Go for the KG4s.
Kilpsch KG4s or JBL L40s?
I'm looking to try some different speakers from my Technics SB-6060's. I like them a lot but feel like I should have more than one pair to play with. I have a smaller sized room for listening. Not tiny not big. I mostly play vinyl and use a Marantz 2252b a Pioneer pl-&1 and fairly soon a Kab Technics 1200 will be coming my way.
Two sets of speakers are available locally and I wonder which set may be a better match for vinyl through a Marantz in an average sized room? Any thoughts?
The Klipsch are $250 OBO
The JBL $175 OBO
Two sets of speakers are available locally and I wonder which set may be a better match for vinyl through a Marantz in an average sized room? Any thoughts?
The Klipsch are $250 OBO
The JBL $175 OBO
13 responses Add your response
The KG4's work very well with ( tubes ) and Vintage Marantz,.The Early ( 80's ) KG4's actually sound better than the newer ones.. If my memory serves me they went from a metal to plastic horns........I do remember though that I prefered the older KG4's.......If you could find an Original JBL 100 pair,that might be different.......Have fun....... |
I have an appointment to hear the KG4s later today. I have read that people run KG4's with SS Marantz and Tube equipment together? My Marantz is late 70's but in great shape. I have read lots of great reviews of the KG4s and many of them warn against SS amps and recommend tube. I do not have a Tube amp yet but will end up with one eventually considering all my travels and Thrift Store shopping. Is the Marantz 2252b a fair match with the KG4s? I am assuming when you say JBL 100 pair , you are talking about a separate set of speakers entirely? I have also heard placement is key with KG4s. Although some people claim Bass is tighter when closer to the wall and others say to place them at least 2 feet away from the wall? Thoughts on placement? If I place them 2 feet away from the wall they will be a bit in my face so to speak as far as my listening room goes. A foot would be easy to do. I am interested to see if the Klipsch & Marantz marriage will create somethiong special. |
The Vintage Marantz ( 70's ) are all warm ( like tubes ) and mate very well..My guess is the you Marantz is just as warm ( or more warm ) then many new tube amps of today..The Marantz 2252 will be fine for the KG'4's I mentioned that the JBL 100's ( originals ) would also work well with the Marantz ( just as well as the KG4's ),because I owned both speakers and enjoyed them both very much...Stick with the KG4's and you 2252 Marantz..Live with it for awhile and learn....Take one step at a time........Feel free to e-mail if you wish.... |
I picked up the Klipsch speakers. I didn't get a "deal" but so far I am pleased. I'll have to play with placement but I would describe them as sounding rather "Lush" with nice separation. Bass is good so far. I expected less tightness (not to say they are super tight but better than I expected). Vocals seem to be the best improvement so far but I've only had time to play a few things. The horns are not at all "harsh" or "bright" to my ears. Vinyl is sounding good. I'll have to some CD tests later. I like the way the look too. Simple and kinda smart looking. Look forward to many more hours of listening. After spending 25 years digging up records, it's about time I really get to actually sit back and enjoy them! |
While I can't say I am done with placement my only complaint would be that the bass is a bit tricky to nail down. My ears would like it to be perhaps a bit more "clear" but I realize that my ears are not settled with these yet and my listening room is not too large, so I'll have to keep playing around with placement a bit. I can say I just had my face nearly melted off listening to RAM... I heard some details I have never heard before. What a great LP. |
I have some Kg4's....I like mine a lot. I also have some Klipsch Forte, and I like them even better. In truth, like many long term audiophiles, I have to many speakers...so sadly, I don't listen to some of them as much as I should. I haven't listened to my kg4's in a while...I think I'll do that now.........thanks for the reminder. Dave |
I bought a pair of KG4s for one of my daughters. They sounded very good mated to an old Luxman receiver. They sounded better after I switched her to a Golden Tube Audio SE-40. The sound improved even more significantly after I rebuilt the crossovers. Look here: Klipsch Speakers - Crossover repair Kit Prices Highly recommended. |
Sorry, I forgot to mention that speaker placement is critical for good bass response with the KG4s (as with all Klipsch Heritage speakers). Start about 6'-7' apart and about 1' out from the back wall. They can be tiltled back a little if you are listening near field. In my experience, no rack or gear between these speakers makes a big difference. |
So far I must say I am falling in love with them. It would be difficult to remove gear from between them but maybe with some reshuffling it could be done. Either way as of now I am a happy camper enjoying these speakers. If something better finds its way into my world then it will have to a lucky and cheap score but it could happen... |