Dear CAA readers,
I was just wondering your opinions on the JBL range of speakers. It is funny as I didn't realise decent car audio equipment existed until I found this website... I only had advice from local Strathfield who seem to speak highly of Sony Xplod and Pioneer etc which in home audio is like "homebrand" at the supermarket.
I eventually found a nice denon amp like in my lounge room, and searched the JBL website (as loved their studio monitor speakers) and found the GTO series of speakers which I could afford. My set up is listed below as my signature...
Having found this CAA website however, I realise there is a whole world of decent quality car audio with the gold-plated connections etc similar to home audio. I have not heard of many of the brands that are mentioned here in this website.
My big question is - do I need to start again? I sort of bought what I could afford and stuck with good brands of home/pro hi-fi. Would you guys be happy with this sort of system, or would you replace the speakers and sub with another brand? If so, where could I start to better this system? I love the sound of this system, however if it could be bettered I would love to know...
Cheers.
Full Version: Opinions on JBL car speakers
Do you liek your system?
If yes leave it as is. If not you'll have to decide if then gains you want can be made by installation adjustment or by equipment changes.
If yes leave it as is. If not you'll have to decide if then gains you want can be made by installation adjustment or by equipment changes.
Well said gooki! CAB if you're happy with your gear at the moment, then stick with it. If not, boy are you in for a ride 
I third that sentiment, do u like it, and just to cast some seeds of doubt go have a listen to some of the high range brands - rainbow 
hertz, morel, focal and many others. there is some awesome sounding stuff there just depends on your money and your taste.
hertz, morel, focal and many others. there is some awesome sounding stuff there just depends on your money and your taste.
I appreciate the feedback. I do agree that taste in speakers is quite personal. I have also learnt from this website that good installation plays a large part in the sound quality too. I do really love the sound of JBL speakers, so will stick with my system. I have enjoyed the installation tutorials on this site, so might look to sound deadening the doors etc to improve my sound.
I got really worried when I looked on ebay the other evening and saw heaps of these JBL 1200B subs for sale that were only two weeks old. I was worried JBL subs didn't perform compared to other subs if they weren't happy with them, but maybe these guys didn't have the amps to drive this model sub properly.
I was also curious if anyone thought that there was a large difference between their entry level GTO speakers (that I bought) and their GTi or PowerSeries range. The magnets of the GTi's mid-range woofers is the size of most sub magnets.
I liked the comment saying that I would be in for a hell of a ride if I wanted to upgrade. I am really impressed with the work some of you have put into your vehicles sound. For me to go to the next level it looks to cost big dollars. So I guess even if their GTi range sounded better, I see now I would have to spend another grand on amps to drive them.
Thanks again for advice. I am now much happier with my system. Cheers.
I got really worried when I looked on ebay the other evening and saw heaps of these JBL 1200B subs for sale that were only two weeks old. I was worried JBL subs didn't perform compared to other subs if they weren't happy with them, but maybe these guys didn't have the amps to drive this model sub properly.
I was also curious if anyone thought that there was a large difference between their entry level GTO speakers (that I bought) and their GTi or PowerSeries range. The magnets of the GTi's mid-range woofers is the size of most sub magnets.
I liked the comment saying that I would be in for a hell of a ride if I wanted to upgrade. I am really impressed with the work some of you have put into your vehicles sound. For me to go to the next level it looks to cost big dollars. So I guess even if their GTi range sounded better, I see now I would have to spend another grand on amps to drive them.
Thanks again for advice. I am now much happier with my system. Cheers.
if your happy with your speakers that is what matters most.i have heard the speakers you have (demo board)and they sound good i would personally take them over pioneer for instance in that price range.i cant say i have heard the gti range but they look good
This was taken from a previous post...
"JBL wound up suffering the same fate many highly respected brands have suffered over the years. In order to compete with the cheap products coming out of Asia they themselves went downmarket in quality and just stuck the JBL badge on cheaply made Asian products in an effort to survive in the mainstream market. While this helped their bottom line in the domestic market, their professional division has struggled for many years. In fact JBL's professional reputation has really declined since they began to lose market leadership as far back as the late 1970's.
They have now begun to make an effort once again in the professional sound reinforcement market but there is a great deal more competition than what the company had to compete with in their hayday.
JBL has generated more income from trading off the 'JBL' name-of-old than the quality of their currents range of products should justify them to."
In a nutshell you need to be careful about choosing gear based on brand alone.
