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Post by browning on May 16, 2017 16:55:13 GMT -5
My set up includes/will include: XSP-1 ordered, (2) XPA - 2 bridged amps, ERC - 1 disc player, Music Hall usb-1 table, Denon 4306 for digital input, Rythmik FVS-15 sub.
I'm running a pair of JBL s412p towers that were a budget buy when I started with just the Denon but am ready to upgrade to take full advantage of my new setup. I'm looking for feedback from those who run or have ran towers in the sub $5k range in a 2.1 music setup. Any advice offered will be appreciated!
P.S - I know this is a vague question and that ultimately my ears will be the final judge but like hearing what others have had success or failure with. I have enjoyed my JBL's but with each new addition I seem to get a better product so I realize there are improvements to be made.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on May 16, 2017 17:08:04 GMT -5
What do you like about the JBLs? What do you think needs to be improved?
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Post by teaman on May 16, 2017 17:14:50 GMT -5
Do yourself a favor and seek a try to acquire a pair of Klipsch KLF-30 or KLF-20 speakers second hand. They usually sell for around $1k in excellent condition. Use the left over four grand to buy an ERC-3 to replace the ERC-1. Maybe add pair of XPA-1's for your bedroom and feel free to sell your sub as you will have no need for it after adding these towers. Use the remainder of your savings to take a trip to Hawaii or something nice. Specs: www.cnet.com/products/klipsch-legend-series-klf-30-speakers/specs/ Tim |
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Post by jhob on May 16, 2017 17:44:33 GMT -5
Do yourself a favor and seek a try to acquire a pair of Klipsch KLF-30 or KLF-20 speakers second hand. They usually sell for around $1k in excellent condition. Use the left over four grand to buy an ERC-3 to replace the ERC-1. Maybe add pair of XPA-1's for your bedroom and feel free to sell your sub as you will have no need for it after adding these towers. Use the remainder of your savings to take a trip to Hawaii or something nice. Specs: www.cnet.com/products/klipsch-legend-series-klf-30-speakers/specs/Tim You own a set of the KLF 30's, don't you? I see there's a set on my local Craigslist. Being the resident Klipsch expert, what are your thoughts? |
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Post by mgbpuff on May 16, 2017 18:00:06 GMT -5
I would suggest either Magnplanar 3.7s or Golden Ear Triton Ones. I have Magnaplanar 3.6s and I love them. The Golden Ear just looks like a lot of speaker for the money and has had outstanding reviews.
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Post by browning on May 16, 2017 18:19:16 GMT -5
What do you like about the JBLs? What do you think needs to be improved? The Jbl's make a nice sound at modest listening levels although they could image better. I listen to everything from Elton John to Tool and when I go loud I feel they are more at me than around me. |
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Post by browning on May 16, 2017 18:23:04 GMT -5
I would suggest either Magnplanar 3.7s or Golden Ear Triton Ones. I have Magnaplanar #.6s and I love them. The Golden Ear just looks like a lot of speaker for the money and has had outstanding reviews. I've heard great things about the Triton one and the Revel 208s. I've read that the Maggie's don't like to meld well with a sub? |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on May 16, 2017 18:24:22 GMT -5
What do you like about the JBLs? What do you think needs to be improved? The Jbl's make a nice sound at modest listening levels although they could image better. I listen to everything from Elton John to Tool and when I go loud I feel they are more at me than around me. OK... not completely sure what that might mean... perhaps you think the mids are too forward so they sound like they are "pushing" the vocals when you turn them up? Or do you mean you want a sound that is more omni-directional (which would be the opposite of wanting them to "image better.") And one other thing, when you say you "turn them up" how far is "up"? Are you sure you are not pushing too much power to them or perhaps distorting your amp? |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on May 16, 2017 18:35:09 GMT -5
If you think the JBLs are too forward or strident, the Klipsch suggestion will be more so. For around $5K I'd consider Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand Symphony Edition (or Beethovens if you can stretch to 7K) or if you want to go into much better imaging try a set of Gallo Reference 3.5 which can be had for right at your price point (they sound really great.) And since we are here at Emotiva it bears suggesting to check out their new Airmotive T1. For $5K you could get a pair of those and some new electronics too.  |
