JBL LSR series

[The Listener]

So, I tryed the search engine, typed only "JBL" and it said "Sorry, no matches." WTF????

Is JBL so underrated around here that nobody even talks about their products?

Well, my initial search was for their new series of monitors. I have questions like: Are they any good? In which league - like Adam, Focal, etc. or even better, or only average - like Alesis, Mackie, etc.? Does anybody use them?

Might some bigger models with a sub be suitable for mastering?
They claim amazing accuracy on their website. And I like the classic JBL sound.

So what is this issue with no JBL on this forum and how are their new monitors?

[Chris G]

i had a pair of Event asp8's and they were to tubby on the low end so i started shopping. I had a budget of about $2000 and once i heard the LSR 4328's with the lsr sub to match..... i was sold. I ran the calibration and wow. Great mixes ive used to ref to my own sounded great and crappy ones sounds real crappy. I find them to be very telling and accurate. The only monitor i wanted more was the Genelec's 8050a's, but the price tag didnt warrant the slight difference in sound.

I love em.

[thenoodle]

In searching, use specific models rather than "jbl". Such as "4328" or "6328" etc. That'll get you results like this.....

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/searc...archid=4151277

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/searc...archid=4151299

[AB3]

How is the sub. I have been trying to get an opinion on it. Is it tight? Boomy? I know rooms and acoustics make a big different. But not all subs are built well.
I was tempted to get a pair of them.
THANKS.

Originally Posted by Chris G

i had a pair of Event asp8's and they were to tubby on the low end so i started shopping. I had a budget of about $2000 and once i heard the LSR 4328's with the lsr sub to match..... i was sold. I ran the calibration and wow. Great mixes ive used to ref to my own sounded great and crappy ones sounds real crappy. I find them to be very telling and accurate. The only monitor i wanted more was the Genelec's 8050a's, but the price tag didnt warrant the slight difference in sound.

I love em.

[analogbass]

Originally Posted by AB3

How is the sub. I have been trying to get an opinion on it. Is it tight? Boomy? I know rooms and acoustics make a big different. But not all subs are built well.
I was tempted to get a pair of them.
THANKS.

I've compared some of the older JBL SLRs with Gennies, Mackies, Events, etc. Fairly classic JBL sound, meaning that bass is better AKA both good sounding and more realistic than most other brands excepting Gennies. The overall sound is realistic and relatively uncolored yet still appealing. They're a little less neutral than ideal because the bass is a little too exaggerated, some over-emphasis on it. The newer SLRs are supposed to have a similar JBL sound but be better yet. Why anyone would need a sub using medium or larger JBLs is beyond me.

On the other hand i think it's more important to find speakers you like and trust, in which case you get used to and can compensate for anything anyway, which applies to virtually all speakers.

For this reason i'd never want to use NS10s; the premise that subjecting yourself to something irritating because the inadequacies will inspire or force you into better mixing just doesn't cut it.

As far as comparisons, they would be at the top of the average monitors IMO, along with Mackies but with a very different character. For better monitoring you'd want to go to the next level like Gennies or Dynaudios, but the JBLs will definitely do the job, still sound good, with the newer LSRs better yet.

[AB3]

Are you talking about the subwoofer, speakers, or both? Thanks.

Originally Posted by analogbass

Classic JBL sound; meaning that bass is better AKA both good sounding and more realistic IMO than most of the other brands excepting Gennies. And the overall sound is realistic and relatively uncolored yet still appealing. They're a little less neutral than ideal due to the bass being a little too jacked-not the sound just the over-emphasis on it. Why anyone would need a sub using medium or larger JBLs is beyond me.

On the other hand i think it's more important to find speakers you like and trust, in which case you get used to and can compensate for anything anyway, which applies to virtually all speakers.

For this reason i'd never want to use NS10s; the premise that subjecting yourself to something irritating because the inadequacies will inspire or force you into better mixing just doesn't cut it.

As far as comparisons, they would be at the top of the average monitors IMO, along with Mackies but with a very different character which would inspire me to get them not the Mackies. For the ultimate in better monitoring you'd want to go to the next level like Gennies or Dynaudios, but the JBLs will definitely do the job and sound good.

