JBL Performance LS Series Loudspeakers First Look
JBL LS Series
Summary
- Product Name: Performance LS Series
- Manufacturer: JBL
- Review Date: September 14, 2009 21:35
- First Impression: Pretty Cool
Executive Overview
JBL stepped up their portfolio with the introduction of their new Performance LS Series (LS40, LS60, LS80 and LS120 subwoofer) which is said to offer performance befitting their impressive aesthetics. The LS Series loudspeakers are said to utilize state-of-the-art engineering and materials to deliver extraordinary sound quality, wrapped in an elegant, refined package with curved contours and tapered wood side panels, and beautifully crafted in a stunning high-gloss finish. The JBL LS Series is designed to give the home entertainment systems contractor a highly refined new tool for upmarket system performance at a highly cost-effective price.
The new LS Series includes a compact
bookshelf loudspeaker (the LS40); two floor-standing tower speakers (the LS60
and LS80); a subwoofer (the LS120) and a center-channel loudspeaker (the LS
Center). The LS Series loudspeakers’ sonic
signature is the result of a combination of JBL’s technologically advanced
compression drivers with JBL’s legendary Bi-Radial® constant-directivity
high-frequency horn, which has been precisely tuned utilizing sophisticated
computer modeling techniques that completely eliminate tonal colorations. Proprietary PolyPlas™
polymer-coated-cellulose-fiber cone material and with heat-resistant Kapton®
voice coil formers make for articulate and powerful bass response. In addition, the crossovers in the LS80 and
LS60 employ a unique 3-1/2-way crossover network that allows the woofers to
operate in different frequency ranges, a configuration that provides a smoother
transition between all drivers for more balanced sound over a wider listening
area. All this performance is
beautifully contained in real wood veneer cabinetry with a sensuous
gloss-lacquered Streak-Ebony Mahogany finish.
Initial Impressions
It’s nice to see JBL return to their heritage with the LS Performance Series of loudspeakers and offer a product line built of higher quality materials than their offerings at local department stores. I can’t help to still have an affinity towards vintage JBL speakers. Their product rep claims the LS series is modeled off their Synthesis series used for professional audio applications and movie theaters. We will keep our eye on these speakers and hopefully in the near future we can also put our ears to them as well.
For more information, visit: JBL
gene;623504
Hmm I see Tom did a first look article and then I doubled his efforts at CEDIA doing the same thing. I guess we need to communicate better or I need to check the homepage more often
Sorry for the confusion.
Yes, what I was saying is that Audioholics did a previous article about the Studio LS series. I wasn't paying particular attention to who wrote it.
gene;623346
How odd that you interpret a First Look article I did at CEDIA as a "glowing review". Perhaps next time reading the page title and the actual content instead of making a misinformed post would be a more prudent course of action.
But, in the earlier review, the floorstanding model was being criticised for lack of deep bass, based solely on printed specifications. Incidentally, JBL has justified the move to smaller woofers on many of their floorstanding models, with a desire to create more slender models that have "spouse approval factor", and they say that with greater cabinet depth, that they can achieve deep bass with 8" woofers. They also say, that because many consumers will use these speakers with a subwoofer, that this is "a winning combination".
Hopefully soon, we WILL know if the Studio LS series justifies it's radically higher price tag, versus the mass-market Studio L series. I still maintain that the market for speakers with horn-loaded drivers will always be dominated by Klipsch. Because speakers with horn-loaded drivers are their main business, they can deliver a product similar to JBL's Studio LS series(comparable drivers,though less stylish cabinetry) at a drastically lower price.
To the casual observer, it appears that JBL has been standing still(creatively) in the past 3 years. In reality, they have been developing and manufacturing new products. They just won't sell them in the U.S.A. Believe me: I'd love to own a set of JBL TL 260BQ's(a revised version of their classic L250ti), but JBL won't sell them on this side of the world.
Don't get me wrong: I am a fan of JBL speakers. My home theater system(though it's in a bedroom,not a specially designed space) has been using JBL speakers for the past 6 years. My existing JBL's have all the low frequency power that I could ever want. But the audiophile in me thirsts for clearer, cleaner midrange and high frequencies. More recent JBL's may indeed have clearer, cleaner midrange & high frequency sound, but by sacrificing deep bass in pursuit of that "spouse approval factor". I'm single, so I don't have to be concerned about whether anyone disapproves of my audio, video & CD/DVD collecting obsessions.
Sorry for the confusion.
How odd:Audioholics just did a feature on these JBL speakers a few days back and was less than impressed by their lack of deep bass response, then you turn around and give them a glowing review a few days later, in both cases at a point when nobody in North America has actually heard these speakers(which JBL has long been reluctant to market on this side of the world)
How odd that you interpret a First Look article I did at CEDIA as a "glowing review". Perhaps next time reading the page title and the actual content instead of making a misinformed post would be a more prudent course of action.