JBL is more than fine in its price class. The Meyer Sound blue horn is in an entirely different price class (think $100k systems).
https://odyowave.com/products/meyer-sound-bluehorn-system-stereo-2-channel-complete
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.
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@jayctoy thanks for the update, can't wait to try them out myself. |
@deep_333 wrote:
+1 @tommyuchicago wrote:
In some, pro oriented circles in particular I find JBL to be overly hyped. Focusing more on their domestic offerings they have very good engineers (as they do in their pro sector), but I dare say it mostly doesn't translate into the more intricate aspects of sound reproduction - even in their very expensive models where they lack that last bit of refinement, overall coherency and tonal accuracy. That is to say: the basics are very good, but I don't find them to be the complete, and musically satisfying/authentic package the price calls for. Of their contemporary models I prefer the actively configured M2's and the flagship DD67000 Everest's, both of which are very good (would love to listen to the Everest's actively configured). My personal domestic favorite of theirs may be the now discontinued (maybe not for the Japanese market) K2 S9500 - which entered the market in '89, if I'm not incorrect - with the first neodymium magnet woofers in production, the 1400ND. They may not have been the most refined speakers around, but what they did other areas was remarkable, and those 1400ND woofers are quite staggering, indeed unrivaled today in vital areas. Their domestic speakers appeal to this segment with all that entails, but why go with a size-limited and expensively finished package when you can have physically more fully realized designs from their pro sector and from other pro brands, many of them older designs with better drivers and much cheaper at that? Give them some good amplification, configure them actively, accept their functional looks and larger size, and prepare to be surprised. Of course, we know most won't do that for a variety of reasons, but who dares... |
@phusis thank you for that very helpful response.Playing in much lower price points, there has been fairly consistent buyers remorse from Studio 590 owners that move up to the HDI series (I stress not all, for some they believe it was well worth it). That matters when the 590s went for $1k before recently being discontinued and the comparable HDI 3800 goes for $5,500 at full retail. To me, based on what I do for a living, it just seems their product range isn't focused and they're giving away a lot on the lower end of their range. Maybe their home audio isn't where they make money and it's largely an R&D business. But it just bugs me. |
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