JBL LS60 (and LS80)

[KEW]

On a lark, I bought a pair of JBL LS 60's. I'm a sucker for a deal. These listed at $1100 each and are discontinued at $300.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GQ3D88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/jbl-ls-series-speakers

When I researched these, there were a couple of interesting points:

1) Most speakers with horns let the horn carry all of the high frequencies, but here they cross to a 3/4" ring tweeter (super tweeter?) at 8kHz! I am wondering if the most audible aspects that distinguish a horn speaker will be effected by going to a more conventional (for consumer audio) tweeter?

2) Both the LS60 (6.5" woofers) and the LS80 (8" woofers) have the exact same compression/horn and ring drivers. Strangely the LS60 crosses from woofer to horn at 2kHz while the LS80 crosses at 2.5kHz! That is not a typo! The larger woofer is crossed at a higher frequency. From my reading, I gathered that the LS80 is designed to play louder and handle more power, but the compression driver could not handle the power to match the woofer and ring below 2.5kHz. IOW, in order to meet the Max SPL design criteria for the LS80's they had to cross to the horns at a higher frequency. I interpreted this as an indication that the LS60 probably sounds better than the LS80 as long as I don't need the greater SPL (and I won't).

3) At 87dB, the efficiency of the LS60 is not so great as I'd normally expect from a speaker utilizing a horn!

I would welcome any comments or experiences with these speakers.

 

[slipperybidness]

On a lark, I bought a pair of JBL LS 60's. I'm a sucker for a deal. These listed at $1100 each and are discontinued at $300.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GQ3D88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/jbl-ls-series-speakers

When I researched these, there were a couple of interesting points:

1) Most speakers with horns let the horn carry all of the high frequencies, but here they cross to a 3/4" ring tweeter (super tweeter?) at 8kHz! I am wondering if the most audible aspects that distinguish a horn speaker will be effected by going to a more conventional (for consumer audio) tweeter?

2) Both the LS60 (6.5" woofers) and the LS80 (8" woofers) have the exact same compression/horn and ring drivers. Strangely the LS60 crosses from woofer to horn at 2kHz while the LS80 crosses at 2.5kHz! That is not a typo! The larger woofer is crossed at a higher frequency. From my reading, I gathered that the LS80 is designed to play louder and handle more power, but the compression driver could not handle the power to match the woofer and ring below 2.5kHz. IOW, in order to meet the Max SPL design criteria for the LS80's they had to cross to the horns at a higher frequency. I interpreted this as an indication that the LS60 probably sounds better than the LS80 as long as I don't need the greater SPL (and I won't).

3) At 87dB, the efficiency of the LS60 is not so great as I'd normally expect from a speaker utilizing a horn!

I would welcome any comments or experiences with these speakers.

Those look interesting, do you know where they fall in the JBL pecking order?

Seems to have a nicer cabinet than the lower end JBL. I never even heard of these, JBL seems to have a LOT of speaker lines!

 

[KEW]

Those look interesting, do you know where they fall in the JBL pecking order?

Seems to have a nicer cabinet than the lower end JBL. I never even heard of these, JBL seems to have a LOT of speaker lines!

I really don't know much about it and JBL doesn't make it easy to find out (that I could find).
They are discontinued.
I think it is safe to believe they are above the Arena and Reference Series.
I also think they are above some of the studio series.
However, I am pretty sure they do not trickle down JBL's latest horn technology (from the M2) which is supposed to be a true break-through innovation, I know I'm not buying a great speaker, but expect it to be on par or better than the Klipsch.
The reviews I read are mixed. Some say "it is laid-back" and others say "it has the detail of an electrostatic" (which I kind of get from my Klipsch RF-82ii). Both statements could be true, but I have a hard time resolving the two statements as co-existing!

 

[everettT]

http://www.jblsynthesis.com/productdetail/ls-60.html

 

[lovinthehd]

Interesting, almost makes me want to try it at that price; earlier this year I was pleasantly surprised as to how good the S590 is on another good deal from Amazon.

I cracked up a bit in looking at the bottom of the Amazon ad where they indicate what is "frequently bought together" they show people buying a single LS60 with the center channel....wonder how many people buy 'em in that combo? LOL.

