The JBL K29800; incredible reviews; anyone heard?

I totally agree about the high price. Apparently once you could get them for $12,500 a pair rather than apiece. I think the materials and the tweeter are substantially above and beyond what Altec did. I am curious more than interested, especially at this price.

I've listened to them on a number of occasions (I live in Japan and every high-end store seems to have a pair at some time or another). The K2 9800s are nice - they are much more musical and 'complete' than the standard JBL monitors and home audio speakers (the S2000, etc) and are definitely a step above the K2 5800s. That said, I could definitely find better ways to spend that kind of money (or even quite a bit less) on speakers. I find them a bit colored in the range of cello music and orchestral music can be a bit muddled. They do female vocals really well.

FWIW, they usually go for abt $13-16k used in Japan.

T_bone, thanks for the comments. Do you think Goto and Ales systems better the JBLs enough to justify the price difference? Do you ever see these systems used in Japan?

I've listened to them on a number of occasions (I live in Japan and every high-end store seems to have a pair at some time or another). The K2 9800s are nice - they are much more musical and 'complete' than the standard JBL monitors and home audio speakers (the S2000, etc) and are definitely a step above the K2 5800s. That said, I could definitely find better ways to spend that kind of money (or even quite a bit less) on speakers. I find them a bit colored in the range of cello music and despite their sensitivity, orchestral music can be a bit muddled without a decent amount of really good-quality power (especially in the mid-range). They do female vocals really well.

FWIW, they usually go for abt $13-16k used in Japan.

Oops, did not mean to post the first as was.... (that was fast Tbg). I am not familiar with the names of "Goto" as relates to speakers. The name "Ales" is familiar to me somehow but I do not remember where. If they are Japanese speaker makers, I have not seen their systems for sale - new, used, demo, or by custom order. But, I'll have a dig around for info now that you've piqued my interest.

Another word on the latest iteration of the JBL K2s: they do percussive sounds really well and they are excellent for listening to jazz, classical with few instruments, or unaccompanied vocals. I do not know what it is with large orchestral music but they are usually bettered by other megabuck speakers in the room on that kind of music when compared (heard them at various times vs Avalon Eidolons, B&W Signature 800s, big JM Labs, & big Dynaudios). Maybe Twl's point about the crossover has something to do with it, I do not know.