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Post by browning on May 16, 2017 18:36:03 GMT -5
The Jbl's make a nice sound at modest listening levels although they could image better. I listen to everything from Elton John to Tool and when I go loud I feel they are more at me than around me. OK... not completely sure what that might mean... perhaps you think the mids are too forward so they sound like they are "pushing" the vocals when you turn them up? Or do you mean you want a sound that is more omni-directional (which would be the opposite of wanting them to "image better.") And one other thing, when you say you "turn them up" how far is "up"? Are you sure you are not pushing too much power to them or perhaps distorting your amp? It's very possible I'm pushing the limits of the speakers but doubt the amps are really breaking a sweat. At the bridged power levels it takes little volume to get things rowdy. I'm not the most savy with the jargon but think your point about the mids getting forward seems to describe what I'm experiencing. I've considered the possibility that my version of loud might just be too much for my room as well and that the speakers may not be to blame at all. |
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Post by browning on May 16, 2017 18:39:39 GMT -5
If you think the JBLs are too forward or strident, the Klipsch suggestion will be more so. For around $5K I'd consider Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand Symphony Edition (or Beethovens if you can stretch to 7K) or if you want to go into much better imaging try a set of Gallo Reference 3.5 which can be had for right at your price point (they sound really great.) And since we are here at Emotiva it bears suggesting to check out their new Airmotive T1. For $5K you could get a pair of those and some new electronics too. My good friend and listening partner just got his system going with a pair of the commercial Klipsch and while they are the loudest thing I've ever heard LOL, have the same type of forward sound my Jbls do at volume |
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Post by teaman on May 16, 2017 18:39:59 GMT -5
Do yourself a favor and seek a try to acquire a pair of Klipsch KLF-30 or KLF-20 speakers second hand. They usually sell for around $1k in excellent condition. Use the left over four grand to buy an ERC-3 to replace the ERC-1. Maybe add pair of XPA-1's for your bedroom and feel free to sell your sub as you will have no need for it after adding these towers. Use the remainder of your savings to take a trip to Hawaii or something nice. Specs: www.cnet.com/products/klipsch-legend-series-klf-30-speakers/specs/Tim You own a set of the KLF 30's, don't you? I see there's a set on my local Craigslist. Being the resident Klipsch expert, what are your thoughts? I own both the KLF-30 and KLF-20 and to me they are right near the top of what Klipsch has had to offer. Originally I think they sold for a little over $2k but for the money they go for now, I think they outperform most speakers in the under $5k range. With dual twelves or dual ten inch woofers plus the full range they provide I would say at least go and listen to them. I actually had to swap the KLF-30's out of my home theater because they had so much bass that they were shaking my room. The KLF-20's in there do a very nice job. I use the KLF-C7 center with them and the timbre match across the front is fantastic. I could get away from using a sub altogether but for movie sound effects and the fact I already have it set up I am still using it. In stereo two channel set up however the KLF-30's are amazing. The range and in your face ability they bring to my blues, pop and rock I listen to is hard to beat. The balance of bass and treble is accentuated by the plus factor of that mid range for vocal depth. My XPA-1 pair has never been so happy. Although I would say the KHorns, Belles, LaScalas are all prettier, I would be hard pressed to say they sound better. The CF-4 model is probably the closest match to the KLF series I have heard. They are very similar to the JBL SVA-1800's O used to own. I still think the speakers benefit by that midrange of the KLF's though. LCSeminole also owns the KLF-20's and I think he is pretty happy with his as well. Tim |
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Post by teaman on May 16, 2017 18:46:42 GMT -5