 

[zieglj01]

If I were to by a set, it would be the bookshelf speakers. The LS40
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-SPEAKER-Black-Mahogany-Sold/dp/B001GQ3D7Y/ref=sr_1_6?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1481243975&sr=1-6&keywords=jbl+ls+speakers

 

[lovinthehd]

If I were to by a set, it would be the bookshelf speakers. The LS40
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-SPEAKER-Black-Mahogany-Sold/dp/B001GQ3D7Y/ref=sr_1_6?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1481243975&sr=1-6&keywords=jbl+ls+speakers

Curious, for the same price, why? The LS60 looks like the sweetest closeout at Amazon in the LS line; the LS80 at $500 each isn't quite as good a deal as the LS60.

 

[KEW]

If I were to by a set, it would be the bookshelf speakers. The LS40
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-SPEAKER-Black-Mahogany-Sold/dp/B001GQ3D7Y/ref=sr_1_6?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1481243975&sr=1-6&keywords=jbl+ls+speakers

You are probably right on the basis of absolute sonic performance (after sub). Per reviews, the towers seem to be a little bass heavy if placed near walls, not to mention likely more cabinet resonance. Additionally, I'll probably cross the ls60's at 80-100Hz to avoid this so the ls40's would cover it!
However, me Scot's blood has a hard time paying $300 for one of these (4.5" woofer, MSRP $700) when I can get a ls60 (dual 6.5" woofers, MSRP $1100) for the same $300. I am used to BS speakers being roughly 1/2 the cost of towers.

 

[zieglj01]

Curious, for the same price, why? The LS60 looks like the sweetest closeout at Amazon in the LS line; the LS80 at $500 each isn't quite as good a deal as the LS60.

I prefer bookshelf speakers overall - and the specs do not seem that much different,
except you should get more bass punch and a little more depth. The bookshelf is 13"
deep and weighs close to 30 lbs. It is a big one.

Regardless of the 60 or 40, they are going to need space from the walls as the bass
should be on the rich side.

The LS80 towers while costing more have gotten some nice reviews and are popular.
Two reviews here
http://i.nextmedia.com.au/avhub/pdf_jbl ls80hfjan09.pdf?128764488471237500

http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/jbl-ls80-loudspeakers-review-test-392590

http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/surround-sound-speaker-systems-reviews/jbl-ls-80-speaker-system-for-audiophiles/

 

[KEW]

Another interesting obervation...
mid-woofer @ 5-1/2 octaves
horn @ 2 octaves
supertweeter @ 1.2 octaves (audible) or 2.2 if you figure to 40kHz.

 

[zieglj01]

You are probably right on the basis of absolute sonic performance (after sub). Per reviews, the towers seem to be a little bass heavy if placed near walls, not to mention likely more cabinet resonance. Additionally, I'll probably cross the ls60's at 80-100Hz to avoid this so the ls40's would cover it!
However, me Scot's blood has a hard time paying $300 for one of these (4.5" woofer, MSRP $700) when I can get a ls60 (dual 6.5" woofers, MSRP $1100) for the same $300. I am used to BS speakers being roughly 1/2 the cost of towers.

A lot of money seems to have gone into the cabinets and finish.

While the LS40 should be really nice - I do not expect them to out perform the MB Quart VSO5
speakers which use to list for $2000 a pair.

However for one on a budget, they should really look the the LS series speakers.

 

[Beave]

Frequency response, impedance plot, and pics of the LS60 drivers in this Polish review:

http://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/zespoly-glosnikowe/365-ls-60

And a Russian site with plots of freq response and impedance:

http://www.salonav.com/arch/2011/12/020-7raz.htm

 

[Beave]

Sensitivity isn't as high as one might expect for a horn design; but impedance appears fairly high, making them an easy load.

 

[KEW]

Pretty interesting that despite having identical horns and supertweeters, JBL crossed them at different frequencies. I'm sure there is a reason, but also sure that I don't know what it is!

