JBL HP8B - thoughts?

[MrPirate2882]

I have 2 of these speakers in my off-living room (no tv, etc.) sitting on ~3ft stands & connected to a midrange receiver + disk player. They sit outside of a corner about 6'' from the wall and 3ft from the corner (there is a cabinet of CD's in the corner along with a 4ft painting).

I haven't heard a lot of different speakers, but I've played various instruments for 15 years, fooled around with music, and these are just about the best speakers I have ever heard (even when missing some bass range). They seem to hit each note without interference and without a lot of tuning. Its a delight to listen to them. They make my $70 Logitech speakers sound like wind and put some newer bookshelf-type Boston surround sound speakers in my kitchen to shame.

So, I'm just curious if anyone has heard these speakers or has any thoughts on them or similar models? If I were to buy new speakers for music in a 15'x18' room is there a fair difference between bookshelf speakers and large boxed floor speakers like these? I largely use speakers for music - compared to movies, etc. These speakers are not made anymore (as far as I know) - what would be a good replacement I could recommend to a friend or maybe complement the JBL with a more surround experience (5.1 or so)? I don't really need help with a bass, I'll just pick one from the reviews. I'm more concerned with the main speakers.


All ideas/opinions welcome. I'm just looking for thoughts. Thanks a ton.



P.S. - thanks for the community & keeping it updated. I read a lot of the reviews on here. Good knowledge is priceless.

 

[DD66000]

JBL 3-way 8" speakers tend to be very good. I've got two models of that description, L212, PT800. They only need a sub for the low end.

I have never seen the HP8B, as they were made from '96~'97, before I started to look for new speakers in '99. As they were only made for 2 years, not likely you will find any more of them for MC.
But if you buy other JBL 3-ways with a Ti tweeter and 6~8" mid-bass, you might get close enough to timbre match those HP8B.

You could look for the 1990s L series models; L1, L5, L7, as I recall.