Do JBL Still Make Quality Audio Products?

For Aldi's special buys this Saturday, they're selling a JBL soundbar for $249:
https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-23-…

Since Aldi usually sells cheap Chinese tech (Bauhn, Laser, etc), it got me wondering if JBL are still the high-quality audio company they used to be, or if they're just selling rebadged cheap stuff.

PS: when I say high-quality, I don't mean top-tier high-end designer tech like Bang & Olufsen, I mean good quality, reliable, and a bit expensive (but not TOO expensive).

Comments

  • PS: when I say high-quality, I don't mean top-tier high-end designer tech like Bang & Olufsen, I mean good quality, reliable, and a bit expensive (but not TOO expensive).

    B&O is not respected, high end audio.

    JBL LSR305s have a semi-cultlike following for bookshelf speakers. Not heard them myself.

    The JBL soundbar in the OP is probably crap, because all soundbars are inherently compromised no matter how expensive they are. Edit- the "subwoofer" is 6". It's crap.

  • +1

    Audiophiles who are into hi-fi are shuffling off. JBL has shifted to the high-volume consumer space. Probably not the best soundbar/sub for $249. My low-end recommendation is Yamaha @$379.

  • +1

    JBL, Just Big Logo

    Unless you're a wrestling fan.

    • I guess paying big money on a sub-par product is kinda like getting clothesline from hell'd

  • +1

    If talking early JBL's like the 42xx,43xx restored - then yeah we talking into some nice speakers.
    Nowadays no way JBL is quality -and B&O does not really fit into top quality either really, top quality is something very very different - think B&W, Focal, Revel,Magico,Devore etc.

    Saying that a soundbar is a soundbar for the most part - only so much quality that can be contained in a small cheap enclosure & have decoding and processing functionality, so for sub $300, expect it to sound like a sub $300 tiny speaker package - that is to say - it will be better than inbuilt TV sound - well good chance it will be better.

  • samsung bought jbl and the good audio engineers left

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