Order one of the new Classic JBL speakers from a dealer that has a return policy (like crutchfield), Do NOT get a speaker you can't return.
Would Luxman work well with JBL?
I am looking to trade in my PSB Imagine T3s for a more vintage speaker. I miss that exciting sound. I’m thinking about the JBL 4367s. Would a Luxman integrated match well with those JBLs? I’m reading that they can be a little finicky with amps.
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OP kota1 is giving you excellent advice. the issue will be enough power for the speaker model you choose. do you have an existing Luxman or intend on getting one? My little Luxman, tubes, 10wpc is as reviewed, has reserve power beyond it’s conservative rating, plenty for my office system. some classic jbl’s are low sensitivity, i.e. 85db, you would be better off trying for a model with higher sensitivity, some are 90db, needing less power for the same volume output than 85db Bass, instantaneous spikes of dynamics, more power is needed. High sensitivity makes it easier to try tubes.
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Just jumping about hifishark.com Interesting Vintage Pair
lots of power https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/luxman/m-02.shtml ..................................... any local pickup only, you can always make your own arrangements with UPS 'pack and ship', seller simply drops unpackaged item(s) at the counter in your name and walks away.
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An interesting unit with optional bypass able old world features, AND remote control. Capable of controlling several systems, but you can ignore all that. https://www.hifi-classic.net/review/luxman-tp-117-202.html
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So the JBL Synthesis 4367 with a 15” woofer wouldn’t be as good as the classic series? The question isn’t which is better, the question is which can you return after an audition. The "better" part is subjective, your bank balance is objective. Make sure your choice fits what you prefer. I have a JBL system setup in the man cave with the Studio 2 series. I LOVE the way the 230 book shelfs present in that room, 6 inch drivers that go so loud the neighbors complain. The 15 inch drivers in that room would probably have the fire department at my door. I did audition the Studio 3 active versions which are praised morning noon and night but were too bright for my taste compared to the 230’s. I bought them right from the JBL website which DOES offer 30 day auditions with FREE shipping both ways if you return them. The 230's sounded good with my Parasound Zamp with 40 watts but when I drove them with 80 watts of Bob Carver magic the soundstage blew out from wall to wall, floor to ceiling. I would have NEVER known this from a chat room. You gotta get em in your space, with your amp, your music, and let the music play. If it don’t ring your bell, send them back. |
Kota1…I see. Very good point. I take care of my 90 yo mother, so my equipment is in my bedroom. Which is somewhat small, maybe average. But someday I will be bringing my system out into my living room which is considerably larger and quite open. So I’m thinking I need to buy something that will best adapt to that larger space and have to compromise it’s possible booming sound in my bedroom for awhile. |
Luxman 530 Integrated just listed, both MM and MC phono with selectable attributes, https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649996144-luxman-l530-integrated-amp/ another this 505, with remote control
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Little Luxman, tubes This is earlier N100 version of my N150, N150 has MM and MC, N100 only MM. both remote control both conservatively rated 10wpc, they have more than that I drive my restored AR-2ax, low 86db sensitivity in my office. Either (same rating) would drive the JBL 4367 which are 94db sensitivity, not to big room blasting levels, but enjoyable volume. good price for an N100 https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649993294-luxman-sq-n100-tube-integrated-amplifier-stereo/ https://6moons.com/audioreviews/luxman3/100.html my n150, higher price https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649949268-luxman-sq-n150-tube-integrated-amplifier/ .......................................... new 505 https://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=2 my as s hurts, gotta go
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Ah yes thank you Elliott. I was thinking of getting a new Luxman…would that be good with a Klipsch or JBL speakers? I love the meters, knobs/switches and build quality of the Luxman. Should I get class A or would class A/B sound good as well? I don’t want class D amplification and thankfully it appears Luxman doesn’t do that |
I have the 4367, as well as experience eith other horns. The sensitivity rating usually is: 1000hz test tone measure at 1 meter on axial. It tells you absolutely nothing about the actual sound coming out from the speakers. whether its coming out ok, or harsh.
