Jeff Permanian of JTR Speakers talked a bit on here a few months back and I mentioned I’d be in his area around the holidays, he said give him a call. And so I did, I’d been curious after rmk’s positive experience and I’m also always looking for new speakers to recommend or buy for my own use although I’ve sold most of my PA speakers over the last few months because I’m not doing mobile stuff anymore, just installed. I figured I’d drop by and check out his setup as long as I was in the area.
Jeff had to setup the 12s and Growlers for me, and went out of his way to meet me. I figured I’d just roll in and he’d have something setup regardless so I’d just take a bit of his time, but he went out of his way to show these to me and it is highly appreciated.
JTR’s 12” mains are fairly large pro-sound speakers. They look like a three driver subwoofer from afar, Jeff is working on designing a full grill for the unit as their sonic quality and reasonable price has gained JTR some interest in home theaters wanting that big dynamic movie theater sound that, regardless of what home theater speaker manufacturers tend to say, can still only be delivered by moving a lot of air. It’s simply a matter of being able to crank it up more without the speaker straining. Where GRT’s designs become more viable for the home is the midrange and highs aren’t delivered through a horn and they are designed not to give up quality for volume. I think these make them a good flyable solution for mid to small nightclubs, trendy restaurants and such…. And yes, even the home! No doubt. That’s not to say they don’t pack a punch, for with the twin 12s and twin Growler setup there was plenty of headroom left in the QSC PLX amplifier powering the 12s.
We played a range of music, from some vocal stuff to korn to dubstep. The environment in the workshop wasn’t perfect, and the speakers sound top notch regardless. Jeff asked me how I like the volume, and my answer was “loud,” Jeff’s ears were ringing later in the night, sorry Jeff!!! So, for a home theater, I really don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the output or sound quality.
The Growler subwoofers delivered authoritive low end and paired well with the mains. I’d actually be curious to hear a Growler crossed over to a Captivator for home theater (Because the Growlers roll off around 35Hz and the Captivator is a sub 20Hz subwoofer). I paid more attention to the Growlers once some dubstep was put on , because I can’t think of a genre harder on subs than dubstep and drum and bass, with common bass drops starting at 200Hz and plowing down to the sub sonics in once whoop. Sound systems such as Valve were specially developed for this abuse at high volumes. The Growlers delivered, and even drove the 1000watt QSC into protection. He had a Macro-Tech there but neither of us cared to move it. The point is that the subs too a beating and loved it, even in stock configuration without any processing. A prototype 15” scoop was also demoed, which delivered a powerful punch without sounding like the reggae scoops I’ve grown accustom to.
JTR Speakers are CNC cut, well braced (I saw the empty cabinets on his line, very nice), and finished in Line-X for its superior durability in pro-sound. For home speakers he has some different options (wood, working on paint). The finish looks uglier in pictures than in person, in person they actually look similar to the finish on my M&Ks and Bag Ends. The grains are a bit bigger, but so is the speaker so it kind of fits. JTR will make veneers, and has been developing clear coated finishes, and full grills will be available soon. I think with black gloss paint and a full grill these would have a higher WAF than I initially thought, but its still a big box and would require either a dedicated space or a very understanding lover.
As far as pro-sound goes, I'm going to recommend some friends that are looking at starting a new lounge might take a look at these as a flyable option for a high output yet awesome sound quality.
Again, I’m tired of typing, ask away…
