JBL LS Series

The basics

A monstrously powerful dedicated 5.1 set-up, the JBL LS Series comprises three (and a half)-way front floorstanders, rear speakers with bass ports, a dual-driver centre speaker and gargantuan 400W subwoofer.

The good

If the JBL LS Series was a car, it would be a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter. If it was an alcoholic drink, it would be intravenous amphetamine with a drop of champagne. Don’t even think of investing in this gorgeous tropical hardwood installation unless your amplifier goes up to 11. In fact, start it on 11 and take it from there. The aural assault unleashed by this uncompromising behemoth of sound has to be experienced to be believed: explosions bellow, guitar chords soar, voices penetrate and everything, every last pin-drop, is stripped back to its basics and blasted forward. Surround sound cohesion is as solid as the build quality, thanks to a particularly spacious soundstage.

The bad

It’s not really a fault, but the clarity of the LS Series’ high- and ultra-high-frequency transducers are such that background murmurs and whispers – as well any stray scraps of noise – are mercilessly revealed. Put it this way, you’ll soon find out if you’ve skimped on other components in your system.

The bottom line

The LS Series is a less a set of home cinema speakers than a political manifesto. This party believes in anticipatory retaliation and mutually assured sonic destruction, and has impeccable first strike capabilities. Unleash it at your peril.