Who Has JBL?

[Socal Sam]

I've got:

4311WX-A
4313B
L-86 (Need tweeters and woofers)

[Elite-ist]

Hi Sam,

Too bad; I don't have any, but I'm sure El Monte Slim has several pairs.

Nando.

[caddisgeek]

Only got one pair but they're doozies *Hi5*

Olympus S8

[El Monte Slim]

Hi Sam,

Too bad; I don't have any, but I'm sure El Monte Slim has several pairs.

Nando.

Oh yeah!

A nice selection of L-100s, 4310s, 4311s, 4312s, L-200s, L-26s, a pair of 4406s and a lonely single C38!

Acquired my first pair of L-100s in 1973.

[JaeTee]

I've got a pair of L80T speakers that I bought from the Rhein Main Air Force Base Exchange back in 1989. Open box for $175 for the pair, which was below half price at the time. But, they were missing the covers and one of the woofer's dustcap was pressed in.

The day I bought these, the German JBL rep happened to be in the store. He saw me eyeballing the speakers and approached me... He gave me his business card and told me that the speakers were still covered under warranty and that if I made the effort to call and remind him, he would order the speaker covers for me and replace the pressed-in woofer for free. A few weeks later I drove by his office and picked up the new woofer and speaker covers. I've been smiling about that purchase ever since then, except when I had to have the woofers re-foamed. These things still sound fantastic.

My wife doesn't like their size and every now and then (when there's a Bose commercial) she mentions how nice it would be if we had a hidden sub-woofer system with smallish sattelites that take up less space. Then, I point out what some of those systems can cost.... and turn up the volume with her favorite Diana Krall or Dave Matthews CD loaded and she just shrugs her shoulders and says "yea, you're right... let's keep those."

[Socal Sam]

Oh yeah!

A nice selection of L-100s, 4310s, 4311s, 4312s, L-200s, L-26s, a pair of 4406s and a lonely single C38!

Acquired my first pair of L-100s in 1973.

EMS: I've owned the L-100, 4312, 4412, and I currently have the 4311. All are similarly loaded and configured. Which is your favorite?

I thought the L-100 and 4312 to be bright. The 4412 was OK but didn't stand out. The 4311 is a pleasant surprise on my Marantz 2500. I think it is the 2213/LE5-2/LE25 load or maybe the inverted layout with woofer on top.

[Socal Sam]

I've got a pair of L80T speakers that I bought from the Rhein Main Air Force Base Exchange back in 1989. Open box for $175 for the pair, which was below half price at the time. But, they were missing the covers and one of the woofer's dustcap was pressed in.

The day I bought these, the German JBL rep happened to be in the store. He saw me eyeballing the speakers and approached me... He gave me his business card and told me that the speakers were still covered under warranty and that if I made the effort to call and remind him, he would order the speaker covers for me and replace the pressed-in woofer for free. A few weeks later I drove by his office and picked up the new woofer and speaker covers. I've been smiling about that purchase ever since then, except when I had to have the woofers re-foamed. These things still sound fantastic.

My wife doesn't like their size and every now and then (when there's a Bose commercial) she mentions how nice it would be if we had a hidden sub-woofer system with smallish sattelites that take up less space. Then, I point out what some of those systems can cost.... and turn up the volume with her favorite Diana Krall or Dave Matthews CD loaded and she just shrugs her shoulders and says "yea, you're right... let's keep those."

Neat story! I've owned two pairs of L-80T's and I have a line on another pair for $50. The lady is remodeling but doesn't want to part with her pair until she is done and buys new smaller speakers. She said to wait three weeks, which in CL terms is an eternity.

[JaeTee]

Neat story! I've owned two pairs of L-80T's and I have a line on another pair for $50. The lady is remodeling but doesn't want to part with her pair until she is done and buys new smaller speakers. She said to wait three weeks, which in CL terms is an eternity.

At the time I bought mine, the 4312's were what I thought I really wanted. I had been going the various base exchanges in the Frankfurt area back in 1989 to hear what they had in their speaker demo rooms. Upon hearing the L100T compared to the 4312's, I felt the 4312's were a bit too punchy in the mids and a bit bright as well, so not really ideal for the style of music I was listening to then. The L100T became my pipe dream speakers and I was also looking at Infinity Kappa 7's or Kappa 6's. But, they were really expensive for an E-3 in the military with a car payment.

These L80T's turned out to be a really satisfying compromise for me and made me wonder why they were not higher on my wish-list back then. Probably because they were not the TOTL. For the price I got them back then, this was a really good investment for me. It's hard to imagine that I've owned these for going on 22 years now. When you factor in the price of the refoaming, these speakers have cost me around $11 per year. Nice!

