JBL L820 speakers

[Matt34]

I know JBL doesn't get much love around here but this is type of speaker design I'm leaning towards for my H/T. I'm having a hard time finding much in the way of reviews besides a couple professional reviews for a system using these as surrounds. Does anyone have firsthand experience with them?

http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-speakers/jbl-studio-l820-cherry/4507-7869_7-31429529.html?tag=mncol;psum

 

[JJMP50]

I can't speak directly to the L820s, but I am using L830s for mains along with L810s for surrounds and an LC1 for center. I would rate them as good to excellent for home theater in their price range. For music I have had them since Xmas to evaluate the L830s vs a vintage pair of JBL L1s circa '93-95. For anything recorded recently the L830s hold their own mostly for jazz and classical (poorly for classic rock). In general though they don't hold a candle to the older L1s. Keep in mind the L1s were made before HT was even popular and music was their forte'. I now use the studio L series for multichannel only and have the L1s set up in a different room for stereo (music) only. If you don't like a "bright" style of speaker design, the Studio L series may not be for you, but they do handle multichannel formats quite nicely IMHO.

Perhaps the additonal driver in the L820s may make a difference. Oh I forgot to mention, they are beautiful especially in cherry.

 

[Matt34]

I can't speak directly to the L820s, but I am using L830s for mains along with L810s for surrounds and an LC1 for center. I would rate them as good to excellent for home theater in their price range. For music I have had them since Xmas to evaluate the L830s vs a vintage pair of JBL L1s circa '93-95. For anything recorded recently the L830s hold their own mostly for jazz and classical (poorly for classic rock). In general though they don't hold a candle to the older L1s. Keep in mind the L1s were made before HT was even popular and music was their forte'. I now use the studio L series for multichannel only and have the L1s set up in a different room for stereo (music) only. If you don't like a "bright" style of speaker design, the Studio L series may not be for you, but they do handle multichannel formats quite nicely IMHO.

Perhaps the additonal driver in the L820s may make a difference. Oh I forgot to mention, they are beautiful especially in cherry.

Thanks for the reply. They will be used strickly for home theater use like your setup. I have a couple bids on them from the Harmon Ebay store so I'll see if I get lucky.