JBL 308P and 708P

[u252agz]

Having tried various heights for 308, which I find absolutely crucial to making them perform well, I can say that Sara stands are too low. This makes the 308 blurry and thick.

I find the optimal height is close to what the Kan stands provide and in some rooms with higher ceilings a couple of centimeters more.

Is it just the height or is there something else about the LInn Kan stands that makes them so suitable.

These stands are not easy to source - what about using similar looking metal stands ( fillable with sand) which are the same height as Kans ie 600mm?

I think the Sara stands are 500 mm

[jajo]

Is it just the height or is there something else about the LInn Kan stands that makes them so suitable.

Hard to know.

I have only tried Katan and Kan stands and in my room (2.55m ceiling height) it is a clear difference and much better performance with Kan stands. Fredrik prefers Katan-stands in his room but he has higher ceiling height than me. It might be a relevant parameter.

But it is important to know that a big part of the performance of the JBL speakers is the installation. They are super sensitive. You immediately notice when you find the right height and placement as it takes musicality to the highest level.

It is also very important that all screws are correctly tightened. When I first installed the 708P I was not super impressed. Then Fredrik came over and we spent some time tuning the installation and we found one screw in the top plate of one of the Kan stands that was loose. Once tightened, we couldn't believe the improvement. It was a completely different speaker!

[Charlie1]

These stands are not easy to source

A pair came on ebay this week. Don't know if they are still for sale.

[V.A.MKD]

Is it just the height or is there something else about the LInn Kan stands that makes them so suitable.

Hard to know.

I have only tried Katan and Kan stands and in my room (2.55m ceiling height) it is a clear difference and much better performance with Kan stands. Fredrik prefers Katan-stands in his room but he has higher ceiling height than me. It might be a relevant parameter.

But it is important to know that a big part of the performance of the JBL speakers is the installation. They are super sensitive. You immediately notice when you find the right height and placement as it takes musicality to the highest level.

It is also very important that all screws are correctly tightened. When I first installed the 708P I was not super impressed. Then Fredrik came over and we spent some time tuning the installation and we found one screw in the top plate of one of the Kan stands that was loose. Once tightened, we couldn't believe the improvement. It was a completely different speaker!

With stand issue ... now the picture is complete.
Thank you ...

[u252agz]

Is it just the height or is there something else about the LInn Kan stands that makes them so suitable.

. When I first installed the 708P I was not super impressed. Then Fredrik came over and we spent some time tuning the installation and we found one screw in the top plate of one of the Kan stands that was loose. Once tightened, we couldn't believe the improvement. It was a completely different speaker!

Must be great to have someone local who can just pop in and help tune the installation!

I have to drive 120 miles just to get my LP12 looked at .

I am hoping to have some 308s (mark 1) to play with in a week or two - and will see how I get on with them. I supect I will more easily satisfied with a less than optimal installation than you and Fredrik.

For some bizarre reason i seem to be quite excited about having professional studio monitors from JBL.

[markiteight]

Maybe they deserve "Absolute Bargains" as well ... if they are Mk 1 version as was recommended by Fredrik and Jajo.

I have considered this but hesitated because they are discontinued. What say the collective wisdom of the forum, should they go on the Absolute Bargains list despite limited availability?

How to differentiate the mk1 from mk2 - is this mentioned on the actual model or is mk2 above a certain serial number?

Thanks,

Marco

It is mentioned on the box and on the back of the speaker. Also the unit has a different look on the front. The easiset tell is that the mark 1 has four visible screws holding in the woofer, on the mark 2 those there is just a smooth plastic ring.

The JBL logo is another easy tell. It's at the bottom of the speaker on the MkI, in the middle of the speaker (between the woofer and the tweeter waveguide) on the MkII.

For some bizarre reason i seem to be quite excited about having professional studio monitors from JBL.

Right?! It really is bizarre, but justifiable and worth the wait.

Speaking of waiting, Murphy's Law dictates that the more eagerly anticipated is the delivery of a package, the longer it will take. My JBLs were no exception. Delivery was initially delayed by 1/2 a day due to a train derailment, then for some reason after they arrived at the depot UPS sat on the packages for 2 days, finally delivering them 3 days late. Meanwhile, Thomas sent the cables he made up via the US Postal Service and they arrived 2 days early. It's not like I wasn't eagerly anticipating the arrival of Tom's cables, more that the USPS has their sh*t together while UPS...doesn't.

[u252agz]

My custom RCA/ XLR cables are also coming via the US postal service but will hopefully be in the JBL boxes.

