I need to get rid of my JBL 4311s don't I?


I have a pretty decent system and can't help thinking that my 70's JBL 4311's from a radio station are holding me back.
I have them perched on some leadshot filled Target stands...toed in about eighteen inches from the wall. To my ears they sound great if the vinyl I am spinning is great. They seem to be a very revealing, flat, near field monitors. What speakers should I be checking out as replacements? I have an ARC Ref1, VPI TNT 3.5, ARC Ref Phono, ARC D130, old Cardas Hexlink interconnects. My local hifi emporium has a pair of used Quad EL63's that they are asking fifteen hundred bucks for...I listen mostly to jazz...lots of mono....and soul from the 60s...any suggestions? I am not concerned about cost but do like to get some bang for my buck. I have considered going all out for Wilson's, Revel, or B&W but really don't know where to begin. My next purchase is certain to be some kind of monoblock tube amplification but I guess that is for another thread. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
ntscdan

Showing 1 response by satch

The JBL's are genuine studio-monitors, and designed to reveal every detail a recording has in it. There was not much focus on soundstage and depth etc. If you change your JBL's for the Quad's..... well, it's hard to come up with more different-sounding speakers. In my view, if you already know that you are going to buy monoblock tube-amps, try to listen to them in combination with the speakers you fancy. I really like B&W's N802, who'll need a lot of power, so maybe tubes aren't right for them.
What I'm trying to say is that you should trust your own ears. If you want detail, go for some Revels, if you want low-end and incredible drive, go for the B&W's, and if you want all of the above, go for Wilson (and pay the price....). If you want perfect soundstaging.... well, there are worse things then Quad ESL 63 powered by some tube monoblocks. Find a friendly dealer and listen to 2 or 3 combinations, preferably with your own pre-amp and VPI. See what you prefer, buy and enjoy!!