Considering Tobian 15FH (Among Others)

PHX-SQ2

PHX-SQ2

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Oregon
I favor the vintage JBL sound, specifically the models using horn-loaded compression drivers. One of my prized possessions is a pristine pair of JBL L300 Summit (circa 1980). I play them in a medium-sized room decked out with Acoustic Sciences Corporation (ASC) treatments. The sound is punchy, thrilling, and vivid.

I have a separate, larger (28x17x9) room that I also use for audio. Currently, I use Audio Physic Cardeas in that room. They sound beautiful and can pressurize the room, but after loads of experimenting with placement and electronics, I’ve determined that they lack the impact and punch that I crave.

My sense is that the room needs speakers with big-ass woofers of a relatively high sensitivity to excite the air (i.e., to deliver the kind of punch that you feel in your ankles and belly). For clarity, while performance in the sub-bass region is important to me, I prioritize performance in the upper bass and lower midrange regions (60-250 Hz).

I’m consuming info about several speakers that may fit the bill. I plan on traveling, if necessary, to hear them. The Tobian 15FH is one of them. I’ve had a few phone conversations with Mike at Suncoast Audio, which is the U.S. distributor (and seller) of Tobian products. Mike has been very helpful, including by directing my focus among the Tobian speaker models considering my affection for the vintage JBL sound.

Speakers I’m considering:
- Tobian 15FH
- O Audio Verdande
- JBL K2 S9900 (used)
- JBL Summit Makalu
- Volti Audio Rival
- Vandersteen KENTO Carbon (outlier but I’ve owned and loved Vandersteen)

I acknowledge that the price range is wide. All the speakers are highly competent, I suspect. I’m wiling to spend for exhilaration.

So, forum members, lay it on me. Do you think I’m on the right track toward vintage-JBL-ish sound in a relatively large room? I’m highly attracted to the Tobian design and aesthetic , so it would be great to receive feedback from Tobian speaker owners.
 
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YES YES YES YES!!!

I have had DOZENS of speakers come through here.

What did I spend my money on to purchase? Tobian's.

I first had the 12's then upgraded to the 15's as I have a very large room.

I will only say this: they require 400 hours breaking AND they require you being dedicated to spending the time to place them properly.

I've spent about 30+++ hours experimenting with set up for them both and can help you dial them in quickly.

If you do spend the time, they are a supremely musical speaker that can make take you to a place - where for me - no speaker regardless of price has ever been able to achieve.

The JBL's are excellent indeed. But they don't (IMO) offer the musical engagement the Tobian's do.

Literally if you told me you would replace my Tobians for free with any speaker in the world at any price, other than maybe vintage old RCA's from the 1930's or old Altec's, I would not take you up on that offer.
 
PHX-SQ2 said:
I favor the vintage JBL sound, specifically the models using horn-loaded compression drivers. One of my prized possessions is a pristine pair of JBL L300 Summit (circa 1980). I play them in a medium-sized room decked out with Acoustic Sciences Corporation (ASC) treatments. The sound is punchy, thrilling, and vivid.

I have a separate, larger (28x17x9) room that I also use for audio. Currently, I use Audio Physic Cardeas in that room. They sound beautiful and can pressurize the room, but after loads of experimenting with placement and electronics, I’ve determined that they lack the impact and punch that I crave.

My sense is that the room needs speakers with big-ass woofers of a relatively high sensitivity to excite the air (i.e., to deliver the kind of punch that you feel in your ankles and belly). For clarity, while performance in the sub-bass region is important to me, I prioritize performance in the upper bass and lower midrange regions (60-250 Hz).

I’m consuming info about several speakers that may fit the bill. I plan on traveling, if necessary, to hear them. The Tobian 15FH is one of them. I’ve had a few phone conversations with Mike at Suncoast Audio, which is the U.S. distributor (and seller) of Tobian products. Mike has been very helpful, including by directing my focus among the Tobian speaker models considering my affection for the vintage JBL sound.

Speakers I’m considering:
- Tobian 15FH
- O Audio Verdande
- JBL K2 S9900 (used)
- JBL Summit Makalu
- Volti Audio Rival
- Vandersteen KENTO Carbon (outlier but I’ve owned and loved Vandersteen)

I acknowledge that the price range is wide. All the speakers are highly competent, I suspect. I’m wiling to spend for exhilaration.

So, forum members, lay it on me. Do you think I’m on the right track toward vintage-JBL-ish sound in a relatively large room? I’m highly attracted to the Tobian design and aesthetic , so it would be great to receive feedback from Tobian speaker owners.
Click to expand...

If you love the sound of vintage JBL speakers, try and find a pair of JBL 4345s.
 
Michaels HiFi said:
Michaels HiFi said:
YES YES YES YES!!!

I have had DOZENS of speakers come through here.

What did I spend my money on to purchase? Tobian's.

I first had the 12's then upgraded to the 15's as I have a very large room.

I will only say this: they require 400 hours breaking AND they require you being dedicated to spending the time to place them properly.

I've spent about 30+++ hours experimenting with set up for them both and can help you dial them in quickly.

If you do spend the time, they are a supremely musical speaker that can make take you to a place - where for me - no speaker regardless of price has ever been able to achieve.

The JBL's are excellent indeed. But they don't (IMO) offer the musical engagement the Tobian's do.

Literally if you told me you would replace my Tobians for free with any speaker in the world at any price, other than maybe vintage old RCA's from the 1930's or old Altec's, I would not take you up on that offer.
Click to expand...

YES YES YES YES!!!

I have had DOZENS of speakers come through here.

What did I spend my money on to purchase? Tobian's.

I first had the 12's then upgraded to the 15's as I have a very large room.

I will only say this: they require 400 hours breaking AND they require you being dedicated to spending the time to place them properly.

I've spent about 30+++ hours experimenting with set up for them both and can help you dial them in quickly.

If you do spend the time, they are a supremely musical speaker that can make take you to a place - where for me - no speaker regardless of price has ever been able to achieve.

The JBL's are excellent indeed. But they don't (IMO) offer the musical engagement the Tobian's do.

Literally if you told me you would replace my Tobians for free with any speaker in the world at any price, other than maybe vintage old RCA's from the 1930's or old Altec's, I would not take you up on that offer. feedback - thank you.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the pertinent feedback!

I realize that “punch” is a bit cliche in audio, but I presume that you have an appreciation for what I seek. Do you believe that the Tobian FH speakers deliver the JBL-like punch, assuming proper placement in the room?
 
mep said:
If you love the sound of vintage JBL speakers, try and find a pair of JBL 4345s.
Click to expand...
Great recommendation for achieving the sound I want. However, for the subject room, I want a speaker with a more attractive (to me) facade.
 
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