Although a brand perceived by the public to be of high quality no doubt helps sales, brand names these days invariably turn out be 'names' only. Granted JBL had a reputation gained from the 1960's & 1970's when it's brand profile was high and many of it's monitor speakers were present is studios worldwide. However due to competition and cost cutting corporate directors have realised the Joe Public has become a lot more cost concious and market share dictates a companies survival. In a nutshell there are plenty of other options out there the the 'name' JBL.
Also attempting to link a range of asian made 'JBL badged' car speakers with some 1970's JBL studio monitors is like comparing a shovel with a cricket bat... you can't!
However no matter what gear you have, if you like it, that's the most important thing irrespective of name.
"JBL wound up suffering the same fate many highly respected brands have suffered over the years. In order to compete with the cheap products coming out of Asia they themselves went downmarket in quality and just stuck the JBL badge on cheaply made Asian products in an effort to survive in the mainstream market. While this helped their bottom line in the domestic market, their professional division has struggled for many years. In fact JBL's professional reputation has really declined since they began to lose market leadership as far back as the late 1970's.
They have now begun to make an effort once again in the professional sound reinforcement market but there is a great deal more competition than what the company had to compete with in their hayday.
JBL has generated more income from trading off the 'JBL' name-of-old than the quality of their currents range of products should justify them to."
In a nutshell you need to be careful about choosing gear based on brand alone.
Although a brand perceived by the public to be of high quality no doubt helps sales, brand names these days invariably turn out be 'names' only. Granted JBL had a reputation gained from the 1960's & 1970's when it's brand profile was high and many of it's monitor speakers were present is studios worldwide. However due to competition and cost cutting corporate directors have realised the Joe Public has become a lot more cost concious and market share dictates a companies survival. In a nutshell there are plenty of other options out there the the 'name' JBL.
Also attempting to link a range of asian made 'JBL badged' car speakers with some 1970's JBL studio monitors is like comparing a shovel with a cricket bat... you can't!
However no matter what gear you have, if you like it, that's the most important thing irrespective of name.
Thanks again for your opinions.
I also appreciated the quote from a previous post that I obviously missed. Thanks. I found that very very interesting. A lot of companies are doing that unfortunately.
It's hard to know what you are buying these days in general. Be nice if Bowers and Wilken's went in to car audio, hehe.
I also appreciated the quote from a previous post that I obviously missed. Thanks. I found that very very interesting. A lot of companies are doing that unfortunately.
It's hard to know what you are buying these days in general. Be nice if Bowers and Wilken's went in to car audio, hehe.
Having some familiarity with JBL, I can say that thier "growth" into car audio is less than ...... well worthy of thier reputation. JBL makes great professional gear but, the car gear they offer requirers a carful approuch. I can not speak for everything in thier line up but JBL as a company is "PROFESSIONAL" gear. Car audio is not part of thier core business and one needs to be carful not to allow thier pro gear success to guage expectation.
Have a good look, a real good listen and decide based on that. Don;t think your buying great gear just because it says JBL. If you want GREAT JBL gear, look at thier pro line up and pick what suits your setup.
Cheers
Have a good look, a real good listen and decide based on that. Don;t think your buying great gear just because it says JBL. If you want GREAT JBL gear, look at thier pro line up and pick what suits your setup.
Cheers
you could do a lot better than that sub...so maybe listen around...
all i can suggest is that if you are wondering if there is something better out there then you are obviously not entirely satisfied with what you have got...so research on this sight some professional stores around you and then start listening to as many speakers and subs as you can until your satisfied....i for one am not satisfied!!!!
all i can suggest is that if you are wondering if there is something better out there then you are obviously not entirely satisfied with what you have got...so research on this sight some professional stores around you and then start listening to as many speakers and subs as you can until your satisfied....i for one am not satisfied!!!!
theres no such thing as the best speaker, the best speaker is relative to your ears and personal music tastes
everyone has already said it... but i'll repeat it again, if you are happy with the quality then YOUR opinion on the JBL speakers are good
Ive used JBL in both DJ equipment speakers and in car audio, i have a pair of them as 4 inch rearfills and they do a pretty good job for what a 4 inch is limited to
ive known people that prefer the sound of sony speakers over jbl, pioneer or anything, most people here may think thats wierd but its not, because his ears prefer the distinct bassy sound of the sony xplods more than the lack of bass but high clarity jbls.
everyone has already said it... but i'll repeat it again, if you are happy with the quality then YOUR opinion on the JBL speakers are good
Ive used JBL in both DJ equipment speakers and in car audio, i have a pair of them as 4 inch rearfills and they do a pretty good job for what a 4 inch is limited to
ive known people that prefer the sound of sony speakers over jbl, pioneer or anything, most people here may think thats wierd but its not, because his ears prefer the distinct bassy sound of the sony xplods more than the lack of bass but high clarity jbls.
