I for sure feel, and say they are the real thing. Now for ones who may
be offended or turned off by horn tweeters - then this thread may not
be for you.
They are transparent, smooth, with a spacious big soundstage - that has
good imaging, detail and definition. > Compared to the Snell K7, with a
Seas dome tweeter > the 530 bi-radial horn speaker, is neither forward or
laid back, and I feel that I am being drawn into the stage and not pushed
back. Is the Studio 530 speaker so-called perfect, no >> however they are
real good, and come real close to my nit-picking needs
Trumpet, Saxophone, Guitar, Flute, Violin, Drums and Cymbals, Piano, >
Harmonica, Female and Male voices all sound natural and rich. The 530
will not cover up Diana Kralls' somewhat raspy and sibilant voice > and
the same with Norah Jones somewhat raspy voice.
Now about that 5-1/4 inch woofer - if some are offended by woofers that
are smaller than 6 inches, then no need to read further. >> However, this
woofer has some deep, tight/controlled articulate bass. JBL did not invite
Dr. Mushy Boom to help out with the bass tuning. It nearly has the same
amount of bass as the Boston VS260 6 inch speaker, that does go down
low. > The speaker can/does handle Rap, Reggae, Rock, Electronic Dance,
Metal, Jazz, R&B and so on. And yes, it does real nice with Classic Rock. Now
that is not all it can handle - it can do Classical, Light Rock and them Oldies
but Goodies and is good with Jackie Evancho, plus Gospel music
The speaker is really clean sounding, and less colored than a lot of them so-
called popular good dome tweeters. The tweeter sits deep in the horn behind
that silver screen in the front - and the woofer sits recessed from the front
of the speaker. Greg Timbers did some good geometry work here.
They are better to me than their current $599 street price >>and hold up well
against the $1250 retail price, of the Snell K7. So to me, they are in the same
so-called subjective league of $600 to $800 range speakers > and above some
of them. The modded Cambridge S30 got knocked off the shelf
With these speakers, I toe them in about 2 inches and they need 12 inches from
the back wall, and should be at least 18 inches from the side walls. They do sound
a little better with the grill off, and connecting the provided fiberglass bottom horn
piece in. The bean counter had a tight hold on the design/engineering team - they
did not finish the bottom of the speaker. Now for some, if looks kill, then this 530
speaker may not be for you. Sound wise they are worth it - JBL did good on this one.
There seems to be a lot of people out there, who agree with me on this - unless
we all have our ears filled with wax.
Yes, they are solid for Home theater use, with their big bass - and can get Loud.
I will continue to recommend them at their current $600 street price. Another owner
is ready to move his NHT Classic Three and PSB speakers out.
