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expired Posted by omar1927 • Jun 7, 2021
expired Posted by omar1927 • Jun 7, 2021

JBL Studio 530 5-1/4" Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair, Black)

w/ SD Cashback + Free Shipping

$250

$600

58% off
JBL
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Deal Details
JBL has JBL Studio 530 5-1/4" Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair, Black) for $249.99. To earn 2.5% in Slickdeals Cashback, before purchase, follow the cashback instructions below. Shipping is free.

Harman Audio has JBL Studio 530 5-1/4" Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair, Black) for $249.99. To earn 2.5% in Slickdeals Cashback, before purchase, follow the cashback instructions below. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member omar1927 for finding this deal.

Includes:
  • JBL Studio 530 Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair)
  • Horn Covers (Pair)
  • Port Tube Inserts (Pair)
  • Cards w/ Adhesive Rubber Feet (Pair)

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $349.96 lower (58% savings) than the list price of $599.95
    • This price is $30 lower than this recent Frontpage deal.
    • Price valid until 6/13 or while supplies last.
  • About this product:
  • About these stores:
    • Details of JBL's return policy can be found here.
    • Details of Harmon Audio's return policy can be found here.

Original Post

Written by omar1927
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
JBL has JBL Studio 530 5-1/4" Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair, Black) for $249.99. To earn 2.5% in Slickdeals Cashback, before purchase, follow the cashback instructions below. Shipping is free.

Harman Audio has JBL Studio 530 5-1/4" Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair, Black) for $249.99. To earn 2.5% in Slickdeals Cashback, before purchase, follow the cashback instructions below. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member omar1927 for finding this deal.

Includes:
  • JBL Studio 530 Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair)
  • Horn Covers (Pair)
  • Port Tube Inserts (Pair)
  • Cards w/ Adhesive Rubber Feet (Pair)

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $349.96 lower (58% savings) than the list price of $599.95
    • This price is $30 lower than this recent Frontpage deal.
    • Price valid until 6/13 or while supplies last.
  • About this product:
  • About these stores:
    • Details of JBL's return policy can be found here.
    • Details of Harmon Audio's return policy can be found here.

Original Post

Written by omar1927

Community Voting

Deal Score
+79
Good Deal
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Top Comments

jsuh0
664 Posts
165 Reputation
If you want to avoid a sub, you want to spend more on floorstanding speakers instead of bookshelves.
Mrvrsick
623 Posts
134 Reputation
I have some huge, 40+ pound floorstanding speakers in my main room, they still greatly benefit from a sub, especially for movie content.

If I could do it all over again, I'd buy better bookshelf speakers and two subs. This is what I learned from my garage system as the bookshelf speakers with 5.25 inch woofers generally blend well with a 12 inch sub in-room.

So my suggestion: for the price of the floorstanding speakers anyone is looking at, spend it on bookshelf speakers, speaker stands, and a sub instead.
oahumike
2218 Posts
362 Reputation
Had these before and if I didn't go the wireless route, I'd buy a few pairs right now. I chose the infinity 162's because the center channel RC263 had rave reviews. I JUST hooked it up and love it so far as I didn't previously have the space to install it as is in my home because it's a beast

200 Comments

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Jun 9, 2021
21 Posts
Joined Aug 2019
Jun 9, 2021
6am
Jun 9, 2021
21 Posts
Looks like these are not self-powered. What amp would you suggest for these speakers? Thank you
Original Poster
Jun 9, 2021
8 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jun 9, 2021
omar1927
Original Poster
Jun 9, 2021
8 Posts
Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
I'd not be surprised if the 590 is more sensitive and therefore louder at the same amount of power. Either way, a bigger amp is often better.
After some reading , I'm leaning towards the Yamaha rx-v385 now instead of the Sony. Would you say it's a better avr?
Jun 9, 2021
24 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
Jun 9, 2021
skycriesmary
Jun 9, 2021
24 Posts
Is it ok to lay these on their side? I have some shelving that I'd love to put these in, but would not allow them to stand 18" tall.
Jun 9, 2021
2,396 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Jun 9, 2021
fintlewoodlewix
Jun 9, 2021
2,396 Posts
Quote from omar1927 :
After some reading , I'm leaning towards the Yamaha rx-v385 now instead of the Sony. Would you say it's a better avr?
I like that the Yamaha actually rates down to 2ohms. I'd pick it over the sony, though both are throw away AVRs. The really good stuff is going to be, minimum, a Denon 3600. The Yamaha room correction might be slightly better, too.
Quote from skycriesmary :
Is it ok to lay these on their side? I have some shelving that I'd love to put these in, but would not allow them to stand 18" tall.
Putting them on their sides will create a mess of their sound. Putting them in a bookshelf will make the sound even worse. I'd not go in this direction if you want it to sound at all good. I'd at least search for a speaker that can stand upright.
Quote from 6am :
Looks like these are not self-powered. What amp would you suggest for these speakers? Thank you
Emotiva makes some decent amps for not so much money. Are you going 5.1 or bigger? Than the Denon 3600 or 3700. Just want stereo? I'd get a Minidsp SHD Power. With room correction, a solid DAC, and a solid amp, and a digital crossover for subs, that will annihilate most 2.x systems in sound quality.

