HOT: JBL Studio S36IIPM speakers $149/pair (UPDATE: S36II $129/pair Best Buy B&M) ***CHECK EMAIL FOR $50 GC***

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: flot
Oops, ok, back up - so these *are* silver and they *are not* outdoor speakers?

Yes, they are silver, and they are not the AW version ("All Weather") of S36II that JBL makes. This is the PM version (Plasma Monitor) of S36II that is designed to be used with .... plasma monitors! Heh. Anyway, JBL states that these can be used outside, do have some weather resistant properties, but they're intended primarily for use in an indoor home theater.

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: namx

Originally posted by: indd
assuming I can find the S-center shipped for the listed price:

Wharfedale = $100 (8.1's) + $550 (8.4 and center) = $650
JBL = $150 (S36IIPM as rears) + $450 (2x S312 mains) + $200 (S-center) = $850

Dude, if you can find the s-center, let me know. I'm in the same boat. Just bought the s312 for the fronts. Now, I have to find the s-center. No one has it except e_bay (which are all used or refurbished). One refurbished on e_bay is being sold by harman (maker of JBL, HK, and Infinity) so that would be a good buy. But I just hate bidding on auctions. No one has the s-center. I've already called onecall.com and jandr.com. Nothing. Best Buy can't order it. Nothing. Amazon.com. Nothing. All shops in Yahoo! Shopping. Nothing. Someplace local to somebody must have it. Just don't know where.

heh i was just looking for one myself the other day. the only option i found besides ebay was amazon's "find from another seller" option. i put in a somewhat unrealistic price, just to see what would happen. i'll post if i hear anything.

also, i wanted the s-center simply based on price/reviews i'd read. but i don't have any specific speakers to "match" it to.. so got any reccomendations for a $100-$150 center? preferrably 3-way (like the S). the new jbl line 3-way is something like $250

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: lordofdeath
hi everyone,
I am not an expert on this but i love to watch movie and listen to music.
I would like to ask a question relate to speaker setup.
if i have 7.1 channels receiver, can i just use these speakers on it ? I currently have Bose 701 floor speaker. Can i hook 2 JBL S36II in my ssystem and later on add more into the system? would it cause any problem on doing piece by piece like this ?
thank you in advance

Yes, you can use these in a 5/6/7/.1 home theater setup, they'll work just fine with your receiver. Mixing the JBL sound with the Bose sound may not be something you want to do long-term, as each brand, and even different lines within a given brand, can have a unique characteristic tonal quality. It'll be less of an issue if you intend to use these as surround speakers, as it's most important that the front speakers match the center speakers. Mixing anything with the funky way Bose does things, however, may produce odd results. Not sure. Piece by piece is just fine, many folks (including me) build a nice audio/video system that way. Have fun!

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: indd
assuming I can find the S-center shipped for the listed price:

If you have problems finding the S-center, which it seems you may, then you might consider also using an S36IIPM as a center; the JBL press release for these speakers specifically stated that it can be used effectively that way. I also saw where a knowledgeable member over at HTF recommended that same exact setup to solve the same [S-center] problem. Just a thought.

 

[namx]

Originally posted by: DahDee

Originally posted by: indd
assuming I can find the S-center shipped for the listed price:

If you have problems finding the S-center, which it seems you may, then you might consider also using an S36IIPM as a center; the JBL press release for these speakers specifically stated that it can be used effectively that way. I also saw where a knowledgeable member over at HTF recommended that same exact setup to solve the same [S-center] problem. Just a thought.

Well...that's good news. Guess I have to order me another set of s36IIPM for the center. As someone else already mentioned, the new JBL 3-way center is the Northridge EC35 (cheapest I've seen is $250 from JandR). Don't know how this would actually match the s-series though. Wish I knew they were discontinuing the S Series. Would've jumped all over this when they went on clearance.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: DahDee

Originally posted by: indd
assuming I can find the S-center shipped for the listed price:

If you have problems finding the S-center, which it seems you may, then you might consider also using an S36IIPM as a center; the JBL press release for these speakers specifically stated that it can be used effectively that way. I also saw where a knowledgeable member over at HTF recommended that same exact setup to solve the same [S-center] problem. Just a thought.

Some would argue that this approach is even superior to buying an S-Center. There's nothing better than having matched speakers. "Centers" only exist is for aesthetic reasons. Horizontal center speakers look better and fit better around most TVs. Since S36IIPMs should be mounted horizontally, there's really no reason to buy an S-Center. You could buy three sets of these speakers and a sub and have a really nice, 100%-matched 6.1 system. 7.1 is overrated. The two surround backs in the 7.1 setup are mono.

