Miscellaneous Problems
Audio Interconnect Connections: Power-amplifier inputs should never be spaced more than 5" apart. Many high-performance audio interconnects are permanently paired, with links that prevent their end plugs from being separated by more than a certain amount. And regardless of the configuration of the two amplifier channels—whether they have common or separate power supplies, for example—there is no compelling reason why their inputs need be placed more than 5" apart.
Phono-cartridge pins: Let's, for heaven's sake, standardize the diameter of phono-cartridge…
JBL was founded 60 years ago, by Jim Lansing. Its history has been amply detailed in the book The JBL Story: 60 Years of Audio Innovation, by the late John Eargle's (JBL Professional, 2006). Although it is primarily known for its pro-audio loudspeakers, the Californian company has offered a steady stream of high-performance domestic loudspeakers to the home market, including the 1971 Paragon, the L100 bookshelf speaker, and the JBL 250Ti floorstander, all of which remained in JBL's catalog for 20 years. In 1990, JBL produced the Project K2 S9500 flagship speaker for the Japanese high-end…
The horn module is packed separately from the bass enclosure—JBL is concerned that the bulky horn might be damaged or snapped off in shipping—but the cartons contained everything I needed to put them together: for each speaker, one short and two long Allen-head bolts, an Allen-head screwdriver, a logo plate, a rubber hole plug for the rear horn-mounting bolt, and four metal coasters to protect wooden floors from the speaker's spiked feet. Following the manual, I cradled the horn module with its horn lying along my forearm, and connected its signal line's plug into the jack atop the bass…
The 1400 Array featured an impressive accuracy of midrange timbre. It allowed me to hear subtle differences among individual members of choirs, as well as differentiate the characteristic reediness of different orchestral wind instruments. It was easy to appreciate the vocal registers of different singers in the all-male Turtle Creek Chorale in John Rutter's Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace, from Requiem (CD, Reference RR-57CD). José Carreras's clear tenor in the Kyrie from Ariel Ramirez's Misa Criolla, in the recording led by José Luis Ocejo (CD, Philips, 420 955-2), sounded…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, reflex-loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) titanium-diaphragm compression tweeter and 3" Aquaplas-coated aluminum-dome compression midrange driver, both mounted in constant-directivity biradial horns; 14" doped pulp-cone woofer. Crossover frequencies: 750Hz, 8kHz. Frequency response: 32Hz–40kHz, –3dB. Sensitivity: 89dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Recommended amplification: 10–300W.
Dimensions: 46.5" (1181mm) H by 15.5" (394mm) W by 19" (483mm) D. Weight: 115 lbs (52kg) each.
Finish: Black Gloss or wood…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Linn Sondek turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ittok tonearm, Spectral cartridge; Day-Sequerra Reference Signature FM tuner.
Digital Sources: Bryston BCD-1 CD player & BDA-1 DAC, Sony SCD-C555ES SACD/CD player, Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 USB-to-S/PDIF converter, Thinkpad X-61 laptop computer.
Preamplifier: Bryston BP26.
Power Amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.334, Bryston 3B-SST2 & 7B-SST2.
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL-989, Revel Ultima Salon2.
Cables: Digital: Wireworld Starlight Coaxial. Interconnect: Mark Levinson Silver,…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Other than the in-room and nearfield measurements, for which I used an Earthworks QTC-40, the quasi-anechoic measurements of JBL's Synthesis 1400 Array BG were all performed using DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone. The JBL's specified sensitivity of 89dB/2.83V/m was confirmed by my measurement. While this is not as high as with some horn-loaded designs, it is still usefully above average. In addition, the 1400 Array is an easy load for the partnering amplifier to drive, with an impedance magnitude that remains between 6 and 8 ohms over…
Every audiophile is born sometime, somewhere. My audio birth happened on a family visit to my Uncle John's house, when he played Information Society's "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)" through his brand-new Klipsch Heresy IIs. Uncle John did three things at this listening session that turned 12-year-old me into the audiophile I am today: he played music I liked, he played it really loud, and afterward, he took the time to explain how his system worked and why it sounded so good. His Klipsches were powered by Nelson Pass–influenced Nakamichi gear—I'd never before heard speakers play music…
With the enormous care shown in every aspect of the P-17B's design, and considering its price of $4000/pair, it's unfortunate that Klipsch has not designed for it—let alone included—a proprietary stand. Klipsch should at least partner with another manufacturer to create a stand that will bring out this speaker's best, support it securely, and complement its gorgeous design.
Once I'd got the P-17Bs sitting atop my dowdy stands, I discovered that positioning them in my room was also a little trickier than usual. As with any pair of speakers, the P-17Bs' imaging and tonal balance were…
For instance, all the pop recordings I've bought in the last two months sound like crap. Though I've recently bought great music by Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, and Bowerbirds, these discs' over-EQ'd, overcompressed sound hinders my enjoyment of the music. The P-17B's slight emphasis of the very top treble didn't make these recordings sound any better than they are, and did little to hide their flaws. I don't fault Klipsch for this—it's the fault of these albums' engineers, producers, and mastering engineers. I also blame overcooked recordings on the general decline of Western…