If you think the JBLs are too forward or strident, the Klipsch suggestion will be more so. For around $5K I'd consider Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand Symphony Edition (or Beethovens if you can stretch to 7K) or if you want to go into much better imaging try a set of Gallo Reference 3.5 which can be had for right at your price point (they sound really great.) And since we are here at Emotiva it bears suggesting to check out their new Airmotive T1. For $5K you could get a pair of those and some new electronics too. If you are going to look into or consider the Emotiva speakers I suggest you wait until the T2 is released. They looked sweet from the Axpona pics and details. |
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Post by knucklehead on May 16, 2017 18:53:03 GMT -5
I'm totally happy with what I have currently - and the pocketbook keeps saying NO! to me every time I have doubts about them. Which is seldom. If I were looking for new speakers in that budget I'd be looking at Philharmonic Audio, Salk Audio, or Selah Audio. These are all small businesses that have made their way via word of mouth. Salk has the broadest available models - Philharmonic is owned by Dennis Murphy - the guy who designed the Song Towers for Jim Salk. Rick Craig owns Selah and makes a lot of custom one off speakers - my center speaker is one of his creations. It is a great sounding speaker. Dialog is off the chart clean and clear. I've owned one pair of speakers from Murphy that I gave to my younger sister. She needed a small set that could play full range - and they do! There are lots of small speaker manufacturers - most are internet direct only - no showrooms and no sales person to deal with. The downside is you have to buy speakers sans the audition unless you know someone that has a pair to audition. The other way to make a decision is to audition by proxy - you'll have to take the word of the many amateur reviewers - which is how I bought the song towers. It took me two years to decide to buy a pair. I was fortunate that a pair came up for sale on the Emporium a couple of years ago. It took me 2 seconds to decide - and no regrets. Internet direct sales only does have it's drawbacks. Some other speakers that might interest you: www.svsound.com/totemacoustic.com/en/www.aperionaudio.com/www.axiomaudio.com/www.hsuresearch.com/index.htmlThis isn't a comprehensive list by any means. |
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Post by redcoat23 on May 16, 2017 19:39:06 GMT -5
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on May 16, 2017 19:51:54 GMT -5
LCSeminole also owns the KLF-20's and I think he is pretty happy with his as well.............Tim Yes I am, and I'll just add that the Bob Crites upgrades(crossovers/mid-diaphragms/tweeter diaphragms) definitely took them to the next level. As for the set of speakers I like just a tad bit more, but not enough right now to replace my Klipsch Legends, I'd go for the Revel Performa3 series. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on May 16, 2017 20:02:17 GMT -5
Go buy some Maggie 1.7's, and send me the difference.
Mark
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Post by Cogito on May 16, 2017 20:14:56 GMT -5
I would suggest either Magnplanar 3.7s or Golden Ear Triton Ones. I have Magnaplanar #.6s and I love them. The Golden Ear just looks like a lot of speaker for the money and has had outstanding reviews. I've heard great things about the Triton one and the Revel 208s. I've read that the Maggie's don't like to meld well with a sub? From experience, they can meld extremely well with a little bit of effort. Placement of the Maggies and the sub is critical for optimal blending and experimentation is necessary. |
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Post by sahmen on May 16, 2017 20:23:11 GMT -5
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Post by jlafrenz on May 16, 2017 20:27:52 GMT -5
The Jbl's make a nice sound at modest listening levels although they could image better. I listen to everything from Elton John to Tool and when I go loud I feel they are more at me than around me. OK... not completely sure what that might mean... perhaps you think the mids are too forward so they sound like they are "pushing" the vocals when you turn them up? Or do you mean you want a sound that is more omni-directional (which would be the opposite of wanting them to "image better.") And one other thing, when you say you "turn them up" how far is "up"? Are you sure you are not pushing too much power to them or perhaps distorting your amp? This could also be a placement or a room issue if the soundstage isn't correct. I do feel that some of the JBL with their titanium tweeter can sound a bit forward or harsh. |
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