JBL Control One -As good as the hype

JBL Control One -As good as the hype

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MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,622 posts

182 months

Wednesday 1st November 2023
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I picked up a pair of bargain (seemingly barely) used JBL Control One speakers, having seen them recommended.

They really are good for their size. They give a great sound, with nice detail.

Used in my kitchen, with a 6" sealed sub to fill out the lower frequencies, I'm really pleased with them.

oldaudi

1,409 posts

165 months

Wednesday 1st November 2023
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I’ve got a black pair in my garage connected to a tiny amp fed from my old Mac Mini using Spotify. They sound really good, they’re on the wall with the wall mounts that came with them.

Many moons ago you would always find these in pubs and clubs (often supported with a sub). I managed to get mine for about £80 on Amazon.



Edited by oldaudi on Wednesday 1st November 23:09

Boom78

1,325 posts

55 months

Thursday 2nd November 2023
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Yep, another Control 1 fan here, have them in my study linked up to old technics separates, very good sound, robust and pretty cheap. Surprising how far you can push them

Sporky

7,296 posts

71 months

Thursday 2nd November 2023
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Very decent speakers, let down by too many people listening with their eyes instead of their ears.

Boom78

1,325 posts

55 months

Thursday 2nd November 2023
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JBL make some excellent products. As mentioned I’ve got a pair of control one but also a flip and a Go, all really good for the price and proposed usage.

heisthegaffer

3,649 posts

205 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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I remember when my brother first demonstrated his set to me via a Kenwood amp and passive realistic sub. Sound great for dance music.

I then replaced my beloved Mission M73s with a pair (and a sub) when my lad was born. I was really surprised how much more detail there was with the JBLs. Still have them although don't use them currently.

MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,622 posts

182 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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Its good to hear that others have experienced similar with these excellent speakers.

They really are good.

(I now need to upgrade the speakers on the living room TV...)

dan98

793 posts

120 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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Originally designed as studio nearfields or in commercial applications.
As mentioned, they're pretty clear and transparent in the highs, and quite competent overall when partnered with the SB1.

They're also very tough, or at least originally. The ones I came across recently were made with more flimsy materials than the original 1980s version.

They were never considered great hifi speakers due to their lack of musicality, but whatever works works I guess.

MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,622 posts

182 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
In my kitchen at home, these speakers sound great with a supplemtary subwoofer. Their size and relative ruggedness is ideal for the window sill (the sub is on top of a cupboard)

Whether considered "hi-fi" or not, they are doing a great job. The low price is a bonus.

Sporky

7,296 posts

71 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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dan98 said:
They were never considered great hifi speakers due to their lack of musicality
The hi-fi world has long relied on loosely defined - and unmeasurable - terms.

dan98

793 posts

120 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
Sporky said:
The hi-fi world has long relied on loosely defined - and unmeasurable - terms.
True, it's mostly all fun and nonsense when most domestic listening environments are acoustically untreated and massively inaccurate anyway.

However having owned these since the 80s I'd concur that they are fairly clear and make half decent studio references, but IMO absolutely the last thing they are is musically engaging when compared to something designed as a hifi speaker. eg. the Dali Zensor Pico.

Not to take anything away from people who really like them in whatever context, this is just a subjective opinion and general consensus at the time (many decades ago....)

TheRainMaker

6,627 posts

249 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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dan98 said:
Originally designed as studio nearfields or in commercial applications.
We had a load of these at collage, all the studios had a set as reference.

More of a tool than a home hi-fi speaker, I had a pair in the warehouse, but they finally gave up a few years back, they were probably 25 years old.

heisthegaffer

3,649 posts

205 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
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TheRainMaker said:
dan98 said:
Originally designed as studio nearfields or in commercial applications.
We had a load of these at collage, all the studios had a set as reference.

More of a tool than a home hi-fi speaker, I had a pair in the warehouse, but they finally gave up a few years back, they were probably 25 years old.
The rubbers rot.