Specifications

• LS 80
• Design:3-1/2-Way, Ported Enclosure, Floor-Standing
• Drivers: One 0.75″ Polyester Film Tweeter, One 2″ Titanium Compression Horn Midrange, Two 8″ PolyPlas Woofers
• MFR: 46hz-38Khz (-3dB)
• Crossover Frequencies: 400 Hz (6dB/Octave); 2.5 kHz and 8 kHz (24dB/Octave)
• Sensitivity: 90 db (2.83 V @ 1 Meter)
• Maximum Power: 200 Watts
• Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
• Dimensions: 44″ H x 10.4″ W x 16.5″ D
• Weight: 78.5 Pounds/each
• MSRP: $1,499/each USA
• LS Center
• Design: 3-Way, Sealed Enclosure
• Drivers: One 0.75″ Polyester Film Tweeter, One 2″ Titanium Compression Horn Midrange, Two 6.5″ PolyPlas Woofers
• MFR: 85hz-38Khz (-3dB)
• Crossover Frequencies: 2.5 kHz and 9 kHz (24dB/Octave)
• Sensitivity: 88 db (2.83 V @ 1 Meter)
• Maximum Power: 150 Watts
• Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
• Dimensions: 9″ H x 26.5″ W 9.25″ D
• 31.7 Pounds/each
• MSRP: $799/each
• LS 40
• Design: 3-Way Bookshelf, Ported Enclosure
• Drivers:One 0.75″ Polyester Film Tweeter, One 2″ Titanium Compression Horn Midrange, One 6.5″ PolyPlas Woofer
• MFR: 50hz-38Khz (-3dB)
• Crossover Frequencies: 2.6 kHz and 7 kHz (24dB/Octave)
• Sensitivity: 87 db (2.83 V @ 1 Meter)
• Maximum Power: 150 Watts
• Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
• 8-3/4″ W x 19-5/8″ H x 13-1/2″ D
• 29.8 lbs ea
• MSRP: $699.00 ea

 

[lovinthehd]

I prefer bookshelf speakers overall - and the specs do not seem that much different,
except you should get more bass punch and a little more depth. The bookshelf is 13"
deep and weighs close to 30 lbs. It is a big one.

Regardless of the 60 or 40, they are going to need space from the walls as the bass
should be on the rich side.

The LS80 towers while costing more have gotten some nice reviews and are popular.
Two reviews here
http://i.nextmedia.com.au/avhub/pdf_jbl ls80hfjan09.pdf?128764488471237500

http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/jbl-ls80-loudspeakers-review-test-392590

http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/surround-sound-speaker-systems-reviews/jbl-ls-80-speaker-system-for-audiophiles/

I thought I remembered your fondness for book shelves, what I generally use as well altho I did get the S590s recently. For the price, and no stands needed....LS60 just appeals more. Here's the LS40 measurements from S&V http://www.soundandvision.com/content/jbl-ls40-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures#0hH0QQfc3iPd0Ill.97

 

[zieglj01]

I thought I remembered your fondness for book shelves, what I generally use as well altho I did get the S590s recently. For the price, and no stands needed....LS60 just appeals more. Here's the LS40 measurements from S&V http://www.soundandvision.com/content/jbl-ls40-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures#0hH0QQfc3iPd0Ill.97

Thanks, I had already read the measurements. I have looked at them a lot in the past.
However, I am still trying to hold back as I will be moving to Tennessee soon and will
be space limited for now.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks, I had already read the measurements. I have looked at them a lot in the past.
However, I am still trying to hold back as I will be moving to Tennessee soon and will
be space limited for now.

The measurements were more for the thread in general, figured you'd already seen them . I couldn't find any for the LS60.

Hope the move goes well for you; I hate moving, done it many times (and will not again unless I'm somehow forced to before I croak).

 

[rojo]

Thanks, I had already read the measurements. I have looked at them a lot in the past.
However, I am still trying to hold back as I will be moving to Tennessee soon and will
be space limited for now.

Dude, where in Tennessee?

 

[speakerman39]

Dude, where in Tennessee?

Good question. My daughter and grandsons live in TN. Have some nieces and nephews there as well. Clarksville is like an hour and a half way. Just curious is all.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Dennis Murphy]

Frequency response, impedance plot, and pics of the LS60 drivers in this Polish review:

http://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/zespoly-glosnikowe/365-ls-60

And a Russian site with plots of freq response and impedance:

http://www.salonav.com/arch/2011/12/020-7raz.htm

Well, from those measurements it looks like you should wait for the PSB's to go on close-out sale, and maybe you should stash away some reserves to buy off anyone trying to bring the Cantons into your house. That's one seriously bad frequency response.