Phil Jones speaker cables - worth it?

[Cave Puppy]

It's funny reading this thread so many years after I started this one:

Who else thinks Phil Jones missed it?

And the guy even PM'd me with threats or whatever.

13 years later...

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

 

[Rockbobmel]

there's no current need for his cabs, since my Bag Ends have been completely reliable and they've never done me wrong.

I would totally trust Bag End. They are an awesome company and I NEVER EVER heard anyone say anything bad about them. That being said, Call Bag End and ask them what they would recommend. It will be an honest, no BS, answer. Besides, it's kind of a thrill to talk to a human that knows the product.

 

[lomo]

I have owned several PJB products (9B cab, original suitcase + ext, etc). I still have a Double 4 for travel and received a Cub Pro and C2 ext cab in a recent trade. As I have posted before, the smallest PJB offerings are good if one wants the absolute smallest size, or the really nice finish details, or the eccentric look of the smaller drivers...BUT....using many tiny drivers increases the ratio of metal to paper (and therefore weight) , complexity and cost with zero sonic advantage. 4 of those 5" drivers cannot compete for volume (or projected low end) with a good 112 cab....and will weigh more. The full 240 watts from the Cub Pro into the 4 drivers (combo + ext cab) is about as loud as the 175 watts from my iAmp Micro into my Quilter 10" cab........and the PJB setup weighs almost 40 lbs, which is more than a good boutique 12" cab.

 

[BlueTalon]

I have owned several PJB products (9B cab, original suitcase + ext, etc). I still have a Double 4 for travel and received a Cub Pro and C2 ext cab in a recent trade. As I have posted before, the smallest PJB offerings are good if one wants the absolute smallest size, or the really nice finish details, or the eccentric look of the smaller drivers...BUT....using many tiny drivers increases the ratio of metal to paper, complexity and cost with zero sonic advantage. 4 of those 5" drivers cannot compete for volume (or projected low end) with a good 112 cab....and will weigh more. The full 240 watts from the Cub Pro into the 4 drivers (combo + ext cab) is about as loud as the 175 watts from my iAmp Micro into my Quilter 10" cab........and the PJB setup weighs almost 40 lbs, which is more than a good boutique 12" cab.

If by "4 of those 5" drivers" you mean your Cub Pro and the C2 extension cab, I'm not entirely sure that's a fair comparison with "a good 112 cab." The C4 cab would be a better comparison. I'd put my C8 cab up against any 210 cab, any day of the week, for both volume and low end.

 

[lomo]

If by "4 of those 5" drivers" you mean your Cub Pro and the C2 extension cab, I'm not entirely sure that's a fair comparison with "a good 112 cab." The C4 cab would be a better comparison. I'd put my C8 cab up against any 210 cab, any day of the week, for both volume and low end.

Those 4 drivers and combined volume of the boxes are nearly identical to a C4, and they don't compete favourably with my 110 cab. I did own a 9B in the past, and both the suitcase and extension; IME none of those products competed with offerings from other companies of similar price that weighed significantly less. The C8 cab weight is listed on the PJB site as 57 lbs, which is 2 lbs more than a Genzler 410, 8 lbs more than a Berg 212 and 5 lbs more than a Mesa Subway 212, all of which will bury the C8 deeply in terms of absolute sensitivity and volume. FWIW the C8 weight is also TWENTY-TWO lbs more than a Berg 210. Personally, I hear no sonic advantage through the PJB cabs (I actually prefer the Mesa, Barefaced and Berg offerings) , although they are very solid, finished slick and look cool. I do not mean to be argumentative, I enjoy my Cub Pro and Double 4, but the weight per volume output disadvantage of the PJB designs is undeniable. Some may be convinced they sound better than conventional cabs with fewer drivers. I was drawn by clever ad copy to spend my dollars and have played/listened for myself, but hear nothing uniquely positive through them, although they are certainly clear sounding. YMMV

 

[BlueTalon]

...but hear nothing uniquely positive through them, although they are certainly clear sounding. YMMV

Well, if clarity isn't something you value in your sound, then I at least understand why you say you hear nothing uniquely positive in them. I value the clarity. A lot.

The C8 is indeed heavy for its size. If it didn't have wheels and a telescoping handle, it would be more cumbersome, and my opinion of it would probably be reduced somewhat. But even when I have to carry it, it's smaller size mitigates the weight a bit. It's not nearly as problematic to move as one of my subs, which weighs marginally more but is far bulkier.

 

[lomo]

Well, if clarity isn't something you value in your sound, then I at least understand why you say you hear nothing uniquely positive in them.

I do value clarity, but PJB cabs don't sound any clearer to me than other good cabs. YMMV; we all hear things bit differently

 

[DJ Bebop]

I, for one, will NEVER buy or use another PJB product ever again. I bought the 4x5 cab years ago and it was an unmitigated POS. Quality Control was horrible. The tolex was separating and there was a buzz I couldn't resolve. I played exactly one half gig with it and returned it as soon as I could. I also bought the $99 PJB headphones and THOSE were also an unmitigated POS. They broke within three months of barely any use. I mentioned my unhappiness at both sub-standard purchases in the Phil Jones FB group and the man himself, Mr. Phil Jones, tore me a new one. He said I was lying and was basically otherwise thrashing me because I was unhappy with his "products." Never offered at all to make it right, so eff that guy and his "products." Shows to go you how much he cares about his customers. I will bash Phil Jones and his "products" every chance I get, in every Phil Jones post I see.

It seems to me the best approach would have been for Phil to say "PM me and let's talk about it and see what I can do to make you happy!" In the FB group. Would have made him look like he cared about his customers.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I wouldn't write off PJB just because of a cable possibly being too expensive. Some of us love PJB gear for different reasons. I'm not familiar with their newer products but I got a BG-150 combo amp because it was perfect for low-volume requirements, it included multiple drivers (4), which always sound better to my ears than a single driver, and it includes two up-firing 5's so you can actually hear what's going on. I also have a PB-300 powered cab, which is six 5-inch drivers. I like it being compact and delivering precise, clear tone -- whatever I feed it is reproduced accurately. And I can pair the powered cab and combo together if needed. I don't believe either cab is manufactured now, but I bought them for specific reasons that are still fulfilled so I'm very happy. And I've had a TON of different premium cabs and amps over the years!

 

[BQFS]

This thread is hilarious. I am 73 and got my start in electronics by working at a local stereo store while attending junior college. The same arguments I heard over 50 years ago (can you actually hear the difference between speaker cables) are still going on today. I generally stay out of the arguments in order to avoid wasting time. Generally, I buy the wire and the connectors and make my own, which sound great and don't fail. Personally, I think it is a case of rationalization - if I paid $100 for a cable, then I need to convince myself it sounds better so I don't feel like a fool. Most, if not all, is just as many previous posters put it - Hype and Snake Oil.