Massdrop JBL LSR30X 5" Active Studio Monitors

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by purr1n, Jun 18, 2017.

  1. Sylafari

    Sylafari Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2015
    Likes Received:
    43
    Trophy Points:
    18
    They are back up on Massdrop now and they ship 2-3 days after too.
     
  2. Francisk

    Francisk New

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    I received my LSR30X 2 days ago and I'm absolutely happy with the sound quality paired to my Audio GD NFB11 preamp, especially with the placement of individual instruments within the stereo sound stage. It's like being able to see what I hear and point my finger at the instrument. There's no jarring emphasis throughout the frequency spectrum which helps in a natural presentation of the music or song being played. The lower frequency is tight, controlled and present for a 5" driver when listening to Malia's Convergence album. The mids are very revealing and the highs are detailed and yet smooth without sibilance and yet not losing the airiness. This speakers can rock very well with the The Aristocrats band, with the amazing guitarist Guthrie Govan. Acoustic instrument tracks played wonderfully and it reveals every nuance of each instrument very well. I especially enjoy Yellowjackets "Blue Hats" album with a mixture of acoustic and electric instruments, it makes me feel like I'm sitting right at the center of the front row table of a jazz club facing the stage. It's definitely quite an experience for the asking price of the LSR30X. This great offer is back on Massdrop so go grab the LSR30X before the drop ends...it's worth every dollar I paid for it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2017
  3. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    Anyone tried the 308? Usd200 difference for a pair of 308 vs 305. Wonder which one is the better deal.
     
  4. Francisk

    Francisk New

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
  5. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,130
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    The ruin-your-house-with-expanding-sticky-stuff modification is intriguing.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Listened to one the other day. Same thing almost. Lower bass and better bass, which is worth the price IMO. Bigger speaker though. Get them instead if you have the space. But the X with channel matching will image better / have more stable imaging.
     
  7. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    Likes Received:
    163
    Trophy Points:
    50
    Location:
    Australia
    Keen to move from passive to active speakers and pull the trigger on LSR30X or 305.

    Innerfidelity highly recommend Adam F5 for desktop monitor and which one would be better speaker?

    Yes, F5 is more than two times expensive but here in Australia, it is not as huge difference as in USA after adding importing & shipping fees on LSR30X.

    If the price out of equation, Adam F5 would be better choice between the two?
     
  8. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,153
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Estonia
    Fwiw I didn't like A5X (or A3X) much and these supposed to be higher end than the F5. I also don't trust J. Grandberg as hi-fi advisor (because of the Yulong hype).
    A series has boomy indistinct bass and crappy dynamics to be regarded highly. F series probably don't fare any better.
    Haven't heard any of the JBL-s, yet what it looks to me on paper suggests that the F5 is not offering much over the 305, if at all.
    My bet is that the 305 would be the better speaker.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
  9. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,171
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    I'd be careful with that ribbon/amt tweeter too. Not everyone likes it, soft domes are more of a safe bet if you can't audition.
     
  10. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    Likes Received:
    163
    Trophy Points:
    50
    Location:
    Australia
    @Priidik @Riotvan Thank you so much for your feedback. I will stick to LSR30X. :)
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    It's kind of like HD800 (well not that bad) vs HD650. The LSR30X is kind of like HD650, but with better bass extension and more evident top octave.
     
  12. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    Likes Received:
    163
    Trophy Points:
    50
    Location:
    Australia
    Very clear analogy. Placing my order on LSR30X shortly :)
     
  13. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    Likes Received:
    163
    Trophy Points:
    50
    Location:
    Australia
    Received the speaker and plugged everything. Sounds great but the white noise or hiss is quite annoying when music is not playing but standby at Nearfield.
    I believe that Jason from schiit mentioned this earlier and I do concur. If someone listen at close distance within 3 foot distance, it may irritate.
    Not sure if better power cable do help though. I never believed in cable and keen to try better than stock cable if it helps reduce noise/hiss.
     
  14. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Likes Received:
    781
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Roswell, GA
    Haven't heard the 305s, but I do have a pair of F5's and can attest that they're not very engaging or dynamic. Probably would have saved the $$$ and gone for the JBLs if I could do it over.
     
  15. DylanC

    DylanC New

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Singapore
    Would 30X/305's be a good option for a small secondary system? I'm running Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's now with a Marantz MCR502 which is a nice match but I would like to swap to a small footprint/low box-count streaming system (maybe a bluesound node2 or similar) with active speakers. Ideally it would be something which gives me an improvement in sound quality as well as the convenience factor.

    The speakers fire across a 4x6m room and are on filled atacama stands with around 50cm clearance between rear port and front wall. I think I could take an interim step with active speakers running off the Marantz Aux Out (rca) to get a feel for any new active speakers.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2017
  16. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    The only real complains I have about this is that the midrange (vocals, dialogue etc especially) are a bit fuzzy and not the clearest. I have mine dialed in with -2LF/+2HF on my desk at the moment fed by Jot. Mind, my desk is located very nearly smack in the middle of my long room (~3m by ~8m), so there's a lot of space behind for me.
     
  17. chakku

    chakku Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    676
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NZ
    @Marvey I noticed in your measurements you're experiencing the same 100Hz room mode null that I am, did you ever figure out what part of your room setup may have been contributing to it?

    My measurement of the LSR305 below for comparison:
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Titus Pullo

    Titus Pullo New

    Banned
    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    USA
    I've heard both. The 308 is a mess despite bass ime. The 305 is a better loudspeaker with more mid-range detail and less cabinet resonance despite not playing as low or loud. The 308 magnifies everything bad about the 305 (resonance, rattle, hiss, etc) and you'll have to sit further back. Keep your 200 bucks or save up to get something better than the JBL LSR 300 series imo.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2017
  19. DylanC

    DylanC New

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Singapore
    I managed to get a bundle on the 305's at sgd450 for a pair including foam platforms and a cable for smartphone/CCA to the speakers.

    Speakers are super impressive even just playing spotify from the tablet. I will get a secondhand Bluesound node 2 to feed these this week and I think it's goingto be a killer small system. More feedback to come when all items are in place
     
  20. zeissiez

    zeissiez Turn that Schiit down - acquaintance

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    33
    You can't get a better pair of active speakers with this kind of money. They are neutral, natural (despite the small size), have good balance overall. They are good for mixing as well as for music listening.

    They sound even more balanced and neutral than Yamaha HS7. The HS7 lacks bass volume, even though the bass drivers being 6.5". That said, the HS7s do have better mids. More popped out vocals and better mid images. The 305's vocals are more laid back in comparison.

    No fan of Adams, which sound too trebly for personal taste. If u like the sound of the 305, and if u can afford, do check out the Genelec M030. They are quite a lot better in just about every aspect than the 305, especially the mids. There's a wholeness and coherence to the sound of Genelec speakers which many seemed lacking.
     

Share This Page