very tolerant, but I'm not sure she's that tolerant. At the very least something else would have to go.
I'm just not that fond of horns, despite the magnificent set that adorns the K2s.
There's the supply chain issue: better amps, better pre/pro, better sources, etc.
I got the Performance Series and thought, "This is it. I need nothing else."

Admittedly, if I could get them at a steal, I'd go for it.

[Zilch]

Interestingly, all of the JBL "Statement" systems have been two-ways....

Oh, shut UP, Zilchster, they were NOT!

[Well, they WANTED to be, then.... ]

[Lancer]

Interestingly, all of the JBL "Statement" systems have been two-ways....

They cost the least to build.

D'oh!

[pelly3s]

everything should be a two way lol.

[JBLnsince1959]

I've come close to buying a pair of really nice K2 S9800s from a guy in the Bay Area at about half of original retail. But even at $13,500 for the pair, I didn't pull the trigger.

Yes, I considered them seriosly also. Said no for amost the same reasons.

Personally, I think you can get some really nice older units ( or the performance series - IF you can find them) and then do DIY improvements to them for a lot less money and still have great sound.

Let's see now..., where can I get a copy of that book "The Statement Systems from JBL - They are my bag".........

[Mr. Widget]

I'd probably take a pair of M9500's if they were free, otherwise I'd pass. The Statement Systems simply aren't my bag.

Well... I'd up the ante. I'd gladly take either of the earliest "Statements" I'd love a Paragon, and if I had an extra room would consider a pair or Hartsfields for kicks. The newer ones are certainly interesting design exercises, but I have my own statements and the industrial design of the newer "Statement" speakers just don't wow me.

Widget

[Lancer]

Well... I'd up the ante. I'd gladly take either of the earliest "Statements" I'd love a Paragon, and if I had an extra room would consider a pair or Hartsfields for kicks.

Yeah, I'd probably take them too so I could eBay them. Or maybe I'd just part them out. The thought of shipping them whole doesn't appeal to me.

[Mr. Widget]

You part out a Paragon and I'll come to your house with a JBL posse and we'll kick your butt.

Damn... I just reread the forum rules. Even under these circumstances threats of physical violence are not tolerated. I'll have to ban myself.

Widget

[johnaec]

I'll have to ban myself.

Isn't that kinda' like the fox guarding the henhouse?

'Ya gonna' catch Bo's "Jerry" gig tomorrow? I think I'm gona go early to drive him nuts during sound check... (Wadda' ya' mean - you can't hear that 2K peak?? Where's the lows??)

John

[Lancer]

You part out a Paragon and I'll come to your house with a JBL posse and we'll kick your butt.

'Ya gonna' catch Bo's "Jerry" gig tomorrow? I think I'm gona go early to drive him nuts during sound check...

Oh good! I would if I was closer. Thanks for taking care of that for us John.

[Tom Loizeaux]

The current "Statement" speakers from JBL are high end consumer products. The K2 S9800 is a very nice consumer speaker...and I'd make room for a pair in my living room!
I've come to a point, however, where I feel enjoyment is related to value, and even at a "good price", these K2s are just not able to meet my criteria.

I'm content with the pair of 4343s because I found them for a very reasonable cost, and after restoring them and upgrading the crossovers, I am able to relish in the big, beautiful sound these put out. Part of my enjoyment is the classic aspect of these studio monitors, the knowledge I gained in my restoration process (and here on this forum), the fact that I worked on these myself and returned them to original (and maybe better) specs, and the fact that these are a great investment and VALUE! It just makes listening to them that much more enjoyable.
What challange is it to simply go out and spend tons of money for consumer high end speakers? The challange for me was to learn about all this, find my "ideal" speakers for little money, and make them great again.

Tom

[Lancer]

What challange is it to sinply go out and spend tons of money for consumer high end speakers?

None.
B-O-R-I-N-G!

[boputnam]

'Ya gonna' catch Bo (at the) "Jerry Day" gig tomorrow? I think I'm gona go early to drive him nuts during sound check... (Wadda' ya' mean - you can't hear that 2K peak?? Where's the lows??)

Dammit, John!!!