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REVIEW: JMLab Chorus 706S Speakers

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Model: Chorus 706S
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $450
Description: two way stand mount
Manufacturer URL: JMLab
Model Picture: View

Review by twisty ( A ) on February 01, 2005 at 15:48:36
IP Address: 207.163.1.200
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for the Chorus 706S


Fit and finish, build quality: These are well-built speakers with a unique appearance that you’ll love or hate. It is worth noting that that the sidewalls of these speakers extend below the bottom panel. This may be a tricky fit on some stands; since my stand had spikes that fit within the bottom panel everything worked great. A rap with your knuckles is greeted with a dull “thud” and, in this case, this is indicative of cabinet coloration that finds it’s way into the music.

Sound quality: Before I begin, I must point out that this was with an all-tube system shifted a notch or two to the smooth side (Jolida). Many of my negatives may be results of poor system synergy and not isolated to the speakers. After owning these for a year, however, I feel I can comment on the inherent qualities of this product. I have heard my amp and cdp with an array of speakers and I am familiar with their inherent qualities. I have not heard these speakers with any gear but my own, so I am attempting to “subtract away” my amp and cdp’s qualities in this review.

Bass was excellent in quantity but not in quality. These speakers have exceptional low range extension and power, and this continues when played at high volumes. However, the bass is uncontrolled and wooly, unable to create the illusion of actual instruments. These will shake the windows and the walls. They won’t make you believe a stand-up bass is being played in your living room. Overall, music sounds more 'bassy' then it should, although I'm sure my small square room exaggerated this problem.

Midrange was the real weakness. Acoustic instruments and vocals had a boxy coloration to them. I don’t know if this was caused by cabinet resonance or produced by the drivers themselves, but an acoustic guitar just didn’t sound right. Ever. Too lush and smooth, but also tonally inaccurate. Detail is present but not highlighted, but it was difficult to turn my awareness away from the omnipresent coloration to notice the music.

Highs were a strength in comparison. Crisp, clear, detailed, and accurate.

Imaging and soundstage were very good, but the speakers never managed to completely disappear. Soundstage extended wide and high, but not forward from the speakers. Even as this effect was occurring, music was always clearly coming directly from the speakers. This was most pronounced with higher frequencies, and highs seemed unstable, instruments leaping from their proper place in the soundstage to the speaker boxes themselves and back as they changed tone.

Overall presentation was very smooth and laid back. Music was “over there” in the speakers, not “out here” in the room. The complete effect was silky and smooth, but not engaging. I could fall asleep to Miles or Ani DiFranco (I don’t think I would with the real thing in the room) and had to crank the volume for bluegrass to get my feet tapping.

Intangibly, these speakers did not manage to convey the emotion of music well at all. Vocal’s didn’t soar. Rock didn’t rock. Between the colored midrange, the inability to disappear, and the overly laid back presentation, I found that my listening time was mostly spent hearing the shortcomings of my speakers instead of hearing my music.

My experience with these speakers was poor and I would not recommend them to anyone with a system like mine and music tastes. However, at $360 used they’re worth considering for certain situations:

1) Need a cure for brightness? If you’re dealing with solid state gear in this price range you may be having problems with aggressiveness/harshness in your music and listening fatigue. These may be just the thing to take that edge off. I prefer to achieve neutrality by using neutral components all the way through the chain, but if you find your current setup painfully harsh these may give you a more even balance.

2) Home theater. Powerful bass for their size, stylish appearance, and low price tag make these brilliant rear speakers. I’ve never heard the 800- or 900- series, which may well be more suited to music. These would be excellent rear speakers and passable front speakers with or without a sub in a home theater system.

3) Horns, high strings, and drums. With their powerfull (though loose) bass and their crisp highs, they were solid performers for music that lives most strongly in these ranges. Preservastion Hall came through much better than Norah Jones or Dave Matthews.

Having said this, I can't say clearly that there is a better speaker at this price. The mainstream retail speakers generally don't offer the detail presented here and every 'hi-end' speaker I've heard in this pricerange has had serious shortcomings. However, for the new price of these speakers there are some very strong performers available used.


Product Weakness: Midrange color and inaccuracy, unengaging presentation, overwhelming, 'flubby' bass, inability to disappear
Product Strengths: Bass power and extension, treble detail, price


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Jolida 302b
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Jolida 100a
Speakers: JM Labs Chorus 706s
Cables/Interconnects: Verastarr silver-over-copper biwire
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Folk, rock, jazz, bluegrass, vocals
Room Size (LxWxH): 14 x 14 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 year
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: JMLab Chorus 706S Speakers - twisty 15:48:36 02/1/05 ( 9)