JBL 308P and 708P

[ThomasOK]

Wouldn't swapping Hot and Cold in the XLR cause a problem with the Ground? When I make those cables I bridge the Cold and Ground, as is common. Can you do that if you are connecting the Hot wire to what would usually be the Cold pin? I just don't want anyone to cause problems trying to rewire the XLRs.

No. With an RCA to XLR cable, ground (RCA) always goes to ground (XLR).

Then for correct absolute phase, signal (RCA) goes to Hot (XLR) and then Cold (XLR) is tied to ground.

For inverted absolute phase, signal (RCA) goes to Cold (XLR) and then Hot (XLR) is tied to ground.

Cool. That all makes sense.

[lejonklou]

That's a surprise. Mind you, the original Kairn improved a lot when I corrected the phase whereas the SMPS one didn't - I think it was that way around anyway - certainly the gap narrowed a lot suggesting that one unit didn't improve much. This is a new step though where it's actually better reversed.

Yes, a surprise for me too. I didn't know the two Kairn's differed in this way, that's interesting. Although an inverted absolute phase is technically wrong, I wonder if the practical difference, which I perceive to mostly be a slight softening of leading edges in the music, is so similar in character to other performance parameters that there is a cancelling out effect at play.

What I'm saying is that perhaps the lazy sound of your original Kairn suffers more from a bit more laid-back added than the more agile SMPS Kairn does? Just speculating here.

There was something very cool about the Kikkin 1 / 2, helped by its size the price-to-performance ratio. Do you think a v3 can also be as cost effective or is that just not possible nowadays?

Kikkin 1 and 2 were very inexpensive and I loved that. Wish I could do it just as inexpensive again. I still run a tight ship when it comes to finances, but several factors will make a potential Kikkin 3 a lot more expensive:

• The new larger case is more expensive than the old one. But it also looks and sounds better.
• Many components have risen in price dramatically. Some of them I still have in stock, but sourcing those I don't have can prove costly.
• Assembly is now done entirely in Sweden, which is more costly. But it also allows much better quality control. Mitac in Upplands Bro, Sweden is the best company I've ever worked with.
• Kikkin 3 would likely have a copper screened mains power and mu-metal enclosed transformer, which are costly (both material costs and assembly time).

It remains to be seen (heard) how good it can become. That's what's interests me the most.
The next step will be to find out whether it's possible to produce it.

[matthias]

Kikkin 3 would likely have a copper screened mains power and mu-metal enclosed transformer, which are costly (both material costs and assembly time).

I am sure you tried Kikkin 3 also with a SMPS. Would this be an alternative?
Thx

[lejonklou]

Kikkin 3 would likely have a copper screened mains power and mu-metal enclosed transformer, which are costly (both material costs and assembly time).

I am sure you tried Kikkin 3 also with a SMPS. Would this be an alternative?
Thx

No I haven’t. That’s a different product which would require a change to a bigger case. And various component changes as well. I’d end up with a new Sagatun.

[Charlie1]

What I'm saying is that perhaps the lazy sound of your original Kairn suffers more from a bit more laid-back added than the more agile SMPS Kairn does? Just speculating here.

Gotcha

I heard that the Kairn is reverse phase cos Linn wanted to use a specific stepped volume control at the time but it inverted the phase.

[lejonklou]

Kairn is reverse absolute phase for the same reason as LK1 and Kikkin is: Some amplifying stages are inverting and those add up to an uneven number.

Simply adding another one would make the signal correct absolute phase. But that would sound worse.

[bonzo]

Forgive me if the following topic has already been discussed. I searched through the numerous threads and cannot find anything on this so here goes. Can one listen to the 308 and bypass the internal amp within the monitors? I’d like to hear how the speakers themselves to sound with passive amplification.
Thanks everyone,
Jon

[jajo]

Forgive me if the following topic has already been discussed. I searched through the numerous threads and cannot find anything on this so here goes. Can one listen to the 308 and bypass the internal amp within the monitors? I’d like to hear how the speakers themselves to sound with passive amplification.
Thanks everyone,
Jon

No. 308P/708P does not have a passive filter. You would need to remove the internal amp module and connect the drivers directly to a filter and then amps to the filter. This would leave a big part of the backside of the speaker open.

[bonzo]

Thanks so much Jajo. The price of these has come down significantly on the 2nd hand market along with increased supply. I just wish I could demo these before committing to laying out that kind of coin.

[jajo]

Thanks so much Jajo. The price of these has come down significantly on the 2nd hand market along with increased supply. I just wish I could demo these before committing to laying out that kind of coin.

