JBL 530 Speakers - $299

Would these be weird to put on a computer desk as stereo speakers?

You can use any speaker for anything you like. However don't expect super low end sound, so if you like music to thump, you will need to add a sub, and make sure you have an amp that can drive these.

If you are looking for normal computer like setup that is all in one, look at the klipsch promedia 2.1, as they are all in one, comes with a sub and the desk speakers are much smaller in size. And are cheaper than the pair of above speakers.
 
According to the specs these have a good frequency response range. 45hz is pretty decent really. You will need an amp to drive them.
 
Well for a few bucks a person can add an amplifier that is probably better than whatever comes in an all-in-one computer speaker boxes. As an added bonus if the amp or speaker dies, you can just replace the component that failed instead of buying everything all over again.
 
These were routinely selling on ebay and audio forums for 700+ a pair, used, in the past year - just for reference.
 
Would these be weird to put on a computer desk as stereo speakers?
Nope. Zeos makes a point in his review to say that they are the best near field speakers hes ever heard. Granted that was four years ago but I know he had the next to his computer monitor for a LONG time. And that's someone who reviews audio equipment and has access to a ton of stuff.

I saw these pop up yesterday and had this exact thought. They're sitting in my cart. All I need to do it hit place order...
 
Nope. Zeos makes a point in his review to say that they are the best near field speakers hes ever heard. Granted that was four years ago but I know he had the next to his computer monitor for a LONG time. And that's someone who reviews audio equipment and has access to a ton of stuff.

I saw these pop up yesterday and had this exact thought. They're sitting in my cart. All I need to do it hit place order...

Do it. I have 530s and I bought the 590s for my media room. I just bought a second set of 530s because, why not?
 
These are very nice speakers, for reference I have the studio 230s for my desktop and even with a smaller amp they are mind blowing clear and loud. Half volume gets into the permanent hearing damage range based on distance to my seat checking the decibels. So you will definitely want to becareful at first setup if you are going to be sitting close to them.
 
According to the specs these have a good frequency response range. 45hz is pretty decent really. You will need an amp to drive them.

Can the drivers reproduce a sound at 45hz? Sure. Can they do it at musical volumes? Nope. They will do around 70-80hz.
 
Do it. I have 530s and I bought the 590s for my media room. I just bought a second set of 530s because, why not?
Ha. I have 590s/520c/230s in my living room. I can't say enough good things about the 590s and I'm sure the 530s are great as well. I'm going to sleep on it before I pull the trigger. I'm trying to be somewhat responsible.
 
God damn it SilverSilver! I have a 3.2 setup consisting of 2x 590's, 2x 550p's, and 1x 520c in the living room already; definitely don't need 2 of these since I don't really have a need for a 5.2 setup, yet they're in my cart right now somehow....
 
I'd like to see a comparison with JBL's studio monitors- for which you can get a powered pair of 8" monitors for the same price, and 6" for less, than these 5" bookshelf speakers. The monitors are also on sale.

While I'd bet with proper amplification they'd be superior for the discerning, I'd have a hard time recommending them over the monitors just based on cost. And the monitors you can run balanced.
 
Apparently they went out of stock a few hours ago. Kind of bitter sweet for me. I got hit with an unexpected bill this month so I really shouldn't have bought them. I went back to my cart to hit buy regardless and they were gone. At least I know they still make them. Hopefully it wont take another two years for another run...
 
Wow... mine are set to be delivered tomorrow and I ordered them on tuesday of last week. Now I need to buy a pre-amp and stereo equalizer...
 
I just got mine. Very big for bookshelf speakers. Surprising amount of base down to 45hz. Good imaging. I like the style of the 530s, however I don’t think I could bring myself to get the matching center, JBL 520. My first thought will always be a pictures anus whenever looking at it. The 570s are still up for sale at a good price for those interested.
 
I got mine Monday night and listened to them last night. I did a back to back comparison between them and some old Insignia bookshelves (NS-B2111) and I have to say they sound pretty terrific. I could hear details in the mids and highs with the 530s that were not noticeable on the Insignia's. Bass output is slightly weaker (I expected this with 5.25" vs 6.5") but not to the point where it detracted from the experience. I could easily listen to these all day without a sub.
 
These are very nice speakers, for reference I have the studio 230s for my desktop and even with a smaller amp they are mind blowing clear and loud. Half volume gets into the permanent hearing damage range based on distance to my seat checking the decibels. So you will definitely want to becareful at first setup if you are going to be sitting close to them.

Part of the joys of good speakers is not needing big amps. Good speakers are efficient, and efficient speakers don't need a lot of power to get loud.
 
Part of the joys of good speakers is not needing big amps. Good speakers are efficient, and efficient speakers don't need a lot of power to get loud.

That's not always true....At all. And the lower the range they can produce, the less efficient they will be. I also would not call these efficient speakers (@86dB), now, the likes of the Heresy III are efficient. But how efficient they are has little to do with sound quality or reproduction.
 
That's not always true....At all. And the lower the range they can produce, the less efficient they will be. I also would not call these efficient speakers (@86dB), now, the likes of the Heresy III are efficient. But how efficient they are has little to do with sound quality or reproduction.


I didn't check the specs. Was more commenting on the thing a lot of folks say about sounding good "even on a small amp".

The HIII's are some great sounding speakers. However, people use them very frequently outside of their design, which was a center channel for voice reproduction. Klipsch also has a habit of listing the efficiency of only the horn, and not of the woofer
 
That's not always true....At all. And the lower the range they can produce, the less efficient they will be. I also would not call these efficient speakers (@86dB), now, the likes of the Heresy III are efficient. But how efficient they are has little to do with sound quality or reproduction.
My NHT classic 3’s also had 86db efficiency, and they have been called some of the best speakers under $1000 since 2012.
 
Damnit, I finally come to terms with buying some new speakers(only took a year) and I miss the deal.

SilverSliver, How are you getting notified or are you just randomly checking?
 
JBL sales are fairly frequent. I would expect to see these on sale again in a few months.

The 530s have not been for sale, let alone on sale, for a few years. I sold an extra set I had sitting around, used, for $800 just a few months ago.

I use a JBL speaker notification on Slickdeals.
 
The 530s have not been for sale, let alone on sale, for a few years. I sold an extra set I had sitting around, used, for $800 just a few months ago.

I use a JBL speaker notification on Slickdeals.

I didn't know this was a thing. Thank you.
 
Got the 520C center to match my 530's. i bought a previous 520 but it had a lot of harsh sibilance. really annoying with voices. hopefully this 2ND one doesnt have that problem. these speakers are very nuetral
 


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