Customer Reviews

JBL S120P II 12" 400-Watt Front-Firing Powered Subwoofer (Black Maple)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Have been using this excellent product for less than a month, but I think it's a great choice. I connected the S120PII with a Transparent Cable Link 200 cable after hearing and reading about complaints concerning subwoofer buzz and hum. As a side note, I would recommend getting a good cable. I say this after upgrading the Monster cables to my front speaker pair with something called Synergistic Research. The improvement was immediate; an extended audio image and larger bass notes (without subwoofer).

Anyways, my receiver only sends frequencies under 100Hz to the sub; so when I first listen to the sub, I momentarily thought the sub was defective. The cable and sub combination puts out tight and very clean sound.

After playing with the level control, I realized the low frequencies were there. I didn't have it very loud at this point and at lower volumes, frequencies under 100Hz seem to contribute more to audio imaging than to a louder bass presence. I later did the wall shaking drill; with 400 watts, this sub does a nice job of it.

The directionality of the bass notes from the sub will depend on the frequencies sent to it. According to tech literature, somewhere between 80 to 100Hz the location of the LFE speaker will become slightly evident at higher volume levels. At 100Hz, I did not detect any obvious directionality.

This is a great subwoofer. Invest in good wire; you will not be disappointed.

I did extensive research and listening and this unit if worth every bit the original asking price; at the Amazon price, this subwoofer is a steal. Its in the ballpark of Velodyne and B&W (see Sound and Vision magazines Review) at less cost be watt. I've had mine for 4 months and the bass is tight and thudering without the boomyness you find on lesser-powered subs. A friend has a 700 watt Velodyne and the 400 watt JBL delivers the bass just as impressively. Unless you have the need (and finances) for 1,000+ watts of power, you can get BIG bass for an unheard of price from this well-made and solid JBL sub.

I had always stayed away from subwoffers due to often exaggerated muddy lows. This one delivers clean and very contollable lows. Very easy to set-up with a modern receiver. Often goes om sale at amazon. The technology is a little older but the best of older designs. You can get better, smaller, lighter for a whole lot more money with only a subtle improvement.

If you can get your hands on the 2-part review Sound & Vision Magazine did comparing many of the top rated subs, you will begin to understand what these Amazon reviewers are trying to say regarding the quality. Combine that with the extrordinarily low price, and you have an absolute steal when it comes to supplying your home theater with the low end required to make movies and music come to life. I've had mine for about 2 yrs now and couldn't be happier. At these prices, why not buy two if your room is a little on the large side, or even if you just are looking for that absolute bass "holy grail" in a conventionally sized room. You won't regret either.

I'm a college kid, recreational audiophile and bass fanatic, studying engineering. Started with a custom-made sub encloser with dual Kicker CompVR 12" running off of a 1200W Sony amp in my car. haven't stopped searching for amazing sound. Bottom line: THIS SUB ROCKS. great quality, great sound.

Great for home theater and music. I'm running it off of an H/K AVR240, paired with 2 JBL E60s, an EC35 center, and two sets of E30 surrounds...

I kick off all audio "testing" with Saving Private Ryan. I thought my heart was going to stop beating. Unwavering, solid bass that I felt more than I heard. I didn't find a movie in my 100+ collection that was too much for this sub.

Music.....
HipHop, Electronica, Rap, Rock, Jazz, Ambient: Busta, Korn, Ulrich Schnauss, Bonobo, Boards of Canada, Nelly, Snoop, E40, DJ Shadow, Chemical Bros., Old school Michael Jackson, Elvis, Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra... you name it, this sub eats it up and begs for more with quality sound that pounds like you're at the club when you need it, and backs off so you sound like you have class when you're entertaining a more "refined" crowd.

BAM... that about sums it up.

I live on the 10th floor of my building.
I've had guys come up from the 7th asking me to turn down the bass.

If you love low frequencies, get this. NOW.

~shakas~

I purchased this sub to complement two polk audio speakers for a 2.1 system. After browsing around online as well as some in person visits to stores, this is the most bang for the buck one could get from a sub. Whether watching a movie, or listening to music, the sub adds such rich bottoms, I'm very happy.

Cant beat it !! Get it. Solid construction nice low end clean bass. It literally rattles my whole house (wood floors). I must say this is my first time buying a quality sub, because I have always lived in apartments where it would've just been a waste. I really wanted to get the SVS sub but when I say this price I said why not try it. I must say I am very happy. Can't wait till I have time to watch a "real" movie. Ive only had a chance to watch a live gospel concert on it so far (The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin), but even the wife loved it. WOW!

I love a lot of bass so I purchased two of these for my system!
The subterranean lows that you get from dvd's with a lot of action and explosions is simply phenomenal! As the previous reviewer stated the cable makes all of the difference. Although it is somewhat expensive, I used Kimber Cable to hook up my subs to the Pioneer vsx-45tx receiver that is controlling my system. I couldn't be happier!

I have been using this sub for 2 weeks now and could not be happier with the purchase. Nice tight sound!!! Looks great!!! You can be proud to have this product in your living room. Horse scenes from Lord of the Rings!!!! you would swear they are running right past you. I am using with Klipsch Quintet II 5.1 surround system. The sound is really amazing, I am hearing definition in songs and movies for the first time!!! Even crossed over as high as 120 Hz. I come from a back ground of live music, having gigged or run sound for over 20 years. I would buy this sub all over again, you will not regret doing so yourself.

I could not be happier with the quality and sound of this sub for the price. For a hardcore audiophile like myself I wanted smooth, tight, accurate bass with a wide frequency range that was solid from down to at least 25Hz up to 100Hz.

There is no distortion, frequency loss, bottoming out or muddiness with this woofer. The ported enclosure is solid and the speaker well made. I didn't realize how big or heavy this thing was until it arrived in my living room and I had to take it out of the box. Based on the weight and make of this unit I could already tell it was going to be a strong performer, and no matter the format (movies/music) this sub delivers with beautiful clarity.

The power is adequate, but the clarity is what I love about this sub. I thought 400 watts would be a bit much for a subwoofer in my home, but now I realize I made the right decision. Higher powered subs like this allow for loud play with lower distortion and increased performance because the amp isn't working as hard, and since the sub is rated for higher power as well there will be less distortion at high volumes. It's the right investment at the right price. I have this paired with the cinema series JBL surround speakers and the balance is just right.