I took kind of a chance. And it paid off. I am not normally one to take risks or chances, especially when it comes to spending $1800 on a pair of speakers that I haven't even heard. But after pestering and emailing Jeff Permanian with too many emails to count, asking spec questions, asking measurement questions, asking design questions, asking stupid questions, I purchased 2 JTR Growler subs, sight and sound, unseen and unheard.
All I can say is WOW. I am blown away by their output and quality for such a small box. If you have any doubt about Jeff and his speakers, put it to rest. These subs are world class. They are small, they are efficient, they are loud, round, full, punchy. They are what a sub should be. There's a reason why many other subs cost less ( I'll leave out the manufacture names, you know who they are ), basically you get what you pay for, and the JTR Growlers are a wicked deal - they could cost more IMHO. I initially thought Id buy 2, then down the road 2 more, well... I don't think Ill need two more.
My first gig with them was a bass-demanding hip-hop show. You know that 40Hz ringing bass stuff - boingy bass I call it. Well there was plenty of that. My set up was:
RMX1450 #1 tops bridged mono left side, 900W
RMX1450 #2 tops bridged mono right side, 900W
RMX2450 #1 Growler #1 bridged mono, 1500W
RMX2450 #2 Growler #2 bridged mono, 1500W
Processing : Rane 2way xover (mono sub out, <100hz), Symetrix comp/limiter, Rane EQ. Studiomaster board.
The Growlers were clustered in the center of the stage, exactly 8' from a wall on the left and right side (no cancellations). There was no boundary behind them as the stage was only 8" tall.
The Growlers are very efficient, as most folded horns are. Even though I had my gain structure set up correctly, I had to significantly scale back my sub drive as it was over powering my top boxes. To correlate this fact further, at the end of the evening, when shutting down the amps, the 2 1450s were blowing warm air, while the 2 2450s were as cool as a cucumber - not even working. But the bass output was so marvelous.
I mixed to a very modest level, I measured conservatively an average +106db back at the board (Jeff says +115 db is very doable) , but I was trying to be very cautious since this was my first time out with the Growlers. My sub amps were idling the entire night. I kept my board output level -10db below peak levels all night long, and that's with the gain structure nuts on from the board to the amp. That shows how much reserve was left in the system, but it was still filling the room with quality lows and good his/mids. Walking around the room there was fullness everywhere, no dead spots, and when they were 10 deep at the stage, absolutely no reduction in sub SPL.
The cabinets came very well packed in thick hardboard insulation. I wasn't sure Id like the line-x coating, but it is a great idea. The next thing I need to do is print up DO NOT STEP signs and place them on the cabs, as the talent automatically tried to use them as an extra stage.
If anyone is debating the purchase of new subs, I highly recommend looking into the JTRs. I was on the fence, I had doubts, I wasn't sure if I should believe the shootout and the specs. I think the speakers are better than the specs. Feeling that power bass in the chest was awesome. I cant wait for the next gig to blow people way...
Happy Camper - Mike
I just wanted to add to this: A big thank you to all the guys and vendors that put together the sub shootout. I believe there must have been sacrifices, and volunteering involved, and it is all appreciated. Everyone who contributed played a key role in helping to clarify what top subs are available and what their relative performance is.