Customer Reviews

JBL N26 II 2-Way 6" Bookshelf Speakers (Black Ash)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

These speakers sound great, the 6" midrange puts out very clean sound, the tweeter is very crisp and clean, and they actually put out very nice bass.

I have a pair of DCM KX-12 speakers which are floor standing speakers which I use as my main speakers, run by a JVC amp which is about 6 years old, but still puts out enough power and sounds good.

I bought these speakers to use as my secondary speakrs, and they are great. the only thing is I might return them because I wanted to get some small speakers like the JBL N24 posted on here, but they weren't in stock. I had a gift card that's why I didn't go anywhere else. I was looking for speakers that I could either mount on the wall or put on my computer table, something not taller than 10"-11". Since there's no technical data posted on here about these, I thought that they would be smaller, so I bought them. They are 17"x10"x9", which isn't that big, but I just don't have the room for them, although I would hate to see them go, because I'm starting to like them more and more as I listen to them.

I usually subscribe to the "bigger is better" theory when it comes to speakers, like my much loved KEF Reference 104/2's. I bought these small JBL's to use in another room, mainly for TV sound and background music, and was pleasantly surprised with the sound they produce. It appears JBL engineers have done an excellent job with these little speakers and I would definitely consider other JBL models in the future.

When I A/B'd these N26ii's against my six year old Boston Acoustics full range satellite system, I was flabbergasted at first sound. Night and day difference. These are only rated 55 Hz - 20 Hz, but the low frequency response is overwhelming. The smallish 6" (six inch) woofers are hard plastic with rubbery surrounds, and they look very aesthetically pleasing. The port exit is oblong in shape and looks "unique" or odd - like a worn down guitar pick shape, but the sonically transparent grill cloth covers are much uglier, because they're not mirror matched, so the JBL logo on the left side of both speakers throws the symmetry out of whack.

Their MDF cabinet construction is what I prefer over plastic. The screw down terminals on the back are much nicer than the sprung type. These are REAL speakers, albeit entry level, they're VERY capable of pleasing the most discerning audiophile. Very soothing to listen to for long periods. The highs are crystal clear and the "low mids" are very in your face, and apparent. The main reason I chose these were for the lower mids (150 Hz - 500 Hz) and these things excel in that range, plus the added low-end response. I was very surprised at the bass these things put out. They're ported on the fronts, so you needn't worry about how far it lives away from the wall. Good set of speakers. I recommend them. I love mine. I've been in aural ecstasy ever since I attached my tinned 16 AWG gauge to the rear.

I am powering these with a RockFord Fosgate Punch 401s 100 watts RMS X2 at 4' ohms, but these are 8 ohm' home speakers, so I guess I'm probably pushing around 50 watts through them, allowing the amp to run extra cool and not have to work hard at all. I know the sensitivity on these JBL N26ii"s are only rated a mere 88dB, but man, oh man, I had to turn the gain on my RF Punch 401s down halfway, for it to even be bearable sound pressure levels. But before I turned down the gain, I noticed that at extremely high volume, these N26ii's sounded pristine, no distorting, no rattles, no burping noises, and even though it hurt my ears, they sounded golden. After turning the amp down to a much lower level to match my RockFord Fosgate R300-12 (300 Watt RMS Prime Series amp built-into a 12" Prime in a sealed (small) box) subwoofer, I am nothing short of amazed. So, I guess with the gain turned way down, I'm only pumping 25 watts RMS per channel into these things? R.F. has been known to be modest on their power ratings, but it's possible. I found these JBL N26ii's at 25 watts RMS at 8 ohms to be a perfect match (mix) for the 300 watt RMS (newer Prime series probably has inflated power rating) RockFord 12" Inch SubWoofer (gain at max on the sub). Also, I High Pass Filtered (active x-over) the JBL N26ii's at 90 Hz, just because I like it that way. The sub handles the lowest of the lows, and the six inch woofers in the JBL just doesn't need to worry about it - even though it CAN.

I've had a lot of experience with JBL, on their pro audio side of things. I've always liked them okay, but not as good as EAW, or Meyer Sound, but that's another story.

For home (car?) audio, I'm shunning Boston Acoustics and I'm going to be a loyal fan of JBL. It's working very nicely in my living room. On a budget (I picked these up in pristine used condition off Craigslist for DIRT cheap), these are the only choice. I guess they're old, and probably discontinued, but I wanted to add my review anyway.

If they're really only 88dB sensitivity, then the power output rating of the PUNCH amp is overly modest. I've heard that about those amps though. So, I say, just make sure you have ample power to push these hungry transducers and you won't be disappointed. At first I had them hooked up to some 5 watt amp, and they sounded good, but they were starved. Don't do it, feed `em the watts they desire. Healthy diet of raw power. Thanks for making good stuff, JBL. Respect.

I had these set up as my front channel when there was no other way to setup my system (N38II's, S-Center, N26II's, PB12)due to room configuration. They sounded great, but couldn't keep up with the N38II's and the S-Center. When I finally was able to set them up as the surround channel, they found their calling. I don;t think I would want anything larger for surrounds in my 20'x10' listening area. They do wonderfull from 150Hz on up. They play lower, but with a lacking of authority. I suggest these be used as surrounds for a 4.1, 5.1 6.1 or 7.1 system. They can be used as mains for a small stereo or as TV speakers, but not home theatre mains.