Compression drivers need as much CLEAN power as possible to sound the best. Thats why JBL rates 4367 and other of their monitors 300w amplification (its on the manual). The tone/sound is completely different when it sings at its 100%. Where the clean power coming from is up to you, and of course personal taste and music types dictate the amp choice, but if you are push ur JBL w 10w of whatever, at least borrow someone good 100-300w amp and see the difference. |
Music direct often has open boxes of 4367s for around $10,000 give or take. I will be interested to hear what you think of the Klispch and JBL back to back. I demoed the entire Klispch line (a friend owns the K-horns too) before buying the JBL blind. I focused mostly on the Cornwall IV as the la scale has terrible bass extension (I run subs with all my systems…). I thought the la scala has pretty strong box coloration but it was just a demo so don’t read into that too much.
The Cornwall on McIntosh gear (I also own and use Mac gear) left my ears super tired. As in more tired than they have ever been. I had to take a whole day off of from music to recover?!? Listening volume were low 90s based on my phone’s db meter. Not sure what that was about. The soundstage also shifted width with frequency which made it sound a little odd. I moved them all around the room in both demos at two different dealers. Where the JBLs are fatigue free at the same volume for me for hours on end. The Klispch form memory has more colorations. The 4367 is less colored with a quieter box. I am sure the much better bass driver plays into it too. Where the JBL is heavy cast aluminum and the Klispch is thinly stamped steel. Up to you whether or not you hear that. Not to mention the duel motor in the JBL woofer is current tech. Then there is the high tech tweeter/mid in the JBL. I am not going to pretend to understand it. It is a two driver with ring diaphragms with no surround. Kind of like two big headphone drivers out of sennhizer… but they have the best highs I have ever heard. Totally smoked the beryllium tweeter in my Revels 228be for detail. Anyway I am of the opinion the JBL is a class above the Klispch but it is 3 times the price and not 3 times better. If you have the money or can find a deal go forit.
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Listening fatigue most commonly caused by distortion/compression, which occurred most frequently at (you guess it) the end of chain, your speakers, being the largest mechanical device that produce the actual sound. And the most common cause for distortion/compression in speakers is underpower (they do not get blown by tons of clean power) This is the interview with the 4367 chief designer (as well as their 80k everest) Grep Timbers https://positive-feedback.com/interviews/greg-timbers-jbl/ He uses 4x Parasound JC1 (800w into 4ohm each) 1 for each woofer in his everest (tube for high). So lets say 4367 has 1 15" woofer, at least give it 400w high current power.
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James633…okay good to hear. In 1975 I went into an audio store and a salesperson was playing The Doobie Brothers “Listen to the music” on a high end system. I don’t remember the speakers…were they Cerwin Vega? Altec Lansing? Pioneer? Klipsch? JBL? Whatever they were they had the best sound I ever heard…and that was 48 years ago. I want that sound. I’m going to go listen to both. I hope, for price sake, I like the Klipsch better but will see. The great Steve Hoffman has Klipsch as his reference speaker. But I will see! Thanks for all the advice |
seems you can buy a new 509z for $8,500 plus shipping used ones and other slightly older models (even new) are also listed below the 5 new Z models. meanwhile, the earlier 505 are listed for $2,800 new, and there are several models in between. I would research the model’s reviews, feature differences. Power: it takes double the wpc to make a +3db increase in volume, so the difference in 505’s 100wpc and 509’s 120 wpc is insignificant. I’m not pushing the 505, just using it for example, Personally I would buy the pair I found and jason liked hifiengine has manuals https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/luxman/c-02.shtml https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/luxman/m-02.shtml here it is with the 3rd piece, tuner https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649977063-luxman-m-02-t-02-c-02/ I'm very tempted, gonna measure if it fits downstairs, then sell my Yamaha CR-1020 btw, REVERB definitely supports the buyer, completely and quickly resolved two issues for me.
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