Honestly this why you are one of my favorite audio reviewers. You have a really good spread from budget stuff to pretty high end and from what I can tell have excellent recommendations for the average listener. All while not being pretentious and being realistic in terms of the value the whole time.
Great video. I recently purchased the Studio 570's and the Studio 590's. I love them both. Big fan of the JBL sound. I've been thinking about purchasing the Studio 530's (even though I don't need them right now). After seeing this, I think I'll go ahead and get them. Thanks !!
Even though L52 it's less dynamic the quality sound it's superior than studio 530 especially in live music 🎶 for instruments separation, now I'm Cuban for Cuban music I prefer studio 530 because the dynamic sound but l52 definitely are superior speakers again especially for live music concerts
I was looking at buying the L52 Classic but the Studio 530 is so tempting 🤔 They’re both beautiful in their own was in the looks department too. Got to rock the 530’s with no grills
I have the Studio 570's. I don't know why the 570's don't get more attention. They are basically a 530 with an additional 5 1/4" driver, so all the goodness of the 530 with more low end and a little easier to drive. You do need to put the 570's on a very low stand though to give them more height.
I think because they came out later. I have 5 of them and a pair of 530's. I've owned 3 generations of JBL speakers with varying driver sizes. The 6 1/2 or 8" drivers always seemed bloated. I'm impressed with the speed of the 5 1/4" driver.
Purchased the L52's purely for their looks, they go great w/ my L100's both w/ orange grills. Sound is OK. I also have a pair of Klipsch R51M which is same size as the L52's. To my ear the Klipsch sounds better.
Years back I hosted a audio club at my house. I had the studio 590. We all listened to them. Everyone preferred the klipsch cornwall 1 over the 590's. The cornwalls are horrible sounding. After I had sold my 590's the head of are club said the 590 were just not good sounding at all. I agree with him. Now of course he had JBL s4700's. Cheers!! I now take all reviews with a grain of salt on the internet.
I have 580 (similar compression driver as 530) and had l52. L52 had better highs resolution and really were quite magical. Strings and the high overtones were amazing. 580 is less refined in the highs but more immediate in a way - more exciting maybe just a little bit. But this is probably only noticable with great cables, dac and amps. And at least 44.1 FLAC. If you listen to Spotify you'll likely enjoy 530 more.
Good video as usual! great to have someone like you in the scene. Talkin' on vintage speakers... have you ever tried any Canton Quinto/Karat from the '80s?? old-school 3-ways sealed cabinet speakers I'd like to know your thoughts compared to more modern options. Are they an option that is still worth it?
They definitely look like Darth Vader's speakers lol. I find they look better in person and have grown on me over time. They look nothing like most traditional box speakers. The cabinets are all angled to increase rigidity and both the compression driver and bass driver have curvy wave guide action going on. As far as I can tell nothing else on the market really looks like them. They only major issue I have are the ugly grey bass drivers. With the grills on in a home theater setting its a non-issue being all black which is very important with projectors. They do however sound a tad better with the grills off. Considering the compression driver is crossed over really low, the bass driver being more like 4.5", and the cross over a complicated mess of low end components they have no right to sound as good as they do. So the looks focused mostly on sound dispersion have to be doing some heavy lifting XD.
Listening through my HD800s heaphones the 530 is hands down the winner. The only thing that I'll give the l52 a win in was the separation during the hand claps. The 530 completely changed that song from sounding weak and tinny to a full enveloping stage of sound. The l52 may have been a little more transparent but lacked so much definition and stage presence. That's my opinion Listening through one of the most critical headphones you can buy. The 530 is absolutely the better buy.
To name another candidate from JBL, 4312G actually sounds quite good, better than 500-series, and relatively close to L100. With sales price at 1700+, it is actually a steal
I got my 530' s for $325.00...... But recently, I have seen them on sale for 280.00 or even 265.00......sign up for Harmon/ jbl sales updates ...and they run the sales about 4 times per year....I am using an Onkyo 9150 amp....not much power....it has the current to drive them very nicely.
Have you thought about reviewing some revel speakers 🤔, like the bookshelf m126be or floor speakers f226be.. how would they compare to your top picks 🤔 Keep up the fantastic work 👏 🙏🙏
I do VERY MUCH like the best bang for the buck. All my gear I bought new except for speakers. I like the sound of big speakers but new ones are $2500 and higher. I have 4 foot floor standers with dual 6 1/2 woofers and good bookshelf speakers but they don't have the same vibe as big speakers (15 inch woofers).
