JBL S38II 3-Way 8-Mirror Image Bookshelf Speakers (Black Maple)
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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.
Features
- 3-way, 8-inch, vertical/horizontal, mirror-image bookshelf speaker with MDF enclosure
- Maximum recommended amplifier power: 175 Watts
- High-frequency driver: 1″ pure-titanium dome with EOS waveguide
- Midrange driver: 4″ PolyPlas cone; PolyPlas cone woofer features traditional JBL engineering
- Low-frequency driver: 8″ PolyPlas cone; shielded components allow placement near video monitors
- Dimensions (W x H x L): 18 x 12 x 12 inches
- Weight: 28 pounds
Great value!
For the price these are the best sounding speakers I have heard in a long time. Frequency response is great with no dead spots over the entire range. The 8 inch ported woofers give plenty of base response and the mirror image installation provides spectacular imaging even with relativly little speaker seperation, (about 5 feet in my entertainment center).
Power handling is great as well, my 150 watt per channel amp dosen’t overpower these babies and the combination of the well constructed heavy cabinets and the self adhesive velcro feet provided with the speakers keep them from rattling on my shelves.
All in all I am very happy with these speakers and would reccomend them to anyone needing a great sounding set of bookshelf speakers.
I Love These Speakers!
I auditioned many speakers–looking for a great bookshelf speaker. I have small children and was afraid that a speaker on the floor would abused by the little ones. These JBL speakers sound incredible. I especially like how they produce clear high-frequency sounds–instead of sounding like mush. Also, they reproduce bass so well I don’t feel like I need to add a subwoofer. They are extremely well-made and heavy and they have made me a JBL fan. I’ve had mine for about three years now and couldn’t be happier. They are incredible speakers and well worth every penny.
Great speakers!!
Speaker size was a consideration for our home theater system since it’s in our living/great room. Floor speakers were out of the question. After extensive “listening & research” these handle the range of sounds we needed to cover and fit the space!
These speakers are incredible! We use them as the main front speakers.
We’ve had them for about a year now and they have excelled in everything WE throw at them. I say we, because I wanted speakers that enhanced our MOVIE experience, but it was essential that my wife could enjoy her MUSIC to it’s FULLEST!
These speakers PLEASE us both. Absolutely a GREAT buy!
The only thing I have to figure out is how to sneak a pair of these in as the rear surround speakers…..
GREAT SPEAKERS!!
My husband shopped (forever)to put together our home theater system & these are our front speakers (the other speakers are JBL also). We both enjoy watching movies, but I REALLY enjoy cranking up the tunes! THESE SPEAKERS ARE GREAT!
Most men don’t shop with the focus and stamina that my husband does(which can be trying at times) but in this case I’m glad he did! These speakers really handle “his” movies and “my” music better than I expected. The nice thing is I don’t have some MONSTER floor speakers in my living room to deal with.
I just tell him “you did good and we don’t NEED anything else, honey”.
I do not like these at all.
I have tried to get used to them hoping they would get better with time. I find them to be very tinnie and flat.
Best for the Money
After looking around for months, I finally chose the S38ii’s as my rear surround speakers. What a smooth sound they have. They can play every type of music with clarity and ease as well as perform great as a surround speaker. I would have to suggest running them at a little over 85 watts, since these do require a bit of a push. 125 watts seems to be about the best power range for them to really open up. Let me tell you, when they do open up you’ll wonder why you waited so long to buy them
A musician’s ear
I am genuinely pleased with our new pair of JBL S38II speakers. They are compact, smaller than the pair of three ways they are replacing. However, they are solidly built and deceptivey heavy for their size. The sound is rich and pleasing, easily reproducing everything from a cappella jazz vocals to rich symphonic passages. The speakers expose the middle voices and lush tonalities of the orchestra, which are usually lost with lesser speakers. Also, the eight inch woofers have plenty of bass punch that stands up well without need of an additional subwoofer. These are a good bit of speaker for the price and I am pleased the amount I paid. I would hesitate to pay too much more for these speakers though.
The Best Bookshelf Speaker on the Market
These JBL S38II speakers are a true investment in your listening future. When I recently decided to purchase a new set of speakers, my inclinations were initially to buy something from Bose, because it is a popular brand these days. However, upon listening to their bookshelf speakers and learning that they are constructed cheaply, I began to research the JBL line of bookshelf speakers. In terms of quality and performance, these S38IIs are by far the best option for the price.
These speakers have been a revelation for me. I hear things in music that I didn’t know existed. The bass, midrange, and highs and clear and full. The S38IIs can easily handle anything you want to pump through them, whether it is Bootsy Collins bass thumps or John Coltrane’s mid 60s sonic saxophone assaults. The only problem that you might encounter will not be with the speakers but rather the damage they might inflict on your ears–the speakers sound so good and perform so effortlessly at high volume that it is easy to forget how loud you have them. But that is a good problem to have, indeed.
The price of these speakers is an absolute bargain. The savings is more than enough to offset a fairly substantial shipping cost that is the result of their heavy weight. When you take them out of the box, you will be amazed at their solid construction and excellent performance. If you are looking for a quality bookshelf speaker that you will be able to enjoy for years, look no further. The JBL S38II speakers are the real deal in more ways than one.
Great sound at a very reasonable price.
The components which most affect — by far — the sound of your audio system are the speakers. And (except for electrostatic speakers costing thousands of dollars) the best sounding speakers currently available are those in the JBL studio series — including the S38IIs. The S38IIs are superb sounding speakers with sweet, clean highs, a natual-sounding midrange, and clean, full bass. While they will handle lots of power, they sound great with moderately-powered amps and receivers. If for some reason you feel that you must have a larger woofer — instead of the quite-adequate 8″ woofer in the S38II — I recommend the JBL S310II with a 10″ woofer and the JBL S312II with a 12″ woofer. But the vast majority of people should be quite pleased with the superb sound of the less-expensive S38IIs. Also the S38II speakers would make excellent rear speakers in a terrific-sounding JBL surround sound system.
Solid sound, good price
They have been sounding better and better since purchased. No sub needed plenty of bass with very tight mids and highs. Large for “Bookshelf Speakers” and sound better laid horizontally although difficult to find space for them. Best speakers for the dollar, blew away the Bose 301 and other two way bookshelf speakers.
Great Speakers, Great Value at a Great Price!
I have a pair of the S38’s not these S38 twos (my mistake) as surround speakers for my home theater system. I think that the only difference between these speakers is that the S38’s have copper colored cones (which look great when you remove the grill). They are a perfect match for the JBL S312’s as the main speakers. They are absolutely great for movies, they make you feel like you are right in the middle of the picture, surrounded by all of the action!
Fan-tastic
I went to the store to buy a pair of JBL N28s, but next to the S38s on display, the N28s sounded like mush. The bass is tight, and possibly a bit loud for my apartment. The highs and mids are crystal clear and detailed. I’m reminded of the first time I put on a really good pair of headphones. This is what music is supposed to sound like. A bit more than I wanted to spend, but worth every penny.