JBL K2 S9900 - thoughts/opinions?

[joeinid]

https://www.jblsynthesis.com/product.../k2-s9900.html

[Mr Peabody]

The K2 has some interesting colors. I heard a set before, my memory of them isn't good enough to make comparison. I do wonder if there'd be much gain over the 4367.

I'd like the K2 with two 15's per cabinet.

[Mike]

Joe, I’ve heard them a few times at shows. I’m not sure they’re significantly different from your current JBL’s. Maybe a little more refined. I like them a lot.

[KeithR]

My issue doing research on the K2 is that they really don't have much bass. Subs are probably required.

I heard the bigger brother 67000 at THE Show in June and found them very bright (as did two other audiophiles) despite being on all tubes in a treated room - go figure. Something was clearly wrong.

[joeinid]

I’m nowhere near doing anything on the K2. I’ve been a bit of a JBL/Revel fan these days. I’m intrigued by them but would certainly need to hear them.

Keith, I do think you are right about the bass. Even hearing The Everest left me a little surprised that the bass seemed a little reticent. The 15” woofers on my 4367 don’t seem to be like that. I feel bass is plenty.

[Paul]

I loved the K2 but it worth no where it’s price tag in my opinion. There so many to choose from in this price range. I think your 4367 is sweet spot in their line up. Ymmv

However I do know you are not a vintage stuff guy but how about the kenrick sounds 4343A?

[joeinid]

Paul,

That's a great idea. I can never find something like them when I am ready but if those are the Alnico JBL speakers, I am sure they sound great.

[Paul]

Paul,

That's a great idea. I can never find something like them when I am ready but if those are the Alnico JBL speakers, I am sure they sound great.

https://youtu.be/e9a8Am6LBNs




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[Jim Smith]

I voiced a system to a room out in Calif. that had those JBLs.

Frankly, when I was done, not sure if I could point out any negative issues with the speakers at all.

[joeinid]

Thank you Jim. I trust your opinion.

[MRJAZZ]

These are quite nice....utilizing JBL drivers.....It’s from PBN Audio........

Cheers.....

[joeinid]

Wow! Those look awesome. What a great setup.

[mep]

Go big or go home. The original JBL 4345 speakers.

jbl 4345s.JPG

[joeinid]

That's a big, beautiful speaker.

[mep]

That's a big, beautiful speaker.

You should hear them.

[joeinid]

You should hear them.

I’ll have to try and track down some of those vintage speakers. I only know of Kenrick sound.

[Mike]

Great to see the love for JBL carrying on. Brings back fond memories. The JBL’s Joe has are the ones I would buy. Fabulously musical.

[mep]

I’ll have to try and track down some of those vintage speakers. I only know of Kenrick sound.

The 4345 speakers are rare and they are an appreciating asset which is also rare in this hobby. Demand outstrips supply so Kenrick makes 4345 clone speakers. I was lucky and found a pair in excellent condition from a high-end dealer in CO who collects the more valuable classic JBL speakers.

[joeinid]

Mark,

I didn’t realize that you have a pair of the 4345, that’s awesome. They look great. I found a photo.

[mep]

Mark,

I didn’t realize that you have a pair of the 4345, that’s awesome. They look great. I found a photo.

Just ask my neighbors. It took 3 of us to get them up into my listening room. After having speakers with high sensitivity, I'm done with with the paradigm of having inefficient speakers paired with high watt amps. I've said this before, but I really think we lost our way in this hobby a long time ago. We went from an age where we had large high sensitivity speakers powered by low watt tube amps to SS amps where watts came cheap and then the race was on to build sealed speakers that were inefficient, but had big "bass" relative to the size of the enclosure. AR started the trend and the next thing you know MA was full of competing speaker companies building sealed box speakers.

Once women caught on to the much smaller sealed speakers, orders went out to remove those old large highly efficient speakers from the wife's living room and the rest is history.

[joeinid]

I agree. I'm surprised more mainstream efficient speakers aren't available. Paul Klipsch had it right, about all anyone needs is 5 wpc (I forget the exact quote).

I love and miss efficient speakers with Alnico magnets. I had Alon Lotus Signature SE speakers for over 9 years and paired with a modest tube amp was glorious.

I long for those days. ....

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[mep]

I agree. I'm surprised more mainstream efficient speakers aren't available. Paul Klipsch had it right, about all anyone needs is 5 wpc (I forget the exact quote).

I love and miss efficient speakers with Alnico magnets. I had Alon Lotus Signature SE speakers for over 9 years and paired with a modest tube amp was glorious.

I long for those days. ....

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Then why are you running in the opposite direction?

[joeinid]

Then why are you running in the opposite direction?

The definition of stupidity.

Actually, the speakers that I have now are pretty efficient. Running what I have with my Pass XA25 sounds wonderful with 25wpc. I'm probably looking to recapture my conrad-johnson days of glory. That's the system I miss most.



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[a.wayne]

These are quite nice....utilizing JBL drivers.....It’s from PBN Audio........

Cheers.....

Great no Dynamic killing foil inductors ....

[a.wayne]

I agree. I'm surprised more mainstream efficient speakers aren't available. Paul Klipsch had it right, about all anyone needs is 5 wpc (I forget the exact quote).

I love and miss efficient speakers with Alnico magnets. I had Alon Lotus Signature SE speakers for over 9 years and paired with a modest tube amp was glorious.

I long for those days. ....

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5watts is all one need on LED’s for sure .....

[a.wayne]

Just ask my neighbors. It took 3 of us to get them up into my listening room. After having speakers with high sensitivity, I'm done with with the paradigm of having inefficient speakers paired with high watt amps. I've said this before, but I really think we lost our way in this hobby a long time ago. We went from an age where we had large high sensitivity speakers powered by low watt tube amps to SS amps where watts came cheap and then the race was on to build sealed speakers that were inefficient, but had big "bass" relative to the size of the enclosure. AR started the trend and the next thing you know MA was full of competing speaker companies building sealed box speakers.

Once women caught on to the much smaller sealed speakers, orders went out to remove those old large highly efficient speakers from the wife's living room and the rest is history.

That Sounds more like conjecture not history ...

[Mr Peabody]

I'm a bit late to JBL, so not sure how the vintage behave, from my experience with trying 1400's and my 4367's, they may be efficient into the 90's but they like some power to get off the ground.

It was interesting, my 100 watt CJ monoblocks drove my Dynaudio Contours fine, yet the more efficient Array 1400's Just laughed. I was using EL34's but I still thought a 100 watts would have pushed the 1400's.

I have to wonder if under powering the JBL is what has led to some of the chatter about low bass response in forums.

Also, in contrast, although even more efficient, those same CJ amps drove a set of Zu Audio Omen with Soulfly drivers to outrageous volumes, and clear as at low volume.

There's more to some of these speakers than just the efficiency. I wish I knew what it was, LOL

[Mordante]

What about BHC speakers?

http://www.music2.nl/bhc-acoustics-products/

[joeinid]

What about BHC speakers?

http://www.music2.nl/bhc-acoustics-products/

Wow, those look amazing.

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