JBL E-130 EVM12-L comparo

thurlon hopper · From: Elizabethtown Pa. USA

Just got through playing my Carter through the Twin using first the JBL in an enclosure , then the EVM open back. Needless to say the JBL ate the EVM's supper but that may be because if the difference in enclosures. JBL in a box (ported) 26 inches high 20 inches wide 11inches deep. The EVM (open) 151/2 inches deep 201/2 inches wide,161/2 inches high. The EVM box doesn't have any kind of padding inside so am i getting standing resonance? The EVM is rich in lows highs are fine but not as smooth sounding as the JBL. Is this a normal characteristic of the sound of the two speakers? Appreciate you responces. TJH

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

I find the the 15 inch EV SRO that I have to be smoother than the JBL E-130's I have used in the past. The JBL's have an excellent sound, just a bit harsh and bright for my taste. Haven't tried the EVM 12L's tho. Just my opinion!
Dave

Lefty · From: Grayson, Ga.

I agree with David.
Lefty

thurlon hopper · From: Elizabethtown Pa. USA

Maybe it's the box, but i have found the JBL to be very smooth sounding. A speaker repair tech (best in the area)told me the EVM have considerable honk in the mids and that seems to come out in my EVM. I got both of the speakers new and have played them to "break them in". The bottom of the JBL is solid, but not overstated and the highs with my Twin are quite nice. Used to own D-130's but like the E-130 better. Guess we all hear things differently. Thanks for your input. TJH

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

It's all gonna boil down to personal preference, but the EV's sound warmer, to me. I've got an EVM-12L in a Deluxe Reverb, that sounds delicious! Got plenty of headroom, and when the amp finally does crank loud enough to break up, MAN, is it sweet!

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

The JBL's have a very sweet midrange, but the EV speakers have more output and better lows. I've heard some players say that the EV's are the most natural-sounding speaker made, very transparent, and that they don't "color" the instrument's sound, as JBL's do.

As far as what that speaker guy said, "honk" is a mid-range characteristic. EV's are very well balanced, and will only "honk" if you put them in a "honky" amp.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

EVM-12L in a Deluxe allows me to use the Treble knob at any level, and the bass end sounds killer... no complaints with regard to mids.
The same amp with the JBL and I can't run the Treble knob past 4, and with the bass on 10 it's not enough.
This tonal flexibility is important to me with respect to Fender amps and Speaker matching for Steel.
I am looking to replace the JBL D130 in my Vibrosonic with a EVM-15L or some such voiced speaker for this same reason.
I have been expieriencing great Tonal pleasure playing steel through this Deluxe with this EVM-12L (not to say it's the only thing that would work, but I like this one).
What other speakers have you guys tried that are in the EVM-12L end of the tonal spectrum for 15" 8-ohm speakers?... BW 150?-8.. Etc?
My $.02

,
Pete B.

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 10 November 2006 at 11:48 AM.]

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

I don't know how the EV Force 12" compares sonically to the EVM-12L or whatever that big heavy one is. I just just put an EV Force 12 into my little Fender Blues Junior, and really it sounds great (this is for guitar, haven't tried steel thru it yet). I've been using D120's for guitar for so long that I hadn't really payed much attention to other guitar speakers in ages. This EV sounds really good, balanced, clear, warm.

Brad

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

FWIW, The JBL D130 in my Vibrosonic sounds absoulutly stellar for 6 string guitar.
It's just that I want to use that amp for steel, and the JBL, as I said... not enough bottom and piercing highs, with pedal steel.

Jay Ganz · From: Out Behind The Barn

Brad,
The EV Force series are excellent speakers but
the 12L's have alot more low end punch. I guess that's due to the larger (& heavier) magnet.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

The "Force" series was lighter and cheaper, I think they were an attempt to get a more JBL-type sound...definitely a speaker aimed at the straight guitar players.

Pete brings up a great point, and that is that speakers (and amps, as well) have different desired characteristics for straight guitar and for steel guitar. What sounds good for one often sounds pretty crappy for the other.

The moral of this story is...if you ever want good advice about "sound" concerning a steel amp or speaker, make sure the guy giving you answers is an experienced steeler. That guy at the music store that's played straight guitar for years and knows all there is to know about Clapton and Vaughn, probably knows next to nothing about a steel guitar and how it should sound.

thurlon hopper · From: Elizabethtown Pa. USA

Thanks gentlemen for all your input. As i've said before the Altec has the sweetest highs you will ever hear, but sadly you can't find them any more, so all things considered, i will continue to regard the JBL as being at the top of the speaker pyramid. The EVM has it's tonal characteristics and sounds good but to my ears the JBL smooths things out better than any other speaker. Something about the mids in the EVM makes them less appealing to me.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Altecs seem to be the best, as you mentioned. I had K 130's, EV 15L, EV 12L K 120's, BW 1501's and 1502's. But I sold them all and just use my Altec 418B's. I love the string separation, Clean/sweet highs, and tight crisp bass. As you mention, they are nearly inpossible to find, at least those with the original cones. I never did like Altec recones.

By the way, I play a '71 nonmaster Twin reverb in a head cab and a pair of Rick Johnson extension cabs for My 15" Altec 418B's. My Shobud Professional (original bud pickups) sounds mighty pleasing through this rig, at least to me! My '67 Fingertip sounds as sweet through this rig, also. The fingertip has the original pickups, too.

[This message was edited by James Morehead on 13 November 2006 at 12:15 PM.]

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