Group test: Floorstanding speakers pt2 | |  | < Previous page: DALI Mentor 5, Dynaudio Excite X36 and intro 1 2
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JBL LS60
Just in case you were wondering, the product got started way back in 1927 in Los Angeles when the young James B Lansing starting making his own speakers. This coincided with the LA movie industry beginning to make 'talkies.' Not surprising then, that the JBL name is so solidly-linked with the pro-sound industry.
The new LS60s are yet another bold statement from JBL and these units, with their highly polished side sections, live up to their price point with quality, style and finish. They're arguably the most visually-imposing monitor of our group.
The other part of the boldness of JBL is the compression driver midrange unit which underpins its professional audio range and is also found on its expensive flagship home audio speakers. Not to say they're expensive, but if you have to ask, you probably can't afford them.
Some readers will associate compression horn speakers with the very worst PA systems where loudness has complete precedence over any sort of sound quality. In fact, anybody with any sort of opinion about compression drivers will often associate them with harshness. How strange then, that these horns are among the smoothest I have ever heard and a million miles away from the cupped-hands impression that people often make when talking about this type of driver. They also have the advantage of a wide frequency spread from 400Hz to 2kHz.
The reflex enclosure with a rear-facing port is extremely non-resonant and comes with high quality bi-wireable terminals and the usual screw-in spikes and cups. The pair on test showed some reluctance to part with its grilles, and the sleeves that accept the metal location pins had a habit of coming out with the pin instead of staying in the cabinet where they belong. A pity, especially since the rest of it is so beautifully made.
It's a bit of a party animal which easily leads to an over-exuberant bass which can luckily be curbed by plugging the large reflex port at the rear. Exuberance is also part of the picture across the rest of the range but this is not to imply lack of control - I found these speakers immensely likeable in tone and delivery, particularly the relaxed midrange which delivers the detail without bitey-ness.
Most interesting of all, it seemed to remove a known strained-quality from certain recordings without affecting the information and also had some command over known phase aberrations on one particular track that leads most speakers to wobble very slightly across the sound stage - possibly due to the fact that the horn doesn't disturb the air in the same way as a cone, resulting in greater coherence.
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Plus points
Relaxed and coherent presentation at monstrous sound levels. A domestic monitor with pro-sound credentials in its blood. Massive bass capability
Minus points
Massive bass capability may need to be subdued (no port plug supplied). Poor grille attachment |  |
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PMC FB1i
How strange to see a large monitor costing about the same money as the rest yet only has two modest-looking drive units per box. The secret of being able to use just a single 17cm mid-bass speaker is the ATL - Advanced Transmission Line design, basically a tuned port folded within the enclosure to enhance the bass performance. In the FB1i it's effectively three metres long. One particular thing about transmission line cabinet design is that it is really difficult and time-consuming to get right.
PMC monitors are made in Luton, Hertfordshire, and in addition to the home hi-fi, the professional monitor side of the bizz is absolutely enormous. Studio users include Stevie Wonder, Prince, Coldplay, Brian May - the list goes on and on. Just as impressive is the amount of PMC product used by mastering experts both for stereo and surround sound.
The i-series upgrade on the FB1 includes a new Sonolex tweeter and a PMC-designed bass driver, increased enclosure stiffness and an improved crossover network. The enclosures are supplied with a substantial plinth with screw-in spikes. There is a choice of four finishes, Black Ash, Cherry, Walnut and Light Oak. Each speaker has bi-wire termination with bridging strips.
Again, a very dense cabinet but unlike the others tried here, there is no separately-defined baffle plate. It has a front port which should help to make it less sensitive to placement near walls. The port's large cross-section and baffling aids its silent performance.
The FB1i is in very competent company but where do you decide that the level of performance must make it a rival for anything untested in its price range? If there is a product to beat it on sound quality, bring it on! In the meantime, it seems quite in order to award it top points, something rarely seen.
Why does it score so highly? Give them a listen. You will hear a speaker which hides itself well from the music with an excellent sound stage projection. Above all, it is the low distortion which impresses the most and contributes so much by its reduced presence.
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Plus points
Lucid, airy performance with a steely grip on all sorts of music including stupidly-high energy material. Bass characterisation well delivered across the range
Minus points
Plain, old-school Brit hi-fi style conveys no visible excitement | |
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| | Discuss this article, 1 of 1 messages, read more: |  David Lukas | |
| Posted: 14/12/08 23:39:56 56 | | How does the PMCFB!I compare to The Proac140 Floorstanders which didn't make it into any reviews at 1440£ |
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Biggest surprise of the bunch is the compression driver performance of the JBL - so relaxed in its delivery - not what I was expecting. If you're after impact and musicality plus monster bass (which may need to be tamed with something shoved up the reflex port!), then this is a strong contender.
