Component Speaker Test Part 3 JL C3-650 Are you Paying For the Name?
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- This is Part 3 of our Mid Level component speaker test. These $499 JL audio Big Brand components are put to the test. Are they just a fancy name, or do they really deliver? We put these up against another set as well. Price vs Performance do these make the cut Subscribe to see the rest of the series and the final video where we compare all the speakers head to head!
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Liked and subscribed. New follower. Love the show man
Thanks. Let me know what you would like to see more of. New amp tests?, Speaker tests? Oldschool gear? Junky yardsale/thrift store finds? Personally I like the last two categories!
I have my 2 pairs of c3 650’s for 13years on a slash 300/4 amp. At a car audio parking lot the workers wanted to hear the difference of a fully loaded Rockford system he was actually the owners cousin that was trying to sell rocksford products to everybody.
Maybe it was my tune but erybody picked my car that sounded cleaner. After 2 weeks I went back to the audio shop and the same guy now has JL everything and a model that was better than mine. I’ll never forget that experience lol.
But I am very happy with my c3 that I just recently installed 2 more pairs in my truck on RD 400/4.
With no subs, my set up isn’t harsh on the ears but just really loud and clear.
I totally see where you are coming from. This is why I am testing these speakers head to head in the same environment. The owner of these speakers listened to them and thought they sounded really good. I then switched them to the focal woofer and the first thing he said was, "oh wow, the C3 set sounds like its in a hole" Like I said in some of these test videos, these speakers were all bought by me or loaned to me, and are being auditioned to be used in my cars. I have no vested interest in any brand here. I'm just the idiot who has spent a ton of money to figure out what I want to use in my own stuff. lol. I appreciate you watching and commenting
@ could you also adjust the eq for each speaker because I know with no adjustments a a lower end speaker could sound better than a better model with no adjustments.
@ good job with videos!
@@briancastillo8014 I did that. What I have found with that "hallow" sound is that the EQ cannot make it go away. The eq really isn't fixing much, but maybe adjusting for the environment. A speaker that sounds good without eq is always going to sound good. I'm trying to help find those "good" affordable speakers, these are not them. You are paying for a name, convertable tweeter, etc. By the end of this series My hopes are to find to really good sets to use in my stuff. thanks for watching
@ honestly that’s what I thought too but there’s a video of a comparison between to different models and the lower model was better with no adjustments but after adjusting than the higher model was way better.
Looking forward to the videos
Much as I love JL, I had a pair of the C5's at around £500, and replaced them with a set of Morel Tempo's at £180. The Morel's are/were much better. Same with the sub. Had a 12W6 which was over £600 and replace it with an SA-12 at £180. Even in a makeshift sealed enclosure, the difference in SQ was obvious. the Sundown killed the JL! And when it came to output, JL couldn't compete.
I have respect for JL, but there's just far better out there for much, much less money.
Sad when sundown is better than JL 😂
$450 for plastic and poly?! How does Sky High do it with machined baskets, neo magnets, and carbon cones for $150 more. You’re definitely buying the name, just like their overpriced subs and amps
wait until I release the video on the JL C7, they are $2000. The Hyanka has machined baskets, and they are under $100. JL better wake up! thanks for watching Please subscribe!
I'm running the Q series 6.5's mb quart and very satisfied.
💯 could tell the difference between the jl and focal with the focal being fuller.
Getting what you pay for, sometimes.
I wouldn't say so with those jl's though.
Not talking trash, just my opinion.
Ty sir for sharing your experience with them 🤞
We will be testing some MB quart 3 ways next. Thanks for watching!
@Hi-Fire-do very nice ty for the heads up
I subscribed
I am always looking for SQ videos
Now I have a channel
Thanks!
The plus 2 on any crossover. Is in relationship to the mid it was designed to be mated to.
So if the mid basses efficency is 88db per watt. The tweeter on the plus 2 will be 90 dB per watt. Making it slightly louder than the. mid bass. The reference or 0 position means both are 88.
The negative 2 position would be 86db. Making it not as loud as the mid bass per by 2 dB.
I totally get that. The confusing part was the jumpers on the mid for “presence”. Instructions didn’t eliminate much in that.
Great videos❤❤❤
Thank you!!
If you ever get a chance to try any ATG (Auto To Go) speakers, preferably the transended series i believe you'll like them. I have the 4×6 and 5 1/4 in my 3rd Gen Camaro and they sound amazing. And for the price on Amazon it was a no-brainer.
I reached out to them to see if they wanted to help out with a discount. We will see. Thanks.
Looking to upgrade my speakers, i was thinking these or some morel but not sure. How do these compare to morel tempo or maximo?
I have tested a lot of sets but not either of those. Sorry. Wait until you see the final test in this series. It might help you make your choice!
JL is standing on the shoulders of its reputation in the 90s and 00s. Their value is gone. You DONT get what you pay for w/ JL unless you buy used which, is fine. But if you're buying new, $ for $ there are much better options that comically outperform JL.
