I want to listen to a broader array of music before passing the final verdict for music, but I agree with everything ATLAudio said.
On paper, one of the appeals of this JBL system for me was believing that , since this speaker uses a horn, it would have the same sort of microdynamics and "impactfulness" that make the Klipsch such an exciting speaker for HT.
Just to recap my experience with the Klipsch - it is absolutely is not a harsh speaker (which surprised me because that was my experience in the mid-70's when I listened to lots of speakers, and it has continued to be repeated on audio forums, so I expected it). I feel the Klipsch is a good overall speaker and was a steal at the "fire sale" prices they occasionally have with discontinued models. It is an outstanding HT speaker because the horns seem to cast sounds closer to you than actual distance of the speaker, presenting an immediacy which is very exciting for action movies.
For acoustic music, and as someone who hears live acoustic instruments at least 3 times a week, this immediacy is not realistic. It still sounds good, but while having more "vivid" sound for HT is fun, it is not quite as it should be for music. In all fairness, I have a very similar issue with all Magnepans or ML Electrostats I have heard, so don't think it would bother everyone by any means. For non-acoustic music, I do not have an issue with this. Klipsch has a great marketing campaign with "slogans" on the box like "pissing of the neighbors for 75 years" (I probably don't have the number of years right, but you get the idea). For music like Rock, they have wonderful slam and an "in your face" vibe and energy that is pretty great!
So, the Klipsch work well for me as HT and I often use them for daily casual listening to Pandora.
In comparison, the JBL forfeited much of what makes the Klipsch such a wonderful HT speaker. That quickly rules it out as a replacement for the Klipsch. I was surprised that the nature of this JBL w/horn was so different; however, several reviews I read on the JBL (ls60 or ls80) pointed out that these did not have the traditional "JBL sound" which I believe to be a forward sound more like the Klipsch.
In any case, I look forward to putting these to the test as music speakers and seeing how they compare to some others. They did not fare well against the Klipsch on Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms", but I did not have my CD with me to listen to the wide array of music I like to trial speakers with.
I hope to get this done this week and will post the results.
Edit: I am surprised that JBL did nothing to widen the stance of these speaker to increase stability. They are slimmer than the Klipsch (which also have out-riggers to widen the stance). If i kept them, I would probably add a plinth or something to increase stability (and I have neither kids nor animals to worry about).