[analogbass]

Originally Posted by AB3

Are you talking about the subwoofer, speakers, or both? Thanks.

I've never heard the subs, because there's never been a need with medium sized monitors. Even the smaller sizes have great bass that could almost suffice by itself; a sub would work with them just to fill out that last part but they're already powerful. JBLs have some of if not the best low frequencies i've heard,. I'm pretty sure though that the subs would have the same character.

[TL2]

I love my LSR6328's w/6312 Sub. I find them non-fatiguing and my mixes translate quite well considering my room isn't ideal. I used the LSR28's before i bought these (for sale - anyone?) so I was familiar with the line. That probably influenced my purchasing decision more than anything - so as to minimize my learning curve. I spend time in front of HD-1's, E8T's, BM15's, BBM12's, and Blue Sky System 2.1's and find that I'm rarely surprised when I listen to my mixes on any of these other boxes. The JBL's are definitely worthy tools for any job.

FWIW - I like the surgical focus of the HD-1's, the low mids of the E8T's, the imaging of the BM15's, the low end extension and sweet midrange of the BBM12's and the silvery-ness of the 2.1's woofer. Seriously, I like the fact that if you can get the mids right on the Blue Sky's, they'll translate everywhere. As for the JBL's , they sort of do everything really well and nothing completely spectacular. Which is why they'll be staying.

As with any speaker, buy the best you can afford and start the learning process!

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by The Listener

So, I tryed the search engine, typed only "JBL" and it said "Sorry, no matches." WTF????

Is JBL so underrated around here that nobody even talks about their products?

Well, my initial search was for their new series of monitors. I have questions like: Are they any good? In which league - like Adam, Focal, etc. or even better, or only average - like Alesis, Mackie, etc.? Does anybody use them?

Might some bigger models with a sub be suitable for mastering?
They claim amazing accuracy on their website. And I like the classic JBL sound.

So what is this issue with no JBL on this forum and how are their new monitors?

Hi
Dont know about their new monitors, but I have a bunch of the LSR28Ps, and theyve worked our really well.

all the best,
Sean

[thenoodle]

Another vote for the 6328's here. I love mine. Great low end to the point that so far, I've never bought the sub.

Also...the 6328's are way different...and better to my ears...than the 4328's. What JBL is charging you for on the 4300 series...mostly...is the more involved time alignment and eq stuff. Built-in gimmicks to me. I listened to the 6328s and 4328's side by side before buying last year and the 6328's were the immediate winners. I also did the test by listening to the 6328's next to two different Dynaudio and Genelecs. Genelecs were a little metalic to me and the Dyanaudios were not much better...to my ears...than the other pile of brands sitting there in the audition room.

The much older L28ps have always been so-so sounding to me.

Regardless, anything JBL is great stuff as far as I'm concerned. As is mentioned every day around here, you have to listen to all of them and make your own decision.

[Tone Obsessed]

Another vote for the LSR4306 or 4308's with the sub. Nice stuff.

I have Event Precision 8's, Adam SA-2's, NS-10's, Auratones and my JBL 4308's cause less fatigue for me and the LSR tech really works. Really.

To test things out when we got them, we set them up as directed, they sounded great, and then we brought stuff into the room (racks, jackets, a chair, etc) and things changed, of course.

What was cool was how easy it was to recal the JBL's using LSR and once complete, the mix sounded the same (prior to introducing the random "stuff" into the room).

Took the stuff out, same thing, wash, rinse, repeat and things were cool again! GREAT speakers for a project studio to "assist" with room issues as well.

As always, YMMV. Just my 2 cents. But I like them and the sub rocks! Never thought we'd need the sub but after getting one in here as a demo, it never left the studio...

TJ

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Sofa King

Hi
Dont know about their new monitors, but I have a bunch of the LSR28Ps, and theyve worked our really well.

all the best,
Sean

+1 on the 28P's. I've got 10 of them and 3 25P's which I like also. I've got a couple of the 12P subs as well. Love all of them

[jseveriniii]

I've got the 4328P's and I think they are great. Keep in mind that monitors are like underwear or your favorite pair of shoes. The more time you spend with them, the more comfortable you get with them.