I knew I wasn't going to be overly impressed with these C3 components, which evidently showed through in the video. If you watched my other two in this series, I would take either over these. I thought it was a good opportunity to show where this speaker was deficient, by using a better mid woofer. I know people are gonna get all fired up with this because many people think $500 is an expensive speaker set. My point it to show where companies cut corners to meet price points and profit levels. I would expect more from JL, we all know they CAN make an amazing speaker. This is the price point where speakers start to be "good" I do feel that there are better options than the C3 at this price. I have 2 more sets to test. BTW, I bought or borrowed EVERY set in this test, and they are all auditioning for use in one of my personal cars! I appreciate you watching and commenting.
@Hi-Fire-do $ for $, I would pick Dayton, Karma or Stereo Integrity over JL any day. And I have. My JL 3 way comps were replaced w/ Dayton at nearly 60% less than JL and sound 100x better.
I've written at length about the JL price hike. I remember looking at a 8W3v3 for £129. Now you'll pay £369. Looked at the Alpine Type R8, that's gone up from £150 to £169. The same with the flagship 13W7 .... that thing is now £1999. For that, you can buy 2 x 24" Stereo Integrity subs or 10 x 18" Stereo Integrity. I try my hardest to love JL, but for me, they've become the brand for people who don't know better, but think they do!
Love their amps, I gotta say, I love their amps, but like the speakers and subs, they've also seen their price increases. JL has become the boutique brand, for Happy Meal performance. SPL, there's better for less, and there is no bona fides for their SQ performance apart from the odd ill-informed fanboy … fan person saying they are, which commentary doesn't stand up to any scrutiny!
Again, I want to love them, but in the face of so many great companies and the demonstrable performance benefits for seriously less money, I can't do it anymore, I can't recommend or justify JL anymore ... even though I still love their amps.
How do you not know what the inner working of the crossovers then rate?
I have had my hands on more sets of crossovers! take a look at the C6 vs the C3 and you will see, these weren't the short coming or where JL cut the most corners. I haven't been impressed with anything from JL in a while, sorry to say.
As a JL Audio dealer anything below the C7 is just meh....Focal and Arc make much better speakers at the equivalent price points imho. The only thing JL i like selling is their subwoofers, their amps dont hold a candle to Arc and Mosconi amplifiers
Thanks for the info. I feel the same way. The same guy who loaned us these had a set of c6, but he just sold them. I would love to test some high end, over $1000 set. Seems like there are better options in this price range. I just would expect more from JL, although we tested the C1’s and they aren’t any good even at free. Thanks for watching.
@@Hi-Fire-doIf the lower tier JLs or not worth the money then what budget brand is worth the money due to the face that they are less expensive and produce the same if not more? Like say the NVXx series you tested
@@Hi-Fire-doAlso I have the Infiniti 6 x 9 to 8 components and they sound incredible. But my Lexus also has 2 1/2 inch mid range tweeters in the dash and to be honest that’s what makes the fuller sound. I’m at all with the amount of midbass and quality you get from infinity and they’re 6 mile nine components if you ever get a chance, I would love to see you test their new series of Capa speakers that allows you to convert a three-way system from a two-way system. The only problem is of course it cost a fortune to buy two separate sets to make a three-way component set. Well maybe not a fortune but anything over 500 and something dollars to me starts to become a little bit unnecessary when you have three kids just for one set of component speakers
@@julesbruchez-theartofgrapp9646 did you watch the entire play list? here is the final video with the results. I am also doing some under $150 component tests. please susbcribe to see these here is the link
ua-cam.com/video/ElkvYz_nxWU/v-deo.html
@@julesbruchez-theartofgrapp9646 if you watch our very first 3 way test we did 6 months ago. We tested the Kappa 3 way. I found it sounded better as a 2 way. It was the 2" dome midrange that was so bad. Apparently they now make a 3" midrage that is a cone driver that would likely be better. I just wasn't impressed with the Kappa's, I think the Focal 3 way was a MUCh better set for a bit less. I have a link in that Focal video to get a good price on them.
Well right of bat, it says JL on it so you know it's overpriced. They don't step down the materials to fit the budget. They do it to increase the profit margin.
Apparently so. I'm trying to find the "mid level" speaker from a "big Brand" that delivers. Thanks for watching, I have a few more speakers to test in this series. Please subscribe
@@Hi-Fire-do for the price I've been wondering what the Illusion E6 sounds like. So far I'm loving the Illusion E12's I bought($102/pc) on my ol school Phoenix Gold system
@@roughboygarage1475 I sold the C6 Carbons, they were $650 new, and I don't think they were worth that much. Unique design and good materials. Better than these JL though
@@Hi-Fire-do yeah their top of the line stuff is outrageous.
"you know it's overpriced."
