I really like that you are including pictures of equipment that you mention in your reviews. Please keep doing this. I also like that you mentioned other speakers in the same price range and how they compare, even if only briefly. Thanks!
@keithmoriyama54215 жыл бұрын
One thing I like about Steve is he's not an audio snob.
@eriktomas91947 ай бұрын
JBL did not set out to build a speaker with boomy mid-bass, one dimensional transients and recessed vocals. A130 with these traits have a phase error. Red should be connected to black. These speakers are mind boggling once the polarity is corrected. They have the sonics of headphones. I'm not sure which years have this "mistake". Mine were purchased from JBL late 2023. You just have to try it and see.
@eriktomas91947 ай бұрын
I just contacted Harman to see how we can handle the alignment issue. In case you didn't know JBL sold thousands of Stage A series speakers with a defect in which a positive to positive connection at the posts results in trashed alignment which reduces one of the greatest bookshelf speakers ever made to one of mediocrity.
@charliekornhauser47265 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the recent reviews of JBL products. Any chance you will review the Stage A 190? Would love to hear your opinion on the dual 8s vs the 5.25s
@McgarickWAstate Жыл бұрын
More bass, but mids will suffer
@vcp935 жыл бұрын
With all of the outstanding entry-level speakers out there, when you use words like "nice" and "pretty good" I hear a voice in the back of my head screaming, "NEEEEEEXT!" It really sounds like what you "are trying" to say is, "Pony up for the Big Boys and you'll be REALLY happy". 😁🤘🎵
@MickTimmy5 жыл бұрын
I'm glad I'm not the only one who heard that 🙄
@CVM222VOLT5 жыл бұрын
@@MickTimmy ditto but I guess there are a greater number of viewers out there who's budget has them considering budget speakers and viewers equal revenue
@MickTimmy5 жыл бұрын
@@CVM222VOLT absolutely. I guess I came off a bit accusatory. I fall into the category of "cool, there is a 'pretty good' speaker I can afford". In fact sometimes I look at my screen funny when Steve calls a piece of equipment "affordable". To put it in perspective, when he said that the kinter k2020a+ was a pretty good sounding little amp for under $40, I looked right at my wife and demanded "can I please spend $40 on a little amp?" 😁. Seriously though, I bought it and I am happy I did. Its great for the bedroom and sounds nice. Sure I'd be happier with an NAD C316BEE which might be hard to justify at $350ish, or even happier with a Schitt Aegir which would take justification plus some penny saving at $900. (These would both be better than my main system Technics SU-7300 I got for $150). All that to say, I truly appreciate the reviews of "pretty good" and nice equipment. I figure if Steve likes it, it must advertise on CNET 🤣
@glennjones65742 жыл бұрын
This would go for any brand. Not the point of reviewing a bookshelf.
@megakebab1702 Жыл бұрын
Im rocking the a170 as well, these are amazing for small or medium rooms. Thought the drivers were too small for me but i got surprisingly more power from these 5.25 inch woofers than the 6.5 inch pair of old ones i had. Im thinking about adding the a130 for extra sound
@eriktomas91947 ай бұрын
Have you tried swapping polarity at the binding posts of both left and right? Many A130 were sold with an alignment error and maybe your 70s as well. Good luck. I would love to find out what you discover. With alignment restored my A130 are absolutely mind bending. It doesn't even make sense. Timbre, resolution, texture, imaging like my Grado headphones.
@joedavenport32635 жыл бұрын
Steve Steve Steve, you really need to rack all of your equipment.
@karltodd25185 жыл бұрын
Hi Joe, in principle I'm with you on getting your equipment of the floor and racked. Nothing snobbish about "Racking" it would certainly reduce vibration through the sensitive electronics. Personally I have always had all my cables correctly dressed and not visible, if possible!!!. I don't care how much the cables cost I'm not looking at wires!! However with a audio reviewer it must be damn near impossible to be racked and cable tidy as the connections on different equipment are all over the place.
@progressiveguy99595 жыл бұрын
@Steve Tllsdaleys He is talking about the vibration in your head.
@Gary_M5 жыл бұрын
Even adding a $200 sub with the bookshelves should outdo the bass on those little towers.
@megakebab1702 Жыл бұрын
No..
@billhepner33985 жыл бұрын
Like my Advents back in the 70's, I usually buy 2 pairs of speakers of this size and stack them for a larger sound.
@jakep84842 жыл бұрын
These are 6 ohm large advents were 8 ohm, 3 ohm load will be pretty stressful on most amps.
@SteveTheFazeman3 жыл бұрын
Steve, Why do you review small speakers while touting their larger brethren? There are reasons why bookshelf speakers are produced. If you can't maintain your focus on their attributes within their own category, then stop reviewing them.
@glennjones65742 жыл бұрын
LoL. I was screaming whilst listening to this reviews. Thanks for stating the obvious Steve fails to grasp
@vikrambhaskar79762 жыл бұрын
Who are you to dictate how he should review btw?
@SPLSPECTRUM2 жыл бұрын
I agree with you, very bad video.
