I have been re-reading many of J. Gordon Holt's reviews and have developed a new appreciation for his writing. Thanks Don C for the link to
WorldRadioHistory where you can read most issues of High Fidelity, Audio, Stereo Review, and yes, Stereophile magazines in there entirety.
If you read the full review including the rebuttal by Anthony Cordesman and all of the footnotes, I think you get a very accurate depiction of the speaker. It is an accurate speaker that images well especially for such a large system, but unlike many of the large horn based designs many here appreciate it doesn't quite have that snap that makes you feel the musicians are really in the room with you.
Read the parts of Mr. Holt's comments where he applauds the punchiness and immediacy of many of JBL's systems... I have seen similar comments about Altecs and other speakers from his writing back in his early days at
High Fidelity. I also found his general condescension of JBL Consumer entertaining.
I know I have. I love holographic imaging and I love inner detail. I am annoyed by obvious tonal coloration. All that said, I have come to the conclusion after playing with systems for almost 50 years that I will err on the side of excitement and give up a little accuracy and holography... I have never heard anything approaching holographic imaging in any form of live music anyway so it is more of a fun diversion than an accurate portrayal of live music.
So George, what is going on with your quest?
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