JBL 43xx va Harbeth 40.x

I think what makes them so different are:
1) size of the driver
the 15” driver really can produce that slam.  I also listen to a vintage Tannoy with 15” driver and can produce the same slam.  Then I compared to my Spatial Audio X5 with a 12” mid range and 12” bass drivers, it can produce a similar slam but not as much.  But Harbeth only has a 8” mid range and a 12” woofer, it simply can’t move as much air to produce that slam.

2) speaker efficiency
in the audition, we tried driving the JBL with a 4 watt 2A3 amp and a 8 watt 300b amp, both can drive the big JBL no problem.  For Harbeth, I am driving it with a 75W McIntosh MC275.  I believe 75W is still not enough to drive the Harbeth for that type of music.

Definitely they are very different, and I didn’t spent a lot of time on the JBL.  Since they are both studio monitors, I find it interesting that they are so different.  But since they are so different, logically, one of them would sound closer to the “real” live music, or more accurate.  Which one is more accurately producing the music?

GTE. Once you listen to one of the large JBL speakers, you realize that most other speakers compress the hell out of the music. I am sure the Harbeth is a very accurate speaker, very flat in response. I have a pair of modified JBL 4333B's. They play most everything well, with a lot of low level definition and clarity. I have owned B&W 802s in the past. They were very accurate, but seriously compressed. My personal preference is the large JBL.

Regards,

John
 

@ gte357s, I concur, With what you say about the 4343 monitors. My jbl 4435 monitor have better and lower bass. And higher efficiency and are two way. They are more coherent and image better. Efficiency is the germ missing in audiophile speakers. (IMHO) But like all things in audio its (interpretation.) :-)

I think I got a bit crazy.  I already have a pair of Harbeth 40.1 and Spatial Audio X5; but now I want the JBL!  But beside money, I also don’t have space to put three pairs of speakers, LoL.

i need to bring some female vocal to try out the JBL more to compare the mid range.

If you get the JBLs don't be in a rush to rehome your Harbeths.That dynamic front row center presentation is fun and exciting but ultimately can be fatiguing.I sold my exciting dynamic speakers and went with Harbeths.Occasionally I miss the other speakers but they were nowhere near as satisfying as the Harbeths are.Just something to keep in mind.