General Speaker Advice and Recommendations

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by shotgunshane, Mar 7, 2017.

  1. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I'm getting a pair of JBL aquarius 1 for $250, talked the guy down from $375. Bad condition, not original woofers, but very low price. I'll see how they are with the unique slot loading mechanism.
     
  2. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    I hope it doesnt sound like the A25!

    have you heard the seas A26? if so, can you tell us more how is the sound?
     
  3. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I wonder why JBL did this. Really weird and unique system, and not done for long.
    [​IMG]
    Not my pair ill be getting, but its a better pic then I have now. Aparently the slot loading helps dispersion, but I would have to imagine there would be many negative affects. Interesting read about them here: http://www.audioheritage.org/html/profiles/jbl/aquarius.htm

    Still though, will be cool to own a pair of speakers from this photo, though not the paragon, still pretty cool, and only $250.
    Guy says they are original woofers, but they are black, not white, so IDK. For the price though, cant complain, and the guy will let me demo them first. Probably getting them Friday or Saturday.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    make sure to demo before buying
    I heard a lot of jbl's I wouldnt want to listen for 5 minutes
     
  5. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I'll be sure to. They are quite interesting though, so I'm probably going to pick them up even if they don't sound amazing. Try and restore them a bit.
    They cost $288 each in 1972, or about $3500 now for a pair.
     
  6. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    I love it when I'm walking on the beach and find 29 vintage JBL speakers in the sand.
     
  7. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    27, two of those are amplifier consoles.
    Unfortunately you can't find this anymore, I think they only grew on beaches in the 1970's.
     
  8. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    That's only because of bastards like you who have removed them from their natural habitat and destroyed our coastline's natural beauty. My children will never encounter a wild JBL.
     
  9. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    This was not my opinion, as I had insufficient experience with JBL's products to have even formed one, but when I first started paying attention to audio gear (late 70s,early 80s), it was very common to hear JBL speakers lumped in with CV, and referred to as "junk by Lansing." Probably a reflection of the whole east coast/west coast thing that was still pretty prevalent at the time. Thought it was funny though.

     
  10. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    A geeky question about ribbon tweeters and time alignment (not talking about crossover slopes):
    Does anyone know if putting a ribbon tweeter in a sloped baffle (not stepped) has negative effects (vertical dispersion, for example)?
    The big majority of speakers with ribbon tweeters aren't time aligned, and I've seen quite a few on stepped baffles, but only one in a sloped baffle, that being the Clearwave Symphonia 72R
    [​IMG]
    However, other speakers with sloped baffles, such as the Boenicke W20SE, "pull back" the ribbon
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Why they do that? Ribbons, like the Raals used in both speakers, have great horizontal dispersion but relatively poor vertical dispersion, does such a baffle create issues with it (such as, for example, an even narrower vertical sweet spot)?
     
  11. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Don't know about the ribbon tweeters, but that tube rack is pretty awesome.
     
  12. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    the madisound measurements are not real measurements I think. only there to show the FR
    https://www.loudspeakerbuilding.com...-2013/april-2013/seas-a26_8636,en,900995,5693

    here the seas a26 measurments show the seas a26 flat to 60hz. but even there I dont think they are accurate measurements.

    Seas tells that the a26 woofer F3 is 48hz in 40L. I hope the extension of the seas a26 kit will be enough. will post measurements when I have them here in my room!
     
  13. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Quick update on these. At first listen, they are detail and resolution monsters, with a huge soundstage and the most precise imaging I’ve ever heard. I think the time aligned baffle must actually work. The treble is very extended but is pretty smooth and unfatiguing actually - if this is representative of other Be domes, I think I like them.

    Unfortunately the mids I’m not sure about - although very detailed, they really lack any body or warmth. They don’t necessarily sound scooped out or set back, but just lacking that weight and density that makes you feel like the performer is there. I will have to play with placement and tubes in Freya a bit to see if I can adjust things.

