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Thread: JL Audio component speakers - the best kept secret? |
    
ArchieGates Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 11:19 pm: |
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There must be something wrong with me. I had a very nice system put in my car, featuring MB Quart PCE216 in the front and RSD 216's in the back, and a 12" subwoofer. Problem is, I don't like the sound of the speakers. They sound great with music that is very over-produced, like pop/rock, where high frequencies are desired. But the tweeters are way harsh to my ears, and the midrange is really lacking.
So, I decided to head down to a Tweeter store and check out what they carry. I listened to the Boston Z6 and it was a little better, but still not what I was looking for in the midrange.
Then the dealer said, "tell me what you think of this one" and he switched to some JL Audio XR650's. I didn't even know JL made component speakers. They blew me away with how clean the midrange was, and how three dimensional the sound stage was. The off axis response was awesome. The tweeters weren't harsh, but were just nice and smooth. I couldn't believe that these speakers were sounding better to my ears than the $1000 Bostons and even the QSD from MB Quart.
Now, I know that sound quality is very subjective, and my MB's don't sound bad at all. But I really preferred the JL XR's, and the fact that they're only $379 seems really strange. Why are they so much cheaper than the competition?
And my next question relates to the upcoming ZR series, which is slated to come out next month in April. Any idea how much better those might be, and would my little Alpine 50W x 4 amp be enough for a pair of ZR's and a pair of XR's in the back? |
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Gold Member Username: Jonathan_f
GA
USA
Post Number: 3480
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 11:35 pm: |
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The price isn't bad at all for what you're getting, MB Quarts are handmade in Germany and it drives the price up, while JLs drivers are also made in Germany, you're not paying for "German Engineering" as a marketing tool. Anyway, SQ is very subjective, the XRs are a very nice set. The off axis is really so-so if you're talking about factory locations, usually 24db/oct crossovers lend themselves better for off-axis installs, just in my experience, while the off axis is good, it's not the best either. Those Boston Zs are better for that. In the price range of the XRs, you should also look at Adire Audio Kodas, very good SQ, better for off axis installs, better midbass, a smoother tweeter, just a very nice component set overall. |
ArchieGates Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 12:26 am: |
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Hey Jonathan, do you have any info about the JL ZR's? The website says available in April. Just wondering if you have heard them yet, or know anyone who has. |
Gold Member Username: Jonathan_f
GA
USA
Post Number: 3482
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 01:32 am: |
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I believe you can already get the ZRs under special order, they're just not mass produced and stocked in stores yet. I believe Tweeter and their subsidiaries can get them. From what I've heard people say from CES, they're an improvement, but nothing drastic over the XRs. I really can't say much more than that since I haven't heard them firsthand. If it's true, though, I'd look into Dynaudios, Focals, DLS, Adire Kodas, etc. online. |
Silver Member Username: Suleman36
Post Number: 276
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 11:53 am: |
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Jonathan what do you think about this set. Image Dynamics CXS62 run off a ppi art 300.2. These componants are 2 ohm and 150 watts rms x 2 and my ppi amp is 150 watts rms x 2 at 2 ohms. |
Gold Member Username: Jonathan_f
GA
USA
Post Number: 3483
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 05:24 pm: |
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Heard the mids, not the tweets or the whole component set. Midwoofers were fantastic, I've heard the tweeters are very good, but again I can't really go into detail. Sorry. |
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