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Author Topic: Thoughts on the JBL 3678. Steven Smith Film Handler Posts: 35 From: Boyce, La/ USA Registered: Jul 2014 posted 06-26-2015 08:47 AM                     Hey guys. I just wanted to get some advice on the JBL 3678 being used in a home theater. I know the 3 series is kinda frowned upon around here (although I really like the 3677). The 3678 has the 2226 woofer and is THX certified when run active. I'm actually asking for a friend with a 14 wide room, 8' ceilings and sits 14' away, He found a deal on 3 used 3678 but doesn't want to settle for an inferior sound. To keep it simple,in the opinion of the Pro's (you guys), how does the 3678 compare to the QSC 2150,1120 or even JBL 4722. He's already Spoken with Sam Hynes at QSC and been told any of the QSC would be good for his size room. Between those 4 is there a clearly better speaker as far as mibass, clarity, vocals and overall sound? Thanks guys for any advice.  |  IP: Logged Don Furr Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 509 From: Sun City, Ca USA Registered: Nov 2002 posted 06-26-2015 04:45 PM                     Steven I'm using 3 behind my screen in a room 20' long, 13' wide with 9 foot ceilings. I am not an expert on these things but I think they sound really good. I can't see how the larger speakers would be a good investment in a small room. Tuning the system to your room is everything. There are so many variables.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-26-2015 05:15 PM                     Guys, The QSC trounces the JBL, especially in dialog intelligibility. I've done quite a few of both and there IS no comparison. The JBL is a much older design is are most of their cinema line and not built nearly as well. JBL is not bad by any means but they sure could stand some updating. Some day if they are ever as good as the QSC stuff I may start using them again. Mark  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 06-26-2015 05:26 PM                     QSC are indeed built better but, based on my experience, I really cannot recommend them.  |  IP: Logged Steven Smith Film Handler Posts: 35 From: Boyce, La/ USA Registered: Jul 2014 posted 06-26-2015 09:32 PM                     The 4722 is popular among a few guys with home theaters on avs. How would the QSC 2150 hold up against the 4722? Would the 2150 be superior?  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 06-27-2015 07:49 AM                     I like the 4722, probably a little big for a small room. You'll end up with your phase a little messed up since the sound is coming from three different places (in a big auditorium you can approximate the source to be coming from a single point since the speaker is far away). I do appreciate though that the smaller speaker's performance are not top notch. If the room is big enough, the 4722 are probably going to be ok. For a 14' room... it'll work but probably the speakers are physically too big.  |  IP: Logged Gerald Dente Film Handler Posts: 14 From: southborough MA usa Registered: Jun 2015 posted 06-27-2015 12:11 PM                     In general it seems like the 4722 is to large for the size room? Has anyone heard the SC-1150 in comparison to the JBL 3678? Also, what size screen would you put in a room that is 14 x 20?  |  IP: Logged Gerald Dente Film Handler Posts: 14 From: southborough MA usa Registered: Jun 2015 posted 06-28-2015 08:39 AM                     @Mark Gulbrandsen how would you rate the Sc-1150 compared to the 3677 or 3678? Only qsc speaker I have heard is the k12, when I called qsc they said the cinema speaker would have a similar sound, more low end, tuned for the AT screen. I liked the k12's so much I wanted to use them as speaker, but that wouldnt work in my baffle wall. But comparing the jbl pa speakers to the qsc, I would take the qsc hands down.  |  IP: Logged Gerald Dente Film Handler Posts: 14 From: southborough MA usa Registered: Jun 2015 posted 07-01-2015 07:49 AM                     Would love to hear anyone else chime in on the 3678. Looking to make a decision on what to get. Leaning towards the qsc SC-1150.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-04-2015 08:01 AM                     I'm not a fan of the 3678. The HF on that speaker was not JBL's finest hour.  |  IP: Logged Marcel Birgelen Film God Posts: 3357 From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2012 posted 07-04-2015 09:02 AM                     The QSC-1150 certainly has better HF, also, the thing is perfectly rectangular, which will make your baffle wall construction somewhat easier.  |  IP: Logged Jarod Reddig Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 513 From: Hays, Ks Registered: Jun 2011 posted 07-07-2015 06:06 PM                     In a smallish room with the proper acoustic treatments and EQ I think all the choices above will give you great results. Which ever ones you can get the best deal on Id choose. If money is no option go the QSC route. If it is then you can find a cheap trio of JBL 3677s or 3678s on the used market.  |  IP: Logged Gerald Dente Film Handler Posts: 14 From: southborough MA usa Registered: Jun 2015 posted 07-07-2015 07:47 PM                     I found the 3678 for $1500 for three. not a bad deal and I own the DSI amps already. Biggest issue I have with the 3678 is the horn. Found the sc-1150 for $700 each shipped and the 4722 for $1088. The 4722 and 1150 worth the extra cash? Hard to make a choice when I cant actually demo the speakers.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-08-2015 06:03 AM                     I'd take a 4722 ANY DAY over the 3678. If you gave me the 3678s and the 4722 was $1,100 each...I'd find the $3,300. It is THAT big a difference. And if you did give me the 3678s...I'd eBay them...there is always a sucker out there.  |  IP: Logged Gerald Dente Film Handler Posts: 14 From: southborough MA usa Registered: Jun 2015 posted 07-08-2015 07:33 AM                     Thanks for the comments everyone. It is very hard to make a decision when I cant actually demo the system. I personally dont like the look of the 3678 and I know that shouldnt play a role in my purchase but, its just so ugly. That horn.. no thanks. 4722 has a pretty flat response and not hard drop off after 12khz. I would be running them with DSI amps to get the most of the speaker. I think its either going to be the 4722 or the QSC sc-1150. Price is not the issue I would rather get the speaker that's better for my application. Small room 14x20. I also have twelve ported 18" subs in that room. I went a tad overboard but if its not worth over doing its not worth doing IMO.  |  IP: Logged

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