"JBL's latest EON speakers sound good, look good and they are dead easy to transport, set up and use. I'd happily use the EON 515/518S system on any number of live sound gigs, and I just might - for the first time ever - actually look forward to the packing up part!"
The unveiling of the EON500 series self-powered and lightweight speakers immediately raises the bar in the category of molded powered loudspeakers in all aspects, from industrial design to sonic performance, integrated utility and portability.
As in previous reviews it is the systems weight, which is noticed and praised first. "The most noticeable physical thing about the 515s is their weight - or lack of it. At a gnat's over 14kg, they are ridiculously easy to move around, and that's before you even hear what they can do!"
"I first set up the 515s on their own in a fairly dead, carpeted lecture room about 15x8 metres, and used various speech and music sources to see what they sounded like. I didn't really expect them to sound anything but good, and I wasn't disappointed. Speech was clear and warm, and I found the Cut EQ setting to be most effective in this acoustic, as there was still plenty of low-end warmth for AV presentations. When I turned up the level to 'party' volume and set the EQ back to Flat, the 515s sounded very lively with plenty of top-end 'zizz' and ample thump to use in a small venue without the subs. Using a single speaker to cover the whole room worked very well indeed too."
"In the open air (with the full system), it was noticeable how much power there is on tap from the new EONs. The bass was satisfyingly deeep and solid and I found the middle range and top end to be clear, open and not at all fatiguing to listen to, even at pretty high volume. Projection is good too, and with the 515s pole-mounted overhead height, the sound remained well balanced and full-sounding at a respectable open-air distance".
"After only a few hours' use I was becoming quite attached to the new EONs, and every time I moved and re-rigged them over a period of a week or so I appreciated their light weight and excellent carry handles. These speakers not only have the manners for quality presentations and refined live performance, but, unquestionably, also have enough power in reserve to kick out some serious rock & roll on demand".
To read the full review, pick up the March Issue of Performing Musician Magazine or click here. The JBL EON 515's and 518S's are available now at £1035 and £1167 RRP respectively.