308P is ridiculously cheap considering their performance level. They usually sell around 300 EUR a pair here in Sweden. If you don't like them, it shouldn't really be hard to sell them and get the money back.

[bonzo]

Forgive me.. as far as my previous post I was referring to 708P. I’d love to demo them in home.

[Defender]

what you can do is try the 308p first to see if its your cup of tea - the 708p will improve on the 308p performance but you will understand the x08p „house“ sound. It might be likely that you dont need more than the 308p
It is impressive and I am still happy with mine … which replaced an Dynaudio Contour 60 laudspeaker.

If you want to go on with the 708p you can move the 308p to a fine secondary system or as a gift for your children or sell it again.

[bonzo]

Ok, so forgive me but im confused…
Is the JBL LSR 308 the “308 MKI that everyone is speaking so highly of?)

[lejonklou]

Ok, so forgive me but im confused…
Is the JBL LSR 308 the “308 MKI that everyone is speaking so highly of?)

Correct. The name is JBL LSR 308.

[bonzo]

Thanks so much for clearing things up sir. Looks like the 308’s I picked up 2nd hand are the MKI’s! It’s better to be lucky than good sometimes 🤪.

I’d like to ask the group which XLR cables they are using from preamp to their 308’s? I picked up a pr of inexpensive cables from Guitar Center as I needed 3 meter pair. I’m sure Linn XLR that length is the cost of 2 pair of 308’s 😬. This Leads. me to my next question. Currently my Urika is connected to my KK with a pr of balanced silvers. In the User Control options on the Linn KK, the user has the option to set Input 1 to either Balanced or Unbalanced. So, which setting should I select and which cable is preferred for connecting the 308’s via XLR. Thanks so much everyone.
Jon

[bonzo]

Hate to be a bother, I could really use the groups help here providing some direction/clarification please.
As always, thanks for your time everyone.
Jon

[u252agz]

I connected my Giella Pi with 6 metre Linn Black cables made for me by OK Thomas.

These are very high quality speakers and my thinking was that if one is using good quality stuff upstream ( I have Kalla /giella pi) they deserve the ‘best’( linn silver) or ‘second best’ (linn blacks).

However I have not tried any other cables with these 308s!

I suppose some cheaper cables might be as good, or better but I reallybdon’t have the time and energy to do back to back tests.

My son is using cheap cables from a Linn sneaky to JBL LSR 305 ( Mk 1 ) and it sounds pretty good for a basic system.

[bonzo]

u252ag,
Thanks so much for your response. How cool is that! Your son has the music bug just like you! Making great memories for sure.

Now I just need to get this Unbalanced/Balanced Input 1 sorted out.

Sadly, I won’t be able to enjoy vinyl for a few weeks..😥. Getting my Kandid worked on. Sooo much distortion.. not sure if it’s due to wearing of the stylus or the suspension.

[Azazello]

After more than a year (!!!) of waiting for my 708P I today got a message saying they are cancelled. Not the best customer experience ever...

[bonzo]

Wow! So sorry to hear of this… you must be so frustrated. Did they say why? Is the product discontinued?

[jajo]

Wow! So sorry to hear of this… you must be so frustrated. Did they say why? Is the product discontinued?

No.

But prices have increased greatly and maybe some resellers cancel orders placed at the lower price. Just a guess.

[Azazello]

Gear4Music told me it’s out of production. Maybe it’s not true?

[Azazello]

Wow! So sorry to hear of this… you must be so frustrated. Did they say why? Is the product discontinued?

Nah. I’m really happy with my TM/3677!! Have TM3 on order so I’m looking forward to that. :)

[matthias]

Nah. I’m really happy with my TM/3677!! Have TM3 on order so I’m looking forward to that. :)

Great :-)

[Charlie1]

24 hours with the 308s and they are growing on me. Immediately missed the timing of Linn speakers but they are so neutral and refined across so many genres and eras of vinyl production and recording technology that's its hard not to like their amiable nature and ability to get out of the way. But I'm still admiring them more than loving them. Slight opposing sensation of the music pleasantly flowing along and yet at the same time sounding stilted - weird. Nothing obviously digital about them at all which is a surprise. Shame they are so ugly. They sound a bit 'soft' with pre-Cirkus Lingo Ekos LP12/VM95E/Slipsik/Wakonda - not too bad though - bearable, and besides the Giella should help once back from upgrade. Don't think Fredrik need give up making power amps anytime soon but for 180 quid it's hard not to be very impressed. Based on Lego's clips, my 'gut' feeling is that I'll end up with 212s (or maybe 109 replacements) but since I don't have any 212s yet, it's hard to be sure :)

I need to work on positioning before sharing clips cos the other speakers I've been trying were setup properly.