I'll refrain from commenting 'cos I'm biased, but you can ask anyone who demo'd my "yucky SPL tune" system at the CAASQ finals last year (Shiny, Damo, Blanket to name a few) and were quite impressed.
JBL's GTi range has what it takes to hang with the best. Notably, the GTi woofers are from the JBL Pro Vertex speaker bin, and the GTi tweeters are the same used in their home HiFi systems.
The GTO series, well, they're cheap and they work, but you get what you pay for. Dont expect too much from GTO's.
JBL's GTi range has what it takes to hang with the best. Notably, the GTi woofers are from the JBL Pro Vertex speaker bin, and the GTi tweeters are the same used in their home HiFi systems.
The GTO series, well, they're cheap and they work, but you get what you pay for. Dont expect too much from GTO's.
Morel, and Focal are 2 home audio brands that make some excellent products for car audio as well. I bought a Focal sub the other day, and it is the best sounding subwoofer that I have heard to date. I am considering getting another to couple with my home system!
Also, I have Dali A-6CS front splits and they are an excellent sounding speaker. I don't have the tweets installed all that well, but when you open the doors they are a very sweet sounding transducer. I am looking at building some kind of pod for the tweeter's, but as a home audio brand having a go at car audio, you could probably do worse. I'm pretty sure that they have pulled out of car audio however as they didn't have the brand cache that the current brands have.
Also, I have Dali A-6CS front splits and they are an excellent sounding speaker. I don't have the tweets installed all that well, but when you open the doors they are a very sweet sounding transducer. I am looking at building some kind of pod for the tweeter's, but as a home audio brand having a go at car audio, you could probably do worse. I'm pretty sure that they have pulled out of car audio however as they didn't have the brand cache that the current brands have.
Wow guys, there's heaps of info there for me to consider.
I wanted to get back to this post as I did a bit of research too. There was a time where there was an asian company just putting the JBL logo on their speakers and selling them on ebay - was told the way to tell is that they all have the same serial number.
It's funny cause I think I prefered the sound of them before reading all of this, hehe.
Truthfully I do like the sound of these JBL's, however now that I have a taste for car audio, I just wondered what else was out there to make my next possible improvement. I am also a bit of a die hard JBL fan with my live music (good one interfan, jbl everywhere too), and so thought I might of been a bit 'tunnel visioned' choosing my car audio, especially since it appears there is little comparision to their pro gear. I might listen to some of the brands listed above. If I would of saw a brand called 'focal' in the shops beforehand, I would of thought it was cheap crap. Nice to be more familiar with some of the car brands now, thanks.
I was glad to hear that the GTi series is up there with some of the better speakers, especially their subs. I was originally also wondering where the point of diminishing returns was if you like. Fair enough my speakers were lower on the scale, however wondered if paying three times as much for a set of GTi 6 inch splits made three times the difference in sound quality, or just slightly more.
If I hit the point of diminshing returns with my speakers, I am very happy to have got what I paid for...
I didn't want to admit it, but my whole set of speakers only cost $500 buying them carefully on sale. I thought it sounded a bit too good for $500 worth of speakers, so am wondering what $800 just for a set of fronts sound like... I will research over the next few months and let you know how I go.
I wanted to get back to this post as I did a bit of research too. There was a time where there was an asian company just putting the JBL logo on their speakers and selling them on ebay - was told the way to tell is that they all have the same serial number.
It's funny cause I think I prefered the sound of them before reading all of this, hehe.
Truthfully I do like the sound of these JBL's, however now that I have a taste for car audio, I just wondered what else was out there to make my next possible improvement. I am also a bit of a die hard JBL fan with my live music (good one interfan, jbl everywhere too), and so thought I might of been a bit 'tunnel visioned' choosing my car audio, especially since it appears there is little comparision to their pro gear. I might listen to some of the brands listed above. If I would of saw a brand called 'focal' in the shops beforehand, I would of thought it was cheap crap. Nice to be more familiar with some of the car brands now, thanks.
I was glad to hear that the GTi series is up there with some of the better speakers, especially their subs. I was originally also wondering where the point of diminishing returns was if you like. Fair enough my speakers were lower on the scale, however wondered if paying three times as much for a set of GTi 6 inch splits made three times the difference in sound quality, or just slightly more.
