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

LongShao

Jun 14, 2021 10:03 PM

31 Comments

Joined Jan 2019

LongShaoJun 14, 2021 10:03 PM

31 Comments

Quote from LongShao

:

Grab a pair right away.
Lowest price ever.
It was like $280 before

Got mine last Friday.
SO big compare to my Klipsch RP-14M and Audioengine A2+
Sound great and probably don't need an sub but I pair it with my Klipsch R-10SW with super low volume anyways.
Perfect height for the desktop setup and I don't need extra stands for them.
My Specs:
DAC: SMSL SU-9
Pre-Amp: Monolith™ Liquid Platinum Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli
AMP: Eomotiva BasX A-100

User18383921

Jun 14, 2021 10:46 PM

2.7K Comments

Joined Dec 2019

User18383921Jun 14, 2021 10:46 PM

2.7K Comments

Quote from lifeatragedy

:

Is this overkill if used on a computer? I currently have Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker that I got for $77 last year, which sound pretty good. I only wish they had a little bit more of a thump to them.

The Infinity R162's is a good upgrade. Sony core's are on back up duty now. Whatever you do, no not get the Polk S15's.

I'm running a desktop setup(6 x 3 ft) but these or the 162's will probably be too huge for most desktop setups. You night want to look into the R152's which are the same size as the core's.

Last edited by RunningOnEmpty June 14, 2021 at 03:51 PM.

2

sorbitol

Jun 14, 2021 11:11 PM

2.3K Comments

Joined Aug 2014

sorbitolJun 14, 2021 11:11 PM

2.3K Comments

Quote from Esaul562

:

These are excellent speakers. I prefer these over my infinity R263 and Kef Q150.

Yeah I have a pair of r263, r162, and r152 , and the r162 center. I bought them last year, but I have never set them up or tried them out. I do like the 530s though,. I'm thinking about getting rid of the infinity towers and replacing them with the 530s for fronts. I watch a lot of anime oh, and most of that is encoded into 2.1 sound rips. Anime requires that you have music Fidelity speakers, otherwise you don't get the same effect. Perhaps a newer animes have special effects sounds and them, but I don't roll that way. I highly Suspect infiniti's with sound muddled compared to the jbl's

1

Esaul562

Jun 14, 2021 11:28 PM

291 Comments

Joined Mar 2017

Esaul562Jun 14, 2021 11:28 PM

291 Comments

Quote from sorbitol

:

Yeah I have a pair of r263, r162, and r152 , and the r162 center. I bought them last year, but I have never set them up or tried them out. I do like the 530s though,. I'm thinking about getting rid of the infinity towers and replacing them with the 530s for fronts. I watch a lot of anime oh, and most of that is encoded into 2.1 sound rips. Anime requires that you have music Fidelity speakers, otherwise you don't get the same effect. Perhaps a newer animes have special effects sounds and them, but I don't roll that way. I highly Suspect infiniti's with sound muddled compared to the jbl's

I watch alot of anime my self. The 530s are better for gaming/video watching

1

BrilliantRyloth

Jun 15, 2021 5:50 AM

935 Comments

Joined Nov 2019

BrilliantRylothJun 15, 2021 5:50 AM

935 Comments

Quote from Esaul562

:

I watch alot of anime my self. The 530s are better for gaming/video watching

Same watch a lot of anime. What do you suggest would be good speakers for anime? Currently using fluance ai40 powered speakers.

4jason4

Jun 17, 2021 9:09 AM

45 Comments

Joined Jul 2015

4jason4Jun 17, 2021 9:09 AM

45 Comments

Got my 530's a few days ago. I wanted them for fronts for my theater room, but playing them they are more nearfield speakers. I then replaced my jbl lsr305s with these on my desktop, I'd say they sound about 35% better than my 305s. More fuller and clear, but highs are a little harsh at times, overall I'm pretty happy.

P.S. bass is alright, but has no lows at all, so get a sub if you are using it for movies or your music genre has atlot of lows

Last edited by 4jason4 June 17, 2021 at 10:15 PM.

2

sirdan357

Jun 22, 2021 7:46 AM

887 Comments

Joined May 2010

sirdan357Jun 22, 2021 7:46 AM

887 Comments

Quote from sorbitol

:

Yeah I have a pair of r263, r162, and r152 , and the r162 center. I bought them last year, but I have never set them up or tried them out. I do like the 530s though,. I'm thinking about getting rid of the infinity towers and replacing them with the 530s for fronts. I watch a lot of anime oh, and most of that is encoded into 2.1 sound rips. Anime requires that you have music Fidelity speakers, otherwise you don't get the same effect. Perhaps a newer animes have special effects sounds and them, but I don't roll that way. I highly Suspect infiniti's with sound muddled compared to the jbl's

The Infinity towers will blow these things away in a large room. A single 5 inch woofer can't compete with multiple larger woofers in scale. In a smaller room you may like one or the other better, but you want to keep the same brand for all of your main speakers.

sorbitol

Jun 22, 2021 11:44 AM

2.3K Comments

Joined Aug 2014

sorbitolJun 22, 2021 11:44 AM

2.3K Comments

Quote from sirdan357

:

The Infinity towers will blow these things away in a large room. A single 5 inch woofer can't compete with multiple larger woofers in scale. In a smaller room you may like one or the other better, but you want to keep the same brand for all of your main speakers.

Well most animes are more musical than effects, so there is that.
Some games too.

sirdan357

Jun 22, 2021 12:59 PM

887 Comments

Joined May 2010

sirdan357Jun 22, 2021 12:59 PM

887 Comments

Quote from ftee123

:

Bought them many years ago when it was on sale. Was thinking of setting up 7.1 system. But it is kinda old tech now.

