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JBL S1/S2 Aquarius Can these ever image well?

secondslc

secondslc

mmmmmarantz
Hi Guys,

In my audio journey, fellow AK member inspiribomb introduced me to the concept of imaging and how proper placement can take the room away and put you in the front stage. I use Norah Jones Come Away With Me as a reference, and I've gotten pretty good results...till I started playing with these speakers in this setup...

2161940378_b5449ddbf3_b.jpg


Do omnidirectional speakers ever image, or are these particular speakers hopeless? I know the Aquarius series was not JBL's most popular offering, but I think they are handsome, and a part of JBL's journey... no matter how ill received.

There is a tweeter on each corner of the grille part, and an 8 inch driver in each big tower. The oak piece is a DVC passive sub that honestly...doesn't add as much as it looks like it should. Everything is being powered by a 50wpc H/K unit...not the 4400 pictured. The sound is smooth and easy to listen to, its just...coming from everywhere!.

I think 90% of the problem is the placement next to that cabinetry, should I just give up on this setup and throw a set of traditional speakers in the mix? Where can these speakers go to get best performance?

Any advice is appreciated!
 
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Aren't those Aquarius IV's?

I've never heard anyone comment well on how they perform and I am not getting rid of mine anytime soon.

They are just too cool.
 
Omnis and imaging are kinda mutually exclusive. They're about soundstage and ambience, instead, primarily.

I have a Toole white paper discussing this, but haven't been able to locate it recently, alas.

Is there something can be done here?

Well, yeah, very nicely, in fact, in a fabric-covered cube sitting on top.

Ask over in the VERY BIG thread.... :yes:
 
Zilch said:
Omnis and imaging are kinda mutually exclusive. They're about soundstage and ambience, instead, primarily.

I have a Toole white paper discussing this, but haven't been able to locate it recently, alas.

Is there something can be done here?

Well, yeah, very nicely, in fact, in a fabric-covered cube sitting on top.

Ask over in the VERY BIG thread.... :yes:
Click to expand...

I had a feeling omnis were not meant to image....

What are these magical cubes you speak of.. are they wireless? I hear all cool stuff is nowadays
 
It's not just omnis.

My JBL 4430s image much better than my L200/300s (Enlarged L200 cabinets with L300 components).

But then the L200/300s sound more open and clear with better highs.

When you instaneously A/B between the two, you hear the sound stage collapse when you go to the L200/300s. Hard to pick a winner.
 
I don't have these but have a pair of Epi 400+ that I'm getting ready to refoam all the woofers (woofers and tweeters on all 4 sides). When I asked about placement at some point, those who had them recommended they be WAY out into the room.
 
JohnVF said:
I don't have these but have a pair of Epi 400+ that I'm getting ready to refoam all the woofers (woofers and tweeters on all 4 sides). When I asked about placement at some point, those who had them recommended they be WAY out into the room.
Click to expand...

If it were my house...thats what I would try, its my parents place.....needs to have lots o WAF. Pedestals are the best compromise...just...NO PLANTS ON TOP:nono:
 
I've found omni's are very hard to position, because they really don't have a dramatic change in/out of there sweet spot. If you take time setting them up, you can often get them to image fairly well.

I have a set of Aquarius similar to yours, and in my experience, I wouldn't call them imaging masters. I've had my best success with getting them to image, by pulling them out about 5-7 feet out from the back wall, almost near the center line of my room.

What I do with all my speakers, is I got these little adhesive paper dots / stickers. I sticker my floor with my ideal speaker placement. If I'm going to sit down for a critical listen, I pull the speakers out . Otherwise, I just push them back into the corners.
 
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