I’m hoping they are going to take less than the expected 6-10 days, but I suspect you are right and that my level of anticipation will be matched by unexpected delays.

[V.A.MKD]

Cables RCA to XLR/TRS following forum discussions are they Linn Silvers or Blacks?

And than if yes, are they Coax or Balanced?

[u252agz]

I have ordered a pair of 5 meters black ( silvers were quite a lot more expensive.)

Not sure about balanced / coaxial but I’m sure ThomasOK has made up the correct ones for the 308s.

I thought about ordering from Amazon but knowing how important the connectors and soldering are ( as well as the cable itself) bit the bullet and went for professionally made cables.

[V.A.MKD]

I have ordered a pair of 5 meters black ( silvers were quite a lot more expensive.)

Not sure about balanced / coaxial but I’m sure ThomasOK has made up the correct ones for the 308s.

I thought about ordering from Amazon but knowing how important the connectors and soldering are ( as well as the cable itself) bit the bullet and went for professionally made cables.

Hi u252agz,

Thank you for your answer and sharing info ...

You don't need nobody when you have ThomasOK close ...

[ThomasOK]

I'm not exactly close but since he was buying my 308P mk1s, slipping the cables in the box was simple and removed shipping costs for them. The cables I made for both markiteight and u252agz (such easy names to remember) were both made using Linn Black II unbalanced interconnect cabling with Linn Black RCAs, Linn XLRs and Lejonklou solder at 677°F (Linn's XLRs are the same for both Silver and Black balanced interconnects leading to Black Balanced cables from them being more expensive than Black unbalanced, whereas the Silvers are the same price either way.) Silver interconnect cable and RCAs were also quoted but would cost significantly more than the speakers. The cables I was using were Linn SIlver unbalanced cable with Linn Silver RCAs and original Linn Silver XLRs (Linn has changed these twice and now uses Neutriks). I had made them for the ATC100s I used to own and just kept them around. I have made similar cables for others, one set for Klimax 350As, and I did test it using Linn Balanced Silver cable. The unbalanced cable is musically superior, obviously when used for an unbalanced cable.

[V.A.MKD]

I'm not exactly close but since he was buying my 308P mk1s, slipping the cables in the box was simple and removed shipping costs for them. The cables I made for both markiteight and u252agz (such easy names to remember) were both made using Linn Black II unbalanced interconnect cabling with Linn Black RCAs, Linn XLRs and Lejonklou solder at 677°F (Linn's XLRs are the same for both Silver and Black balanced interconnects leading to Black Balanced cables from them being more expensive than Black unbalanced, whereas the Silvers are the same price either way.) Silver interconnect cable and RCAs were also quoted but would cost significantly more than the speakers. The cables I was using were Linn SIlver unbalanced cable with Linn Silver RCAs and original Linn Silver XLRs (Linn has changed these twice and now uses Neutriks). I had made them for the ATC100s I used to own and just kept them around. I have made similar cables for others, one set for Klimax 350As, and I did test it using Linn Balanced Silver cable. The unbalanced cable is musically superior, obviously when used for an unbalanced cable.

Hi ThomasOK,

Thank you very much for your answer, detailed and with great story.

It's always pleasure to read ...

[u252agz]

My 308s ( Mark 1) finally arrived from Michigan USA- beautifully packed with custom 5m Linn Balack interconnects.

The plan was to try them with my LP12 and Giella Pi using my Q acoustic ( 580mm ) stands, but my Mother in Law unexpectedly arrived for a week and is happly using the LP12 lid as a side table, in what is now her Bedroom.

The 308s are instead very sub- optimally installed in one of the upstair Bedrooms 1.70 m apart on a deep ( but very solid ) windowsill ( about 520 mm high) and connected to a Sneaky and my back up Headphone amp ( Schitt Magni).

Nevertheless , right out of the boxes and with the new cables- they sound just great.

I have a feeling that with the source and Preamp that they deserve ( and correct installation) they are going to outperform my 242s.

They seem effortlessly musical with good bass and dynamics ( unlike my Komponent 110s which are just very musical) , and my Ninkas (which are far less musical but with more bass and dynamics than the 110s).

There is a lovely coherance to the sound from these 308s ; as if there is just one driver. With the 242s, good as they are, I am always aware of the different drivers.

A big thank you to Jajo for introducing me to these speakers and to OKThomas for sending me the 308s and interconnects.

