I disagree with your opinion, the studio series offer a lot for the money, it was very good for entry level. The S38,S36 and S26 were really good bookshelfs. I think everything need to be renewed, and this was just the time for JBL to release new speaekers.
Ummm, they have the Northridge E series right now. Studio's have been discontinued for over a year (finding NOS on the internet is fine, but does not count)
The Studio series was awesome. Their current offerings are not.
JBL (not Harman in general) frusterates me. They have a billion dollar name (people see the name and are reasy to buy - a business's most valuable asset), but their products are hit or miss. They could do much better and make more money. Jeez, they have the means, but just don't follow through.