Best speaker brands for transient response


Hello all, first post / longtime lurker on here. I have really appreciated all I've learned from following threads on here -- much appreciated.

I've had three speakers in my house for a few years, and have learned that transient response is the quality I value most. I'm researching upgrade options and would appreciate recommendations on brands.

Currently I have KLH Model 3s, JBL 4305Ps, and JBL Studio 590s. The sealed KLHs are far superior in transient response / speed / attack. The 4305Ps are pretty good (I'm assuming because they're active) and the 590s, while they do a lot of things well, are relative laggards.

I am assuming that on average a sealed design at any given price point will outperform a ported speaker in this area of performance, but I'm sure there are important exceptions.

I'm also curious if more expensive ported horn speakers (Klipsch heritage line, or the JBL 4349 for example) may deliver equal or better in transient response compared to a lower cost sealed speaker because they're using better drivers, crossovers, etc.

Thank you for any feedback / ideas you have.

tommyuchicago

LANSCHE is the speaker company with the "Corona plasma tweeter." A friend of mine has heard them and said that they are very good.

All speakers sound sluggish/lazzy/slow/fat to me. And a boomer bass. Yes, some sound “nice” but fake. Only Tocaro speakers fit the bill and the only speaker I’m willing to pay more than $100. I have the 50F which is the top model and costs ~35k. 103dB sensitivity, 100% in-house production. Two 15” woofers, no electronic crossover. Truly unique and unreal results.

@james633 thank you for your response. The first target speaker I had in mind was the 4349 (I LOVE my 4035Ps). The 4367 is not in my budget.

The target effects I use to test transiency are the crash-to-ring transient of a cymbal, fingers going across guitar strings, snare drum tightness, the added nasal ring of an out-of-phase Fender strat, the breaths a singer takes, etc. I have a few songs that I use for test purposes.

I've AB tested the KLH 3s and the 590s at my old house in a well-treated room and for my ears the 3s bested the 590s in transiency. The 3s are in a equally good room in my new house and I'm going to AB test them with the 4305s. I've been reluctant to do it because of the size difference and active vs passive, and I've only used the 4305s in near field, but it's worth seeing what I learn.

And thank you for your offer to AB your 590s and your 4367s but I'll save you from back strain ;) I know my 590s very well and my listening experience with my 4305s have already made clear to me that those best the 590s in a lot of ways.

The ASR review of the 4349 identified the crossover on the compression driver as a potential concern (the commentors, not Amir). But I have no doubt based on the price points of my current gear that I will be blown away by them. 

 

Thanks to all the ESL recommendations -- I clearly need to take a close look at them and they were not on my radar at all.

@jkf011 thanks I will be buying Parasound (either the Hint 6 or separates) so I should be able to handle maggies. I need to see where their Chicago dealers are. I've never heard them.