Customer Reviews

JBL LC2 4-Way, High Performance 6-inch Dual Wall-Mountable Center Channel Loudspeaker (Black)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been using the LC2 for about a week and a half now, primarily for multichannel music listening, but also for a lot of movie watching too. It is a dynamic and very full range center channel compared to many on the mass market. I chose it specifically to mate with my L880s as FR and FL because they drivers are matched well (though the porting and cabinet volume contribute to significantly lower range on the L880s than the LC2). My Onkyo TX-SR606 crosses the LC2 over at 60 Hz (with its rated bottom end being 50 Hz, this is a reasonable roll-off crossover).

It seems ridiculous to have to say this, but it is not up to the task of being a full range tower speaker (thankfully *not many* expect it to be since it was clearly designed as a center channel for on-wall mounting), but if you're looking for a dynamic center channel, you'd be hard pressed to beat this one's capability for the price. It images well, as do all the L series speakers from JBL, and it has a distinct advantage over the LC1. Technically the LC1 is a two way MTM (midrange-tweeter-midrange) design, which is prone to lobing (overemphasizing some waves due to bolstering from both sides) and muddying the sound with the HF response in between the two mids. The LC2 is designed as a true vertical array through its midrange 4" transducer, with the bass transducers on the sides (which eliminates lobing issues). This is ideal center channel design.

Pros:
-Good musicality
-Very natural sounding dialogue (M and F)
-Excellent imaging
-Great dynamic range for movies and music (when properly amplified >=75 W RMS by test, not manufacturer spec)
-Handsome looks in cherry
-VERY well paired with L880s for soundstage transparency
-Vertical array design better for sound (see above)

Cons:
-Size may be an issue for some (not for me, but this sucker is big compared to your other mass market options; I'll post a photo for size reference)
-Biwiring capability more gimmick than real benefit
-Needs good solid power to sound its best (not really a con, but its honestly hard to come up with three)

In short, this is an excellent center channel for movie watching or music as long as paired with relatively good voice and timbre matches for front soundstage. These are your three most important speakers so don't skimp! Strong advantage in design over LC1 and other MTM designs.

If you're looking for a good looking, dynamic, and powerful center channel, look no further. Buy and enjoy! :)

I have auditioned center channel speakers costing hundreds more, and this is by far the best sounding, best value unit available.

- The frequency response is very smooth.
- All voices, from the deepest pretentious radio announcer to the squeakiest airhead valley girl, are immediately intelligible
- Very wide sweet-spot. Excellent horizontal and vertical dispersion mean you can safely place it above or below your main screen.
- Extremely solid and well built.
- Testosterone-manly without the front cover, and nicely understated with it on. Your wife will love it.
- JBL is made in the USA!

Buy it.

The JBL LC2 is a great center channel. I have an Onkyo 7.1 receiver and have a BOSE 6.1 system. I was looking to add a center channel to my home theater and started looking for one. I checked out Boston Acoustics Horizon series, micro series and Bose VSC. The JBL LC2 beats them hands down, the sound is crisp. It is 29lb, but dont be fooled, it looks pretty slick and is only 5" thick. Love this center channel and am enjoying listening to the exceptional clarity.

The JBL LC2 is a great center channel speaker. I have hearing only in my left ear and I can hear the voices very clearly with this speaker. You will not be
disappointed with this speaker, best price on Amazon, but you can check Harmon Kardon web site for re-furbished units on e-bay.

I have had the LC2 for about 6 weeks and it has been a welcome addition to our movie experience. I've found that with the sound tracks from movies over the last decade or so, it has become harder and harder to hear the dialog without making the rest of the audio overwhelming. The LC2 has the ability to reproduce the talk track with exceptional clarity. We replaced all of our speakers with the Studio L series and are using the L820's for our front L&R, L830's for the sides and the L8400 for the sub. These are all excellent speakers and have improved the entire range of sound dramatically but it's the LC2 center that has made the largest impact. Voices are louder, sharper and clearer then anything I've ever heard. I won't get technical you can read the specs, but I will say that JBL has this baby dialed in perfect! If I was doing it again I would replace the L820 fronts with 2 more LC2's. Many major movie theaters use JBL's for their sound systems so they know what they are doing.

