JBL N38II: A Floorstanding Speaker You Shouldn't Overlook
Written: Jun 11 '03 (Updated Jun 11 '03)
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Pros: Excellent imaging. Very good bass extension. Stylish look. Quality JBL build.
Cons: May be 'bright' or 'forward' to some ears.
The Bottom Line: A tower speaker that you should give every consideration when building a home theater or home stereo system.
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| m001's Full Review: JBL N38II Main / Stereo Speaker |
Note: this review refers to the JBL N38II, which is a cosmetically updated version of the N38. They are sonically identical.
I've owned JBL speakers of various vintage over the last 20 years, and I'm impressed with the consistent quality of product that the company has managed to produce over that time. Yes, these are mass-market speakers, but that only describes their availability, not their sound. If you're looking for a terrific floorstanding speaker for music or home theater application, look no further.
I assume that many folks considering these speakers have also considered similar tower speakers from other mass-market brands like Bose, Infinity, Polk, Athena, Klipsch, etc. To my ear, JBL betters its competition by voicing very true across a very wide dynamic range, with very crisp imaging. Yes, that may translate into 'bright,' 'forward,' or 'detailed,' but if you pair these with the right electronics, you'll be impressed with the sound. I did a direct comparison, in-home, of the N38IIs and towers from the Infinity Entra series, and it was a clear victory for the N38IIs. The Entras are fine speakers in their own right, but a bit too laid back when compared with the N38IIs. The N38IIs had a fuller, richer sound, as well as far better bass extension.
These are very underrated speakers, and you can get them at a more than reasonable price. I give them my highest recommendation. Also consider the S38IIs, which are 3-way monitor-style bookshelf speakers from JBL's Studio line.
Enjoy...
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 479/pair
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Epinions.com ID:
m001
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Location: NYC, New York
Reviews written: 151
Trusted by: 43 members
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