Older JBL vs newer Polks
This might be an impossible question to answer, but can anyone give an opinion on the following:
My friend has a pair of older JBL speakers--the JBL 2600s, purchased around 1995 or so. He's looking to upgrade, and has his eye on the Polk Monitor 40s Series II which some places have on sale right now. The problem is, neither of us really knows whether the Polks would be an upgrade or an even trade (or even a downgrade).
Anyone with experience with these speakers have an opinion? Thanks in advance.
My friend has a pair of older JBL speakers--the JBL 2600s, purchased around 1995 or so. He's looking to upgrade, and has his eye on the Polk Monitor 40s Series II which some places have on sale right now. The problem is, neither of us really knows whether the Polks would be an upgrade or an even trade (or even a downgrade).
Anyone with experience with these speakers have an opinion? Thanks in advance.
Post edited by PeterR on
Comments
-
That's a tough comparison. Can your friend get into a Best Buy and listen to some TSI-100s or 300s. That would give him some idea of what the Polks sound like? These are the NEW versions of the M-30s and the M-50s. The M-40s would sound a little closer to the M-50s, reach a little lower.
Those JBLs are actually "still" decent speakers with similar specs but with a "metal" dome tweeter which will sound very different from the soft dome in the Polks. Personally, I think the JBLs are fine and that your friend should look "higher" up in the Polk line. At least to the Rti-A3s, or LSis!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
Thanks for the answer. Can you describe the difference in sound between a metal dome tweeter and a soft dome? As in, would one lead to a brighter sound, better highs, etc.?
-
The JBL dome will probably be a bit brighter, more forward and play louder than the fabric dome on that particular Polk series. One of the weakest links in the M series is the detail in the tweeter. It does have detail, but not as much as the RTI-A or LSI series.
Some, though, don't find that to be a problem. It really depends on what you prefer. But as for me, I'm going to say the 2600 is the better speaker here.
If we were comparing a Polk RTI-A3 with that JBL, the comparison would be a little more difficult.
But it isn't till we get to the LSI-7 that I can clearly say. Yes, the JBL loses that match.
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
Ok, great--thanks for the detailed answer. I really appreciate it and I think I can now save my friend a few bucks.