I have the SHD studio and use self-powered speakers.
1
1
Pro
Jun 9, 2021
119 Posts
Joined May 2011
Jun 9, 2021
Seeing_Red
Pro
Jun 9, 2021
119 Posts
Quote from 6am :
Looks like these are not self-powered. What amp would you suggest for these speakers? Thank you
You can go with the Yamaha TSR-700 from Costco for $400. For a stereo desktop setup, the SMSL SA300 or Aiyiama A07 are simple, cheap options. For a living room something like a Yamaha A-S301. There are a lot of good options depending on use case and budget.

Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
Emotiva makes some decent amps for not so much money. Are you going 5.1 or bigger? Than the Denon 3600 or 3700. Just want stereo? I'd get a Minidsp SHD Power. With room correction, a solid DAC, and a solid amp, and a digital crossover for subs, that will annihilate most 2.x systems in sound quality.

I have the SHD studio and use self-powered speakers.
As good as that equipment is, I think pairing $250 speakers to $1K+ DAC/amps is a bit unbalanced.
Jun 9, 2021
1,232 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
Jun 9, 2021
chefp
Jun 9, 2021
1,232 Posts
Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
Measurements of those sideways center speakers usually have unequal frequency response. Better to get a 530 in the center than a 520. How is this a Debbie Downer? The science is pretty clear, even if it doesn't match with the marketing.
My bad, you're not Debbie Downer, your the eponymous Poopy Face Applause

Yeah go ahead and tell yourself the 530 turned on its side is somehow better. The JBL engineers don't know anything, it's not like they design speakers for a living.
Jun 9, 2021
221 Posts
Joined Mar 2017
Jun 9, 2021
Esaul562
Jun 9, 2021
221 Posts
These are excellent speakers. I prefer these over my infinity R263 and Kef Q150.

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Jun 9, 2021
22 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Jun 9, 2021
Trespassers_W
Jun 9, 2021
22 Posts
Quote from RVD26 :
FYI, just checked and JBL will only price match up to 30 days from purchase for anyone else wondering.
They don't make it easy though. Instead of simply crediting the price difference they ask you to open account at nortonshoppingguarantee, file a claim there providing copies of your order, new price screenshots and wait 8-10 business days for a refund. Too much hassle IMO, it is much easier just to buy a new set and return the old one.
1
Jun 9, 2021
5,329 Posts
Joined May 2007
Jun 9, 2021
RVD26
Jun 9, 2021
5,329 Posts
Quote from Trespassers_W :
They don't make it easy though. Instead of simply crediting the price difference they ask you to open account at nortonshoppingguarantee, file a claim there providing copies of your order, new price screenshots and wait 8-10 business days for a refund. Too much hassle IMO, it is much easier just to buy a new set and return the old one.
I'd much rather do the first option than to pack up and haul these heavy-ass speakers to a shipping store.
Jun 9, 2021
4,100 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
Jun 9, 2021
turbodog
Jun 9, 2021
4,100 Posts
Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
​These are normal sensitivity. Remember, specs are usually lies. These are about as sensitive as speakers by other brands that claim 96db sensitivity.
Nobody's sensitivity specs are off by 10db, especially JBL.

Define "normal sensitivity", keeping in mind I own vintage Klipsch's and a PA system.

Here's a review:

https://www.audiosciencereview.co...iew.12298/

These are definitely low sensitivity, under 85 db/2.83v m. Not as bad as electrostatics, but certainly low. These won't hit 100db in a typical room, which leaves very little headroom for EQ.
Last edited by turbodog June 9, 2021 at 09:25 AM.
Jun 9, 2021
19 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
Jun 9, 2021
winice4649
Jun 9, 2021
19 Posts
Good choice at this price, but they are not super detailed. So a Yamaha receiver matches well.
Last edited by winice4649 June 9, 2021 at 09:17 AM.
Jun 9, 2021
2,396 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Jun 9, 2021
fintlewoodlewix
Jun 9, 2021
2,396 Posts
Quote from ftee123 :
How does JBL center channel? And the sub, I am tempting to get one. How does it compare to svs brand?
Better to use another 530 as a center channel, if you have the room under your screen. But if you gotta, I'm sure the 520 will be fine.
JBL's subs are not as fancy as SVS's. SVS adds all kinds of cool software controls that let you integrate ok without external EQ. However, I'd rather integrate everything with a centralized eq/source like a quality AVR.
The JBL subs are, however, a total value, and can do a good job if you get enough of them. 2 for a normal person. 4 for an excessive person. Then again, most people who would buy 4 would buy better subs to go below 20hz and shake the house for reals.
Quote from Seeing_Red :
You can go with the Yamaha TSR-700 from Costco for $400. For a stereo desktop setup, the SMSL SA300 or Aiyiama A07 are simple, cheap options. For a living room something like a Yamaha A-S301. There are a lot of good options depending on use case and budget.