    Aside from that these are actually very impressive sounding - very dynamic and open and present things in a seemingly uncoloured kind of way - probably the least boxy sounding boxed speakers I’ve ever heard. Really tight bass with no overhang at all. More to come.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2018
  14. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    the decapo be was indeed to me the second best at imaging ive had. amphion being even better.
    I agree with everything you said: resolution monster, tight bass, very dynamic.

    will love to know more, how it compares to scm19, dynaco forty, ect
     
  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    I can echo what @rlow has stated about the decapo. The bottom end is a bit light but expected given its size. In the setup I demoed them with (DSJr and XA30.5), I did find after a couple hours the top end a bit fatiguing.

    The resolution really is stunning though. Perhaps some tubes could tame the top end a touch without compromising other qualities.
     
  16. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    I've done a little research here (and elsewhere) but it seems like most info here is for people already a bit further along in their speakers journey than I am:

    Looking to get a pair of speakers to use with my computer when I don't want headphones. Not urgent, can wait for a sale or deal.

    Requirements + use conditions:
    - Under $350 total spend including receiver, cables, and interconnects. Open to buying used if shipping isn't an issue due to size/weight.
    - Small enough, hopefully not bigger than ~6"w x 6"l x 9"h (~15x15x20cm)
    - Won't use often, maybe only 10-20% (headphones 80-90%)
    - Will be placed on my desk behind/beside my computer monitor, can be up to 3-4" away from wall, I will normally be seated in front of speakers. Room is 10'x14 or 15' if it matters.
    - Not too set on any one sound signature, but a relaxing to even/neutral sound would be ideal. Doesn't need to be very loud and would trade volume away for clarity, etc/
    - Would like volume control from computer (within Windows or keyboard volume control) if possible

    I was looking at the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 for $150 (+ ~$150 Sony or Yamaha receiver) on Amazon but apparently that must have been BF sale price b/c they're $300 now.
    https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Bookshelf-Speakers-Black/dp/B07B4Q5587/

    Making the following assumptions but here is where I ask SBAF for help:
    - Any other speakers recommendations or wait for Elac to go on sale again?
    - Is this the right chain: PC (have USB, spdif, and optical out available) --> already owned DAC if needed --> already owned amp if needed as pre-amp/volume adjustment --> Receiver --> Speakers or Studio Monitors (not sure which).
    OR
    - Just get bluetooth 2.0 speakers for PC --> Speakers since my budget wouldn't be Hi-Fi enough to worry about fidelity loss over bluetooth anyways?
    - Not looking at any soundbars as I haven't heard a single one I like yet but open to idea if someone has a suggestion.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2018
  17. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Those Elacs are outside your preferred size on every dimension, significantly so when considering a desktop placement. Have you looked at the Vanatoo Transparent Zeros or iLoud Micro Monitors? All in ones in a compact package with good reputations for sound quality. If you are DIY capable or interested, some Overnight Sensations or S2000's from Paul Carmody are good choices for compact speakers that should be as good if not better than any budget consumer speaker.
     
  18. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    [QUOTE="9suns, post: Why they do that? Ribbons, like the Raals used in both speakers, have great horizontal dispersion but relatively poor vertical dispersion, does such a baffle create issues with it (such as, for example, an even narrower vertical sweet spot)?[/QUOTE]

    Not sure what you mean by poor or great dispersion. AFAIK the bigger the dimension of the membrane the narrower the dispersion. So for a driver which is tall and narrow I expect wider dispersion side to side and narrow dispersion ceiling to floor, which might be helpful with early reflections if there is a low ceiling. It might still be difficult to have steady dispersion between tweeter and midrange unless of course there is a tall and narrow driver for midrange, too.
     
  19. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Yes, you explained it better than me!
    But does placing a ribbon in a sloped baffle has some kind of extra negative effects, or is it just like any other driver type, such as dome tweeters in that regard?
    By the way, the bigger Raal tweeters come with foam pads to correct the vertical beaming, "shaping the sound wave from cylindrical to spherical", which according to 3rd party measurements, works as intended.
     
  20. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    just get something like the iloud micro dude. front ported, goes low, cheap. feed it from anything that has RCA or mini jack out. 3-4 inches from wall, cannot do backported like jbls and your budget doesn't allow stuff like behringer genelec clones + an interface. if you're not gonna crank it, the iloud micro is perfect for your situation.
     

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