Intrigued by JBL M2 speaker system .... Opinions please ...

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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http://www.jblpro.com/products/recording&broadcast/M2/index.html#.UoGdn415iAM



Has anyone heard these? Can you offer an opinion please?
 

amirm

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I have indeed. We will be demoing this for the audiophile society meeting at Madrona later in the month.

In a nutshell, they are *stunning*!!! Unbelievable dynamics. Ability to sound great in any room. Incredible imaging. This was a joint design between Harman Luxury (i.e. Revel design team) and Pro group (JBL). It measures nearly perfectly on or off-axis:



I have never seen a speaker to have its off-axis curves look so identical to its direct sound. This translates into reflections off the walls being the same as the speaker's direct sound. And check out that ruler flat direct response! (green) Can you say accurate sound???

I am an inch away from ordering them for my listening room.

Whatever you do, find someone who will demo it for you (if not, ask your dealer to see if they will fly you to Harman in LA). Of course if you are Seattle area, it would be our pleasure to show it to you :).
 

JackD201

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Apr 20, 2010
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Pull the trigger Amir!

What do you intend to drive them with?
 

amirm

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When you buy the system from either Pro or Residential group, they come with DSP for the crossovers and amplification (bi-amped). The Pro package has Crown amps and the Residential has Mark Levinson. The speakers come with outboard DSP (same SDEC used for room correction in JBL Synthesis). I will have to ponder what I will do. For sure, I will need high-power amps for the woofer (which needs gobs of power).
 

RogerD

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Those have the waveguide horns don't they? Wouldn't mind hearing those too.
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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Amir,

Thank you so much for the info. I have a place in NYC where I can demo them but with the Crown Audio amps. I was told I could use my own amplification with the BSS London 160 processor. Something tells me these will be tremendous fun in the right setup. A friend is considering a pair. I can't wait for his opinion.
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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Amir

Any thoughts about trying McIntosh MC452 or MC601's on top and Bryston 28bsst2's on the bottom?
 

Phelonious Ponk

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Sort of the ultimate execution of the 2-way active monitor. JBL has tons of experience here. They've been building, and refining, these in miniature for years. :) I like.

Tim
 

microstrip

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For sure, I will need high-power amps for the woofer (which needs gobs of power).

Amir,
Why such high power requirements? The sensitivity 1W/1m SPL is a very nice 92 dB. As the units are crossed around 800 Hz, the matching amplifiers for bi-amp should chosen with great care.

BTW, can you tell us what means the BSS OMNIDRIVE HD Digital Signature processing?
 
Last edited:

Phelonious Ponk

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Jun 30, 2010
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Amir,
Why such high power requirements? The sensitivity 1W/1m SPL is a very nice 92 dB. As the units are crossed around 800 Hz, the matching amplifiers for bi-amp should chosen with great care.

BTW, can you tell us what means the BSS OMNIDRIVE HD Digital Signature processing?

What would you recommend?

Tim
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
1,543
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Sort of the ultimate execution of the 2-way active monitor. JBL has tons of experience here. They've been building, and refining, these in miniature for years. :) I like.

Tim

I like too. These seem like amazing speakers. I can't wait for more feedback and info.
 

edorr

WBF Founding Member
May 10, 2010
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I remember over 20 years ago being completely blown away by a pair of JBL 4333B monitors playing at a show (using master take as source). This was the first time I was exposed to how good reproduced sound could be.
 

audioarcher

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May 6, 2012
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I have indeed. We will be demoing this for the audiophile society meeting at Madrona later in the month.

In a nutshell, they are *stunning*!!! Unbelievable dynamics. Ability to sound great in any room. Incredible imaging. This was a joint design between Harman Luxury (i.e. Revel design team) and Pro group (JBL). It measures nearly perfectly on or off-axis:



I have never seen a speaker to have its off-axis curves look so identical to its direct sound. This translates into reflections off the walls being the same as the speaker's direct sound. And check out that ruler flat direct response! (green) Can you say accurate sound???

I am an inch away from ordering them for my listening room.

Whatever you do, find someone who will demo it for you (if not, ask your dealer to see if they will fly you to Harman in LA). Of course if you are Seattle area, it would be our pleasure to show it to you :).

Should be interesting. The PNWAS meeting at Madrona is this Thursday. I will be there and look forward to checking out the JBL M2's. I've only heard a couple of DSP based speaker designs. I was less than impressed with the sound of those. Hopefully the M2's will be different.
 

microstrip

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What would you recommend?

Tim

The same amplifier for both sections, just to be sure I would not be doing wrong! ;)

I have owned a pair of the great Dynaudio Consequences. They had 12'' diameter woofers crossed at 800 Hz - I could never find a good combination of different amplifiers to bi-amp them.
 

amirm

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Since this was created in joint development between two groups at Harman, it is offered two ways:

1. Pro dealers. This config comes with two speakers and two crown amps with DSP where the crossover, etc. is done. The retail for this is $25K but I have heard it discounted down to $20K.

2. "Luxury dealers." This config comes with two speakers and four Mark Levinson monoblock amps (I think the H series). It then comes with the aforementioned SDEC outboard processor. The retail for this is $45K. As usual, luxury dealers unlike Pro cannot advertise discounts.

Not to blow our own horn :) but we are a dealer for both JBL Pro and Luxury divisions so can offer either configuration.

Addressing questions about using other amps, you would have to get authorization thought your dealer from Harman.

My favorite combo and what we have in the shop is to have the very efficient crown amps drive the larger woofers and use high-end amp for the horn.
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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Amir and to all attending the meeting,

I'd love to see a few photos of the gear from the PNWAS meeting at Madrona this Thursday.
 

Phelonious Ponk

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$20k street for that kind of performance? These are a steal by high end standards. Of course the physical construction is modest: satin lacquer on MDF. No high gloss automotive paint or exotic veneers. No ice block melting in a hot wind tunnel look. Pretty modest size, relatively speaking. Looks like they put all the money in the sound. I'd love to hear these.

Tim
 

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