Polk vs jbl

Polkie918
Polkie918 Posts: 245
edited October 2008 in Speakers
Hey, I currently have all polks....that I am happy with

rti8
csi3
fxia4
valodyne sub

and a Harmon Kardon avr247 (Which is set to the STOCK default settings)

BUT....I bought a JBL S-Center at a garage sale...(I used to have one but sold it, not sure why) and hooked it up and it actually to me sounds a little bit better/louder then my csi3....

so with just that sounding better I was wondering if a JBL setup would sound better overall like upgrading my front towers to like the JBL S-312 (I think thats the studio series towers model number)



What do you all think......I find my self switching speakers alot like I said I used to have a jbl setup and got rid of it cause I thought bose was better and got a good deal....then I got rid of the bose for the polks and yes the polks are much better then the bose



opinions please or am I just thinking stupid and my polks are plenty good!

thanks
Fronts- RTi8
Center- CSi5
Rears- FXiA4
Sub- Velodyne 12"
Onkyo TX-SR806
Ps3
Xbox 360
65" DLP 1080P Toshiba TV
Post edited by Polkie918 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited October 2008
    It's all a matter of preference. I would go with whatever sounds best to you.....but don't just decide that after listening to a center channel. You need to hear it all set up together.

    I like JBL - see sig ;)
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited October 2008
    Did you recalibrate your speaker levels after you replaced the center channel? It's human nature that "louder sounds better". It could be that the JBL is a little bit easier to drive than the CSi3 and therefore is a bit louder. Recalibrate and then give it a serious listen and make your decisions.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie918
    Polkie918 Posts: 245
    edited October 2008
    sorry, I do not know how to calibrate ?? like I said its all on the factory default settings on the avr247
    Fronts- RTi8
    Center- CSi5
    Rears- FXiA4
    Sub- Velodyne 12"
    Onkyo TX-SR806
    Ps3
    Xbox 360
    65" DLP 1080P Toshiba TV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2008
    That model should come with a Mic for calibration.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie918
    Polkie918 Posts: 245
    edited October 2008
    oh yea, I did that before and after I thought it all sounded much worse,...thats why I set everything back to a defauly setting and once again it sounds much better to me...
    Fronts- RTi8
    Center- CSi5
    Rears- FXiA4
    Sub- Velodyne 12"
    Onkyo TX-SR806
    Ps3
    Xbox 360
    65" DLP 1080P Toshiba TV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited October 2008
    Polkie918 wrote: »
    oh yea, I did that before and after I thought it all sounded much worse,...thats why I set everything back to a defauly setting and once again it sounds much better to me...
    That doesn't sound right to me. It should sound much better calibrated, but if you're happy that way ...
    Alea jacta est!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2008
    I wasn't happy with my Onkyo's or HK's calibrated sound either, so I know where he's coming from.

    Well, the only way to make sure all channels are playing at the same volume is to check with a SPL meter.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie918
    Polkie918 Posts: 245
    edited October 2008
    How do u do that? where do I get it? cost? easy to do? thanks
    Fronts- RTi8
    Center- CSi5
    Rears- FXiA4
    Sub- Velodyne 12"
    Onkyo TX-SR806
    Ps3
    Xbox 360
    65" DLP 1080P Toshiba TV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sansui
    Sansui Posts: 372
    edited October 2008
    Polkie918 wrote: »
    How do u do that? where do I get it? cost? easy to do? thanks
    Most people, like me, got one from Radio Shack. It's called a "Sound Level Meter" and I believe the part number for the digital one is #33-2055. I think they're about $40.00 and come in either analog or digital. You will want "C" weighting and probably set each speaker to about a 75 or so readout.

    Set them all the same using the volume control for each speaker with your amp set up menu (not the main volume control). Sit in the place you'll be sitting all the time when listening to your system (known as the "sweet spot") when you set your levels.

    If your amp has a "footage setting" for each speaker, measure the distance from each speaker to where you'll be sitting and set each speaker to that footage setting also.

    It's got to be easy seeing as how I was able to do it. ;)
    Be gentle, I'm new to all this...

