JBL S312 II 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker with 12" Woofer (Black Maple) Review

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(More customer reviews)Many people, unfortunately, make the mistake -- often encouraged by a sales person -- of spending more money for electronic components than for speakers. But the most important components for determining the sound of an audio system are the speakers. And in the world of superb-sounding speakers JBL currently is the king. The S312 II is a great speaker with clean, sweet highs, natural-sounding midrange and clean, deep bass. There is no speaker at this price which sounds as good. If you feel that you must have a lower price, I recommend the JBL S310 II which drops the woofer size from 12" to 10" But either way, if you want great sound, get JBL speakers -- preferable the S series.

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JBL's Studio Series S312 II is a three-way, full-range floorstanding loudspeaker capable of delivering clear, dynamic sound for both music and movies. It's sold as a single speaker. Buy two for stereo uses or pick up five or merely three for use in surround-sound applications--only three if you'll be using two other speakers to serve as the left/right front or surrounds. If your TV is on a high shelf or mounted on the wall, as would a flat-panel set, you can simply position the "center channel" speaker beneath it.Be aware that you don't need a television to enjoy multichannel surround sound: the SACD, DVD-Audio, and DTS-CD formats all make ample use of full-range center-channel speakers, providing you have the space and the inclination to set up speakers for 5- or 5.1-channel music listening. Use a powered subwoofer for the .1 low-frequency effects channel, or configure your surround receiver to fold the .1 signal into the audio feeding the other speakers--with the S312 II's 35 Hz bass rating, you'll have plenty of bass even without a subwoofer.The speaker's Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) waveguide imbues sound with unparalleled spaciousness and definition. The pure-titanium tweeter and the midrange transducer are mounted on a Linear Field Proximity (LFP) bezel that ensures a seamless transition between the middle and high frequencies. The PolyPlas (polymer-coated cellulose fiber) cone woofer features traditional JBL engineering--the same technologies used in JBL's Professional equipment, which is found in stadiums, music halls, and movie theaters around the world.Shielded components allow speaker placement near video monitors. A high-temperature-capable, oversize Kapton voice coil and a HeatScape motor structure allow this speaker to play all types of movies and music with ease, no matter how dynamic the content. The unit's woofers are built on cast-aluminum frames, which reduce distortion and increase its power-handling ability. A low-diffraction IsoPower baffle directs the sound power into the room, reducing distortion from cabinet vibration.The speaker's lock-mitred, computer-designed enclosure requires no internal bracing. Its flared, FreeFlow port increases bass response without adding unwanted port noise (sometimes heard as "chuffing" when you really crank your tunes). JBL's custom-designed drivers allow the use of simple, Straight-Line Signal Path (SSP) crossover networks with high-quality electrical components that minimize processing that could degrade the signal. Finally, JBL has outfitted the S312 II with all-metal, gold-plated, five-way binding-post speaker terminals for secure and flexible hookups, from bare wire to banana-plug jacks. What's in the Box One speaker, a speaker grille, and a user's manual.

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BIC AMERICA RTR-1530 15-Inch 3-Way Floor Standing Speaker (BIC AMERICA RTR1530) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had these for 4 months and they are excellent in sound reproduction, the 15 inch bass woofer, produces nice bass, and most the time i dont even have to use my subwoofer at all. Very well constructed. Be sure to uderstand that the price is for only one speaker, Amazon shows a pair, but that price is for each one, not a pair, but still its a excellant buy, compared to higher name brands. Only con is that try to find a online store that uses Fed Ex, I had one speaker shipped by UPS and the carton was tore,and the top of the speaker had lite damage. The other speaker I bought to match I had shipped by Fed EX with no damage.Trick is to find a closer vender to you with less freight handling from mulitple trucks. Happy listening. You will be very happy.

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Yamaha YST-SW315 10-Inch Digital Pro Series Subwoofer (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I picked up the Sony 8" (SA-WM250 100-Watt) Active Subwoofer recently, and it's quite nice (especially the price at under $100.00). But this smaller system can't hold a candle to the Yahama. This 10" system pumps out clean, crisp base and its cut-off option allows the user to limit the higher frequency response of the sub-woofer (and let your mid-range speakers do the job). The result - a pretty massive, well defined bottom that can be as subtle or as "in your face" as you like it and which will nicely compliment just about any existing audio/visual system.
Because I use a pair of smaller AAD speakers, I keep the volume level for the subwoofer at below 50%, but the frequency cut-off a bit higher (110 hz out of max 140hz) for a nicely balanced, very full sound. Another nice feature is a bass button selection for either (i) music, or (ii) movies. The latter provides maximum bass response - suitable for achieving something similar to what you get in movie theatres - the rumbling bass that lodges in your stomach. The former, music option, is ideal and very complimentary to my existing stereo arrangement.
If you're unhappy with the response of your shelf speakers (want more oomph?), you'll love this Yamaha subwoofer. It'll add depth to your existing system, and add real luster to your audio-video setup. I recently re-watched "The Two Towers" on DVD using the Yahama - the experience was truly like a return to the theatre.


