Paradigm vs. JBL

[Tomorrow]

Well, here's an odd one for your edification.

I recently was demo'd a Paradigm 9/+ small surrounds/+CC-350/+double huge Velodyne servo subs HT system. I loved the sound stage and the spacial projection....which could have been the overall setup. I have a chance to pick up a similar system (less the subs) reasonably cheaply. Voices REALLY sounded like voices!!

The problem is, I have a fairly new Studio Series JBL system (S312's/+ large Surrounds/Center/and Hsu sub). I cannot A/B compare these or home test the Para's. Once again I'd appreciate your experience and wisdom in advising whether I'd be making a sidestep, downstep, or step up quality-wise. The stacked 8" woofers make for nice HT in the Para's, but don't seem to have the musicality of the big 3-way, 12" bass JBL's. (I play 75% HT, 25% music.)

The room is huge...22x27 with vaulted ceiling. Budget is very WAF dependent. :-( So I can't keep both.

As an aside, the big Velo's don't hold a candle to the single Hsu. (Could be the setup, again, I 'spoze.)

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[Tomorrow]

Puhleeeze, peeps.

Where are Paradigm Monitor 9 and the CC-350 speakers considered to fall in the audiophile 1 to 10 spectrum?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Puhleeeze, peeps.

Where are Paradigm Monitor 9 and the CC-350 speakers considered to fall in the audiophile 1 to 10 spectrum?

My opinion - 8. But your Studio Series 312's are some nice speakers. The Paradigm Monitors are going to require a bit more juice to get them to the same levels as your higher spl rated JBL's. If you have a flagship receiver, or separate amp, it's not an issue. You may lose some bass when not using your HSU, as the Paradigm has dual 8" compared to your massive 12" on the 312's. No comparison with in the bass department. What you will gain is the accurate mids and highs with the Paradigms.

So do you have the opportunity to exchange your JBL's, or would you have to ebay them?

 

[Tomorrow]

Thanks for the reply, Buckeye. Your opinion is always valued.

I would have to ebay the JBL's, if indeed I like the Paradigms more. It's strange, the S312's produce really nice sound...flat response like you wouldn't believe, but I get little soundstage projection like those Para's did in my friend's house. (Tho' his mains were perhaps 10 feet apart, while mine are 6.) And for certain, the JBL center channel doesn't give the life and reality to voice presentations that the CC-350 did. (But I am/was in the midst of upgrading that item when I fell into this Para deal.)

Oh woe is me...what to do, what to do?! Sometimes it sure is a drag living in a (very) rural area with no av stores within a 100 miles.

 

[JJMP50]

Jbl

rjbudz, just a heads up....

This is a relatively new thread so I expect a few negitave JBL posts to show up eventually. Ignore them. They have only heard the Northridge series which are less than desirable. The Studio series, the L series and up are fine speakers IMHO. I don't know if the Studio series matches up with the Paradigm Monitors. I've only auditioned the Paradigm Referance series and they are impressive. I can't wait to see what the new JBL Studio L series (just announced) will be like. I hope they make them accessable. BB only sells the Northridge and, like I said, they are garbage. JBL needs to take them off the market. It's giving them a bad name.

 

[Tomorrow]

Yup

Thanks, Bird.

Yes, the Studio Series received tremendous acceptance amongst the av equipment reviewers. The N-series got suck-all, and probably deserved it. It's just that I'm really a newbie when it comes to other offerings...and my relative inability to audition equipment.

I bought the JBL's based upon ancient history experience with the old Century line. TOP FLIGHT STUFF! But things have changed drastically.

And one last thing...there seems to be a bit of snobbishness about the more the money, the better the equipment. (Not necessarily on this board.) I appreciate the personal testimonies about relative experiences others have with their gear. Because of my rural location, it's my main access to updated information. I KNOW that one must buy according to what sounds good to his or her ears.....but a point in the right direction is always appreciated.

Good cheer.

 

[furrycute]

The JBL professional line is really top notch studio quality stuff. It's just their consumer line is not as well respected.

 

[Fomoco69]

My opinion - 8. But your Studio Series 312's are some nice speakers. The Paradigm Monitors are going to require a bit more juice to get them to the same levels as your higher spl rated JBL's. If you have a flagship receiver, or separate amp, it's not an issue. You may lose some bass when not using your HSU, as the Paradigm has dual 8" compared to your massive 12" on the 312's. No comparison with in the bass department. What you will gain is the accurate mids and highs with the Paradigms.

So do you have the opportunity to exchange your JBL's, or would you have to ebay them?

Hello music lovers...I am happy & satisfied with my Circa 1981 JBL. L series and my 1981 Sansui G series reciever / but out of Curiousity ordered a clean pair of Circa 1992 Paradigm Phantom speakers just to see how they compare....there monitors series also looks good....but before I bought my JBLs ..I had Klipsch KG series....

 

[Fomoco69]

The JBL professional line is really top notch studio quality stuff. It's just their consumer line is not as

 

[lovinthehd]

Hello music lovers...I am happy & satisfied with my Circa 1981 JBL. L series and my 1981 Sansui G series reciever / but out of Curiousity ordered a clean pair of Circa 1992 Paradigm Phantom speakers just to see how they compare....there monitors series also looks good....but before I bought my JBLs ..I had Klipsch KG series....

Nice resurrection of a 16 year old thread! JBL Lseries I do like, sorta grew up with L100s but bought Original Advents instead at the time.....recently picked up a pair of 4311Bs to scratch that old itch. Do you have the L100 or ?

 

[Fomoco69]

Hello....I have L46s....which are my 1st pair of JBLs....always had Klipsch & Polks......not a lot of room these days...but. they are a perfect match for my Sansui G5500 reciever...and rock the house....so glad I bought them!

 

[lovinthehd]

Hello....I have L46s....which are my 1st pair of JBLs....always had Klipsch & Polks......not a lot of room these days...but. they are a perfect match for my Sansui G5500 reciever...and rock the house....so glad I bought them!

Brands themselves mean little compared to particular designs/models within the brand. JBL has produced some stinkers as well as winners.... I personally not a fan of many of the Klipsch, and only older Polks as that's all I've heard....

 

[Fomoco69]

Brands themselves mean little compared to particular designs/models within the brand. JBL has produced some stinkers as well as winners.... I personally not a fan of many of the Klipsch, and only older Polks as that's all I've heard....

These L46s are keepers....Im going to try some Paradigms Phantoms / V1 or maybe some monitor 5s out of curiosity & all the good reviews ...but will be surprised if they can compete with my JBLs ?

 

[lovinthehd]

These L46s are keepers....Im going to try some Paradigms Phantoms / V1 or maybe some monitor 5s out of curiosity & all the good reviews ...but will be surprised if they can compete with my JBLs ?

Look at it this way, if you like the JBL L46 (which I've never heard of but haven't researched either) why would you worry about what "competes" with it and in any case what are the terms of the competition so realistic suggestions could be made?

 

[Fomoco69]

Agreed...I'm 62 and just trying to keep it simple and be satisfied with what I have ...a lot of temptation these days with the Internet....thanks for your perspective...