JBL ES250PBK / BIC Options

[Seth Morrison]

I'm debating between a JBL ES250PBK or a few of the BIC options such as the PL-200, H-100II, or the F12. Can I get some feedback from personal use on these?

 

[rojo]

Hey Seth, glad you gave us the chance to save you from a horrible fate. Short answer: none of the above. If I were looking for a cheap sub, I'd get either the NXG NX-BAS-500 (unfavorable reviews on NewEgg notwithstanding, it's likely to be an excellent bargain) or the Dayton SUB-1500 or SUB-1200. Indeed, since the SUB-1200 is on sale, you could almost get two of those for what you would've paid for the JBL. Having a pair of subs is nice for evening out room response, making it easier to flatten the dips and peaks across a wider seating area. Again, if I were in your position, I'd give the NXG an audition first though.

Of course, all this is tentative. If you're trying to fill a large room (over 2500 cubic feet or so), you ought to consider increasing your budget and aiming for something a little more grown up.

 

[Seth Morrison]

Yeah, I understand what you mean. However, honestly home theater isn't my #1 passion or hobby, so my budget is going to have to stick to the price points I mentioned. I'm sure at least one or two of those would suffice, no?

 

[rojo]

So it is a large room? 15" Dayton then, I think. Generally speaking, a 15" sub will move more air than a 12. It's also got better tuning than the JBL and the BICs.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend OSP v1.3.3.

 

[Seth Morrison]

It's 19x16

 

[KEW]

If it is 19 X 16 with a standard 8' or 9' ceiling, a pair of SUB-1200's will have no trouble filling it.
I set a pair up in a larger room than yours and was very happy with them.
Given a choice between two SUB-1200 for $276 vs a single SUB-1500 for $200, I'd go with the dual subs for the more even bass distribution. Of course dual SUB-1500's would be even better, but the 1200's will do the job in your room.

 

[Seth Morrison]

So you would you guys definitely recommend the Dayton Audio over the JBL I mentioned or the BIC F12?

 

[afterlife2]

^^YES!

 

[riker1384]

Are guys sure the JBL isn't a good choice? It was reviewed here, and it has fairly flat response that stays strong until about 25 Hz. Not too shabby for $250. Are the Daytons going to match that?

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/jbl-es20-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

 

[rojo]

I have a suspicion that the JBL is tuned lower than the resonant frequency of the driver. I had a JBL 12 once (before the ES series) and it was a boomy, muddy mess. Low-end extension isn't everything. I also auditioned a pair of ES series bookshelfs, but they failed horribly. JBL does make some very decent gear, but the ES series ain't it.

 

[afterlife2]

I had the JBL E20 in Cherry and that little thing could hang and go loud and good bass too. I really miss them...Funny thing is I bought the E30's and they did not sound anything like the E20, so I sold them. E20's drowned...There was a JBL sub that member Zorro liked and they were on sale I forget the model number though.

 

[afterlife2]

I think this was the JBL
Studio 150P sub well liked and was on sale for 200 back like 2-3 years ago: http://www.simply-surround-sound.com/jbl-subwoofers.html

Review: http://www.ultrahighendreview.com/uploads/documents/jbl_studio150p.pdf