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-   -   JBL-m9500 (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=51930)

tima 01-14-2023 05:49 AM

JBL-m9500
 
https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=5750

https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=5751

Lamm ML2.2 (18 Watt) monoblocks

tima 02-04-2023 04:47 AM

I am fortunate to acquire a pair of JBL M9500 speakers in top condition. Originally intended as studio monitors, there are more of these in Japan than anywhere else and they rarely come up for sale anywhere. JBL produced a low quantity of them from 1993-1997; the M9500 was the JBL flagship model as part of their Professional Series. In 1994 a pair ran ~3650000 Yen.

The M9500 is an enhanced version of the JBL K2 S9500 in a larger industrial enclosure. Its size limited soffit mounting in studios and the speaker was actually more successful in the consumer market. It is a two-way design with dual 14" woofers (1400nd) over-under a bi-radial horn (475 nd). The woofer cabinets have different volumes. For JBL afficiandos, the cross-over, horn and enclosure were designed by Greg Timbers, with Doug Button developing the bass and Francher Murray high-frequency driver. The small boxes in the picture are the external cross-overs.

This particular pair has excellent provenance. They were owned by a JBL production manager. The woofers were re-coned at JBL by Greg Timbers who also hand applied the Aquaplas. Production run speakers came with a Nextel outer coating - a soft suede like finish which tended to deteriorate over time. This pair was never coated, surfaces are excellent.

Some specs:

2-Way, 3-Speaker, Bass Reflex System, Floor Type

For low band : 36 cm cone type (1400 nd) x2
For High Frequency : Horn Type (475 nd)
Frequency characteristic: 35 Hz to 20 kHz -6dB
Output sound pressure level: 96dB/2.83V/m
Nominal input impedance 4 Ω (when dedicated network is used)
Maximum allowable input 400W (i.e. C Shaped noise with dedicated network)
Crossover frequency 650Hz(-18dB/oct)

Speakers can be bi-wired, tri-wired and bi-amped.

Although they can handle hi-wattage amplification (max 400W), their efficiency aso accomodates low wattage amps. I am driving them with either my 110W Class A Lamm M1.2 amps or my 18 Watt Lamm ML2.2 SET amplifiers. The ML2.2 is my preferred pairing.

Formerly YB-2 02-04-2023 09:14 AM

Most impressive. A 'collector' set of gear for a lifetime.

tima 04-13-2023 03:01 AM

As you may have gathered from my Mahler thread, I love large scale orchestral music - symphonic music - from all ages and particularly from the late 19th Century through the 20th Century.

Here is a recording of the M9500s I made in my room with a phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbYMCAhyWyU

https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=5767

Shostakovich Sym. 8, Movement 3 (Allegro non troppo)
Haitink with Concertgebouw Orchestra
Vinyl: London Digital LDR 71121 also Decca SXDL 7621

This work was written in summer 1943. The Battle of Stalingrad took place 7/1942 - 2/1943, Hitler wanted to defeat the Russians in that area and seize the lucrative Caucasus oilfields. In terms of loss of life the cost wa extremely high on both sides with Soviet military casualties estimated near 1.1 million with 40,000 civilian deaths.

The Eighth had the nickname of the Stalingrad Symphony. The third movement can be interpreted as a battle or as East German director Kurt Sanderling wrote as "the crushing of the individual" by the Soviet system. It finally erupts into a "massive climax of self-destruction" ( That quote I got from Wikipedia.) Iirc, Shostakovich said he wrote it for or because of civilian suffering.

One might say this work is more about survival than victory. Because of that it was of little use by Soviet propagandists and was banned in Russia for several years by the Soviet regime, re-emerging in 1956.

To know Shostakovich's music is partly to know Soviet/Russian history

You probably want at least to use desktop speakers for this.

Masterlu 04-13-2023 07:50 AM

Thanks for sharing! :ok:

tima 04-13-2023 02:35 PM

Thanks, Ivan, my pleasure.

Comments welcome all.

tima 04-18-2023 03:17 AM

Here is another video of energetic music, this time from Georg Friedrich Handel's Messiah. This performance features The Academy of Ancient Music under the baton of Christopher Hogwood. Released in 1982, this is a box set of 3 LPs and booklet from L'Oiseau-Lyre - 189D. There are lots of versions of this work and this is my favorite. The musicians really work it right out of the gate -- you can sense their enthusiasm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ15SrTT4lY

You will want to hear this on desktop speakers or better. Phone listening doesn't represent the music well.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=5769

The video covers scenes 40-43 in Part II where-in rulers reject the Gospel yet in the end God triumphs. (Not religion here but description of the work.) Immediately after scene 43 we hear the most famous passage, the Hallelujah Chorus, which I did not include in the video.

40. Song (Bass): Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together (David Thomas)
41. Chorus: Let Us Brake Their Bonds Asunder
42. Recitative (Tenor): He That Dwelleth In Heaven Shall Laugh Them To Scorn (Paul Elliott)
43. Song (Tenor): Thou Shalt Break Them With A Rod Of Iron (Paul Elliott)

Also featured elsewhere are soprano vocals from Emma Kirkby and Judith Nelson. Their voices are gorgeous.

tima 04-20-2023 05:27 AM

Here is a video with the JBL M9500s of what may be the most famous organ work in the classical repertoire.

https://youtu.be/BgZxzD9Ea2Y


https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=5770

Johan Sebstian Bach's Tocatta & Fugue in D Minor, BMV 565
Michael Murray
Telarc Vinyl: DG-10088. Released in 1983

This work was written sometime between 1704-1750s. It was made popular in the 20th Century thanks to the 1940 soundtrack for Disney's Fantasia via Stokowsiki's orchestral transcription.

The lowest note is at 16Hz, a low C pedal note that requires a 32-foot pipe to produce. The spec'd range for the M9500s is 35Hz - 20kHz. Most of us cannot hear below 20Hz on a good day. You probably won't hear the fundamental. The sound from musical instruments are not pure sine waves. What you will hear are the higher overtones (2X, 3X, 4X, etc.) from that note. You may feel the lows through your bones - we use our whole bodies, to hear, not just our ears. Gauge for yourself how well the speakers do.

Again, desktop speakers or better are suggested for listening. A phone won't do justice to the music. Comments welcome.

PeterA 04-22-2023 05:11 PM

Great sounding videos, Tim. Lots of power and energy comes through and I get a real sense of what your wonderful system must sound like in the room. Congratulations on your new speakers. I heard them in a different system, and they are truly special.

tima 04-28-2023 05:36 AM

Tamer, quirky yet delightful...

Here is a sampling of Dumbarton Oaks a Concerto in E-flat from a compilation of smaller pieces by Igor Stravinsky, featuring the English Chamber Orchestra with Colin Davis conducting.

This 1938 work was written on commission from a wealthy diplomat for his Georgetown, District of Columbia estate of the same name.

The recording covers the final 2 of 3 movements. It is 'modern' but kinda grows on you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioyWc2tL1G4

Finzi my aging audio cat makes a brief appearance to clean his paws.
cats ...

https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=5771

L'Oiseau-Lyre SOL 60050, 1962


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