JBL LSR2328P Monitor Review
JBL claims its new monitors offer higher levels and deeper bass than similarly priced rivals. Huw Price investigates.
Price: £794.00
Manufacturer: JBL
Website: http://www.jblpro.com
LSR2328P
Manufacturer JBL
Price £794 pair
Contact Sound Technology 01462 480000
Web www.jblpro.com
T he ‘LSR’ in these monitors’ name stands for Linear Spatial Reference. This is the design criteria that JBL uses to improve the accuracy of its monitoring systems in a broad range of rooms. In essence it means that both the on-axis sound and the reflected sound reaching the mix position are as neutral as possible.
Most speaker manufacturers apparently take only a single on-axis measurement of the speaker’s performance, but using the Linear Spatial Reference design method requires taking 72 measurements, 360 degrees around the speaker, which produces more than 1,200 times more data. JBL uses this data to engineer systems that deliver smooth off-axis response for clear and accurate sound at the listening position in any room.
The 8-inch woofers are magnetically shielded, with 1.5-inch voice coils and robust motor assemblies for optimum low-frequency performance at all listening levels. The 1-inch soft dome magnetically shielded tweeters incorporate optimally damped materials to improve transient response and minimise distortion and ear fatigue. Class AB monolithic amplifiers power the drivers and with 160 watts onboard, the LRS2328Ps are designed to provide high SPLs when required.
Wave forming
JBL uses an ‘Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) Waveguide’ to achieve smooth mid- and high-frequency (above 9kHz) response in a targeted listening window of ±30° horizontally and ±15° vertically. This is designed to provide greater accuracy in the optimum mixing position, where the blend of on-axis and reflected off-axis sound is critical.
Input connections include balanced XLR and TRS 1/4-inch jacks as well as unbalanced RCA connectors. The variable level attenuator helps the LSR2328P to interface to a broad range of signal sources, and the indents make them much easier to match up for levels. High-frequency and low-frequency trim switches provide -3dB and +2dB in the bass and +2.5dB in the treble. You can set these to your preference or use them to compensate for acoustically reflective or absorptive listening environments as well as less than perfect positioning. If you need to mount your LSR2328Ps on a wall, they have integrated mounting points and reinforced enclosures to accommodate industry-standard brackets.
Rear-panel power switches fire up bright blue LEDs. It’s a bit of a reach around these 33-litre ported cabinets: the port is designed to keep the air flowing to cool the internal electrics as well as assisting the woofer. There are foam pads on the base of the cabinets, too, which provide both some acoustic isolation from the supporting surface and improved stability.
Loud and clear
With all that power and those 8-inch woofers we were expecting a big, room-filling sound – and the LSR2328Ps didn’t disappoint. Often, speakers like this can sound a tad brash and aggressive, but these are actually quite refined.
At first the bass sounded a little tubby, because the depth of the cabinets obliged us to place them closer to a rear wall than we would have liked. Fortunately, the bass roll-off switch took care of that and the bottom end revealed itself to be very well-controlled, with plenty of detail and focus. Oscillator tests showed that the LSR2328Ps were still churning out clearly audible levels even below 40Hz.
Detail resolution is extremely impressive and we were really able to hear inside mixes and determine how they had been constructed. We were particularly taken with the clarity of vocals and mid-frequency instruments in general – often a problem area with medium-sized monitors that are engineered to generate deep bass.
On balance we found the LSR2328Ps more comfortable with electronic music and rock than with classical and acoustic music. They’d be perfectly usable in any scenario, but by comparison to some other monitors the imaging lacks depth and air around the instruments. Also, the full bottom end is slightly flattering, but many users will find that useful and enjoyable, and even with the treble lift engaged we found the LSR2328Ps easy on the ears with a wide sweet spot.
WHY BUY
Fatigue-free listening
Deep bass
Impressive clarity
Real-world features
Wide sweet spot
Very loud
WALK ON BY
Imaging lacks depth
Power switch at rear
VERDICT
Loud and clear-sounding monitors with impressively deep, controlled bass, designed for project studios and above.
★★★★★★★★ (8/10)
SEE ALSO
Monitor Reviews
Choosing & Using Monitors (Feature)
Monitoring Secrets (Feature)
Monitor Design (10MM)
Score: 8
This review first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 77
Filed under
JBL Monitor Reviews,
Reviews,
Studio Monitors
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