JBL TL260 Floor standing speakers

Let's start with the fact that JBL TL260 is nothing less than a five-banded acoustics! Its predecessor, L250, could make boast of only four bands, and in the novelty an additional tweeter with expanded up to 40 kHz frequency range went on a pedestal (literally). Generally speaking, the construction with two different but unidirectional tweeters is a quite risky thing from an engineering point of view, because doubling of distortion is possible and the speakers themselves flatly may not forge a bond. However, the developers have decided to take this step and realized crossover's cut on the frequency of 20 kHz (in other words the work of ultra-high frequency head is not audible but measurable). Finally, it is worth to mention that 19-mm membrane of supertweeter is made of Mylar and the speaker is like drowned inside the aluminum front panel likewise a horn. Thus it is possible to concentrate wave more precisely, but as a result a listener should better be in a certain VIP-zone - then the work of supertweeter will be more noticeable. The lower tweeter surely isn't also left out in the cold - it is located in the firmed waveguide JBL EOS and is equipped by inch titanium membrane.

And now let's see at the bottom of the speaker system. There is a huge (especially by the standards of modern subtle acoustic forms) 12-inch bass speaker, which plays in the range from 32 to 280 Hz. Simply put, the engineers didn't bring the frequency cut of crossover to classical 700-1500 Hz, but actually implemented a subwoofer in the body of the speaker system. Diffuser made of PolyPlas material (cellulose and polymers), rubber suspension, cast aluminum chassis, magnet system HeatScape, high-temperature enhanced sound coil - all of these technical refinements, as well as some others, find place in this LF-speaker. Of course! Among audiophiles and professionals JBL is glorious by its solid and powerful bass. Upper bass and MF-speakers are likewise the lower woofer - made of the same material (PolyPlas) membrane, cast chassis, HeatScape... The only difference - their diameters are equal to 6 and 4 inches. Now let's pay attention to the appearance of TL260. As we can see the side plate is beveled. On the one hand, this design solution reduces visually the size of speakers, on the other hand - provides a uniform decrease of internal compartments for each speaker (and this already allows calculating the characteristics of the body more accurately) and non-parallel side walls help to eliminate internal resonances.

It is clear from only construction that here is a delegate of the highest Hi-Fi. The capacity of "cabinet" and diameter of the speakers allow you not to temporize and work with full dedication. Ultra-high frequency tweeter has to add airy to sound and big bass driver - to keep the beat. This happens in reality. Despite of the presence of two tweeters, JBL TL260 play high notes softly but maximally naturally as is customary in the systems of High End class. In a result the sound doesn't tire and at the same time the whole specter is transferred. By the way, the same ultra-high frequencies is really felt, although to the truth it's better to put the album on SACD or DVD-Audio and tae a seat in VIP-zone - at the deviation from the central listening position there is a clear loss of "air" part of the range. I would like to say lot's of good words about the bass. It is powerful, quick and deep. Possibly, somebody will find it not too much impact, but exactly the lack of visible drifts on the frequencies around 100 Hz makes the sound not pop-lively but with absolutely natural drive that is especially noticeable in live recordings - you will surprise that dance energy will appear even in compositions of hard rock. And few more words about middle frequencies. Wanted more. The wish of designers to make the speaker systems elite is still felt, and therefore make well able to play such styles as jazz and classical, to which some moderation in the middle is only to face. However, at the listening to such music where a strong pressure in ears is needed, you feel the lack of drive and dynamics firstly on a solid volume. Seeing as we began to talk about volume, it is worth mentioning that JBL TL260 needs a good, powerful amplifier, being able to drive it and take all the beauties out. The speakers have mirror symmetry and therefore you should experiment with different types of installation before their placement and choose an appropriate for your room place. We will also pay attention to the following fact: a bass reflex port is located on the back panel, and as consequence the distance from back wall of a room to the body of the speaker systems should be not less than a half of a meter. In addition to rubber legs there are four sharp spikes in the kit, so that the user could provide better isolation of speaker systems with floor. But be careful - the spikes can easily damage the floor.