I have a preference for American speakers...I love their big, wide soundstages & the full-presence sound typically associated with them. Because of this, the vintage JBL sound is something I’ve always appreciated. Having said that, I always wanted to experience what JBL’s very best, the Everest DD67000, would sound like. Luckily enough for me, I was in NYC this past December & stopped in the Harman Kardon flagship store on Madison Ave. to listen to some AKG headphones. Walking around the store, they had plenty of headphones, BT speakers & other “lifestyle” products, but no sign of any true audio gear. I asked the salesperson & she told me that the home theater & audio gear was downstairs & that someone there could show me around. As soon as I went down the steps, I saw a gloss-white pair of Everest’s sitting in a open display. As I admired their beautiful fit & finish, a sales rep asked me if I would like to hear them. Having said yes before he could finish asking, he led me to a listening area (three walls, open in the back), where a pair finished in rosewood were set-up in, driven with JBL Synthesis electronics.
I have to echo what others here have said...you need a large room to get what the Everest’s can do. Not just because of there physical size (which is massive), but because they just don’t do low volumes well. The JBL rep (who was very knowledgeable) played from a streamer several orchestral pieces as well as DSD-versions of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” & most of Kenny Burrell’s “Midnight Blue” (my selections). At lower listening levels, the Everest’s sounded nice, but were decidedly underwhelming for what I was expecting. But, once we were by ourselves & he felt comfortable turning the wick up...boy, did those big beauties start to sing! Very airy, detailed highs sure, thanks to that horn, but...those mids & that bass! It was in this range, in the fleshy part of each track, where the Everest’s really captivated. There was a soundstage that not only extended wide, but had a depth with a sense of incredible dimensional space. For as big a speaker as they are, they truly disappear...leaving you to listen to the music as a performance, to experience it as an event.
Taken as a whole, they were fantastic. I wouldn’t describe them as more “musical” nor “revealing” than say the best I’ve heard from Magico, Wilson, etc. But for sheer presence & the ability to let you experience a performance...the Everest’s were extremely, extremely good.
I couldn’t help but think that, during the whole time I spent listening to them, that the Everest’s are indeed worthy of being considered a reference speaker. You would definitely need to have a space built for them, especially one where you could play them loud. Both visually & sonically, they make a serious statement. I came away wishing I had the space for them...
Just my $0.02 worth...
Arvin
