Jacob Jensen Speakers, S55 or MC120.2 Pick of the bunch?

I've recently fallen completely in love with Jacob Jensen's design aesthetic. I am currently considering a pair of speakers for the study (3.5m a 3.5m x 2.7h) Recently a few pairs of S55 have come across my radar as well as a pair of MC120.2s. I really admire the split grille design concept (visually that is) however I'd love to hear some opinions regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two models. (Plus any other suggestions that could help me in my decision making)

Regards and thanks in advance, Yuri.

To be honest I wouldn't recommend the S55's. I had a pair for three years, I had them refurbished (refoamed woofers, all drivers checked and new caps) when I first got them. I thought they sounded ok with a sweet midrange but the bass was always a bit boomy and light on, they have a pretty average woofer in them in my opinion.

I was always curious about s45-2 as I read so many positive reviews on here. I eventually got a pair and realised what I had been missing for years, much tigher, deeper, more controlled bass, sweeter midrange and much more defined top end.

I would recommend looking somewhere in the Jacob Jensen line although due to having no experience with the other models with that particular look I am unable to make a specific recommendation.

Drew

Yes S45.2 are way better than S55, S75 are also worth to listen.

Hi Yuri,

I would certainly echo the recommendation of the S 45.2, but your post mentions how much you appreciate the split grille design of the S55s and MC120.2. If you are committed to that course, the MC120s are an excellent speaker (I have a pair), but many on this forum rate the S55 quite highly as well

Both the S55s and the MC120s have bass drivers that are prone to foam rot, by the way.

Cleve

Andrew:

To be honest I wouldn't recommend the S55's. I had a pair for three years, I had them refurbished (refoamed woofers, all drivers checked and new caps) when I first got them. I thought they sounded ok with a sweet midrange but the bass was always a bit boomy and light on, they have a pretty average woofer in them in my opinion.

I don't know how true it is, but I was told the S55s were targeted at the Japanese market.

It was one of those impulse things - I had test driven the S45s - and liked them - and then at the last minute I figured I could stretch the budget and ordered S55s - and have lived to regret it.

I too possess a pair of MC120-2 and they are very neutral, ruler-flat. If your hearing is perfect in upper frequencies they will make you happy, unless you are a bass freak. Their power handling is enormous, so a little bass boost is always possible.

However, if your hearing is slightly impaired above 8-10 kHz, they will lack treble for you!

I do believe that the phase-link driver is quite different between the s55 (lowest spec in the range) and the higher models.

I have also read on here once that the s55 came in two versions, one with a dedicated actual phase link driver and one with what is effectively a 4" philips midrange with a large woofer dust cover stuck over it, how true this is or isn't im not sure as I havent compared too closely.

Drew

Thank you all very much for your advice. I think, at this stage,  will pass on the 55's and continue the hunt....

Onward and upward!

Well I tracked down a mint set of S45-2s and they sound fantastic! I'll still be on the lookout for some later units to add to the collection but I'm pretty darn pleased with the 45s.

Just add another pair of S45-2 I've got 2 pairs in a 10m2 room and love them.

Yuri:

Well I tracked down a mint set of S45-2s and they sound fantastic! I'll still be on the lookout for some later units to add to the collection but I'm pretty darn pleased with thean.

 

Congrats with the S45-2's! Great sounding speakers

But if you find a pair of MC120.2 speakers then buy them too. Imo they're some of the best of the 'wooden boxes' (except for the top models M150 and MS150 -and the older M100's)