But performance in the real world is affected by the acoustics of your car or home, your choice of amplification, and your source material.

Three-ohm voice coils in GTO 629 speakers allow compensation for any added resistance by thin factory-installed speaker wiring. Sometimes speakers that are this “forward” in the mid-range can fatigue in a short amount of time, but that isn't the case here. Carbon-injected Plus One cones are larger than others in their size class, meaning they move more air and make more bass. The sonic performance of various individual loudspeakers can be very different and a very personal preference.

In here, my references are always the same and I can more easily detect small differences in equipment. Regular readers of my test reports know I prefer to audition new products in my listening room instead of in a car.

I find the resonance to be right around 70 Hz, so it's pretty safe to use these speakers right down to 80 Hz or so. Other technical details of the well-made mid-range drivers include a modified parabolic-shaped cone and a nitrile rubber surround incorporating JBL's patented Plus One™ cone technology for greater output.With a power handling capacity of up to 60 watts RMS and a peak power rating of 180 watts, these speakers can handle plenty of power, resulting in a robust and punchy sound. The company is owned by Harman, which also owns AKG and Mark Levinson, so you might say it knows a thing or two about sound.