JBL 4367's in my listening room

[Mr Peabody]

The 4367's are sounding really good. I'd say the break in time is pretty long, now the horns are so good, highs are pristine and a delight to listen to, vocals are excellent, especially on good recordings, the bass is nicely flat and detailed, still not extended like the 52 was. When I say flat regarding bass, it still sounds like more of a live bass but it's accurate to the recording.

The sound is tough to describe with a string of adjectives, I don't know how reviewers don't keep from sounding like they are writing the same thing all the time. The 4367's just sound right, I find myself gravitating to acoustic Jazz a lot now because I get such a kick out of the liveliness, the cymbals, realism of the snare, tonally the brass sounds really good. Like a good speaker they sound good on most genres.

I'm thinking of trying these iso stands that will get them up from the floor about 5 more inches. They're supposed to improve sound as well but I'll have to see how much they cost and it's difficult to imagine the 4367 sounding better.

I feel like I've rambled and somehow missed my point, the 4367 I liked when I first got them but the sound has really improved upon break in. I used to wonder if I'd like Revel's Studio's better but now I don't think I could live without what the 4367 does. If you've never had the chance to hear a real pro horn with high quality compression driver you don't know what you're missing. Typically, JBL is shown with Levinson at Axpona, so many get a taste but I've noticed they tend to bring a model that's really too much for the room and I wonder if the heavy bass is what draws the attention. OK, enough,

[JohnMichael]

Much of what you report about your JBL's I hear in mine but at a smaller scale. I am as impressed with compression drivers as you seem to be. They give a wide, defined and deep soundstage in my room. I used to think of them as dry but after all this time listening I realize they have less distortion.

[Feanor]

Of course it's great that you are enjoying your JBL 4367's (and that JohnMichael is enjoying Studio 530's). But I'm still inclined to wonder how different their character is from the planars that I and Blackraven, or missing member, E-Stat, are using. I'm not aware that Mr P or JohnMichael have used planars, nor that Blackraven or E-Stat have use horns.

I love to hear from anyone who has been able to directly compare horns with planars.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Of course it's great that you are enjoying your JBL 4367's (and that JohnMichael is enjoying Studio 530's). But I'm still inclined to wonder how different their character is from the planars that I and Blackraven, or missing member, E-Stat, are using. I'm not aware that Mr P or JohnMichael have used planars, nor that Blackraven or E-Stat have use horns.

I love to hear from anyone who has been able to directly compare horns with planars.

My friend over on Audio Aficionado had a pair of Martin Logan Spires and got the itch for something new. He did listen to the Array 1400's and then the 4367's but he ultimately went for the Revel Studio 2's. He didn't say what the differences were between the ML's and the Revels and why he chose them in the end, other than he preferred them over the JBL's.

[blackraven]

I had a pair of Cannon TLS speakers back in the 80's that used horns. They were just ok. But I am sure that those JBL's sound great. My next pair of speakers may be the top of the like PSB's as I really like their sonic character. I loved the sound of the phased out Synchony's. Still love my panels though now that I have the proper electronics and digital player.

[Mr Peabody]

JM, you may want to check on Iso Acoustics speaker stands. Theyre supposed to do wonders for box speakers.

Feanor, I've auditioned Martin Logan, had a pair in my room years ago with a Krell integrated. I feel electrostats even have a different sound than Maggies. I couldn't get over the lack of a physical feel to the music with the electrostats but the presence was astounding. I've not been a big fan of Maggies in the past. Seems to get them to sound "right" takes the right set up, room, amp etc. I heard a set of 3.7's driven by Pass that was quite good. In lack of a better way to put it, Maggies to me sound like the sonic character of headphones, there can be good detail and frequency but there's a lacck of leading edges or something. In both ES or panels, it's difficult to fool my brain I'm at the performance when I hear a 7 foot tall sax or 12 foot wide piano. I may be exaggerating some but hopefully you get my point. The large sound stage may be great for Classical though. If I had space and funds my 2nd system could very well be electrostats driven by good tubes. I'd love to hear Sanders in a good room and equipment, they were really good at the show, I can only imagine how good they'd be in a better venue.

Horns have their own particular presence, just a live energetic type. I suspect the gent who preferred the Studios liked the more refined, "audiophile" type sound of the Studios. Some one gave a great analogy on Hoffman's forums comparing the 4367 to a sports car and the Salons, the Studios in same light, to a luxury car. The luxury car smooth s out some of the "bumps" etc. but you don't get the responsiveness and thrill of the sports car. It's just preference. With that being said the 4367, and I suspect some other models of JBL, tend to blurr the lines with the smoothness of the treble and incredible vocals. I will say both the Studio or Salon would play lower.

[blackraven]

Mr. P, I hear what you say about Maggies. They have their draw backs but at their price point, their performance is hard to beat. You certainly have to get use to a 10 foot guitar sound. You either like it or you don't. As far a lack of a leading edge or attack, it all depends upon the amp and preamp pairing. My Parasound has great leading edge detail that my Pass amp can't even attempt to match. Makes me wonder how a pair of JC-1 monoblocks would sound with them.

I have to agree with you concerning Martin Logans. The music it too airy and thin and not palpable. I do like their 3-D floating in air sound though. I heard ML surround sound with a movie and it was awesome.

[Feanor]

...
Feanor, I've auditioned Martin Logan, had a pair in my room years ago with a Krell integrated. I feel electrostats even have a different sound than Maggies. I couldn't get over the lack of a physical feel to the music with the electrostats but the presence was astounding. I've not been a big fan of Maggies in the past. Seems to get them to sound "right" takes the right set up, room, amp etc. I heard a set of 3.7's driven by Pass that was quite good. In lack of a better way to put it, Maggies to me sound like the sonic character of headphones, there can be good detail and frequency but there's a lacck of leading edges or something. In both ES or panels, it's difficult to fool my brain I'm at the performance when I hear a 7 foot tall sax or 12 foot wide piano. I may be exaggerating some but hopefully you get my point. The large sound stage may be great for Classical though. If I had space and funds my 2nd system could very well be electrostats driven by good tubes. I'd love to hear Sanders in a good room and equipment, they were really good at the show, I can only imagine how good they'd be in a better venue.
...

To be sure, a lot of people have commented on the over-sided soundstage of planars, (and Maggies in particular). But I can honestly say I've never had the impression of 12 foot wide piano; imaging has always sounded quite precise depending on the recording.

And this is not for lack of hearing "box" speakers in my system, most recently my DIY Daytons.

Horns, OTOH, I haven't heard. I would be curious, of course, but I'm disposed to make any sort of financial commitment to find out.

[Mr Peabody]

I went to friends house yesterday, listened to his Legacy V, the to another friend who has Salons.

When I came back from Axpona where I heard a lot of good gear then listened to my system again at home, I remember I wasn't coveting after anything I heard, my JBL's sounded pretty good. Then after hearing the above I think the 4367's are spoiling my ears to the absolute clarity and correctness of timbre. I mean the V has a much larger sound stage and a great presence, both them and the Salons play lower, not sure deeper though, but to my ears the 4367 was more convincing I am listening to a real instrument being played. Those guys who own the other speakers may disagree but at least it shows I have the right speaker, for me.

This is the first time I heard those Salons in that room. Another friend used to own Salons so I'm familiar with them. It was a real ear opener as to how important a room can be to a speaker's sound. The set up last night was in a fairly live room with a sub floor so you can imagine the room was less than perfect.