Quote Originally Posted by Thriftstore Cowboy View Post
First, I think cost is sometimes a bit arbitrary. For the most part in audio, you typically get better performance when you spend more. However, these speakers are more popular in Europe and Japan where they cost nearly twice as much and compete with a different level of speaker than they do here. Personally, I haven't found a speaker under a grand that I enjoy more than these. They create such a rich, full-bodied sound stage and the HF driver sounds refined but with great dynamics that never compresses, even with the most complex musical passages. Plus, they straight up boogie. This morning I was listening to some old Thievery Corporation and it was so involving that I really hated to leave. There are a lot of great speaker options available, but there is no shame in enjoying these special creatures.

I think much of the affordability of the speaker is due to it being built in China. If it was still made in this country the price tag would be higher. A higher price tag might make some happier.

I agree with your description of the sound. The horn loaded compression driver is pretty special without any of the colorations I have heard from some horns. I was never a big JBL fan but this speaker is a different animal. Someone looking for a pair of speakers in this price range should surely listen to these. As you mention they are enjoyable and I find myself sitting and listening instead of just having background music playing.

When I find a speaker that beats these on many counts I am sure they will be quite expensive.