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Yamaha's YST-SW315 offers 250 high-efficiency watts--enough power to deliver shattering, movie-theater-like bass effects. Full enjoyment of Dolby Digital and DTS surround sources requires deep, clear bass. This is especially true with 5.1- and 6.1-channel sound, because the ".1" channel is dedicated to the bass frequencies. That means you not only need a subwoofer, but a high-power subwoofer capable of handling extremely low frequencies. The YST-SW315's down-firing 10-inch driver translates power into clean bass sound, and the YST-SW315 boasts a frequency response of 20 to 160 Hz (-10 dB at the extremes of the range).The YST-SW315 delivers high power at deep bass frequencies, with excellent stability and low power consumption. This is made possible by the sub's highly efficient PWM (pulse-wave modulation) digital-drive power amplifier. The amplifier achieves superior conversion efficiency by minimizing power loss from the power transistors. It delivers stable audio power while minimizing AC power consumption and heat production. As it requires no output filter coil, it's extremely quiet with low distortion.Yamaha's patented Advanced Active Servo Technology (Advanced YST) generates incredible bass from small speaker enclosures. This system uses negative-impedance feedback in the amp and a Helmholtz resonator in the speaker to provide strong and accurate bass.QD-Bass (Quatre Dispersion Bass) technology uses a down-firing driver with square, pyramid-shaped reflective plates to radiate sound efficiently in four horizontal directions. The reflective plates (not used in other brands' down-firing subwoofers) negate any effects caused by the floor surface and reduce resonance between sound waves reflected from the floor and the unit. Most other systems use circular cones, but the YST-SW315 avoids firing sound into the legs of the cabinet by radiating in four directions. Changing the height of the pyramid varies the acoustic load, permitting relatively simple high-cut adjustment and improving bandpass properties. QD-Bass also grants greater freedom of placement, since the sound radiates with equal effectiveness in all directions.The user-adjustable, continuously variable high-cut filter sets the highest frequency the subwoofer will deliver. It can be set anywhere from 40 to 140 Hz. For instance, if the filter is set at 75 Hz, only frequencies 75 Hz or below will be delivered by the subwoofer. This allows the sub's output to be matched to the lowest reproducible frequency of other speakers in the system and the room's acoustics for a seamless presentation.The rotary volume control permits the perfect matching of the sub's output to the overall volume of the system. The YST-SW315 has a signal-sensing circuit. When the subwoofer detects an audio signal, it turns its power on. When it senses no signal for several minutes, it shuts itself off.Yamaha's BASS (Bass Action Selector Switch) tailors the sub's output for video or music at the touch of a switch. Two sets of inputs let the sub accept either line- or speaker-level inputs, while a handy phase normal/reverse switch makes it easy to phase the subwoofer with the other speakers in your system.Three-way speaker terminals accept banana plug and a variety of other connectors, as well as speaker wire, and the YST-SW315's thick, rigid MDF cabinet reduces vibrations and resonance. The speaker's handsome black-ash finish blends in with room decor and complements many furnishing styles, and it's magnetically shielded so you can place it near a TV or computer monitor without degrading the picture.What's in the Box Subwoofer, user's manual, and warranty information.

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Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8-Inch Woofer (Pair, Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm in the unfortunate position of having audiophile ears but a small budget. So I shop carefully for audio equipment. I purchased a pair of Sony B3000s here recently ($84), and while I auditioned them I was also testing a pair of Klipsch B-3 bookshelf speakers ($329). I only use my system for audio, by the way, in combination with a 100w Sony subwoofer, and I listen mostly to classical music.
I noticed a big difference in sound right away- the Sonys seemed to be accurate up and down the frequency range while producing a very even, smooth ensemble sound in full orchestral passages. To my ears the Klipsches did none of these things well. I'm an orchestral musician and I know what different instruments sound like- the Sonys reproduce all the instruments very accurately. The Klipsches, on the other hand, were so bright and lively that I found them harsh and difficult to listen to. They're more efficient, so they produce louder sounds at the same volume setting, but that's not a consideration for me. All that I want is accurate reproduction.
I compared both pairs side-by-side with a wide range of recordings, for about 50 to 60 hours each, and ultimately, for my tastes, the Sonys far outperformed the Klipsches. And at 1/3 the price of the Klipsches they were a heck of a bargain. They're not high-end speakers so they're not going to blow your doors off, but for the money they're a great value.