@@Tharbamar i have jbl nd310s as my fronts and while they have deep bass, I now use a klipsch r120sw sub for bass so the nd310 are crossed over at 80 and it sounds better than before. I think subs pretty much killed the need for big woofers. I just ordered a pair of 590s last night and I can't wait
@@Tharbamar I've been using the 590s since a week and half ago after arriving from a one week trip of visiting family in Mexico and they're great in my 12 by 12 bedroom but I feel like it needs a little more midrange because they're so airy and treble happy but they are definitely better than my old nd310s
One has more exciting top end while the other has nicer bass. A hybrid of these two would be killer. Jbl should fit these compression tweeters to the L52 just for experimentation.
I hesitate between technics sb-c700, polk audio R200 or jbl studio 530. I own the power amp Sony ta-n7b, Gustard X26 pro dac preamp, Jvc xl-z1010 disc player and a Svs sb-4000 subwoofer for a room of 18m2. I research speakers the most transparent with a great soundstage and realistic sound. Which of it's speakers would be above the lot ?
Hello, I have a question, I come from Germany. What is the best way to set up the speakers? Should the bass opening look outwards or should the tweeter look outwards? because the speakers are not labeled left or right.
Which is the best speaker? The one with the 15 inch woofer. I love my Marantz 3-way speaker with 15 inch woofer so much that I just bought a Japanese brand 3-way speaker with 15 inch woofer (slightly warmer).
@@bigjay1970 Same. Although they definitely sound a bit better with the grills off and the included wave guide pieces. If only they had made the bass drivers black.
Honestly this why you are one of my favorite audio reviewers. You have a really good spread from budget stuff to pretty high end and from what I can tell have excellent recommendations for the average listener. All while not being pretentious and being realistic in terms of the value the whole time.
Your reviews are some of the best. Thanks for the sound demos. They make a difference. Can’t admire that Denon integrated amp enough.
530 bass is deeper and less cabinet noise! Sounds very nice
I bought some L60t's back in 1988. Sat unused for 15 years till I redid the foam surrounds. Still sounding great 👍
Great video. I recently purchased the Studio 570's and the Studio 590's. I love them both. Big fan of the JBL sound. I've been thinking about purchasing the Studio 530's (even though I don't need them right now). After seeing this, I think I'll go ahead and get them. Thanks !!
Love the looks of the classic but would buy the 530.
Even though L52 it's less dynamic the quality sound it's superior than studio 530 especially in live music 🎶 for instruments separation, now I'm Cuban for Cuban music I prefer studio 530 because the dynamic sound but l52 definitely are superior speakers again especially for live music concerts
I was looking at buying the L52 Classic but the Studio 530 is so tempting 🤔
They’re both beautiful in their own was in the looks department too.
Got to rock the 530’s with no grills
I have the Studio 570's. I don't know why the 570's don't get more attention. They are basically a 530 with an additional 5 1/4" driver, so all the goodness of the 530 with more low end and a little easier to drive. You do need to put the 570's on a very low stand though to give them more height.
570 is good but 580 is much better that’s why it didn’t get much attention, thanks
@@Tharbamar I paid 1/3 less than l52c for my 590's so I bought 6 of them, should I have chosen 580?
I think because they came out later. I have 5 of them and a pair of 530's. I've owned 3 generations of JBL speakers with varying driver sizes. The 6 1/2 or 8" drivers always seemed bloated. I'm impressed with the speed of the 5 1/4" driver.
i love my 590s i wouldn’t change them for the world i have them Hooked up to my Peachtree Nova300
As is often said, horn speakers reproduce horns best. Excellent demo!
Purchased the L52's purely for their looks, they go great w/ my L100's both w/ orange grills. Sound is OK. I also have a pair of Klipsch R51M which is same size as the L52's. To my ear the Klipsch sounds better.
Obviously 530 sounds much more attractive and feel like live music more than listening to audio L52. L52 is also good in different way .
Jbl studio 5 help me with my depression. These are just simply amazing and make me happy
Years back I hosted a audio club at my house. I had the studio 590. We all listened to them. Everyone preferred the klipsch cornwall 1 over the 590's. The cornwalls are horrible sounding. After I had sold my 590's the head of are club said the 590 were just not good sounding at all. I agree with him. Now of course he had JBL s4700's. Cheers!! I now take all reviews with a grain of salt on the internet.