As good as that equipment is, I think pairing $250 speakers to $1K+ DAC/amps is a bit unbalanced.
After having bought garbage components before, I'd say a person is best off buying something quality in the first place. JBL makes quality speakers like the 530 that can deliver excellent sound. The MiniDSP SHD Power can deliver excellent sound, excellent room correction, excellent amplification, and excellent sub integration in a 2.2. The Denon 3600 and 3700 can do similarly but for 5.1. Then, if the buyer decides they want bigger, better speakers, their electronics can stay and not go in the trash. You'd have to go pretty darned big to need more than the wattage supplied by the minidsp.

The "common wisdom" is that you spend x% on speakers and x% on a DAC and so on. Testing of various speakers by various sources has revealed that you can get amazing bargains in speakers, DACs, and preamps. Amazing bargains in amps are not so easy to find unless you luck out on the used market.

Also, remember that quality EQ is MANDATORY if you want great sound. Quality EQ can sometimes turn mediocre speakers into great ones, and can always turn great speakers into fantastic ones.
Quote from chefp :
My bad, you're not Debbie Downer, your the eponymous Poopy Face

Yeah go ahead and tell yourself the 530 turned on its side is somehow better. The JBL engineers don't know anything, it's not like they design speakers for a living.
Not sure if you read what I wrote. I said that turning them on their sides "will create a mess of their sound". Is your goal to be a jerk?
Quote from turbodog :
Nobody's sensitivity specs are off by 10db, especially JBL.

Define "normal sensitivity", keeping in mind I own vintage Klipsch's and a PA system.
Klipsch is normally way off in their sensitivity ratings. Their 600M is rated at 96db sensitivity, and was recently measured at 88db of actual sensitivity. Also rated at 8ohms but dipped to 3.2 ohms.
Klipsch 41M are rated at 90db. Actual is 85db. 8ohms rated but dips to 2 ohms. Disgusting.
JBL 530 rated 6ohms and 86db. Actual is 4 ohms and 85db.
JLB 590 rated 6ohms and 92db. I haven't seen measurements, but I'd expect 4ohms and a little bit under 92db sensitivity.

In other words, it actually takes less amp to drive the 590s. Bigger often means more sensitive. But specs are lies. For Klipsch, bigger lies than for others.

I figure mid 80s is normal sensitivity for bookshelves. That was the rating of my old McIntosh bookshelves. These 530s. The Klipsch 41m.
Jun 9, 2021
4,100 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
Jun 9, 2021
turbodog
Jun 9, 2021
4,100 Posts
Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
Klipsch is normally way off in their sensitivity ratings. Their 600M is rated at 96db sensitivity, and was recently measured at 88db of actual sensitivity. Also rated at 8ohms but dipped to 3.2 ohms.
Klipsch 41M are rated at 90db. Actual is 85db. 8ohms rated but dips to 2 ohms. Disgusting.
JBL 530 rated 6ohms and 86db. Actual is 4 ohms and 85db.
JLB 590 rated 6ohms and 92db. I haven't seen measurements, but I'd expect 4ohms and a little bit under 92db sensitivity.

In other words, it actually takes less amp to drive the 590s. Bigger often means more sensitive. But specs are lies. For Klipsch, bigger lies than for others.

I figure mid 80s is normal sensitivity for bookshelves. That was the rating of my old McIntosh bookshelves. These 530s. The Klipsch 41m.
LOL. The sensitivity of these sucks, I don't care about your handwaving. LMAO
1
Jun 9, 2021
2,396 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Jun 9, 2021
fintlewoodlewix
Jun 9, 2021
2,396 Posts
Quote from turbodog :
LOL. The sensitivity of these sucks, I don't care about your handwaving.
The sensitivity of all bookshelves in lower than that of towers. Shrug.

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Jun 9, 2021
4,100 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
Jun 9, 2021
turbodog
Jun 9, 2021
4,100 Posts
Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
The sensitivity of all bookshelves in lower than that of towers. Shrug.
Yeah no kidding. Any bookshelf around 90 db / 1W-M is doing pretty good. My highly modified 10" PA tops are sort of bookshelf sized and are well into the 90's, no low bass.

It should also be noted that a 2.83V rating is only equivalent to a 1W rating when the speaker has a flat 8ohm impedance. Many speakers get into the 4ohm range, in particular Klipsch can have badly complex loads and draw considerably more than 1W at 2.83V.

I find that Klipsch do best with an amp that is rated to double it's power all the way to 2 ohms, so a 300WPC amp that does 1200W into 2ohms, typical PA amp, etc. Some friends of mine had some OG Klipsch Forte's that really did well on a high current PA amp in their party room.

One of my favorite cheap amps are used older Elan home integration models, they are intended to bridge multiple speakers on them and drive 2 ohms with ease, but they are generally low voltage. They have "Chip Amp" and "Tripath" varieties, made in the 00's.
Last edited by turbodog June 9, 2021 at 11:30 AM.

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