I've written at length about the JL price hike. I remember looking at a 8W3v3 for £129. Now you'll pay £369. Looked at the Alpine Type R8, that's gone up from £150 to £169. The same with the flagship 13W7 .... that thing is now £1999. For that, you can buy 2 x 24" Stereo Integrity subs or 10 x 18" Stereo Integrity. I try my hardest to love JL, but for me, they've become the brand for people who don't know better, but think they do!
Love their amps, I gotta say, I love their amps, but like the speakers and subs, they've also seen their price increases. JL has become the boutique brand, for Happy Meal performance. SPL, there's better for less, and there is no bona fides for their SQ performance apart from the odd ill-informed fanboy … fan person saying they are, which commentary doesn't stand up to any scrutiny!
Again, I want to love them, but in the face of so many great companies and the demonstrable performance benefits for seriously less money, I can't do it anymore, I can't recommend or justify JL anymore ... even though I still love their amps.
Bruh, are you sure Paper or Composite cone is better? To all the Bassheads out there that are quick to bash,, A Sound Engineer worked with Audio Engineers to make these marketable and sound great with their logo and stand behind them..
I have listened to ten sets and so far the JL and their plastic cones sound hollow. Sorry.
@Hi-Fire-do all good my Basshead brother. Don't take me serious, loving the Channel!
@@georgebailey6307 I'm no bass head! I knew I wasn't going to be overly impressed with these C3 components, which evidently showed through in the video. If you watched my other two in this series, I would take either over these. I thought it was a good opportunity to show where this speaker was deficient, by using a better mid woofer. I know people are gonna get all fired up with this because many people thing $500 is an expensive speaker set. My point it to show where companies cut corners to meet price points and profit levels. I would expect more from JL, we all know they CAN make an amazing speaker. This is the price point where speakers start to be "good" I do feel that there are better options than the C3 at this price. I have 2 more sets to test. BTW, I bought or borrowed EVERY set in this test, and they are all auditioning for use in one of my personal cars! I appreciate you watching and commenting.
@@ks71z28 You're right brother, the big Brands can do better, and some of them do! I feel like some of the 'elite' brands get away with jacked up prices because of name brand. I have four 5 Way Kenwood 6x9s in my doors, 2 Kicker DS350's in the dash. I made Lots of tweaks to my Crossovers and EQ on the Head Unit and my daily driver work truck SCREAMS! The DB SA-302 adds the bass that the neighbors hear a block away haha. Subscribed..
@@georgebailey6307 Thats awesome. I started the next video today. They are more budget, but they might be ok. I'm just surprised what JL is selling as middle of the road. Glad I was able to give these back to the owner and not own them! thanks for subscribing
You left the sub on it. It’s kind of hard to hear the difference between the two speakers.
Could you not hear the hallow sound of the JL? That really was the biggest most troublesome nature of that speaker. I was really put off by it in its price range. A lot of other better speakers for less. Did you see the focal 165as3 we just tested? The NVX was much better as well for less.
You started the show putting down the speakers and it got worse. From the start it wasn’t a bias opinion. Not very helpful
I knew I wasn't going to be overly impressed with these C3 components, which evidently showed through in the video. If you watched my other two in this series, I would take either over these. I thought it was a good opportunity to show where this speaker was deficient, by using a better mid woofer. I know people are gonna get all fired up with this because many people thing $500 is an expensive speaker set. My point it to show where companies cut corners to meet price points and profit levels. I would expect more from JL, we all know they CAN make an amazing speaker. This is the price point where speakers start to be "good" I do feel that there are better options than the C3 at this price. I have 2 more sets to test. BTW, I bought or borrowed EVERY set in this test, and they are all auditioning for use in one of my personal cars! I have no vested interest with any brand. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
£500 C5's I had, but still, when I bought a pair of the Morel Tempo's at £180, they killed the C5's and I never looked back. Even with a £600 12W3v3, when I tried the £180 SA-12 ... in a makeshift sealed enclosure, it was immediately apparent the Sundown killed when it came to SQ, and when it came to SPL, the JL had no chance!
The same with the flagship 13W7 .... that thing is now £1999. For that, you can buy 2 x 24" Stereo Integrity subs or 10 x 18" Stereo Integrity subs, and only an idiot would say anything negative about SI, let alone 10 of them!
I try my hardest to love JL, but for me, they've become the brand for people who don't know better, but think they do! JL has become the boutique brand, for Happy Meal performance. SPL, there's better for less, and *there is no bona fides for their SQ performance apart from the odd ill-informed fanboy … fan person saying they are, which commentary doesn't stand up to any scrutiny!*
*If anyone can show me a scrap of objective, demonstrable data, and not simply saying that JL are "Da best" … I'm all ears.* SPL, they have no standing, and SQ, as far as I know Scott Bulwadla of Hybrid Audio still holds the highest IASCA score ever, and they're in EMMA other brands like DLS and Ground Zero for years (of all brands) swept the board.
I know the home audio sub has gotten rave reviews, but those audiophiles reviewers have a conflict of interest, and they would give a 5-star review to a golden doggie doo if incentivized, so we can easily dismiss their view on anything audio related!