JBL K2 S9900 vs Klipsch Heritage Jubilee Horn Speakers.


I recently had the opportunity the have extensive listening sessions both these two wonderful speakers. And, as great as the JBLs sounded (I believe that all horn type speakers are an acquired taste), I much preferred the Klipsch Jubilee speakers over the JBL speakers, and it wasn’t even close!!!. Also, the Jubilees are significantly cheaper than the JBLs. Are you kidding me??? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a horn speaker lover, per se, although, years ago, I did own a pair of Avantgarde Duo horn speakers for a while, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. But, it didn’t last. However, my goodness gracious, the Jubilee speakers just swept me off my feet!!! At the dealership, they used SS amplification for the bottom end and tubes on top to drive the Jubilee’s, and it was absolutely breathtaking!!! I found the Jubilee speakers so impressive that, I swear, if I had enough space in my listening room, it would’ve been extremely difficult for me to resist purchasing a pair of them right there on the spot. IMHO, the Jubilee’s are one of the greatest sounding, and also one of the greatest values in high end, cost-no-object speakers in the world, regardless of price. I believe that the Jubilee’s can complete with any speaker on the planet. And, I’ve heard just about all the greatest speakers in the world, either locally or at audio shows. The Jubilee speakers incredibly, just poured out a wide, open, huge soundstage, lush, greatly emotional, greatly involving, detailed, transparent, hugely dynamic, smooth, airy, bass to die for, holographic, 3D musical presentation like an ocean or a waterfall of musical delight. The Klipsch Jubilee speakers have got the one of the greatest best kept secrets in high end audio. Yes, you get the idea, I was supremely impressed with the Klipsch Jubilee speakers.  If I only had the proper space for the Jubilee's, I would buy in an instance and never look back.  Happy listening.

kennymacc

Whitestix,

Good to hear. I was just measuring my basement door and told the wife if I buy some Jubillees I will have to remove the door frame to get them downstairs… she rolled her eyes and walked away, I would say that was a firm, yes go ahead lol.

Honestly though they are a bit out of my budget. I would want to sell some gear to offset the price. I will keep an eye out for a demo or used pair though.

@james633 wrote:

I was just measuring my basement door and told the wife if I buy some Jubillees I will have to remove the door frame to get them downstairs… she rolled her eyes and walked away, I would say that was a firm, yes go ahead lol.

Honestly though they are a bit out of my budget. I would want to sell some gear to offset the price. I will keep an eye out for a demo or used pair though.

Remember to include flower expenses in the budget as well - something tells me it might add up substantially ;) 

Would love to listen to the Jubilee's. Compared to the likes of JBL K2 and Everest they are somewhat cheaper, and more physically all-out at that - kudos. 

In YouTube videos Klispch confirmed the use of the Axi2050. Interesting to have such a high tech driver, probably a big part of why they sounded good.

Ah...ok. So, Celestion is the real hero, not Klipsch. Perhaps, it should be renamed Celestion Jubilee to give credit where it's due.

Ah, wait a sec, that driver appears to cost a 1000 dollars on partsexpress. 35k must be for the big ugly plywood box made in Arkansas (a technological miracle!).....

 

Deep_333

 

Not really any different from the JBL S9900 mentioned in the first post. It also has less than $1500 in drivers and is $55,000. It is all over priced. 

@deep_333 wrote:

 

Ah...ok. So, Celestion is the real hero, not Klipsch. Perhaps, it should be renamed Celestion Jubilee to give credit where it’s due.

You mean Celestion developed and manufactured the horn in front the driver and everything else? Klipsch didn’t "steal" or take credit for the Axi2050; they were simply wise enough to use the unit, and it’s openly known they do.

It does seem that the team at Klipsch (led by Mr. Delgado) developed an in-throat acoustic lens or phase plug extension in the Celestion driver, so by all accounts it has been modified to their needs.

Ah, wait a sec, that driver appears to cost a 1000 dollars on partsexpress. 35k must be for the big ugly plywood box made in Arkansas (a technological miracle!).....

For what it’s supposed to do I’m told it’s one of the best drivers around. As an outset, isn’t that the primary concern? And who needs "technical miracles" - a marketing term claimed all too often, and usually as a compensating act - when proper physics and design are in place to begin with.

Klipsch did make an interesting design tweak with their horn-loaded bass bin, in that it amplifies not only the front wave of the dual 12" woofers, but as well the ported output from their backwave - in an effort to maximize extension for a given size, I take it. Most resort to simply porting woofers, but kudos to Klipsch going with the horn-loaded approach, albeit a modified one. Did I mention they’re outboard actively configured? Another thumbs up.

And here I am thinking you were a pro-ish guy. Form follows function, anyone? If the finishing/looks keeps you from appreciating a given product (i.e.: its sound), well, only so much that can be done..