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Audio Review: JBL EON 515 Portable Self-Powered Loudspeaker
JBL introduced the original EON 15 over a decade ago, and it instantly rocketed to pro audio superstardom, the best selling powered speakers ever. And what was not to love? It was a self-powered two-way PA speaker-on-a-stick with the low-end thump of a 15-inch LF driver—very portable, built-in carry handle, and plenty of SPL and great fidelity. JBL went on to introduce the G2 version of the EON series around the turn of the millennium, and improved upon the original design. Now as we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century, JBL has radically redesigned the series with some pretty significant improvements. I got to put up a pair of EON 515s and listen, and I was happy.
The EON 515’s 27- x 17.3- x 14.4-inch cabinet is formed of a copolymer, with a powder-coated steel grille backed with an acoustically transparent black screen. This cabinet weighs 32.5 pounds—substantially less than either of the previous revisions, which weigh in at around 50 pounds. I’d guess this weight reduction can be largely attributed to lighter amplifiers, but I would also guess that the cabinet itself plays into the speaker’s successful weight-loss program. And JBL’s brochure touts that the copolymer cabinet is “extremely rugged” and, short of bouncing these speakers around on a concrete floor, I’d concur with their claim. And this is no surprise, considering the millions of road miles put on the EON series over the years with no common complaints of disintegration. In addition to small feet that facilitate 45-degree floor wedge use, the cabinet features a 36mm pole socket for speaker-on-a-stick applications. There are also 4 M10 suspension points and an M10 pull back point. Many positioning options are available with these conventions.
The speaker topology is bass-reflex, and the ports are roughly trapezoidal in shape, on either side of the space below the speaker’s HF horn. The ports feature some really cool-looking fins, which are not likely important acoustically. The speaker’s 265F-1 15-inch LF driver features JBL’s excellent and efficient Differential Drive technology, which employs two two-inch voice coils. The HF component is a JBL 2414H one-inch neodymium compression driver coupled to a 100x60-degree asymmetrical waveguide. JBL publishes a frequency range of 39 Hz-20 kHz in the flat position, and a frequency response of 42 Hz-18 kHz (±3dB) also in the flat position. One really cool feature is a switch that defeats the illuminated logo on the front of the cabinet for use in settings where that light would be a distraction. There are nice rubber grip handles on both sides and on the top of the cabinet, making it really easy to move it into position or haul it around.
A two-channel Crown Class-D power amplifier powers the two driver components separately, crossed over at 2.2 kHz. The LF driver receives 350W continuous at driver impedance, and the HF driver receives 100W continuous at driver impedance. Maximum SPL is 129 dB, and I can attest that this specification is true—these speakers deliver plenty of SPL. Distortion is rated at less than 0.1% at the rated power. The built-in three-channel mixer offers one microphone input—a TRS/XLR combo and two line level inputs, ¼-inch TRS—with impedance of 64kΩ (balanced) and 32kΩ (unbalanced). The input panel features a red LED to indicate activation of the speaker’s internal limiter, while a green LED indicates signal presence.
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John McJunkin is the CEO of Avalon Podcasting in Chandler, Arizona, which offers high quality podcast production and consultation services to a broad range of clients. He’s also the host of the Podcast Pro Tech & Tips Podcast at www.avalonpodcasting.com.
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ADD NEW COMMENTI purchased a new JBL EON 515XT after extensive research. The sound quality output is too low compared to my QSC K8. Just two gigs the speaker quit. It has gone to repair shop twice without backordered parts taking over a month now. This is a poorly designed product. Do not waste your money.
Posted by Mike Gwogwo on 02/28/2012 report abuse
The eon 515s are quality speakers, no doubt. I do recommend that you try testing them side by side with Mackie SRM450 speakers, by asking your congregation to rate the sound quality of each. The test will leave no doubt in your mind which to choose. Both brands retail for about the same, are both high quality systems & carry similar warranties.
Posted by St Marys on 06/06/2010 report abuse