Massdrop JBL LSR30X 5" Active Studio Monitors

I have a pair of the 305s at my parent's place and even when everything around me is quiet, I absolutely cannot hear the hiss from the couch 8 feet away. I have to get within 2feet to hear it. Isnt much of an issue in my opinion, unless you're using them nearfield - then its likely to be audible in a quiet environment

These are one of the few good early audio purchases I made before I found SBAF/Changstar. Not sure who to thank, but they're worth it!

 

Here's the thing: the LSR305s are great speakers. Really, really great. Let me be clear about that.

If you're using them in a room, you're fine. If you run the AC, you're fine. If you're in an office environment, you're fine. If you're in an urban environment, you're fine.

But they do hiss.

If you're sitting close to them, and you work in a relatively quiet environment, it may bother you. Or it may not. I'd personally like to find a dead-silent, Class-AB-amp monitor and go with that. But that may not even exist. And I don't have an interest in getting into speakers.

 

As are the Emotiva Airmotiv series, which seem dead quiet to me.

 

I think it would be well worth your while. The E5's don't get the recommendations that the 305's get because of the JBL fanboys (not saying that the fandom isn't warranted, only that it sometimes obscures other offerings). That they accept balanced and unbalanced signals make it easy to integrate them into something like an entertainment system without the need for an AVR if you are extra strapped for cash. I was tweaking mine today, and am impressed with the transparency that they can achieve. I'm very interested to hear your impressions if you get to try them out.

 

I have LSR305s as my guitar monitors/computer speakers and they're quite good. To neutralize the hiss, I knock the volume way down as far as I can take it on the monitors themselves then max out the volume on my PC. 4-5 ticks from the lowest volume on the monitors, I hear no hiss from a few feet away.

My only problem I've had is that one of my LEDs died and I hate not seeing symmetry, so I'm going to cover up the working LED with electrical tape.

 

OK, so these days there are special products to stick over annoying LEDs, to obscure or dim them as requred, and I do think that is a damned good idea... but you might find that black marker pen does the trick, and very neatly.

That is how I am comfortable with the bright on/off red/green LED on the amp 18 inches from my eye is made comfortable. I could have blacked it out entirely, but I need to see, so blacked it maybe 80%

Any felt-tip made for writing on glass/plastic/metal/etc will do nicely.

 

The hissing bothered me when I first got the speakers but I can't even hear it anymore at listening position, I guess I've gotten used to it, I have to put my ears up to the speakers to really hear it now.

 

I called JBL and they mentioned that if you pick any two 305s, they are likely to be matched to 3db. He also added that he doesn't have anything in writing on the specs, but doesn't expect it to better than that.

EDIT: Scratch that ^^. I called again and spoke to the same person. This time he took well over 15 minutes to look through system and consult with his peers. And he mentioned that any two units would be matched to 1db across the frequency range. In addition to that, he mentioned that the only difference on the massdrop version is that rubber feet and the shiny finish because the matching remains the same.

 

Massdrop reduced the price on these to 280. Now it really does seem like a good deal. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-jbl-lsr30x-powered-speakers

 

ohh gawd... no no no... aww man that's really an amazing offer... wife will kill me if I sneak these in the house

 

I notice a post by Wrestler on the site. I appreciate the Wrestler’s research but I need to clarify some points in his comments.

The 3dB figure Wrestler refers to is actually part of the frequency response spec. The frequency response spec does not represent speaker-to-speaker variation or speaker Match. And the 1dB spec mentioned a measure of LSR305 speaker-to-speaker match, unfortunately was provided in error. This is a spec related to performance of the electronics. I’d like to share some technical details that explain the differences in our very popular LSR305 and this special edition LSR30X (I'll do that in a post below). Thanks very much!

 

JBL LSR30X DESIGN GOALS AND PERFORMANCE

As you know, we at JBL Professional have developed a custom version of the very popular LSR305 powered studio monitor specifically for the Massdrop community.