@SteveTheFazeman2 жыл бұрын
@@vikrambhaskar7976, In order to think, you have to risk offending someone. So it was when I directed my thoughts to Steve about his review. But, it no longer matters as he never responded. Plus, I had made a decision on the bookshelf speakers I wanted a few months after his review.
@bighands692 жыл бұрын
@@SteveTheFazeman Clearly you never watched the review because he says they are great standmount speakers and gives the reason why they are. The review was not hard to understand.
@rexoliver77805 жыл бұрын
At last some hi-fi equipment that makes some sense and doesn’t cost more than the house it’s in! Notice that these speakers are SIMPLE!ALL YOU NEED!
@bighands692 жыл бұрын
Some gear gets ridiculous in price. Some is warranted in higher pricing and would suit the right person but too many people seem to take that to mean they are just better.
@timmotel58046 ай бұрын
Good Day from 2024: Given that JBL, on average, excessively, excessively over prices their products, considering the low price of these speakers, are the speakers Really Made By JBL OR some other cheaper company?
@turiddu95 жыл бұрын
I couldn't help but notice the Brooklyn amp sitting there. Tell me, If you had to take ONE, only one to drive your Maggies/TADs/Klipsches, which amp would you keep to run your current stable of favorite speakers?
@seanmangan27695 жыл бұрын
Steve, what is that little amp on the stack to the left of the shitt amp? Thank you!
@vinniekasa63125 жыл бұрын
Steve How do you compare these to a pair of entry level Maggie's?
@RoaroftheTiger5 жыл бұрын
Oh, btw ;-) … Hasn't it become obvious, that a Bookshelf speaker "properly set-up" on Stands; "makes the same footprint" ??? Then of course, If either speaker is Real Ported; It will probably need to be further out into most rooms, than even a Front Ported one ? That being said, if the " disposable cash" is available. Any such Tower vs. It's "sibling" Bookshelf scenario. The Tower is the logical choice. Even if the intended placement is a Near Field / Desktop arrangement; If the Tweeter height on the tower is "reasonable", from a chair. It should not, out of hand, be deemed inappropriate. ie. Dayton 442 T towers. Now those are slim (Dual 4inch Woofers) about 6'' wide and are 36 " tall. The JBL A-170 is 7.48 inches wide ( Dual 5.25 inch Mid - Bass drivers; Did you note the distinction ?) and 36.6 inches tall. So, "prima facia"; It could work like the Dayton in a Near Field. But I'd still be concerned about the influence, of that rear port.
@gtric14665 жыл бұрын
Enjoying your review of the JBLs any chance of getting the Studio 190s?
@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac5 жыл бұрын
Gennaro Tricola Sorry, that’s a discontinued model.
@audiofanatic73773 жыл бұрын
Great review. Very through and Yes he's not an Audio Snob. I own a pair of its predecessor the JBL Arena #130 bookshelf speaker. Its outstanding for smaller setups , lots of volume and quality sound . I'm not surprised it's JBL...
@andrew-xr1de5 жыл бұрын
They take up the same space??? So just get the towers!
@bellalinnau37205 жыл бұрын
Hi Steve, did you compare the A130 vs. A170 speakers side by side like in the vid? Are you not afraid of the bass-trap effect?
@HelveticaBold15 жыл бұрын
Wait so these have more detail than the Miccas correct? Looking for small apt home theater speakers, thx! 3010i Qs are also on my list!
@CVM222VOLT5 жыл бұрын
I like how you give some feedback when driving speakers with amps that would probably fall in the similar budget as the speakers as well as an amp cost perhaps several times more. Personally I would even like feedback of how they sound connected to an exotically expensive amp. No doubt it would be hard to find a consumer who would run $200 speakers with a $10,000 + amp. Still would love to find out what speakers have the most potential even if the combination is impractical. Granted my curiosity would have me interested to find out which budget amp sounds best when feeding exotically expensive speakers.
@angelabad31805 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the nice videos Steve. When are you going to share your thoughts on the Klipsch Forte III here? I'm waiting to hear your opinion before I purchase a pair. I know about your CNET review but I would really like to hear you comments and feelings in a video on how the Forte III differs from the Heresy which I already have. Thank you and keep up your great videos, I love them!
@AdrianIII5 жыл бұрын
Yes, COMPARISON reviews would be very valuable.
@JEG69195 жыл бұрын
If the Arena series two-way pops up on the JBL website, might be the preferred way to go. Can always buy, try, return if not to your liking.
@lynnpoole78305 жыл бұрын
Damned by faint praise. LOL
@gtric14665 жыл бұрын
Steve, my bad actually meant the Studio 290's. i know your a very busy man but maybe since JBL is being pro-active with your reviews, if you have time . Also i'm looking for a cheap (under$200.00) but good quality DAC mostly streaming Spotify with some intention to go Tidal. was looking at the Schitt Modi 3 any suggestions? i understand the Modi 3 will only decode MQA at 24bit 96k since its not MQA capable.
@Eron555552 жыл бұрын
I'm having a heck of a time deciding on this vs the emotiva b1+.. Any thoughts?
