JTR Speakers, why so much?

Since COVID some building materials have quadrupled in price!  Finding out what markup for dealers can amount to it seems there should be some concession for factory direct.

     I have never heard them, but I considered purchasing three for my basement theater before the last price increases. I hesitated because I knew purchasing the front three would have led to me purchasing their surrounds also. I really couldn't justify the money at the time. During my conversations with JTR I expressed concern about buying without hearing first. I live about two hours away from their current location. The company offered to deliver them to me and set them up for best sound in my room.   

     I own two of their S2 subwoofers. The subs were a revelation. The subs I had before were loud. My wife once complained that she heard the movie I was watching in the shower, two floors up. The JTR subs can play loud, but they also have a sound of their own. In all the years I had listened to music, movies, etc. I never realized how much overhang I was hearing. The new, cleaner sound took some getting used to. I have no plans of upgrading the subs.

     Based off my experience with the company's sub, personal prior contact with them, and rave internet reviews I would consider them again if making a purchase in that price range.       

     If a used model that fits my room becomes available within a days drive I would buy them.    

John

Have you seen what’s inside of them? 
 

Measurements are good to say the least. You can see a bit of horn coloration or comb filtering around 5k but impressive and even more impressive from a small company. 
 

He’s asking us because it’s a hobbyist stereo forum.

Their website is awful. Doesn't tell you anything about the company.

Plain black boxes suggest home theater/pro audio is the focus. You don't need speakers  with nice veneer in the HT room.

18" subs-YES! Needed for explosions and a good concert DVD. I'll take 4

They look too home theaterish for my taste.  For that kind of money, get a pair of Klipsch Forte IV or Cornwalls IV. 

Why you askin' us?

I agree with james 633. The cabinets and horns are made of wood and they use quality compression drivers and woofers. If I could afford them they would be high on my list. Expensive but not overpriced I would say.

I think if you are open to the sound of horns they have a lot of potential (again I have not heard them). They measure very well and have silly output levels. I have found high output speaker translate to a sense of ease when listening to music and tend to bring dynamics too. 
 

i have thought about buying a pair to use as rear speaker for my surround sound and rotating them into my front’s/two channel just to have something different from time to time. 
 

Other horn speakers like JBL 4367 are probably comparable is sound quality but are almost twice the price at $16,600 (price increase…). With JBL get a better horn design and looks but lose the shear output and bass extension of JTR. Both brands use high-end large ring compression drivers. 
 

james633

451 posts

12-02-2021 10:15am

I think they are priced fairly. Take the 215RT. It has two 15” pro drivers that are very capable. The coaxial high/mid driver is $550 to buy. The large cabinet is made of birch ply I believe.

I have never heard them but would like to sometime and would love to own a home theater setup with JTR speakers. Their subs look amazing based on the measurements.

Appreciate the breakdown.  Would be interested in hearing them in 2 channel too.

I think they are priced fairly. Take the 215RT. It has two 15” pro drivers that are very capable. The coaxial high/mid driver is $550 to buy. The large cabinet is made of birch ply I believe.

I have never heard them but would like to sometime and would love to own a home theater setup with JTR speakers. Their subs look amazing based on the measurements.

mijostyn

5,497 posts

12-02-2021 9:45am

Those are expensive?

I guess they aren't to a bad a$$ like you!  Buy ten pairs then!!!!  It's nothin to you!


good lord......

Those are expensive?

Because some people will spend that much. 
 

that’s it!

  I have some Large Lego blocks, they have a half circle which,will keep your cables off the ground, I will sand them smooth, paint, and for the low, low price of only 299.95, they can be yours.

if you didn’t know about the lego part, and you wanted some cable lifters, and are willing to spend 300$ on a few Lego arch prices, you would spend it…….

perceived value to the customer…………

I own tektons........so I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Starting at $6k for a monitor that looks to be as simple as they come is what I don't understand, never mind the $9k pair that's the same setup but with just bigger woofers.  

They do look rather pedestrian; i.e. pro drivers mounted in a generic black enclosure. Not the most inspiring design. Is their sound deserving of the price is the question. As to the pricing, it's not as outrageous as I was expecting. I was anticipating five or six digit values. Given the insane markups on speakers if the same drivers were in a finely machined enclosure the cost would quadruple, with no added benefit to the sound.

Ya know speakers are like dancers, not so much as what they look like, but more what they can do. The point being I’ve seen some might homely dancers that could really really dance. Like the homely dancer, some UGLY speakers sure sound good. Beauty may only be skin deep, but UGLY in to the bone.. Lipstick works put a Tu Tu on the speaker. Fancy dress should do it.

Tweak # 491, "How to dress up ugly speakers". Think outside the box.. :-)

JBL Everest.. They don’t give those away ya know..

2-6K not to bad for your ugly ducks.

Wilsons 20K - 900K +. Have you looked at a Wilson? Pretty Dr. Who (ish) with a touch of Battlestar Galactica.

Regards

Regards