JBL K2 S9900 vs Klipsch Heritage Jubilee Horn Speakers.


I recently had the opportunity the have extensive listening sessions both these two wonderful speakers. And, as great as the JBLs sounded (I believe that all horn type speakers are an acquired taste), I much preferred the Klipsch Jubilee speakers over the JBL speakers, and it wasn’t even close!!!. Also, the Jubilees are significantly cheaper than the JBLs. Are you kidding me??? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a horn speaker lover, per se, although, years ago, I did own a pair of Avantgarde Duo horn speakers for a while, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. But, it didn’t last. However, my goodness gracious, the Jubilee speakers just swept me off my feet!!! At the dealership, they used SS amplification for the bottom end and tubes on top to drive the Jubilee’s, and it was absolutely breathtaking!!! I found the Jubilee speakers so impressive that, I swear, if I had enough space in my listening room, it would’ve been extremely difficult for me to resist purchasing a pair of them right there on the spot. IMHO, the Jubilee’s are one of the greatest sounding, and also one of the greatest values in high end, cost-no-object speakers in the world, regardless of price. I believe that the Jubilee’s can complete with any speaker on the planet. And, I’ve heard just about all the greatest speakers in the world, either locally or at audio shows. The Jubilee speakers incredibly, just poured out a wide, open, huge soundstage, lush, greatly emotional, greatly involving, detailed, transparent, hugely dynamic, smooth, airy, bass to die for, holographic, 3D musical presentation like an ocean or a waterfall of musical delight. The Klipsch Jubilee speakers have got the one of the greatest best kept secrets in high end audio. Yes, you get the idea, I was supremely impressed with the Klipsch Jubilee speakers.  If I only had the proper space for the Jubilee's, I would buy in an instance and never look back.  Happy listening.

kennymacc

Showing 1 response by steve_zettel

I have to agree with the original poster -- the Klipsch Heritage Jubilees are truly special speakers. I discovered an authorized dealer about an hour from where I live that had a pair on demo and arranged an appointment to listen. Even though I had read what little is out here on the ’net and watched and listened to some of the videos on YouTube I wasn’t prepared for what I heard.

Absolutely jaw dropping and grin-inducing from the first notes. I’ve been fortunate enough to have owned and lived with some really excellent high-end speakers -- KEF 207/2, KEF Blades, Sonus Faber Aidas, Wilson Audio Alexx, and most recently, Avantgarde Duo SD G3 horn speakers, all but the Avantgardes driven by D’Agostino Momentum amplifiers and HD preamp and a dCS Vivaldi stack.

None of these were even close to the impact, dynamic swing, scale and effortless sense of live performance and  musical energy in the room.

I don’t mean loudness, though the Jubilees can do concert level SPLs without strain. I mean immersive, room-filling sound with all the vibrancy and emotional involvement that I crave as a music lover.

After the better part of the afternoon playing everything from acoustic Buddy Guy to Boris Blank/Malia electronica, classic rock, small and large combo jazz, classical, A$AP Rocky, and even some country -- well, long story a little shorter, I bought the floor demo Jubilees on the spot.

They really are that good.