I have 580 (similar compression driver as 530) and had l52.
L52 had better highs resolution and really were quite magical. Strings and the high overtones were amazing. 580 is less refined in the highs but more immediate in a way - more exciting maybe just a little bit.
But this is probably only noticable with great cables, dac and amps. And at least 44.1 FLAC. If you listen to Spotify you'll likely enjoy 530 more.
They both sound great. Your room looks great as well. It has transformed over the years. Nice!
Jbl is having a fire sale with the whole 500 line! Have these and loved them but Now I use the 570 and are even better for a medium size room!
Good video as usual! great to have someone like you in the scene. Talkin' on vintage speakers... have you ever tried any Canton Quinto/Karat from the '80s?? old-school 3-ways sealed cabinet speakers I'd like to know your thoughts compared to more modern options. Are they an option that is still worth it?
L52 🙋
I agree with you Studio 530 is much better, but you must try JBL LS-40 for me the best bookshelf speakers from JBL 😊
Both good. Studio more easy on the ear but classics one step ahead in everything
I want the 530,but can't get over the look.
They definitely look like Darth Vader's speakers lol. I find they look better in person and have grown on me over time. They look nothing like most traditional box speakers. The cabinets are all angled to increase rigidity and both the compression driver and bass driver have curvy wave guide action going on. As far as I can tell nothing else on the market really looks like them. They only major issue I have are the ugly grey bass drivers. With the grills on in a home theater setting its a non-issue being all black which is very important with projectors. They do however sound a tad better with the grills off. Considering the compression driver is crossed over really low, the bass driver being more like 4.5", and the cross over a complicated mess of low end components they have no right to sound as good as they do. So the looks focused mostly on sound dispersion have to be doing some heavy lifting XD.
Same. And size. Plus I have the A130s so there may be too much overlap. Could be wrong
Listening through my HD800s heaphones the 530 is hands down the winner. The only thing that I'll give the l52 a win in was the separation during the hand claps. The 530 completely changed that song from sounding weak and tinny to a full enveloping stage of sound. The l52 may have been a little more transparent but lacked so much definition and stage presence. That's my opinion Listening through one of the most critical headphones you can buy. The 530 is absolutely the better buy.
To name another candidate from JBL, 4312G actually sounds quite good, better than 500-series, and relatively close to L100. With sales price at 1700+, it is actually a steal
I got my 530' s for $325.00...... But recently, I have seen them on sale for 280.00 or even 265.00......sign up for Harmon/ jbl sales updates ...and they run the sales about 4 times per year....I am using an Onkyo 9150 amp....not much power....it has the current to drive them very nicely.
When you have chance try them with 500 watts dynamic power of class d amplifier, you’ll be surprised how low and deep it can go, thanks
Hi, silly question but how does one sign up for sales updates?
@K Kam
I'm sure on the jbl direct web site there is a place to give them your email.😉😇
@@kkam7044 the 530s just went on sale today...3/21/22 for $239.00 per pair...plus tax...with free shipping
@@galessi1226 Thanks for the heads up, I got them when they first came on sale about a week ago
L52 sounds good
L52 for sure.
great review like always
530 so much better especially the high end
I bought wharfedale 225 based on your suggestions. How does the JBL 530 compare to them?
Totally different speakers, 225 is laidback 530 is dynamic, thanks
530👍
Thanks for the video, for me the 530 sounds better
Have you thought about reviewing some revel speakers 🤔, like the bookshelf m126be or floor speakers f226be.. how would they compare to your top picks 🤔
Keep up the fantastic work 👏 🙏🙏
I will do when I have chance, thank you.
Classics I like.
what is your recommendation for affordable, near field, low volume listening speakers ? thanks
I do VERY MUCH like the best bang for the buck. All my gear I bought new except for speakers. I like the sound of big speakers but new ones are $2500 and higher. I have 4 foot floor standers with dual 6 1/2 woofers and good bookshelf speakers but they don't have the same vibe as big speakers (15 inch woofers).
