New or Old


Go easy on me, first post, returning older guy.

I imagine the topic has been done to death, but I cannot find this particular example.

Looking to get some speakers to go with my recently purchased Naim 152xs/155xs. Sources will be CD, streamer and a Linn LP12.

I see JBL Studio 590s on sale, so that would be the new option.
Also, locally to me, there is a pair of KEF 107s with Kube. Cost would be not much more than the JBLs. The four woofers have been re-foamed by the owner, who appears to be flipping them after only 6 months of ownership. The tweeters and electronics are untouched.

The JBLs I can send back if the home audition fails, but the KEFs I would be stuck with. 

Is new tech going to compare with old reference speakers, or will aging speakers and crossover and Kube just not sound as good as they should?

Has any one compared speakers that are 35 years apart?
I look forward to your assistance.
derekdick

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

WHY, after 6 months, is the owner flipping them? I would want an explanation I find believable. Something might be amiss.

Nearby, you can mask up and hear them? If not, and cannot return, no way would I risk it.

Take your most bass heavy source to push/hear the woofers, and what you know best for full range evaluation.

I have re-coned my woofers, and new surround of a sub cone, I know some of what’s involved. It's more time consuming removing the old glue, not too tricky. I would ask to see his shop, that will give you a feeling about how handy/skilled he is.

Be sure to get close, off to the side while playing, and listen for any noise from the coils, if not centered right, the coil can rub in the gap. If not, they were done right. Feel/listen, any air movement at the edges?

If you don’t have any bass heavy content, even if that’s not what you listen to, you gotta know. Consider, you might sell them yourself some time.

You could get hold of some of these (CD versions) pronto to test the bass. (all keepers anyway)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Bass_(album)


and crackling drums

https://www.discogs.com/Mickey-Hart-Planet-Drum/release/9697860

and frequencies and imaging of 3 guitarists (side 2, tracks 2,3)

https://www.discogs.com/Al-Di-Meola-John-McLaughlin-Paco-De-Lucia-Friday-Night-In-San-Francisco/mast...

my favorite female voice for mids (and wonderful music/musicians)

https://www.discogs.com/Cassandra-Wilson-Blue-Light-Til-Dawn/release/3188976




Most KEF’s are ineffieient, needing lots of power, this model is a fairly easy efficiency of 90db/1m/1w,

so the KEF’s can be driven by mid powered amp IF the amp can easily handle the KEF’s 4 ohm rating.

I would pick the KEF’s over the JBL’s, however, that is a heck of a sale on the JBL’s, and you can return therm.
assume you are talking about this JBL sale

https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STUDIO+590.html

You can pass on both, keep looking, but for around $500. a bit more for the KEF, either is a lot of speaker

perhaps stop, ask yourself, are you looking for a great deal or a great sound? New with warranty, or risk?

Only return shipping involved with the JBL’s, audition IN YOUR SPACE, I bet you more than likely will keep them. At that price, you could listen to them for a few years, sell them, move on.

Assume either would be darn good: WAF, is there any wife acceptance factor involved? Which speaker do you want to look at every day for years?