JBL S38 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Black)
JBL S38 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Black)
Product Description
Amazon.com Review
With its Studio series S38 bookshelf loudspeakers (also available in beech), JBL strikes a happy balance between price, performance, and size, offering nearly full-range sound--from crystalline highs to stomach-punching lows--in attractive, mirror-image cabinets. Whether you buy four and put them to work in a home theater with a center-channel and a subwoofer or merely position a pair of S38BEs along a living-room wall for true-blue stereo music, it's hard not to be seduced by the sound from these speakers.
At its heart, each S38BE speaker is a three-way system using two magnetically shielded PolyPlas drivers (a 4-inch and an 8-inch) complemented by a 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter. PolyPlas, a polymer-coated cellulose fiber, adds rigidity and damping to the cones without unduly increasing their mass. This cone, together with a durable rubber surround (the part of the cone that attaches to the rest of the speaker), enables the speaker to deliver amazingly high sound levels without audible breakup or distortion.
The pure-titanium tweeter uses JBL's patented EOS waveguide to focus the sonic image and reduce time-delay artifacts. The EOS waveguide also increases the tweeter's dynamic range and its output at lower frequencies, which improves the transition between the high frequencies and the midrange. The LFP (Linear Field Proximity) bezel, which houses both the tweeter and the 4-inch midrange driver, smoothes out that transition even further. By minimizing the distance between these critical sound sources, JBL sidesteps the phase problems that result from sounds meeting your ears with different arrival times.
JBL's custom-designed drivers use simple, Straight-line Signal Path (SSP) crossover networks with quality electrical components. These networks further smooth the speaker's frequency and power response while minimizing processing that could otherwise degrade your audio signal.
On the inside, the drivers' oversized Kapton voice coils and HeatScape motor structures preserve performance accuracy during extended listening, prolong driver life, and reduce power compression through their responsiveness. Finally, JBL's FreeFlow flared bass port releases bass energy from behind the 8-inch woofer through a vent that precisely matches the size and configuration of the driver and speaker cabinet.
Some will want more low end than the S38BEs are capable of delivering, but this is not a shortcoming of the speakers, it's a limitation of the size. JBL has done everything in its power to maximize the S38BEs' low-end response, and it did a better job than we would have thought possible given the company's commitment to maintaining natural timbre (that is, a frequency balance that sounds neither boomy nor equalized). --Michael Mikesell
Pros:
Great sound
Dynamic prowess
Impressive imaging
Average customer rating: 
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JBL S38II 3-Way 8-Mirror Image Bookshelf Speakers (Black Maple)
Manufacturer: JBL ProductGroup: CE Binding: Electronics  Bookshelf
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JBL
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Product Features:
ASIN: B0000632GH |
Product Description
The S38II is a unique horizontal mirror-image nearfield/midfield monitor that brings the studio experience into your living room. This 3-way 8" loudspeaker with MDF enclosure and Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) waveguide reproduces 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 that can be found in stadiums, music halls and movie theaters around the world. Shielded components allow placement near video monitors. High-temperature, oversized Kapton voice coil and HeatScape motor structure allow these speakers to effortlessly play all types of movies and music. The woofers are built on cast-aluminum frames, which reduce distortion and increase power-handling capability. A low-diffraction IsoPower baffle directs the sound power into the room, reducing distortion caused by cabinet vibration. The computer-designed enclosure requires no bracing. The FreeFlow flared port increases bass response without adding unwanted port noise. 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. All Studio Series loudspeakers are equipped with all-metal, 5-way, gold-plated binding post speaker terminals.
Average customer rating: 
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JBL S38 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Black)
Manufacturer: JBL ProductGroup: CE Binding: Electronics Surround
| Speakers
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Bookshelf
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Audio & Video
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JBL
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Accessories:
Product Features:
ASIN: B00002EQBU |
Amazon.com Review
With its Studio series S38 bookshelf loudspeakers (also available in beech), JBL strikes a happy balance between price, performance, and size, offering nearly full-range sound--from crystalline highs to stomach-punching lows--in attractive, mirror-image cabinets. Whether you buy four and put them to work in a home theater with a center-channel and a subwoofer or merely position a pair of S38BEs along a living-room wall for true-blue stereo music, it's hard not to be seduced by the sound from these speakers.At its heart, each S38BE speaker is a three-way system using two magnetically shielded PolyPlas drivers (a 4-inch and an 8-inch) complemented by a 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter. PolyPlas, a polymer-coated cellulose fiber, adds rigidity and damping to the cones without unduly increasing their mass. This cone, together with a durable rubber surround (the part of the cone that attaches to the rest of the speaker), enables the speaker to deliver amazingly high sound levels without audible breakup or distortion.