@normanham61422 жыл бұрын
Emotiva B1+. Check out Steve’s review of them. “…an audiophile speaker”. Price/Sound quality = best bang for your buck @ $299! You’ll probably want to pair w/a decent sub.
@redstarwraith5 жыл бұрын
I wonder how the A130 compares to the Emotiva B1? They are pretty much the same price.
@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac5 жыл бұрын
redstarwraith The B one is a better speaker, with clearer treble
@redstarwraith5 жыл бұрын
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks!
@DougMcDave2 жыл бұрын
I'm just getting started. For sure I am planning to get the Sony DH190. I have considered the Sony SS-CS5, bookshelf speakers. But for a few dollars more, if it is worth it, those JBL stage a130.
@bighands692 жыл бұрын
So did you get the Sony amp and JBL A130. Did hey sound good?
@DougMcDave2 жыл бұрын
@@bighands69 that is exactly what I got. Believe it or not, the JBL has plenty of bass. I need a proper speaker stands. Right now I use two end tables.
@marksmithers97795 жыл бұрын
Dear Steve Any Klipsch tower suggestion in relation to the Klipsch 600 M, to complete complete your current tour of the perfect budget audiophile speaker? Thank you for the daily delightful and generous videos. Marc @ Beijing
@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac5 жыл бұрын
Marc Schwarz Thanks Marc, I am working on a Klipsch R 5000 F tower speaker review right now.
@marksmithers97795 жыл бұрын
Another dream video coming soon then ! And thank you for making us aware of Denafrips :)
@alexshdvideo3 жыл бұрын
What about the A130 or A120 both from JBL as surround or surround back speakers for 5.1 or 7.1? As 5.1/7.1 is there any reason to spend more for the A130?
@scottlowell4935 жыл бұрын
Note: components are vented for cooling air flow. Those openings should not be obstructed.
@russredfern1675 жыл бұрын
Can't beat the look of those towers.
@ghostninjato3102 жыл бұрын
Is this worth an upgrade over the Sony‘s core speakers
@audfrknaveen22564 жыл бұрын
with a proper sub, A130 can sound as good as 170? or better ?
@eriktomas91947 ай бұрын
A130 are an engineering marvel but some were manufactured with phase error which can be corrected by reversing the connection at the binding posts. These speakers were designed with the same sonic capabilities of headphones.
@SacrificiaLamb.The.Gixxerator2 жыл бұрын
Price aside, Is this better than the the Studio 530?
@pierresternegard6951 Жыл бұрын
None if the Jones budget alternatives sound as good 😊 They are all hampered by the miserable Kevlar woofers. Here it is nice to see JBL adding a similar paper woofer to the ones used in their L models
@josesantiagoortiz53415 жыл бұрын
The second one the 8 inches that's the real deal bro.
@darkmoon18842 жыл бұрын
Would the a130 work as a single center speaker? Or am i better off with the center channel of this line?
@bighands692 жыл бұрын
I think you need a dedicated centre speaker and there probably are great value speakers out there.
@azeoprop4 жыл бұрын
Would this be suitable for my denon dm41?
@barryb9115 жыл бұрын
Where can you buy the A170 for $400?
@aRc11-115 жыл бұрын
... for smaller spaces Steve. Tiny apts and housing, trailer living
@JEG69195 жыл бұрын
Trailer living..I'm dying of laughter! That was good.
@rhwinner5 жыл бұрын
Sins of omission don't bother me nearly as much as sins of commission...
@infinitely_free_to_be_me2 жыл бұрын
are you aware JBL is selling two different models of these stage series?? I bought the a130 and a190.. they both sound TERRIBLE. Vocals sound like they're coming from a $20 radio inside a cardboard box. PLEASE do not promote these. I'd be happy to send the set I received for you to listen to.
@bighands692 жыл бұрын
You are full of crap.
@TheFrugalAudiophile5 жыл бұрын
Sounds like the bookshelves would be good for a desk or surround duties.
5 жыл бұрын
Make a good set of computer speakers.
@LeafManProphecies5 жыл бұрын
how would jbl stage 190 compare to 170?
@Monkeyseemonkey795 жыл бұрын
More. Better.
@Ralferator3 жыл бұрын
@@Monkeyseemonkey79 Bigger speakers are not always better. It depends a lot on the room. If the room is small big speakers can overpower the room in the bass and that doesn't sound good. Also smaller drivers have advantages in the midrange.
@jakep84842 жыл бұрын
Ive been wondering this too not much info on the subject out there still. These speakers are a little bass heavy which is nice but i felt like my 12 by 12 room would be too small for the 190s, plus with a baby on the way i cant bump the bass too hard.
@ryacus5 жыл бұрын
That Reichert guy weirds me out.
@donaldallison5 жыл бұрын
It's summer time how bout some reviews on outdoor speakers.
@kaybhee68 ай бұрын
semi decent toys,, even after 100 hours,,, we are better served by klipsch r50m... borea 02,,, dali spektor 2,,, or even 50 yr old diatone..