    The mind blowing speed of the BRAIN TRAIN...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited October 2008
    Polkie918 wrote: »
    How do u do that? where do I get it? cost? easy to do? thanks
    Fairly easy. I would:

    - Get the SPL meter from Radio Shack, or online.
    - Find a tripod (hope you have one already).
    - Set the meter on the tripod.
    - Use EzSet/EQ to measure the distances and set the crossover points (and levels).
    - Then, using manual test tones, adjust the settings on each speaker level while checking the level on the SPL meter.

    Use 75-85dB on the meter, trying to avoid big adjustments on each speaker, either + or -. The most important thing is to get them all the same. The direction of the SPL meter varies according to who you ask. Some say point it straight up (so that it registers the surrounds properly), some say point it forward (because your ears "point" forward too), others say point it at an upwards angle (because your ears don't really "point" forward completely, just somewhat ...). You decide! It makes it easier if you let EzSet/EQ do some of the grunt work first.
    Alea jacta est!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2008
    Has JBL started making a loudspeaker that was worth listening to again? Stop the presses!
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited October 2008
    Kex wrote: »
    Fairly easy. I would:

    - Get the SPL meter from Radio Shack, or online.
    - Find a tripod (hope you have one already).
    - Set the meter on the tripod.
    - Use EzSet/EQ to measure the distances and set the crossover points (and levels).
    - Then, using manual test tones, adjust the settings on each speaker level while checking the level on the SPL meter.

    Use 75-85dB on the meter, trying to avoid big adjustments on each speaker, either + or -. The most important thing is to get them all the same. The direction of the SPL meter varies according to who you ask. Some say point it straight up (so that it registers the surrounds properly), some say point it forward (because your ears "point" forward too), others say point it at an upwards angle (because your ears don't really "point" forward completely, just somewhat ...). You decide! It makes it easier if you let EzSet/EQ do some of the grunt work first.

    This is basically what I did last time I calibrated (let EZSet to the distance and EQ gruntwork and then fine tune levels with an SPL meter) and am very happy with the results.
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited October 2008
    Try reading this also, if it helps ...

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=930776&postcount=13

    (Probably confuses things more ...)
    Alea jacta est!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited October 2008
    curved wrote: »
    it's all a matter of preference. I would go with whatever sounds best to you.....

    ^^+1
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meeks32
    Meeks32 Posts: 330
    edited October 2008
    JBL offers so many more speakers than polk its hard to compare the brands. They have speakers that would be considered crap which is what is sold at bestbuy to some of the best speakers in the world. Polks approach is a little more simple where they pretty much have 3 lines that are good, better, best. So depending on which line you buy you will get different views on jbl, but most have experience with the lower end of the company & therefore that voice is heard more.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited October 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Has JBL started making a loudspeaker that was worth listening to again? Stop the presses!

    I actually do like the way the L-Series sound....a friend of mine just picked them up and they sound quite good. He has the L-880
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie918
    Polkie918 Posts: 245
    edited October 2008
    what quality is the rti series aka rti8's is that their middle ones or top?
    Fronts- RTi8
    Center- CSi5
    Rears- FXiA4
    Sub- Velodyne 12"
    Onkyo TX-SR806
    Ps3
    Xbox 360
    65" DLP 1080P Toshiba TV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited October 2008
    Polkie918 wrote: »
    what quality is the rti series aka rti8's is that their middle ones or top?

    About the middle without getting too much into it - LSi's are on top;)
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited October 2008
    curved wrote: »
    About the middle without getting too much into it - LSi's are on top;)

    Nice.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rayslifecycle
    rayslifecycle Posts: 511
    edited October 2008
    I agree that it is most likely that the JBL sounds louder making it sound better.

    Many times - people run their autoEQ while there is ambient noise - AC/Heater blower, ceiling fan, wall-clock, dishwasher, computer fan - anything that makes any noise will "mess-up" your EQ -

    It is amazing how sensitive these EQ mics are.

    Turn everything off and make sure it is dead quiet in your room -
    even blow you nose so your breathing isn't making any noise -
    you will probably get better results with your auto EQ then before.
    http://rayslifecycle.blogspot.com/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter