Best speaker brands for transient response

@deep_333 @phusis -- I am curious, what is it about JBL that makes you not a fan?

Definitely not trying to defend the brand -- I've been happy with my Studio 590s for their cost/value and love my 4305Ps. 

My biggest issue was the pricing jump from the 4309 ($2k) to the 4329 ($9k with stands). There's just not a passive model in between other than the L100s which aren't horns and just seem like a very different product. If they had a 10" passive horn model as an upgrade path from the 4309s to the 4329s I probably would have just defaulted to buying them and never would have started this thread.

@jayctoy thanks for the update, can't wait to try them out myself.

@phusis thank you for that very helpful response.

Playing in much lower price points, there has been fairly consistent buyers remorse from Studio 590 owners that move up to the HDI series (I stress not all, for some they believe it was well worth it). That matters when the 590s went for $1k before recently being discontinued and the comparable HDI 3800 goes for $5,500 at full retail.

To me, based on what I do for a living, it just seems their product range isn't focused and they're giving away a lot on the lower end of their range. Maybe their home audio isn't where they make money and it's largely an R&D business. But it just bugs me.

@helomech thank you for your feedback. They are the one brand that I can't find a Chicago-area dealer for (have Borresen and Marten dealers relatively close and ATC in the city, and Dynaudio up north) and agree that at that price level I need to do an audition, regardless of return policy.

@deep_333 -- thank you for your response.

For example, Meyer Sound and pro Yamaha (specific models)

Do you find that the Yamaha pro strengths find their way into their premium home audio models like the NS 2000/5000?

@ddafoe thank you for your response, that is super helpful.

I didn't prefer it over the big Spendor's bass output which to me sounds more like a sealed box than a ported design;

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I have two ported JBL models (not expensive, the Studio 590s and 4305Ps) and while they have many strengths, I much prefer to the bass signature of my sealed KLHs, although the active 4305Ps are pretty fast too.

I actually think the X2's bass output would maybe be problematic in my room, at least with the distance I could place them from my rear wall. 

This is my only concern with the X2s, the room probably is barely big enough for them in a best case scenario, based on recommended dimensions, and there's a good chance they won't be enjoyable off-axis at all. The recommended listening dimensions for the D7.2s is how I have my KLHs placed there now.

@james633 thank you -- so would you consider the 4349 in the higher end range or more mid-range?

That's still on my list.

@james633 thank you for your feedback. Yes that adjustment option matters, my KLH Model 3s have a treble adjustment knob and I turn mine lower by 0.5db and it does make a difference.

I do enjoy my 4305Ps very much and while they don’t offer quite the detailed transients as my KLHs (they’re close, however), they are stronger in other ways that do matter. The KLHs can be a little harsh in the treble and higher midrange does have some sibilance with certain vocal tracks. The 4305Ps are not remotely fatiguing and that's been noted by others on forums. 

I am sure there is better but at what cost and effort.

Very well said. Thank you again.

@emergingsoul thanks for your response. I get very good transient response through a Cambridge CXA61 integrated which is definitely not a high price point amp and maybe I just got lucky that it's a great match with my KLH Model 3s.

I did a lot of research and there seemed to be a prevailing, although not backed up by data, belief that a sealed design will deliver better transients on average because of the absence of a port. But certainly ported designs, especially at higher price points, can deliver superior transients as well. That was the primary reason for my posting the question, I wanted to get an idea of higher priced speakers that are found to be very good in this area of performance.

@goofyfoot thank you for the recommendation on the Quads. The ESL models are out of my price range but I've had a look at the Revela 2 and it is in my range and has been very well reviewed in the limited reviews out there. Music Direct is a dealer for them in the city. And yes I don't have a very big room to work with which does exclude some otherwise good options.