Not any older than anything else in it's price range. Speaker designs haven't really changed at all since those were released, at least in the under $1000 mark. The JBL 530 are older speakers than the Infinity.

He-Man

Jun 22, 2021 1:15 PM

869 Comments

Joined Apr 2016

He-ManJun 22, 2021 1:15 PM

869 Comments

Quote from RunningOnEmpty

:

The Infinity R162's is a good upgrade. Sony core's are on back up duty now. Whatever you do, no not get the Polk S15's.

I'm running a desktop setup(6 x 3 ft) but these or the 162's will probably be too huge for most desktop setups. You night want to look into the R152's which are the same size as the core's.

May I ask what's wrong with Polk S15s? I own both Sony Core and S15s. The Polks are very well made. I found them to be the best VFM. Sound wise too, they outperform the Sonys in every department. Not sure why they are in your blacklist!

umeraht

Jun 23, 2021 12:33 AM

42 Comments

Joined Sep 2012

umerahtJun 23, 2021 12:33 AM

42 Comments

Quote from lifeatragedy

:

Is this overkill if used on a computer? I currently have Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker that I got for $77 last year, which sound pretty good. I only wish they had a little bit more of a thump to them.

I use these with my PC, can recommend! Will not disappoint.

Parato Optimal

Jun 23, 2021 12:54 AM

5.1K Comments

Joined Jul 2004

Parato OptimalJun 23, 2021 12:54 AM

5.1K Comments

Quote from lifeatragedy

:

Is this overkill if used on a computer? I currently have Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker that I got for $77 last year, which sound pretty good. I only wish they had a little bit more of a thump to them.

It's all about one's personal taste as to what sounds best but you should know that those Sony's are highly rated by all. They're said to be sort of audiophile and the best you can buy for under $200. And when they go on sale for $72 on Black Friday, nothing beats them. They have two tweeters which accounts for the great highend. They have a six inch woofer. You probably don't want less than a six inch woofer. Their low end isn't great but it's good enough. ALL bookshelf speakers can be improved with a subwoofer. Monoprice and Parts-Express have good and popular subwoofers for $100 or less at regular or when on sale prices. Audiophiles like these Sony's. They're often at $118. At $118 and less, they're sort of throwaway speakers you can beat on and not worry about. And they're well made enough to take a beating. Look for reviews on Youtube. You'll be amazed at the great stuff people have to say about them. And the pedigree and experience of some of the reviewers is top notch. Guys who have over a hundred thousand dollars of gear and who have had the best money can buy like the Sony's. It's crazy. For the price, you would think they'be be barely listenable but they're great. With a subwoofer they're great. Without a subwoofer they're very, very good. You can get a little better for $300 or, for $300 you'd gain something and lose something. For $500 you could get better. This isn't what you asked for. It's just info.

Someone in this thread already said these JBL's are lacking in the hi-end.

If you're pushing your Sony's with an amp, try adding any passive subwoofer to it from a second hand store for $20.

1

racketman

Jun 23, 2021 2:10 AM

410 Comments

Joined Sep 2005

racketmanJun 23, 2021 2:10 AM

410 Comments

Quote from BrilliantRyloth

:

What would be a good budget amp with Bluetooth that will power this?

These are power hungry speakers, judging by the reviews I've seen on YouTube. Check them out.

User18383921

Jun 23, 2021 7:26 AM

2.7K Comments

Joined Dec 2019

User18383921Jun 23, 2021 7:26 AM

2.7K Comments

Quote from He-Man

:

May I ask what's wrong with Polk S15s? I own both Sony Core and S15s. The Polks are very well made. I found them to be the best VFM. Sound wise too, they outperform the Sonys in every department. Not sure why they are in your blacklist!

I agree with you that the build quality is excellent for its price range and it even has magnetic grills which the Infinity's don't have. I really tried to like these. But I also have to agree with cheapaudioman's take on the s15's.

https://youtu.be/SSi8ipTyQi8?t=285

The bass was too boomy, undefined, mids and treble sounded veiled like I put a blanket over the rest of the speaker. Using it in a nearfield setup, the sound was worse at low volumes but I would need to crank it (LOUD) for it to sound decent, it got a lot better and mainly with house/trance music.

When I listened to the Sony Cores after, I noticed right away, the clarity in the mids, the tight, fast bass and the treble. Like a blanket was lifted off the speaker and it sounded good to me even at low volume.

That was my take but to each his own, I'm glad it worked out for you. worship

Last edited by RunningOnEmpty June 23, 2021 at 03:10 AM.

1

webdoctors

Jun 24, 2021 5:58 PM

2.8K Comments

Joined Mar 2016

webdoctorsJun 24, 2021 5:58 PM

2.8K Comments

Quote from RunningOnEmpty

:

I agree with you that the build quality is excellent for its price range and it even has magnetic grills which the Infinity's don't have. I really tried to like these. But I also have to agree with cheapaudioman's take on the s15's.

https://youtu.be/SSi8ipTyQi8?t=285

The bass was too boomy, undefined, mids and treble sounded veiled like I put a blanket over the rest of the speaker. Using it in a nearfield setup, the sound was worse at low volumes but I would need to crank it (LOUD) for it to sound decent, it got a lot better and mainly with house/trance music.

When I listened to the Sony Cores after, I noticed right away, the clarity in the mids, the tight, fast bass and the treble. Like a blanket was lifted off the speaker and it sounded good to me even at low volume.

That was my take but to each his own, I'm glad it worked out for you. worship

Were you using the s15 with a sub? I'm using it with one and love it in my office on speaker stands 4 ft from listener

1

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

$250

$600

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