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#427507 - 11/04/16 08:58 AM JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One
Bill Lewis Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2445
Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA
Looks like it PA day on the forum so here's some more info:

PA Review: JBL 515XT Vrs. JBL Eon One

I got the manager of the small music store I teach at to get an Eon One in to replace the Bose Compact they finally sold. So I wanted to compare it to the 515xt’s I’ve been using. He said come in early and use the back rehearsal room and go at it. I wish I could do this with some other systems out there like LD Maul, Yorkville EMX or Turbosound.
Set both up in a large practice room at the back of the store. Brought my Roland BK9 Arranger and IPAD. I have a A/B switch so I could go from one to the other quickly. First thing was the One didn’t like to be set on “line” with my keyboard. Hardly any volume so I had to set it to “Mic.’ After balancing the volumes of both systems I tried to also EQ them equally. Very small adjustments. On the “One” I set the Bass to 1 O’Clock with 12 being neutral. Same with the”515”, Treble was left neutral on both
First played just Piano. “One” was much clearer in the midrange. I know I’m not as critical as some here about Piano sounds but both did a good job thru the full range of the keyboard even when pushed in volume.
Tried some Arranger Styles with Vocals. Jazz, Ballad, Rock. Again both did a good job with the One again being clearer with the vocals. Did some Hammond sounds with LH bass and backing drums. Surprisingly the One carried the Bass as well as the 515. And with a 10” speaker !
Same results with some SMF’s. Pushed both up in volume and they did fine.
Then I did some Dance Tunes with the IPAD. Pushed both Systems to what might be their top levels. The One’s limiter started flashing but the system didn’t break up or distort. The 515, having a lot more power didn’t stress at all at that point and could of gone louder. Any more sound needed I would use two of either system for stereo and better coverage.
BUT !!! Here’s my conclusions. The One is a more balanced, clearer sound with actually better Bass response then the 515. It also has wider coverage. To be fair I think the 515 was meant to be part of a larger system with its matching SUB, while the One is a full range stand alone system. And of course the 515 has been replaced with a 615 which has a larger cabinet and more bass response so it could be more of a stand alone system also.
After packing up I brought everything back to the front of the store. I was surprised that even thought the One weighed more it was easier and less bulky to carry with its built in handle than the 515 in its Bag. And a biggie for me, no speaker stands needed for the One.
I was truly surprised with how much sound came out of the Eon One. For my larger gigs and to do stereo I would defiantly want two but it is an amazing system. Now I need more gigs to cover my PA GAS.
_________________________
Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer

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#427509 - 11/04/16 12:13 PM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
Dnj Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Nice review Bill.....but for me LD Maui w/ Stinger subs all the way..

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#427510 - 11/04/16 02:13 PM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
Bill Lewis Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2445
Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA
Like I said I wish I could try the others like I did the JBL.
_________________________
Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer

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#427515 - 11/05/16 05:19 AM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
guitpic1 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 04/16/14
Posts: 1950
Loc: Missouri
I've been using the Eon One for about two months now. It's taken the place of my two Compacts.

I tried one out for a couple of weeks before buying. Thought I'd end up sending it back but the Eon One won me over.

On the plus side.

(1) Warm, big sound...very balanced. I've been looking for a system that could amplify my wife's voice the way I like it. Her voice sounds very good through this system.

(2). Multiple inputs(two for keyboard) all of which work fine. I've heard the criticisms of low input volume, I haven't experienced that.

(3). Lovely, rich bass. To me, my keyboard sounds so much more full than it did with the Bose.

(4). Dispersion. This surprised me. JBL claims 100 degree dispersion vs. Bose claims of 180 degree. Yet, the JBL sounds as wide to me as the Bose. When walking around a large room, the JBL is just as clear and loud as my Bose was at 180 degrees. Also, the JBL has a nice vertical dispersion of sound.

(5) Power. Again this surprised me. In larger rooms, 50-75 folks I run the main volume of the JBL at no more than 60% or I will blow folks out of the room.

Niggles.

The JBL is a bit bulkier than my Bose units. But here's the thing. The extensions on the JBL are enclosed in the cabinet of the JBL...one piece to carry...and I do that on my rock n roller cart.

I'm guessing the Eon One will be a real contender for Bose...especially the Compact. That said, I think the Eon One is more a contender for the Bose L1 1S.

smile
_________________________
It’s all about the learning

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#427544 - 11/06/16 03:46 PM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
Bill Lewis Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2445
Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA
Glad the
One is working for you. Nice when something just is the right fit. I'm very interested but have to hold off for now😃
_________________________
Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer

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#427552 - 11/07/16 04:30 AM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
guitpic1 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 04/16/14
Posts: 1950
Loc: Missouri
I see Sweetwater is running a special on these. Better deal than I got.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EONOne
_________________________
It’s all about the learning

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#427554 - 11/07/16 05:33 AM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
Bill Lewis Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2445
Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA
That seems to be the going price now and I think it may drop further. I'm not ready to jump yet and I think JBL may do an update to address the low volume for the Line setting and the lack of 1/4" or XLR outputs. Maybe they could throw a rain cover in too.
And if I go for the One I defiantly would need two.
_________________________
Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer

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#427574 - 11/07/16 01:41 PM Re: JBL 515xt vrs. JBL Eon One [Re: Bill Lewis]
guitpic1 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 04/16/14
Posts: 1950
Loc: Missouri
A number of folks have mentioned the low input volume of the line inputs. I'm not sure what the deal is as I haven't experienced this.
_________________________
It’s all about the learning

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