In producing the LSR30X, our goal is to celebrate the popular LSR305, producing a limited quantity with an extra level of performance and refinement. How does this special LSR30X differ from the standard LSR305? Here are the details:

An Extra Measure of Performance:

While the LSR30X utilizes the same High Frequency and Low Frequency transducers as used in production of the LSR305, there is one significant difference. Following production, measurements of all LSR30X speakers are carefully reviewed to identify pairs of speakers that have a performance variation of less than 1dB. The benefit of matched pairs and use of a 1dB criteria optimizes system performance in the area of imaging, resulting in enhanced depth and detail heard in stereo recordings. While the patented Image Control Waveguide gives the LSR305 an advantage in this area, the additional care taken to produce matched pairs gives the 30X a refined level of performance. Just as a matched pair of microphones is used to optimize the stereo image in a recording, matched 30X pairs optimize the stereo image in playback of the recording.

The Actual figures:

In the development of the LSR305, our internal design criteria was +/- 3dB from 49 Hz to 20 kHz with a usable Frequency Range of 43Hz to 22 kHz. As mechanical devices, low and high frequency transducers vary in performance. To ensure all speakers meet or exceed our criteria, on the assembly line all speakers are measured relative to an engineering standard unit. In this test, the speaker being measured can vary from the standard by no more than +/- 1.75dB at certain frequencies to 2.25dB at others. While the average performance is consistently better, these figures represent the "worst-case" speaker-to speaker-match. The LSR30X speakers offered by MassDrop have a guaranteed speaker to speaker variation of no more than +/- 0.5 dB, which is total of only 1dB across the bandwidth!

In order to guarantee +/- 0.5 dB variation as shown in the Massdrop description, we added an additional process in the production of these speakers.


A Measure of Class and Refinement:

The refined appearance of the LSR30X are the result of effort and additional cost. The LSR305 enclosure is made of dense MDF wood fiber covered with a vinyl finish for durability. The fascia of the speaker, the “Baffle” is slightly textured and painted with a satin black paint. Rather than a vinyl finish the LSR30X has a special glossy black painted furniture-finish. Preparation of the enclosure surface starts with manual application of putty and a carful process of sanding by a skilled operator on the line. The enclosure is carefully cleaned to prepare for the application of primer coat. Once dry, the enclosure is sanded fine finish sanding process. The enclosure is cleaned prior to painting with a high-gloss polyurethane top-coat. After this has dried, the finish is buffed to produce a smooth, high-gloss surface. This manufacturing process yields a furniture-finish that is not only elegant, but also more durable than traditional lacquer.

The supplied hemispherical feet contribute to superior imaging by isolating the speaker from the supporting surface, reducing interactive resonance, resulting in a tighter image.

We are proud of the LSR30X speakers and it is our wish that they will deliver years of satisfaction that those fortunate to own them.

I'm off for the holiday weekend, but thanks for your time and attention!

 

Huh so Amazon has them for 283 now. What's the incentive to get the drop? The finish and matching?

I feel like while this price isn't bad in any way it's not particularly special especially considering the delayed shipping. Is the pairing really that important on these units compared to "normal" 305s? Is it that noticeable of an improvement? I'm not trying to sound cynical I can 100% be convinced. They are really pretty.

I'm a big JBL fan (LSR4328ps are my main speakers) but I'm somewhat disappointed by this price. Can someone reconvert me?

 

I really appreciate you chiming in! I called my Sweetwater rep to see if they had a pair of LSR305s instock and cared to find me a pair that were matched a little tighter. They informed me that I wouldn't be able to notice a difference -.- even in the best of room conditions. Which was disappointing to hear, I might need to forward this over to that rep. I appreciate his... reassuring me that the product he had was just as good... but I don't appreciate foaming off at the mouth. The MassDrop price is freaking Insane... and I'm really most likely going to wind up with a pair of these Hidden away some where... for obvious reasons

 

Thanks for the heads-up on this! I am very impressed with Massdrop's ability to negotiate a lower price on this drop and the HD6XX drop. I jumped on this, now I need to figure out how to connect these...via Mjo2 or straight outta Gungnir Multibit? Time to read...

 

Gungnir Multibit. Do not use Mjo 2 as a pre for speakers. It is not transparent as a pre. They have a volume control on the back but you can get a passive monitor volume controller if you need one.

 

Huh, was just thinking I could hook these up to the pre outs of my Vali 2. So straight from my Gungnir Multibit and just control volume in Windows?

Will the now included "3.5mm TRS to Dual ¼” TS cable" be all I need? (sorry, new to active speakers)

 

Can I somehow use the SYS I have laying around to control the volume? I am 100% ignorant with studio monitors.