Knucklehead

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $179.00

Summary:
I see its been a while since anyone has reviewed this center channel speaker. Not surprising since its been out of production for so long.
Speaker manufacturers are going to 3/4" and even smaller tweeters to make more money, trouble is the smaller tweets have less tonal range. JBL is no different. If you get a chance to buy one of these on ebay or elsewhere at less than $100, do so. You won't be sorry. I've had more than a few friends and family that swore they'd steal mine given the chance. Not much comes close to this speaker at twice the price. And most of those are 2 way, these are 3 way. I use these with 4 JBL E50 northridge 3 way speakers at the corners and a JBL E150P sub, all driven by a very good sounding Harman Kardon AVR520. I have a superb sounding home theater sound for ~$1500. I am shopping for a larger sub but may add another E150P to the mix, not sure yet.
Conversations during movies are clear and concise, no muffled verbage unless thats what the director wanted. Everything is heard where its supposed to be heard.
I had an audiophile friend that installed two of these in his motorhome, along with a small sub, for stereo, radio and tv sound. It sounded better than most peoples home theater in a box system. While this speaker doesn't have the bass you'd expect from two 'bass' speakers, they are supposed to be good down to 75hz, but I don't hear that much come through them in the lower freqs.

Strengths:
This center speaker just sounds so damn good.

Just buy one.

Weaknesses:
None at all.

Similar Products Used:
N-center. Crap.
Kenwood HT in a box. A joke.

Price Paid:  $225.00 from On-line

Summary:
I purchased this s center along with 4 s36 speakers and a PB10 several years ago for my home theater system. These are all great souding speakers and I would recommend them to anyone who wants a solid system.
In fact, I am so into JBL quality and sound that I have the HTI6C Ceiling speakers throughout my home and the N26 and N24's outside for my porch and deck. All powered by Harman Kardon which his a sister company of JBL.

Price Paid:  $115.00 from OneCall

Summary:
Truly the best Home Theater purchase I've ever made. I was using the Cambridge Soundworks Center Channel Plus, and the sound never really pleased me(sometimes it sounded so nasal and boxy that I just shut it off and used the Phantom Center). I have a set of JBL LX's for both the front and surround speakers, so I decided to get a JBL to match as a center. The difference is astounding. The tonal character and timbre of the speaker matches my mains and surrounds, so there is a smooth and cohesive soundfield now. And I'm hearing details I've never heard before. The whole soundstage has been opened up by this extraordinary speaker. Even my subwoofer sounds tighter and crisper now. I can't recommend this speaker-and JBL speakers in general-enough.

Strengths:
Sounds incredible! Makes the whole system sound better and more open.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Cambridge Soundworks Center Channel Plus

Price Paid:  $175.00 from HH Gregg

Summary:
I bought this speaker back in the spring and I thought I would give it some time to really get to know it before I review it. My S/center II has provided me with great sound and clarity. The highs are crisp and the voice tones are seamless with the pair of S310II's that act as my mains. I have 2 rear and a rear center, all are JBL S38II's. And my Infinity Entra 2 adds the low end. They are powered by an Onkyo TX-SR600. I had some mixed matched JBL LX500's with JBL cheapie center and JBL L40's (Very old)for the rears. I cannot stress the fact enough that matched speakers are neccessary for the sound to engulf you into the movie you may be watching. That is true surround sound, not just sound comming from all directions. This center speaker produces great detail and realism. The plastic case is odd, but the sound qualith makes up for it. How many times do you handle your center channel anyway. I think it will be hard to beat it for the price!

Strengths:
crisp clear sound, price

Weaknesses:
plastic case

Similar Products Used:
yamaha, JBL, Advent

Price Paid:  $150.00 from online

Summary:
Excellent center channel speaker. I have used it for over 3 years. As the integral part of a home theater, this center does a beautiful job rendering the dialogue and center effects. It is the centerpiece for my system which includes S412p fronts and s38 rears... I don't go to theaters anymore. Not worth the lousy audio :P