JBL 308P and 708P

[FairPlayMotty]

Shout out to Jajo about the 308P. Jajo's description of them is spot on. My initial test is using the pre out of the Linn Classik (without a subwoofer). They're exceptional. Certain tracks suffer in the lowest frequencies compared with my very good floorstanders (but I knew which tracks truly test the low end). That's with the Classik pre out. My main preamplifier will follow tomorrow and the subwoofer adapters should arrive this week.

These words from the HiFi News and Record Review article about the Everest speakers pretty much apply to the 308P IMHO.

"Play easy-on-the-ear recordings like ‘No Sanctuary Here’ from Chris Jones’ Roadhouses & Automobiles [Stockfisch Records] and you’ll certainly consider the sound ‘nice’ – as you wallow in rich, deep and thickly-textured bass, a warm midrange and appealingly delicate, sparkling highs.

But there’s nothing sweet or delicate about the manner in which the Everest recreates the blast of a trumpet, the wail of a soprano sax, or the sound of wooden sticks striking percussion. The timbre and transient attack of instruments is shockingly real."

No Sanctuary Here doesn't go particularly low.

They sound live, accurate, exciting and extremely musical. I was very hungry and had to drag myself to the kitchen. Will my LK140s, floorstanders and rack stay? Time will tell but even using the Classik (which I'd set up to do a quick test before paying the girl who delivered them) they're astounding value for money and hugely enjoyable.

[Discodave]

Where are folks getting these!?!?!?!
I haven't had as much as a sniff online. :(

[FairPlayMotty]

Where are folks getting these!?!?!?!
I haven't had as much as a sniff online. :(

Look with perseverance and you'll find a pair.

[Discodave]

Sell me yours!
:)

[u252agz]

These Mk 1 308s are incredibly musical and enjoyable. I’m currently listening to them with Kalla and Giella Pi and continue to be very impressed.

I’m tempted to consider the 708Ps for the additional jump in musicality (according to Jajo) but am concerned the Bass may be too much- I find the 308s quite balanced in this respect and don’t feel the need for the subwoofer.

Next are the Mk 1 305s for the loft - seem to be easier to source than the 308s and even better value.

[FairPlayMotty]

Sell me yours!
:)

Lmao. I got mine driven to Scotland from West Yorkshire. In the original boxes (both pairs of boxes). They're staying here :)

[Discodave]

Spoilsport!

[FairPlayMotty]

Spoilsport!

Always! Nice try though :)

[Discodave]

👍

[ThomasOK]

These Mk 1 308s are incredibly musical and enjoyable. I’m currently listening to them with Kalla and Giella Pi and continue to be very impressed.

I’m tempted to consider the 708Ps for the additional jump in musicality (according to Jajo) but am concerned the Bass may be too much- I find the 308s quite balanced in this respect and don’t feel the need for the subwoofer.

Next are the Mk 1 305s for the loft - seem to be easier to source than the 308s and even better value.

Hopefully Jajo will comment on this from experience. My expectation is that there wouldn't be a change in the balance. I would think that the 708Ps will just go a bit lower and be able to output more bass power when needed along with having more musicality top to bottom. But that is just my reading of it.

[FairPlayMotty]

Switching from the convenient early test using the pre out of the Classik to a Linn Kolektor was a fresh revelation in testing the 308P. My passive power amps, huge speakers, cables, rack etc. will be sold.

The JBLs are the biggest HiFi bargain in my lifetime. Thanks again Jajo.

[Discodave]

So you're saying theres no chance of selling them to me 🤣

[FairPlayMotty]

So you're saying theres no chance of selling them to me 🤣

Zilch, zero, nada 🤣

[Discodave]

Heehee

[FairPlayMotty]

If you're looking for a used set check the pic of the back. If they're like the attached they're the mark one version.

rps20211117_232836.jpg

[Discodave]

Gentleman thanks

[FairPlayMotty]

Gentleman thanks

I'll post the weight and dimensions of the boxes tomorrow morning. Some sellers don't understand how easy it is to have them picked up and delivered. I got lucky with door to door delivery from another country.

[Discodave]

👍

[FairPlayMotty]

rps20211117_235352.jpg

These are the line out adapters I have coming to allow me to test the 308s with my subwoofer via my HiFi. I hadn't seen these adapters before I searched for a way to add a subwoofer to a conventional audio preamp. Adding one to a home theatre receiver is easy. A subwoofer should do more than simply add more control of the lowest end. Anyone needing information on what else adding a subwoofer does might want to visit the REL website. But one aspect I expect adding a subwoofer to do is reduce the strain on the 8" woofer of the 308P.

I can confirm Jajo's comments about adding the subwoofer. Setting the LF to 80hz on the 308P and playing via my home theatre receiver the JBLs were more relaxed at the lowest frequencies. Next for the audio preamp test then the JBL subwoofer.

[tokenbrit]

.. delivery from another country.

Even without the border between Scotland & England, Yorkshire is it's/God's own country :)

[FairPlayMotty]

.. delivery from another country.

Even without the border between Scotland & England, Yorkshire is it's/God's own country :)

I've experience of West Yorkshire via ex in-law family. It's the only place in the UK I've been in where people will drive seven or eight miles to save three pence on a pint of beer. They make Aberdonians look like big spenders :)

[tokenbrit]

.. delivery from another country.

Even without the border between Scotland & England, Yorkshire is it's/God's own country :)

I've experience of West Yorkshire via ex in-law family. It's the only place in the UK I've been in where people will drive seven or eight miles to save three pence on a pint of beer. They make Aberdonians look like big spenders :)

I'd drive more than that to save from having to drink Yorkshire beer :p

[u252agz]

These Mk 1 308s are incredibly musical and enjoyable. I’m currently listening to them with Kalla and Giella Pi and continue to be very impressed.

I’m tempted to consider the 708Ps for the additional jump in musicality (according to Jajo) but am concerned the Bass may be too much- I find the 308s quite balanced in this respect and don’t feel the need for the subwoofer.

Next are the Mk 1 305s for the loft - seem to be easier to source than the 308s and even better value.

Hopefully Jajo will comment on this from experience. My expectation is that there wouldn't be a change in the balance. I would think that the 708Ps will just go a bit lower and be able to output more bass power when needed along with having more musicality top to bottom. But that is just my reading of it.

Thanks

I was hoping you might say ‘ yes the bass may be excessive and you are probably better off with the 308s’

If I were keeping Kalla in the guest room -I would definitely consider 708s, but Kalla will join the monos/242s downstairs once I have full use of the room back; and the KDS/2 will take its place upstairs with Giella Pi/308s.

Any upgrade will have to be a second Kalla in preference to 708Ps- absolutely no question of which will be the more musical system.

[tokenbrit]

It'd be interesting to find out how the 308P JBLs compare to the 242s (w/ TMs). Aesthetics aside, I expect there would be enough resale value there to fund a purchase of 708P JBLs for the main system w/out taking funds from the 2nd Källa kitty ;)

[tokenbrit]

Posting here to keep it all JBL related rather than make it its own sub thread... ;)

The mk1 308Ps have been recommended over the mk2, but does the 310 sub work well (or better) with the mk.1? I couldn't find a 310S mk2 to suggest that anything changed with the sub when they released the 308P mk2, so wondering if the sub & crossover is actually tuned for the 308P mk1? (or that the 308P mk1 is tuned for the 310S)

If there's been no update to the 310S then a used sub would be an even cheaper add on to help take any low-end stress off a pair of 308P JBLs.