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Taken from the JP-8080 Yahoo Users Gruop FAQ 
| quote: | Q17: What differences are there between the JP-8000 and the JP-8080 in general?
A17: Here are the most obvious differences:
Things that the JP-8080 has but the JP-8000 lacks include:
-two more voices of polyphony (10 voices for two parts, 8 when using the vocoder).
-a distortion effect and a noise source for osc 2.
-includes a 12 band vocoder that can be used
to vocode two separate audio sources or one source plus the synth sound.
-You can input external audio to the synth and use it's effects, filter and
envelopes as well as ringmod to ttweak the sound.
-Further more, the vocoder can be turned into a resonant, 12 band EQ called filter
bank.
-Finally, there's the vocal morph mode which let's you control the
parameters that are control assigned by speaking into the mic (it detects
the level of a certain frequency component strong in the sound "aa" and generates control info based on that).
-The 8080 has got more memory: 128 user / 384 preset patches plus 64 user / 192 preset performances (in comparison to 128 user + 128 preset patches and 64 user and 64 preset performances).
-You can store your sounds to a SmartMedia card. However, be
warned, the 8080 accepts only 2 to 4 MB 5 V SmartMedia cards which are
practically impossible to track down these days (the largest sizes being
around a gigabyte).
-The 8080 is a bit easier to use due to to better organized and even more numerous front panel
controls.
Things in which the JP-8000 does better:
-A 49-key velocity sensitive keyboard
-No ribbon controller for easy control up an down modulation
Note:
The patches for both JP synths are at large quite compatible. Parameters that are only present in one of the synths are generaly cleanly ignored.
Q18: How do the JP synths compare to more recent virtual analogs in both good and bad?
A18: Hmmm, this is a difficult question with no exact, absolute answer so your mileage may vary. Here are some points to consider.
First, the good news.
Many say that the sounds set the JP apart. It does not sound very analog but I've heard claims that there are something Jupiterish about it. It might actually be unique as far as the modeling algorithms are concerned. Sure Roland has the SH-32 but the fact that it has lots of wavetable-like waveforms, 32 note poly but monophonic when sync is on, would suggest a wavetable based design where as the JPs compute there waveforms on the fly (this would explain the unique feedback, and somewhat emulatable supersaw and trimod waves). However, it appears that an OS update for the Roland V-synth features the super saw and feedback waveforms previously only available on the JP-80x0 synths. on a side note, despite the name, the Roland Juno D is no virtual analog modeling synthesizer. Lastly, other manufacturers' algorithms will not sound exactly the same as on the JP, so the sound remains somewhat unique.
The vocoder is not anything new these days but the vocal morph function, which allows you to control multiple parameters by the level and tone of your voice, might actually be something truely unique as far as virtual analogs go.
One of the strong points of the JPs are the front panel controls. As virtual analogs have been getting increasingly complex, not many synhs will offer as great a degree of direct front panel control as the JP synths do. Of course there are exceptions like the Clavia Nord Lead 2. 99 bar motion control for all knobs not to mention the velocity or control assigns are certainly necessities not found on most synths, as well.
Because of the intuitive user interface and relatively simple patch structure, the JP synths are one of the easiest to program, though the sounds require a tad bit more tweaking to sound good in comparison to real analog synths. The JP will not sound like a real analog synth, no virtual analog does.
On the other hand, the JP-80x0 synths are also showing there age. Two parts and 8-10 voices are not much these days when many VA synths offer 4-16 parts and polyphonies up to 32 voices. Not to mention that the JP lacks a third oscillator, modulation matrix and a couple of other things. The internal effects apart from the delay are also pretty horrible in comparison to most modern virtual analogs. The 80x0 synths have a couple of nasty, minor issues to which you sure do get used, but which are not exactly desired like clipping distortion, long patch change delays and clicky envelopes.
The JP can be a little lacking in the sound department as well. Virtual analog manufacturers have been developing good filter, oscilator and effect algorithms over a half dozen years after the JP and it shows. It's not the warmest or the most analog sounding synth on the planet.
Basically it all comes down to what kind of sounds you like and what specs you need. If you are heavily into the JP sound and don't care much about multitimbrality or effects (not to mention tech support), then the JP might be for you. I hate to say this but I'd honestly seriously urge you to consider other synths as well, if you really need self-contained decent effects, four or more part multitimbrality, complex 3 osc sounds with bizarre modulations or just something that tries to sound very analog (without minding the use of deep menus or matrices to make the sounds, though).
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