 

[lordofdeath]

Originally posted by: DahDee

Originally posted by: lordofdeath
hi everyone,
I am not an expert on this but i love to watch movie and listen to music.
I would like to ask a question relate to speaker setup.
if i have 7.1 channels receiver, can i just use these speakers on it ? I currently have Bose 701 floor speaker. Can i hook 2 JBL S36II in my ssystem and later on add more into the system? would it cause any problem on doing piece by piece like this ?
thank you in advance

Yes, you can use these in a 5/6/7/.1 home theater setup, they'll work just fine with your receiver. Mixing the JBL sound with the Bose sound may not be something you want to do long-term, as each brand, and even different lines within a given brand, can have a unique characteristic tonal quality. It'll be less of an issue if you intend to use these as surround speakers, as it's most important that the front speakers match the center speakers. Mixing anything with the funky way Bose does things, however, may produce odd results. Not sure. Piece by piece is just fine, many folks (including me) build a nice audio/video system that way. Have fun!

Hi Dah Dee,
thank you for your words. DO you happen to have any sites that show on setup audio system piece by piece if so please let me know
thank you again

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: aldamon

Originally posted by: DahDee

Originally posted by: indd
assuming I can find the S-center shipped for the listed price:

If you have problems finding the S-center, which it seems you may, then you might consider also using an S36IIPM as a center; the JBL press release for these speakers specifically stated that it can be used effectively that way. I also saw where a knowledgeable member over at HTF recommended that same exact setup to solve the same [S-center] problem. Just a thought.

Some would argue that this approach is even superior to buying an S-Center. There's nothing better than having matched speakers. "Centers" only exist is for aesthetic reasons. Horizontal center speakers look better and fit better around most TVs. Since S36IIPMs should be mounted horizontally, there's really no reason to buy an S-Center. You could buy three sets of these speakers and a sub and have a really nice, 100%-matched 6.1 system. 7.1 is overrated. The two surround backs in the 7.1 setup are mono.

ahh curse AT! j/k. so i figured i would have a rough time finding the s-center.. read this.. thought hm, about the same price i'd be paying anyways, but i get 2! speakers. so i jumped in before this deal ended, hope they kick some butt

 

[indd]

Still pondering all of this. Right now I'm kind of thinking of trying to get a used S-center, a pair of S38's and a pair of these S36's as the surrounds. With a sub this should be more than enough for both movies and music. The idea of having 3 pairs of S36's that are matched sounds good too, but am unsure as to how it would do for music. I'm not an audiophile, but if I'm gonna spend this much money I figure it would be worth the extra $150 to get the better center and main speakers. Decisions decisions

Also anyone know what could go wrong with using two S36's as a combined center channel?

 

[istvan]

Give a call to B&H PhotoVideo, maybe they still have the S-Center in stock. Sometimes they don't have sicontinued items listed in the web.

Laszlo

 

[eyeguy]

try these as fronts polk rti-150's

and they come with a free subwoofer and you wont have to buy speaker stands

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: Apex
I believe the PM stands for Plasma Monitors, though I'm not positive.

Specs and info:

JBL S36IIPM

Good bookshelf speakers for the price. The titanium dome tweeters in the S series are clear and dynamic. They may seem too tilted up for those more used to warmer sounds (ie. Rockets, B&W Nautilus, etc), or not bright enough for those who like piercing highs (Klipsch). For those who like the Axiom sound, might be pretty spot on.

Phil Iturralde put together a good collection of JBL reviews and information, mainly focusing on the S & N series.


JBL info & reviews

anyone else have any reviews of these? or maybe have heard them and can compare them to similar speakers? i placed my order, but now i'm just thinking of whether or not to keep them. right now my whole HT setup is pretty much ad-hoc.. 2 old sansui sp-3000 3-way speakers as the fronts, 2 technics sb-lx3s as rears, and a technicssa-dx950 as my amp. i'd love to upgrade everything, but don't have the $. my major dilemna is that by upgrading one component at a time, i leave the rest of the system behind. ie, new speakers would probably be held back by my amp, and vice versa. would these be a good long term investment, or should i bail?

thanks

 

[Apex]

If two of you guys need center channel speakers, why not buy a package of S36IIPM's and split it?