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Small speakers, big sound: the SS-B3000 performance bookshelf speakers may not be large, but they pack a high-resolution audio punch. With their highly-advanced 8" woofer and stellar reproduction qualities, these durably-constructed speakers will refresh your appreciation for your music collection.

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BOSE 201-V Stereo Loudspeakers (Pair) - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)Moving from a large home into a smaller one it seemed the right time to set the huge twenty-six year old quasi-wood enclosures in the car, take them to Goodwill and buy something of current technology yet in a smaller package. After researching big and small and a dozen brand names we went off in search of the right speakers for us in our smaller setting. Most we listened to were terrible. Inaudible, booming with no clarity or tinny, even the names of note. Then we met Dr. Bose's collection of speakers. We were used to our 12" woofer, a couple of tweeters and a bass that boomed until our chest vibrated. Though we didn't get the booming chest, we got clarity and sound that was true to the instruments and the voices. My receiver is twenty-six years old too and is screaming to be replaced but even with it and it's limited ability to equalize, the true sound we hear from the set of Bose speakers quickly grew on us and proved satisfying. I do miss the ability to go for the booming subwoofer sound when we wish and may buy a small unit to fill the gap. But....if we don't add to this set, we are well satisfied with the Bose speakers and feel fine about spending a few dollars more for a quality sound. So far I haven't found a way to distort the sound and am also happy that we reach a nice volume level without pushing the slider.
I have read mixed reviews from "uch" to "the absolute best" and wonder how so many mixed expectations can precede the purchase of a set of speakers. We, as life long lovers of music and musicans ourselves, are seriously pleased with the Bose speakers even with the slightly less "boom" to which we are accustomed.

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The trim, stylish 201-V speakers from Bose are ideal for your den, dorm room, office, or small-scale living room. Their sleek design makes them welcome in any décor. Sold in pairs, the 201-Vs work well with either your stereo components or your home theater, elegantly handling either front- or rear-channel surround sound (use 2 pairs for both).You'll enjoy lifelike, spacious stereo sound from these compact yet versatile bookshelf speakers. In a concert hall, listeners hear a mix of direct and reflected sound arriving from different directions and at different times. Bose's proprietary Direct/Reflecting speaker technology uses the walls and flat surfaces of your room to more closely approximate the sound in a concert hall. From cutting-edge DVDs to your vintage records, you'll enjoy larger-than-life spaciousness in nearly all you listen to, thanks in part to Bose's precisely angled, 2.5-inch proprietary Stereo Targeting tweeters.The speakers' broad-dispersion Stereo Everywhere design lets you enjoy full stereo sound throughout the listening area, no matter where you sit or stand. Instead of concentrating the stereo effects into a single "sweet spot," the 201 bookshelf speakers are engineered to deliver realistic performance almost anywhere in the room.The speakers each use a single 6.5-inch woofer and a flared-slot port--a specially engineered design wherein woofer and port geometry complement each other to reduce air turbulence. The ports ensure clean, deep bass, particularly when you're listening at high volumes.What's in the Box Two speakers, self-adhesive rubber feet, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.

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Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100 Watt Subwoofer Review