Yes I agree, big woofers brings incredible sound like no others, we may be going back to big woofers in the future, thanks
@@Tharbamar i have jbl nd310s as my fronts and while they have deep bass, I now use a klipsch r120sw sub for bass so the nd310 are crossed over at 80 and it sounds better than before. I think subs pretty much killed the need for big woofers. I just ordered a pair of 590s last night and I can't wait
@@Tharbamar I've been using the 590s since a week and half ago after arriving from a one week trip of visiting family in Mexico and they're great in my 12 by 12 bedroom but I feel like it needs a little more midrange because they're so airy and treble happy but they are definitely better than my old nd310s
@@albertpintor3522 Please see my video of adjusting the legs to get better midrange.
@@Tharbamar is my 125 watt at 6 ohm denon s910 good or do I need to upgrade my amp already?
Thanks for this nice review ... I suggest you also to listen on day an 1990's JBL TI1000 ..
They sound very close for me to the 530
One has more exciting top end while the other has nicer bass. A hybrid of these two would be killer. Jbl should fit these compression tweeters to the L52 just for experimentation.
Their HDI-1600 or Studio 4309 could be considered that very hybrid... I wish I lived somewhere where I could demo them.
@@jessielees
True.😉😬
Titanium dome is much nicer hf driver. I had both in my home. If you have the amp for it.
Those big horns a winner
I hesitate between technics sb-c700, polk audio R200 or jbl studio 530.
I own the power amp Sony ta-n7b, Gustard X26 pro dac preamp, Jvc xl-z1010 disc player and a Svs sb-4000 subwoofer for a room of 18m2.
I research speakers the most transparent with a great soundstage and realistic sound.
Which of it's speakers would be above the lot ?
How do these studio series compare to stage? Would I miss out on quality/sound by buying a180 over 580?
Studio series is overall better sounding speakers, what you’ll lose is real compression driver. Thanks
Que buenos son los 530, por el precio una compra asegurada 😲
What cable did you use for the Studio 530?
Can you please bring in HDI-1600 and compare to 530?
I’ll find out, thanks
Hello, I have a question, I come from Germany.
What is the best way to set up the speakers? Should the bass opening look outwards or should the tweeter look outwards?
because the speakers are not labeled left or right.
Please see in my video display but which ever sound great in your room you can play around with it.
Hello, have you hear the technics sb-c700 ? It's a very transparent speaker !
Where do you store gear that is not in use. I hear public storage units can be prone to theft
Personally I put them in unused bedroom, thanks
Where are they made?
JBL 530 or Wharfedale Diamond 225 ?
Which is the best speaker? The one with the 15 inch woofer. I love my Marantz 3-way speaker with 15 inch woofer so much that I just bought a Japanese brand 3-way speaker with 15 inch woofer (slightly warmer).
IMHO what you like is the best regardless of what reviewers say, your enjoyment is more important.
@@Tharbamar PS Audio just made a $30,000 speaker and Paul said they were as good as $300,000 speakers. I didn't know anyone made $300,000 speakers.
@@carlsitler9071 Yep there is Wilson Audio, Sonus Faber, Kharmar, Magico etc.
The 530s blow them away in every way.
530 or maybe turn down the L52 mid/tweet
I would love to have a 530 with the great design of the L52s. I find the 530s extremely ugly... incredible value though
It is actually very elegant looking speakers with velvety black touch ...
Keep the grill on myself then they're ok looking.😉😇
@@bigjay1970 Same. Although they definitely sound a bit better with the grills off and the included wave guide pieces. If only they had made the bass drivers black.
Definitely UGLY....and that actually adds to their cachet. Sound great though.
The middle one how much with AMERICAN DOLLAR
JBL 530's are future collector items.....go figure.
What is name of this song ? Would like to download this song and try to play this song on my old JBL4425
Please see the link the video description.
@@Tharbamar ok I found it on your screen now Grace Mahya
BL studio 530 🏆🏆🏆🥇🏆🏆🏆
530
530 easy
JBL stage A 130 are best bookshelves
Art and Sciencedrenalin Sound
i don't think I have ever heard a speaker worth it's asking price.
Studio 530 was under priced.
Check out the Sony speakers with 5 inch woofer and midrange unit with tweeter. They are very good sounding for about $200 or less.
These jbl speaker are hiend sound or singnture sounding, but not hi-fi sounding .
Ok
2
L52 is a much better speaker.
Not the sound.
Absolutely not
What in the hell is a "cap-a-sitter"??
It's pronounced more like "ka-pass-a-tor"...LOL.
Still enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work.
you seem half on script half shooting stuff off the top of your head. 1.5x speed recommended
🥱
530 more "air" and less boxy sound?;)...