Amazon.com: JBL S38BE 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Beech): Home Audio & Theater

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A customer

Great Sound !

April 11, 2001

Format: ElectronicsVerified Purchase

I got 2 pairs of these, along with the S-Center, for my home theater system, and they just sound great! I especially like the Beech color. Just be aware, they are pretty big for bookshelves, and if you use them as surround speakers, make sure you have some pretty sturdy stands.

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set-top

They sound excellent in all the spectrum's

February 24, 2016

Format: ElectronicsVerified Purchase

I just got through reading a 2010 opinion of the S38's, and the poster stated they sound "honky in the mid-range"....anything but! They sound excellent in all the spectrum's. The bass won't take the tiles off your ceiling, but the lows are accurate for an 8" driver. (My JBL L80t's will shake the room IE a 10") One test I put the S38's through is listening to crappy recordings, and they show them up as the same. They are accurate with little to no discoloration, and a joy to hear hour after hour. I highly recommend these. Grab them while you can, and if you can find them. With that said I am referring to the Beech color, made in the USA. They are Quality personified, and in their price range sound as good or better than speakers costing twice or three times as much.

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Jeepwalker

JBL S38 Speakers - Best I've Heard

January 9, 2013

Format: Electronics

I just picked up a used set of JBL S38 speakers. The 'S' refers to these speakers being in JBL's 'Studio' line back in the early to mid 2000's -- basically modeled after their more expensive studio monitor speakers that are found in recording studios. They have been out of production for several years. The studio line incorporates 8" woofers with cast aluminum frames for ridigity and supposedly more accurate bass.

I actually sampled S38's back in 2002-2003 when shopping around for new speakers. I listened to about every speaker I could find. The reviews at the time put these speakers ahead of the competition and I concur. I felt they were the best of all those I listened to when paired against Klipsch, Polks, Yamaha, Sony and others I tested agains. I didn't forget them. At that time, though, I didn't want to spend the extra dough and settled for a set of JBL S26II's, 6 1/2" bookshelf speakers in cherry finish, also from the "Studio" line, which I thought were the best sounding speakers in the 6" bookshelf format, especially when paired with a subwoofer (and gorgeous looking too). But these S38's are a noticable step up. When comparing side by side, the bass on the S38's is noticably deeper, more accurate, not 'boomy' or fatiguing to the ear. Probably the best bass for bookshelf speakers I've heard. You may not need a subwoofer, at least for listening to music, unless you really want throbbing bass (like for movies). The mids are well defined and the overall imaging is very clear and warm. I think these are the best bookshelf speakers I've heard. Not only that, but in light Beech woodgrain with copper colored driver cones, my wife thinks they are quite attractive, which I have to agree. They really stand out from other speakers. Something else too: these speakers have the ability to go extremely LOUD without distorting, if that matters to you. I've cranked these up a time or two and they haven't let me down.

In summary, I think the S38's are still relevant and I highly recommend them if you get a chance to pick some up.

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Awesome speakers if you can get them

March 10, 2014

Format: Electronics

OK this is kind of a weird review in that the product is no longer being made. But, suppose you find a used pair of these somewhere... should you get them? If they are in good condition, the answer is a resounding YES! The JBL S38 speaker is one of the best (albeit largest) bookshelf speakers you'll ever hear unless you venture into higher-end audiophile territory. I have had a pair for many years and after all that time they still impress me. At one point I was given a large pair of Klipsch floorstanding speakers and I hooked them up expecting to be selling my S38s soon after. But, to my surprise these JBL's bested the much higher end and more expensive klipsch speakers in terms of clarity, imaging, and balance. The klipschs had a touch more bass--but I already had a subwoofer that made that a non issue. These are exceptional speakers and If you can find a pair, get them!

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Andy Costa Films

Fantastic sound for the price.

September 27, 2002

Format: Electronics

In looking for audio equipment you should seek companies that produce professional gear. On those the home line always benefits from the improved technology in the professional line. Whereas home users dedicated companies (Bose) usually work mostly in reducing the size and changing the colors ...
JBL is in the sound industry since 1927. 9 out of 10 live concerts I've attended were using JBL speakers. And Studios all over the world select JBL as the reference speaker of preference.
I'm a music passionate for over 30 years, and I've listened to many many speakers. JBL is my preferred choice due to the sound quality, price and durability.
The S38 is a small 3 way vented box, well designed and good looking. It has a big WAF score (Wife Acceptance Factor). The box may sound boomy depending on the proximity of the wall, and in my opinion it lacks a bit of high (tweeter) volume. Still, it has a fantastic sound way better than any box hundreds of dollars above its price. (Check Harman audio store at eBay for a good deal on those).
One thing I've found along the years as a quality measure is that if you don't realize you are listening to music a bit too loud until someone else complains about it (like your wife), you can be sure you have a dam good set of speaker (or a terrible ear). Those speakers will keep a smooth and pleasant listening experience, even in loud sessions, and your ears will not get tiered or irritated as when you listen to bad speakers.
Of course there are better deals out there (Even JBL has better speakers, but if you are willing to pay considerable more $$$ for a unit), but in this price range, nothing beats the S38.
And of course, go check them on a store. I'm positive those will be your speakers of choice. I have them for 2 years now and still love them. Of course now I'm looking on a ribbon tweeter speakers like the ADAM, but I need to work out a plan to bend my wife into accepting the fact that a $2000 speaker is a matter or life or death for me. Well, I may have to stick to the JBLs for a bit more. But hopefully those will still be an awesome set of speakers.

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