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(More customer reviews)If you're thinking about buying a subwoofer, it is unlikely that you are a garden variety movie fan or lover of music. People looking for subwoofers usually already have a decent system, but know that there is something lacking.
When it came for me to buy one, three factors weighed in my decision: power, brand, and (of course) price. I've grown up with what I have always believed to be a 'healthy skepticism' when it comes to Sony products. My father had an early generation (1990ish) 5.0 Sony 250 Watt surround amp that performed extremely poorly in just about every function. The only advantage it had over his earlier (1978) Rotel non-tube amp is that it had multiple component inputs. The sound quality of the 50 Watt rated Rotel amp blew the Sony out of the water.
In my search for a subwoofer, I was surprised to find so many good reviews of the Sony line. I was looking for a better name than Sony, but when I compared prices, I was compelled to give the Sony at least a listen. Comparable subs by Velodyne and others were far more expensive (double the cost of the Sony or more). Listening to the Sony at the stereo shop, I must say that I was extremely impressed.
Is the Sony sound as good as the Velodyne or other high end subwoofers that cost 2-3 times as much as the Sony? Of course not, but I quickly discovered that difference in sound quality was not at all closely related to the difference in price.
Keep in mind that this is one of Sony's smallest and lightest subs (only 25 lbs), but once I brought it home and hooked it up to my 6.1 surround system and configured the frequency and volume on the back of the sub, it seamlessly expanded the low end range of my system for music and movie playback. Before I learned (by experimenting with them) how to adjust the levels on the back of the sub, it was quite boomy and there was a bit of a gap between the low end on the six surround speakers and where the sub picked up. When I made the appropriate adjustments, by trial and error, I found that this sub is an extremely versatile fit for my home. My family room is 17'x14', and the back opens into a 10'x15' living room, and the sub easily fills the room. When I crank the system for rock and roll music and movies, the sub has no problem keeping up and is easily capable of playing more loudly than is safe or enjoyable.
Would I have liked a bigger sub made by a better brand? Sure, but this one does the job (and then some) admirably, and for less than half the cost. This sub gets 4 stars as a product, but I gave it 5 because of the extremely good value. If you have a big budget and can afford to spend what it would take to buy a speaker that actually sounds better than one of these Sony subs, go for it, you will not be disappointed. On the other hand, if you would rather spend less on a sub and still get excellent power and sound quality, this is as good as it gets without spending several hundred dollars.

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Feel the power of 100 amplified watts of pure bass. The SA-W2500 performance line subwoofer makes music come alive and elevates the movie-watching experience to theater-like levels. For cinematic effects, crank up the bass level and let the 10" mica-reinforced cellular woofer do the rest.

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JBL CS6100BG High Performance, complete 6-Piece Home Theater Speaker System with Brackets (Black Gloss) Review

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(More customer reviews)A few weeks back, I decided it was time to replace my 12 year old Sony TV and 17 year old "stereo" system with its two cheap speakers.
End result, after lots of research, was the purchase of the following, all from Amazon.
- Samsung LN40A650 LCD TV
- Onkyo TX-SR606
- JBL CS6100 6-Piece Home Cinema Speaker Package
- Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote
Also connected are;
- Scientific Atlanta cable set top box from Time Warner
- Sony SLV-D300P DVD/VCR which is 2-3 years old
- Nintendo Game Cube
Installation was in a 20'x30' room.
My goals were to have a high quality TV with decent sound, and keep the entire cost under $2500 if at all possible. Goal achieved, even with the purchase of the incidentals; some speaker wire, banana clips for speaker cables, an optical digital audio, cable, etc.
- Speakers... even if you go to all of the places you can visit to hear speakers, you have no idea how they will actually sound in your own environment. And, speakers are an object thing. My concerns here were that the only review I could find on the audiophile web sites was for the smaller CS480 speakers. the CD480s have a single woofer and tweeter in satellites vs. the dual woofers in the CS6100 package. The reviews of the CD480s indicated that they were a bit bright, a bit lacking in mid-range under some conditions. I don't find that to be the case with the CS6100s, maybe because of the dual woofers. Having all the mounting hardware in the box is a real plus, and they give you two choices of mounts, fixed and swivel. Enough high quality speaker wire in the box for a medium sized room. Sub-woofer speaker cable included. A nice, classy look as well..
The opening sequence from Top Gun (with the windows closed and the wife gone)was the first test. No disappointment here. Next, a bit of Opera. Again, they performned well. Country and classical music, movies with dialogue... these do a very nice job and compare VERY well with speakers which cost twice as much.
A definite "I'd buy again".


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Got your widescreen HDTV for your living room?That's only part of the experience.HDTV sound goes beyond 2-channel stereo, dividing sound into 5 channels.Get yourself a 5.1 channel surround receiver and add these speakers and you've got home theater to enjoy and love!JBL's CS6100 6-Piece Home Cinema Speaker Package is a high-performance home-theater speaker system that beautifully complements your living room.The four satellites, matching horizontal center, and 300-watt (peak) subwoofer deliver unbelievable sound.The satellites and center channel feature JBL's advanced titanium-laminate dome tweeters and dual 3-1/2" drivers for unsurpassed power and realism.The voice-matched center channel speaker uses components that are identical to those used in the satellites for seamless pans.The black, high-gloss finish brings a touch of attractive contemporary design to your home and complements any flat-panel television.Wall brackets are included for the satellites and center channel.

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