If I hit the point of diminshing returns with my speakers, I am very happy to have got what I paid for...
I didn't want to admit it, but my whole set of speakers only cost $500 buying them carefully on sale. I thought it sounded a bit too good for $500 worth of speakers, so am wondering what $800 just for a set of fronts sound like... I will research over the next few months and let you know how I go.
i was literally about to get the gto 606 splits for my car.... mainly cos they are sooo cheap!!! (249 rrp 179 sale price) but then i was lucky enough to grab a pair of ex demo kickers for only 100 bucks with a full year warranty!!! not the best speakers but hey!!! they are 100 bucks and they do a damn good job too!!! well the tweeters are a bit harsh but thats what my 7 band eq is for fixed that problem...
fixed that problem...
that is quite funny interfan no.1 because I thought you were a bigger die hard JBL fan than me if you used it in DJ equipment...
that's what you get for not sticking with the JBL's hey... just teasing.
Yes I bought that same pair for $180 down from $250. Ironically Kicker seems to have a great name in car audio, so I was interested to hear that you found them harsh. Sometimes speakers are personal and maybe can't just go for a good brand. Personally I find 'Bose' speakers a bit harsh, whereas other people love them. Thanks for input though as I would of done the same if I saw them on e-bay or something.
From what I've read on this site (not professing to be more than a car audio beginner myself, and you probably already know this...), I think positioning of the tweeters can help increase or reduce their harshness (eg. near a window tweeters may sound harsh) - incase you are spewing at buying the kickers.
Cheers again
that's what you get for not sticking with the JBL's hey... just teasing.
Yes I bought that same pair for $180 down from $250. Ironically Kicker seems to have a great name in car audio, so I was interested to hear that you found them harsh. Sometimes speakers are personal and maybe can't just go for a good brand. Personally I find 'Bose' speakers a bit harsh, whereas other people love them. Thanks for input though as I would of done the same if I saw them on e-bay or something.
From what I've read on this site (not professing to be more than a car audio beginner myself, and you probably already know this...), I think positioning of the tweeters can help increase or reduce their harshness (eg. near a window tweeters may sound harsh) - incase you are spewing at buying the kickers.
Cheers again
Definately have a look at the GTi range - they are an excellent driver if your budget can consider it, it would be a welcome addition.
However, you may need to purchase a seperate subwoofer amplifer.
However, you may need to purchase a seperate subwoofer amplifer.
money talks mate... money talks
for my first system i wanted it to be good and cheap... and thats what ive done and i love it... everyone envies my system even though its budget
maybe down the track i replace everything with super high end crap... but for now... budget system so 100 dollar kickers > 180 dollar jbls > 150 dollar jaycars
for my first system i wanted it to be good and cheap... and thats what ive done and i love it... everyone envies my system even though its budget
maybe down the track i replace everything with super high end crap... but for now... budget system so 100 dollar kickers > 180 dollar jbls > 150 dollar jaycars
Also cheers black ice and pro class for answering my other question about their higher range speakers.
I love my current speakers, however they don't go loud enough with clarity for me. However for the price, I was very impressed. They are very nice to the ear at lower volumes.
If the GTi series of speakers is a better reflection of JBL quality, then I will try and have a listen. If it is twice the quality for three times the price, then that is just how it goes...
The 6 inch speakers wanted a 23cm mounting depth and were about $700 from memory, and the sub to go with it was about a grand, so I don't think the mother of my kids would be impressed, hehe. And of course my little 6x50w amp would need to be upgraded to two seperate amps in order to drive them.
However I will have a listen to the GTi's, and over time upgrade to them if no other brands grab my ears (now that I know some of the other brands to look for).
Cheers everyone for that advice.
Cheers above too... I was busy typing straight after the last message and I hadn't read those two replies... Yes I might have to upgrade the amps too.
I might stick with my semi-budget system and learn to be happy with it until I can afford to do the whole overhaul...
Cheers
I love my current speakers, however they don't go loud enough with clarity for me. However for the price, I was very impressed. They are very nice to the ear at lower volumes.
If the GTi series of speakers is a better reflection of JBL quality, then I will try and have a listen. If it is twice the quality for three times the price, then that is just how it goes...
The 6 inch speakers wanted a 23cm mounting depth and were about $700 from memory, and the sub to go with it was about a grand, so I don't think the mother of my kids would be impressed, hehe. And of course my little 6x50w amp would need to be upgraded to two seperate amps in order to drive them.