Either way, I think people spend way too much time looking for a "perfect" monitor rather than a "quality" monitor. Quality isn't, and never will be perfect. Nothing will ever be a substitute for spending a lot of intimate time with them alone in a room and learning them.

[stevep]

6328s here,......

They sound good, highs are kinda harsh..... but the old Kleenex trick fixes it ... it might just be me but i think they have a smiley face EQ


i do love them and they get loud

[six_wax]

The additional AD/DA conversion in the new ones kinda freaks (freqs?) me out a bit...

[analogbass]

Originally Posted by jseveriniii

Either way, I think people spend way too much time looking for a "perfect" monitor rather than a "quality" monitor. Quality isn't, and never will be perfect. Nothing will ever be a substitute for spending a lot of intimate time with them alone in a room and learning them.

Agreed; find something that you like the sound of that is fairly accurate without being perfect, then become familiar with it. JBLs in general have an appealing sound IMO, despite some of the perceptions that have developed amongst some over the last couple of decades.

[The Listener]

Hi, thank you all for the kind replies.

I tryed later with model numbers ad found some info. Obviously search engine doesn't work with three letter words... So no random browsing for API, JBL, AKG, PSP, RME, SWR, etc.

So, after reading your replies it looks like I imagined them - real workhorses, but no showing off... Nice.

I spend my time with vintage JBL 4430. Do you think I would miss some of the size if I go for the newer models? They are probably more precise, but do they have the same great stereo picture, great mids and big impact as those old gigants? I need someting less exotic - more precise and revealing - 4430 only reveal that something is not good, then they confuse you a little about what path to take and finally they award the right choices you make. But they cost me too much work-time and speculaton and also have too little high-end (roll-off at 18khz)... I would love them in my living room.

Any experience with LSR6332 ?

[stevep]

Originally Posted by The Listener

I spend my time with vintage JBL 4430. Do you think I would miss some of the size if I go for the newer models? ?

YES

I have the 4430s soffitt mounted and the 6328s below them on stands and then the NS10s on the console meter bridge, Between those 3 i have a good variation of speakers

I dont thing the 4430s are hard to work with... to me they are super easy to mix on and are great for tracking, to me they are FLAT ... But..... i have been listening to them since they first came out so i am used to them.. if i had to mix a record on the 6328s i would freak out.... as soon as i can they (6328s) will be replaced with the S3As

I do have an 18" JBL sub paired with the 4430s and it barley gets turned on..... mostly for checking mixes or for listening for fun or mixing rap or hip hop


That said.... i liked the 6328s way better when i start listening to them all alone and dont compare then to the 4430s

[The Listener]

Hey, thanx Steve. That was the loudest "Don't sell!" I ever heard.

So I will probably invest in better amplification and maybe try them soffit mounted - I have them free standing right now.

Does that contribute favourably to the sound- soffit mounting I mean ?

[Jim Williams]

I've used JBL's since I was a kid. I used their guitar speakers in the 60's and 70's. I have JBL monitors all over this place. They make great drivers. They also make shitty crossovers. Fortunatly, those can be replaced.

I used 4430's and 4435's for years in the 80's. They are flat and translate well, but the low end is thin. It's not the drivers, it's that cab, it's too thin. The 4435's only have one 15" in each cab for bass, the other 15" is crossed over into the mids. Great, a 15" midrange driver??? Can't tell you how many were blown out in a RAP studio I worked in then. Even you guys that use them with an active crossover are paying a price as they still run through a bunch of cheap mylar caps even in the active switch position.

I use 4408A's with a 15" sub, that works real good here. I have more money invested into the crossovers than I originally paid new for the speakers. Add some DeFlex panels and Kimber wire and it's all good.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Jess Jackson]

I had the 8's for months and hated them, traded them in for some BM6a's the LSR's were just too HI FI sounding and the lows were too boomy for me

[The Listener]

So do you now any modding options for the 4430? There is some ring in the midrange that pops out too much when some sound is not properly EQd in that area - some nasty guitars or voice... I quess that is some exaggeration caused by the crossover?
What amps do you use with 4430?

