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Does JBL get a bad rap?

For years, all one heard regarding almost any JBL product, especially vintage consumer grade products was that they were all boom(bass) and sizzle( highs). I feel this is an unfair generalization. Surprisingly, I find much of their budget minded gear(80s-90s) actually soft in the treble and very non-fatiguing(titanium laminate tweeters). I also have experienced the L100T and found them fairly well balanced and nuetral. The midrange does lack some realism magic especially on vocals but so do other highly touted speakers. In short, I am a little late to the game in regards to the JBL, but as a mainstream maker I am impressed. And that doesn't even take into account their 4xxx studio monitors which are highly regarded. Back me up jbl fans!
128x128phasecorrect

Showing 4 responses by czarivey

czarivey
5,658 posts
 
I agree with you 100%! Lots of the vintage JBL models (4312, 4310, L800 and surely more others as well) will challenge today's desings with open natural and well tonal balanced sound, with incredible soundstaging abilities and also ease to drive as well. I'm definitely a fan of JB Lansing!
There are lot more 'sleepers' in JB's huge array of speakers so far made, so other posters will chip-in as well with list of great vintage models.
czarivey
5,658 posts
 
Mattmiller, That's exactly what hi-end dealas tellin' ya at their stores about it. Their job is to make you believe and most do that A+ if not better. When you go through your OWN research it's quite different.
If you listen JBL models with studio mastering equipment, I'm more than sure that if speaker such as you've mentioned HARBETH wouldn't sound good there, than JBLs are INDEED HARBETH killers and that's exactly the reason why studio mastering engineers would pickup JBL instead of boutique Harbeth.
Try 4312, 4311 or newest of 43 series 4319 and you'll realize why... Try L800 tower speaker as well.
czarivey
5,658 posts
 
10-21-14: Phasecorrect
Similiar to planar speakers..."they have no bass!"...
Phasecorrect, were you also refering to B&W speakers?
Even huge ones have no bass... True!
czarivey
5,658 posts
 
Mapman, Ebm, Magico very often gets bum rap(not from me I don't know them and never used); I bash usually planars and B&W most of models
Nonoise, Bestie boys, RHCP are pretty dorn great rappers (that I know of)
Ptss, Count me in!
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