However I will have a listen to the GTi's, and over time upgrade to them if no other brands grab my ears (now that I know some of the other brands to look for).
Cheers everyone for that advice.
Cheers above too... I was busy typing straight after the last message and I hadn't read those two replies... Yes I might have to upgrade the amps too.
I might stick with my semi-budget system and learn to be happy with it until I can afford to do the whole overhaul...
Cheers
I think it might have been Shiny that said if you're going to upgrade, you really do need to double the cost of your last item if you really want to notice the difference. In other words, if your splits cost you $200, you're going to want to spend at least $400 in order to really notice the upgrade. That's obviously not word for word, but I believe that's the gist of it.
When I first got into car audio I found it hard to believe that any speaker could be worth $1K, but when you've heard them in-car and heard the music you love beautifully reproduced so it sounds like you're hearing it live, it all seems worth it
When I first got into car audio I found it hard to believe that any speaker could be worth $1K, but when you've heard them in-car and heard the music you love beautifully reproduced so it sounds like you're hearing it live, it all seems worth it
I would recommend the very angle I took when it came to upgrading. Have a hunt around and listen to as many different brands as you can, then leach around the FS forums on here until something comes into your price range and buy it!!
It has taken me almost 18 months to collect my gear, but in the end its all worth it. JBL make some VERY nice higher-end Subs, but Ive never been a big fan of their entry gear, and never liked their splits. I am a splits man, as most of my music comes from these, but I must warn you when shopping around. If you hear something TOTALLY out of your budget, you'll do almost anything to own them. Save, steal, beg or borrow
Personally, Id keep your Denon amp. They had a really good name a few years ago, havent heard much lately, and quality over quantity in my books. Sure, go for a mono-block for the sub, but that amp would be heaps for a nice active system!
It has taken me almost 18 months to collect my gear, but in the end its all worth it. JBL make some VERY nice higher-end Subs, but Ive never been a big fan of their entry gear, and never liked their splits. I am a splits man, as most of my music comes from these, but I must warn you when shopping around. If you hear something TOTALLY out of your budget, you'll do almost anything to own them. Save, steal, beg or borrow
Personally, Id keep your Denon amp. They had a really good name a few years ago, havent heard much lately, and quality over quantity in my books. Sure, go for a mono-block for the sub, but that amp would be heaps for a nice active system!
i never knew denon do car amps... i knew they make pretty sweet dj equipment thats what i love about this site... you learn something new everyday hehe
thats what i love about this site... you learn something new everyday hehe
As for the Denon amp, yes I was so glad to pick it up... I knew nothing about car audio when I began... I definately didn't plan my system like I wish I would of... and like you guys do... That is why I ask how to dig myself out of an audio rut... I just thought from home audio, the amp makes the sound 70/30 more than the speakers themselves, so tried to buy a nice amp...
I was sorry but glad to hear, honest opinon(s) that their entry gear is "what you pay for"... I guess I put my faith in my amp with regards to sound quality... Be funny to add that to the poll, he,he... Amp/Spk/Install - what makes the difference, hehe. Also cheers shiny for mentioning you have to double the cost to notice the difference. Might try and listen to some speakers around the thousand mark.
Here in rural NSW, they have the JBL power series (only $400) looked up in a glass display case, never mind getting an opportunity to hear the GTi's... Might have to spend some time visiting audio shops next time I am in the city...
I was sorry but glad to hear, honest opinon(s) that their entry gear is "what you pay for"... I guess I put my faith in my amp with regards to sound quality... Be funny to add that to the poll, he,he... Amp/Spk/Install - what makes the difference, hehe. Also cheers shiny for mentioning you have to double the cost to notice the difference. Might try and listen to some speakers around the thousand mark.
Here in rural NSW, they have the JBL power series (only $400) looked up in a glass display case, never mind getting an opportunity to hear the GTi's... Might have to spend some time visiting audio shops next time I am in the city...
In summary, I do reckon these speakers sound great...
The sub is powerful enough for me too.
Perhaps my only comment is that I can only set my amp's gain to about half on the front and rear speakers as they tend to distort at really high volumes...
If I blow these speakers, I'll hit the GTi range I think.
Glad to know that it will be money well spent...
Cheers everyone for the input...
The sub is powerful enough for me too.
Perhaps my only comment is that I can only set my amp's gain to about half on the front and rear speakers as they tend to distort at really high volumes...
If I blow these speakers, I'll hit the GTi range I think.
Glad to know that it will be money well spent...
Cheers everyone for the input...
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