[Charlie1]

but my Mother in Law unexpectedly arrived for a week and is happly using the LP12 lid as a side table

Unacceptable!

Les Dawson was king of the mother-in-law joke...

"I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport."

Glad the speakers are working out well though

[Tendaberry]

I have a feeling that with the source and Preamp that they deserve ( and correct installation) they are going to outperform my 242s.

I have a feeling, that your 242's haven't shown everything they can do yet. At a friend's it really only came together with LP12/Karousel/Klimax Radikal/Ekos SE/1 and Kandid.

[u252agz]

I have a feeling that with the source and Preamp that they deserve ( and correct installation) they are going to outperform my 242s.

I have a feeling, that your 242's haven't shown everything they can do yet. At a friend's it really only came together with LP12/Karousel/Klimax Radikal/Ekos SE/1 and Kandid.

You are correct and my 242s would sound better if I added a Keel and Kandid to my LP12 ( once of course my mother in law stops using it to put her tea on) , although I am yet to be convinced by Karousel.

However with a similar source, I get the feeling that the 308s are going to sound just as musical, and maybe more.

I was actually amazed at how musical the Komponent 110s were with the LP12/KDS, lack of bass and dynamics aside.

The key is the installation of the speakers and I suspect my 242s would really benefit from torquing and super critical positioning ( space constraints in the room limit this to optimal distance from back wall).

[u252agz]

but my Mother in Law unexpectedly arrived for a week and is happly using the LP12 lid as a side table

Unacceptable!

Les Dawson was king of the mother-in-law joke...

"I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport."

Glad the speakers are working out well though

Thanks

She is lovely really, and to be fair, the lp12 is at the perfect height and position to use as a side table and at least she now does remind my wife to put a big black tray on the LP12, before using it.

I have tried to seranade her with the Linn /Lejonklou system in the room but she seems strangely impervious to this and prefers the 20 yr old Pure Dab radio.

This is placed on my favorite walnut side table and makes me smile everytime.

[cortina]

I have a feeling, that your 242's haven't shown everything they can do yet. At a friend's it really only came together with LP12/Karousel/Klimax Radikal/Ekos SE/1 and Kandid.

If that was the case, my conclusion would be that the 242 is not at all a good speaker. (All depending on what lies in ”came together” but still sounds like it might be a prerequisite to beat a cheap JBL integrated, so..)

[Tendaberry]

The key is the installation of the speakers and I suspect my 242s would really benefit from torquing and super critical positioning ( space constraints in the room limit this to optimal distance from back wall).

They certainly do! Every mm matters, even down to 0,5 mm.

[jajo]

I have a feeling that with the source and Preamp that they deserve ( and correct installation) they are going to outperform my 242s.

I have a feeling, that your 242's haven't shown everything they can do yet. At a friend's it really only came together with LP12/Karousel/Klimax Radikal/Ekos SE/1 and Kandid.

I've owned the 242s before JBL 3677 and I can easily say that 308P is a better speaker when it comes to musicality.

[u252agz]

Although I had a gut feeling that these JBLs are quite something, I'm quite disappointed that your experiences are confirming my fears.

The reason being is that although I think they look great and very cool, my wife is not of the same opinion. It took her a while to accept the 242s and they are a rather fetching gloss walnut finish.

However I will definitiely try them ( i think I will be allowed a few days of freedon) in my main room on the rear speaker stands with Giella PI and LP12/KDS2 and report back.

Thanks for your in depth reviews of all the studio monitors by the way - I would love to listen to the JBL 708p in my system.

[matthias]

I would love to listen to the JBL 708p in my system.

Me too, but the 3677s sound good and fit perfectly in my interior.

Matt

[teatime]

With the 242s, good as they are, I am always aware of the different drivers.

Weird. Are you sitting very very close?

[u252agz]

I’m sitting 4 - 5 metres away - most of the time , but distance does not make any difference to this quality.

Don’t get me wrong - I think my 242s are great speakers (one of Linns finest and preferable to 350s) and I will be keeping them - probably forever.

I still remember being dumbstruck when they replaced my Ninkas - using KDS/1 , AK/1 and a Tundra stereo.

But - there is a certain quality to some of these simpler speakers ( including 308s) that I was trying to explain, probably quite clumsily.

I am sure speakers are very personal and sensitive to the room acoustics and installation, as well as individual preferences.

Let’s see how the 308s get on with my LP12/KDS2 and Giella Pi using semi decent speaker stands.

[Discodave]

Has anyone tried or have an opinion on using 109 stands with the 308s? Ta