[Jim Williams]

Where in the mids? These have the horn kicking in around 1.6k hz, so it may be you don't care for guitar harmonics reproduced with a horn, I know I don't.

I used Brystons with them in the 80's. I would use a couple of Adcom GFA 555's in bridged mono or a couple of GFA 565's. Corky James has them with the 2 555 amp setups.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[The Listener]

Yeah, I guess it's the horn thing. It is around 1 - 2khz section... occasionally. Shows well the difference between great hardcore mixes and the average ones - not that I listen to metal and similar regularly

Thanx for advice about amping.

[analogbass]

Anyone who likes the 4430 sound but wants something smaller can use some 4408as with subs, or some 4412s, 4425s, etc. They all have a similarly good character even with some differences. All better than the older LSRs; haven't heard the new LSRs to compare them.

4430s/35s "thin" bass? LOL

Hi,

The LSR 6332 is probably a JBL monitor closer to neutral sound reproduction as a result of the influence of Floyd Toole works on demonstrating the vital importance of flat speaker on and off-axis to sound more ... flat (R&D work both for JBL and Revel brands) but also latest drivers development of the time led by Doug Button.

Read interesting article:

http://digitalcontentproducer.com/ma...ng_evaluation/

Unfortunately some speakers can measure flat with pink noise when tweaked to the last 1/10th of a dB but obviously do not sound flat at all and remain utterly colored : this is when drivers do not have a super clean transient response, distorsion spectral components not necessarily flat either and also when passive cross-overs have some serious design flaws (components selection or complete design is ... not really transient perfect) to Jim's point.

Standard ear and trained listener (able to qualify what he hears) will detect this presence/absence of coloration without comparison. Untrained listeners could get better opinions by ABX double blind objective listening.

True flat monitors is definitely the sum of all quality parts : quality of drivers, quality of cross-over parts (wether passive/active/combined) into a great optimized, well designed and well manufactured unit.

Still really good design are not so easy to find regardless of the brand in the monitor world but easier in 3-way category usually.

Usually once used to ear flat 3-way studio monitors it is quite difficult to step down in 2-way world.

Have a listen to also many available European 3-way studio monitors brand and models...

Regards,
Laurent

[sneezebomb]

Thanks for posting this thread. i did a search for LSR series monitors a week ago. Didn't come up with a whole lot - similar results as you. i've been particularly interested in what folks have to say about the LSR25P series. The small ones. i'm on the verge of acquiring a pair. They would be my main reference speakers. i listened to a pair the other week and was suitably impressed but i'd like to know what others who've had extensive experience have to say.

Anyone? (sorry for the minor highjack)

Anyhow, i walked away liking them better than anything else i've listened to in the under $700 range and other reports i've read comment on the fact that users experience little if no ear fatigue with these (important to me right now) and they seemed definitely useable despite the decrease in low freq content you're bound to get with a 5.5" woofer.

[spitfire8898]

To the original poster....I think what happened with your search was that with the few server problems, there was something conflicting with topics that were only three letters. But from what I understand, it's fixed now.

On your topic, I have the LSR4326's and love em. I a/b'd them with the BM5A's and much preferred the JBLs. I wanted to check out the A7's, but didn't have a pair nearby to listen to.

Another thing, is that the RMC actually works. I much prefer how my mixes translate to other systems with the EQ that was "made" for my room....pretty cool stuff.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by sneezebomb

i've been particularly interested in what folks have to say about the LSR25P series. The small ones. i'm on the verge of acquiring a pair. They would be my main reference speakers. i listened to a pair the other week and was suitably impressed but i'd like to know what others who've had extensive experience have to say.

Anyone? (sorry for the minor highjack)

I have several of them and love them. Nice enclosure too. Always raises eyebrows. Anyway, I liked them better than the bigger 28P's until I got used to the 28's. If you have the 25P's with the subwoofer, you'd really like the sound. Very nice IMO.

[sneezebomb]

Thanks for the reply, Doc. If fate doesn't tie my shoelaces together in the next two days, i expect to finally be picking up a pair of those little gems. (Sadly, no subwoofer in my near future but i'm really in no position to be complaining.)

Good to hear that someone else is happy with them.