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: adams828



anyone else have any reviews of these? or maybe have heard them and can compare them to similar speakers? i placed my order, but now i'm just thinking of whether or not to keep them. right now my whole HT setup is pretty much ad-hoc.. 2 old sansui sp-3000 3-way speakers as the fronts, 2 technics sb-lx3s as rears, and a technicssa-dx950 as my amp. i'd love to upgrade everything, but don't have the $. my major dilemna is that by upgrading one component at a time, i leave the rest of the system behind. ie, new speakers would probably be held back by my amp, and vice versa. would these be a good long term investment, or should i bail?

thanks

I haven't seen pro reviews of the S36II speakers, just user reviews. I'd suggest you visit AVS Forums and Home Theater Forum for more info on these, do searches in the speaker forums there. Lots of knowledgeable people both places. After hunting around for info on these, seems like they are indeed a good long-term investment, especially as surrounds. You could always use them as fronts initially if you wanted to and then move them to the rear when you buy bigger mains. I wouldn't worry about upgrading a piece at a time, that's what most people do! I just try to snag good deals when I see them, regardless of whether the item is #1 on my want list or #5, as long as it's there somewhere, something I can see myself using as part of the final upgraded system. I intend to use these JBLs as surrounds in my completed home theater, which still needs an upgraded receiver, center channel and possibly a new sub. New surrounds would have been last on that want list, possibly also behind a new dvd player, all other things being equal, but this deal scooted them up to #1! Anyway, I personally would recommend these as a good long term investment.

 

[eyeguy]

the s38's get a nice review from stereophile in 2001
stereophile

Summing up
The intriguing S38 puts JBL on the serious audiophile map at a very attractive price. Although its timbral personality might not be everyone's cup of tea, its loudness capabilities and dynamic contrasts place it in the league of speakers that cost more than three times as much. A close friend and sometime musician and audiophile music reviewer reacted to the S38 while listening during a recent party at my house: "I've heard better, but it's great for the money...." That about sums up my view as well. Bravo to JBL's Greg Timbers and Dr. Floyd Toole!

Now these are wooden speakers with an 8" driver, but as far as I can tell the same midrange tweeter combo.....

 

[TechnoKid]

Thanks for the heads up on these speakers. Looks like good speakers. Now I just have to find some extra cash in the couch cushions....

 

[DahDee]

I did find a review of the S36 (not the S36II, though -- this review is for the predecessor) speakers via HTF:

JBL S36 review

Not sure how helpful that is, although the S36II is apparently just an improved version of the S36.

Edit: Got my shipping confirmation with UPS tracking info.

 

[Dispenser4HIRE]

I ordered a couple sets of these. I am going to try them as computer monitors along with a small sub for those serious gaming nights.

Thanks to all from a long-time lurker.

 

[tigerbait]

YMMV, but I just went to my local Best Buy to see if they had these.... they had the S36IIPM on display and it said special order only for $300/pr. I looked around at the stock they had in boxes, and I saw a box that said S36II. I looked it and it said Dark Gray. I asked the BB guy to scan the box, and it scanned $129.99. I couldn't pass it up at that price., especially since I liked the dark color better.

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: tigerbait
YMMV, but I just went to my local Best Buy to see if they had these.... they had the S36IIPM on display and it said special order only for $300/pr. I looked around at the stock they had in boxes, and I saw a box that said S36II. I looked it and it said Dark Gray. I asked the BB guy to scan the box, and it scanned $129.99. I couldn't pass it up at that price., especially since I liked the dark color better.

Wow! I think I saw the same thing at my local Best Buy, guess I better hustle over there and check it out. Yikes!

 

[Adamowski]

I found the original S36 at my local bestbuy @ 399.98/pr :disgust:

 

[Showtime]

I ordered a pair and if they are as good as people say I'lll order another set. My question is how will these speakers compare to a $500(est) Fluance HT set. I believe that set comes in a 4.1 or 5.1 package and it's $500 US. The reason is I can use these outdoors if 4 fluance will sound better for the same amount of money.

TIA,

-show

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

These are definitely not studio quality,

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: cHeeZeFacTory
These are definitely not studio quality,

I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean or whether you were responding to some specific statement in this thread, but it seems clear to me, based on my rather extensive hunting around on the internet for reviews/comments/info on these speakers, and on having listened to these speakers myself, that you would have an extremely hard time finding better bookshelf speakers for anywhere close to this price. The point here is not that these are the best bookshelf speakers money can buy, but that they are the best bookshelf speakers for the money, and that seems to be the consensus from what I've seen.

 

[adams828]

yeah.. i know these aren't "the best" or whatever. but i'm pretty sure there probably some of the best you can buy for $150 (i hope, getting mine monday).