The pure-titanium tweeter uses JBL's patented EOS waveguide to focus the sonic image and reduce time-delay artifacts. The EOS waveguide also increases the tweeter's dynamic range and its output at lower frequencies, which improves the transition between the high frequencies and the midrange. The LFP (Linear Field Proximity) bezel, which houses both the tweeter and the 4-inch midrange driver, smoothes out that transition even further. By minimizing the distance between these critical sound sources, JBL sidesteps the phase problems that result from sounds meeting your ears with different arrival times.
JBL's custom-designed drivers use simple, Straight-line Signal Path (SSP) crossover networks with quality electrical components. These networks further smooth the speaker's frequency and power response while minimizing processing that could otherwise degrade your audio signal.
On the inside, the drivers' oversized Kapton voice coils and HeatScape motor structures preserve performance accuracy during extended listening, prolong driver life, and reduce power compression through their responsiveness. Finally, JBL's FreeFlow flared bass port releases bass energy from behind the 8-inch woofer through a vent that precisely matches the size and configuration of the driver and speaker cabinet.
Some will want more low end than the S38BEs are capable of delivering, but this is not a shortcoming of the speakers, it's a limitation of the size. JBL has done everything in its power to maximize the S38BEs' low-end response, and it did a better job than we would have thought possible given the company's commitment to maintaining natural timbre (that is, a frequency balance that sounds neither boomy nor equalized). --Michael Mikesell
Pros:
Amazon.com Product Description
The JBL S38 black bookshelf speakers feature a unique horizontal mirror-image nearfield/midfield monitor design that brings the studio experience into your living room. The JBL S38 speakers offer 175-watt maximum power handling, 45 to 20,000 Hz frequency response, 89 dB sensitivity, and 8 ohms nominal impedance.The 1-inch pure titanium tweeter and the 4-inch midrange transducer are mounted on a Linear Field Proximity (LFP) bezel that ensures a seamless transition between the middle and high frequencies. The 8-inch PolyPlas (polymer-coated cellulose fiber) cone woofer is built on a cast aluminum frame, which reduces distortion and increases power-handling capability.
JBL's S38 speakers are equipped with all-metal, five-way, gold-plated binding-post speaker terminals. This pair comes in black and includes a two-year parts and labor warranty on the speaker enclosures and a five-year parts and labor warranty on the speaker driver and internal components.
Product Description
The S38 is a unique horizontal mirror-image nearfield/midfield monitor that brings the studio experience into your living room. This 3-way 8" loudspeaker with MDF enclosure and Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) waveguide reproduces 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 that can be found in stadiums, music halls and movie theaters around the world. Shielded components allow placement near video monitors. High-temperature, oversized Kapton voice coil and HeatScape motor structure allow these speakers to effortlessly play all types of movies and music. The woofers are built on cast-aluminum frames, which reduce distortion and increase power-handling capability. A low-diffraction IsoPower baffle directs the sound power into the room, reducing distortion caused by cabinet vibration. The lock-mitred, computer-designed enclosure requires no bracing. The FreeFlow flared port increases bass response without adding unwanted port noise. 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. All Studio Series loudspeakers are equipped with all-metal, 5-way, gold-plated binding post speaker terminals.Customer Reviews:
Five years, still in love.......2006-07-25
Wow!.......2003-08-07
Love 'Em!.......2003-03-31
Fantastic sound for the price........2002-09-28
JBL is in the sound industry since 1927. 9 out of 10 live concerts I've attended were using JBL speakers. And Studios all over the world select JBL as the reference speaker of preference.
I'm a music passionate for over 30 years, and I've listened to many many speakers. JBL is my preferred choice due to the sound quality, price and durability.
The S38 is a small 3 way vented box, well designed and good looking. It has a big WAF score (Wife Acceptance Factor). The box may sound boomy depending on the proximity of the wall, and in my opinion it lacks a bit of high (tweeter) volume. Still, it has a fantastic sound way better than any box hundreds of dollars above its price. (Check Harman audio store at eBay for a good deal on those).
One thing I've found along the years as a quality measure is that if you don't realize you are listening to music a bit too loud until someone else complains about it (like your wife), you can be sure you have a dam good set of speaker (or a terrible ear). Those speakers will keep a smooth and pleasant listening experience, even in loud sessions, and your ears will not get tiered or irritated as when you listen to bad speakers.
Of course there are better deals out there (Even JBL has better speakers, but if you are willing to pay considerable more $$$ for a unit), but in this price range, nothing beats the S38.
And of course, go check them on a store. I'm positive those will be your speakers of choice. I have them for 2 years now and still love them. Of course now I'm looking on a ribbon tweeter speakers like the ADAM, but I need to work out a plan to bend my wife into accepting the fact that a $2000 speaker is a matter or life or death for me. Well, I may have to stick to the JBLs for a bit more. But hopefully those will still be an awesome set of speakers.
Great Speakers.......2002-06-03
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