I would highly recommend the entire Studio L series but if you can only replace part of your surround system this is by far the best bang for the buck. The best thing is my wife lets me leave the volume louder now because it so much clearer. It is taller then most HTIB (Home Theatre in a box) centers but is still only 5" thick so for a major upgrade from a HTIB center you won't be overwhelming your TV or room.

It is also very solid and the quality is evident as soon as you see it. Be warned if you add this to your system you will want to upgrade the rest of the surround system as well. The difference between these and a good HTIB is like going from old 480i TV to 1080P high def, it's that dramatic.

Great range of sound from the highest highs to good mid bass punch.
PLays music and movies well.

This speaker is simply amazing! My receiver is a 135 Watts per channel Onkyo and this speaker handles it with ease. I like to crank my system up very loud sometimes and I honestly have to say I've never heard any distortion what so ever from the LC2.. The only complaint I have is its a bit large for a center speaker but the sound quality makes that a small problem easily lived with! It's designed to be hung on the wall but can be placed on a flat surface but not recommended as it is rather thin relative to its height. I truly love this speaker and would recommend it to anyone interested in investing in a high quality center speaker. IT KICKS!!

Bare with me through this review as I am scatter brained.

I bought the LC2 to replace a JBL Northridge EC35 Center Channel. To get to the point; unless you have a trained ear or above average perception in hearing to tell the difference in higher end audio than you probably wont notice any advantage with this center channel over the EC35 as far as listening goes.

I AB'd this center channel with my EC35 using the same components for each (same heavy duty speaker wire, Harman Kardon avr 254 reciever, and DTS-HD dvd# and their really wasn't any earth shattering difference. If you really listened close I thought that the LC2 had a little smoother high end that would not fatigue your ears in comparison to the EC35. Voices also sound a little more natural on the LC2 and not as woofy as the ec35. That is probably due to the LC2 being a sealed enclosure and the EC35 being ported.

Both center channels can handle plenty of power and I could honestly live with either and be completely happy. I just wanted a super sleek look with my wall mounted plasma so I opted for the wall mounted LC2 which does look a heck of alot more stylish with the drivers and being wall mounted compared to the pretty dull looking EC35 which is big and bulky.

The LC2 is a top notch built center channel. The thing is heavy weighing I believe almost thirty pounds. Don't let the weight dismay you because the weight comes from it being built with quality components. The thing is built like a tank and came with all the mounting hardware to mount on your wall. Just be sure to tie this beast into a stud or buy super heavy duty dry wall anchors.

The LC2 sounds great on and off axis. It blends seamlessly with my Northridge E90's #in the process of upgrading to the Studio L890's since I know it is a major sin to have speakers from different lines lol). LC2 with my northridge e90 created a very powerful and convincing front sound stage.

In summary I am very happy with my purchase. The center channel looks really cool mounted on the wall below my plasma and the sound is great! I would buy this again no doubt and Amazon was amazing. They had it sitting on my doorstep within four days of purchase. Way to go guys!!

I have a JBL LC2 which has the same 6" base speakers as the L820. Both the base speakers in my LC2 have torn rubber surrounds, and since this is a sealed unit, having a hole where air can escape past the rubber surrounds does not fill me with confidence that I am hearing this speaker as it was designed. These rubber surrounds appear to be a unique design and those freely available for sale elsewhere do not fit, it appears to be a poor design whereby the thinnest part of the rubber has a sharp edge under it that makes it very easy to tear. I have approached JBL in Australia, USA, and UK, and none of them have replacement rubber surrounds, even those these speakers are still available for sale. Not only do they not have the rubber surround, but they do not even have replacement 6" drivers. I would strongly recommend that you look very closely at the crease of the rubber surround of the 6" woofer driver in these speakers before buying the speaker, and that would go for the L820.

What an awesome speaker! This is the best center channel I have owned to date and I recommend it to anyone. If you are sick of your existing center channel that does not give you a full range of sound or are looking to buy your first then look no further than this unit. Make sure your receiver has enough wattage to drive it properly and you will be in movie heaven!