Recommendations for musical bookshelfs under $300 (1 Viewer)

[Boka]

What's the general opinion of the JBL S-38's as music speakers if I was able to get my hands on a used set of those.

 

[Boka]

What's the general opinion of the JBL S-38's as music speakers if I was able to get my hands on a used set of those.

 

[MikeKaz]

Pretty good. I dunno if these would be first on the list if I was looking just for "musical" speakers. You might be a little better off if you got a smaller two way speaker like an energy or a paradigm. As bookshelfs, the best way to describe the S-38's is big and loud. They are fantastic for home theater and can handle boatloads of power, and have pretty good bass response. As music speakers however, they aren't as "open" as some other speakers. The soundstage seems narrower than that of other speakers I have listened to. Some people don't like the tweeter on them too much, however I have no problem with it. Also, I love the midrange sound on these speakers, and I am very happy with them overall. However if you just wanted a musical, regular sized bookshelf that didnt have to handle a lot of power, you might be better off saving yourself some room and going with one of these smaller, "fancier" brand speakers. The S-38s are fantastic speakers, it just depends on exactly what you are looking for.