I'd like to get myself some 4312's to compare to these now. Just to hear if my ears have kept up with my memory... I still think those are fabulous speakers as well. And there's a reason why those were so common in studio control booths...

[Socal Sam]

At the time I bought mine, the 4312's were what I thought I really wanted. I had been going the various base exchanges in the Frankfurt area back in 1989 to hear what they had in their speaker demo rooms. Upon hearing the L100T compared to the 4312's, I felt the 4312's were a bit too punchy in the mids and a bit bright as well, so not really ideal for the style of music I was listening to then. The L100T became my pipe dream speakers and I was also looking at Infinity Kappa 7's or Kappa 6's. But, they were really expensive for an E-3 in the military with a car payment.

These L80T's turned out to be a really satisfying compromise for me and made me wonder why they were not higher on my wish-list back then. Probably because they were not the TOTL. For the price I got them back then, this was a really good investment for me. It's hard to imagine that I've owned these for going on 22 years now. When you factor in the price of the refoaming, these speakers have cost me around $11 per year. Nice!

I'd like to get myself some 4312's to compare to these now. Just to hear if my ears have kept up with my memory... I still think those are fabulous speakers as well. And there's a reason why those were so common in studio control booths...

$11 per year, can't beat that. Factor in the re-sale value of about $125-150 and your costs are negligible compared to the enjoyment.

I've had the 4312 and the L-100 and I agree, both were bass heavy and a bit bright. The older 4311WX-A is much better balanced.

[jdurbin1]

I own L96, L112, and L150A currently. Used to have a pair of L220's also, but sold those.

John

[El Monte Slim]

EMS: I've owned the L-100, 4312, 4412, and I currently have the 4311. All are similarly loaded and configured. Which is your favorite?

I thought the L-100 and 4312 to be bright. The 4412 was OK but didn't stand out. The 4311 is a pleasant surprise on my Marantz 2500. I think it is the 2213/LE5-2/LE25 load or maybe the inverted layout with woofer on top.

The vast majority of my listening is done on the 4311s.

I grow weary of the criticism on "another site" that they are "fake but fun". I find them to be very revealing and detailed. Guess I'm just a non-audiophile and have been for over 35 years! Stupid me, I enjoy them! *rolleyes*

[Socal Sam]

The vast majority of my listening is done on the 4311s.

I grow weary of the criticism on "another site" that they are "fake but fun". I find them to be very revealing and detailed. Guess I'm just a non-audiophile and have been for over 35 years! Stupid me, I enjoy them! *rolleyes*

Enjoyment is the key! I keep the 4311WX-A's hooked up to a sloppy receiver so I can enjoy my radio favorites on CD, which are often poorly mixed with too much treble.

[Naknut]

Not that you need my approval, but good for you El Monte Slim! I don't have any JBLs and do my main listening lately by a pair of restored Polk Audio RTA 15TLs and find them excellent for my music listening. I'm sure there are places on the web that would find these beneath them too.

[imasoundhound]

i've got 4311b's and two smaller, newer pair. i'd have to look at the model numbers.

[BroonsBane]

I have one pair of JBL's, the L-166's. They are currently the front end in my HT system. Excellent sounding speakers.

[stuwee]

my L-56's will take just about any other 2-ways...period(.)

I play Alan Parsons Projeck with the big Yammie, make those white woffies *Hi5* badda bing, badda boom!

[BroonsBane]

my L-56's will take just about any other 2-ways...period(.)


Nice. They look like they mean business.

[Elite-ist]

my L-56's will take just about any other 2-ways...period(.)

I play Alan Parsons Projeck with the big Yammie, make those white woffies *Hi5* badda bing, badda boom!

Hi stuwee,

But, you must have the JBL L-56.1 speakers. It has an extra appendage I'm not familiar with.

Nando.

[stuwee]

Hi stuwee,

But, you must have the JBL L-56.1 speakers. It has an extra appendage I'm not familiar with.

Nando.

Damn, appen-de-jazz....I shoulda had that removed, along with my other thingie....*flame*

I seriously love these speaks! Not just because I like the way the white woofer moves! Put some Rush on and Neil's playin' the kit in da house!!

[Elite-ist]

Damn, appen-de-jazz....I shoulda had that removed, along with my other thingie....*flame*

I seriously love these speaks! Not just because I like the way the white woofer moves! Put some Rush on and Neil's playin' the kit in da house!!

"James, you're incorrigible."

Nando.

[Sanyomichi]

Didn't the foam surrounds *butt*rot away on the only good speakers they made?

[Socal Sam]

Didn't the foam surrounds *butt*rot away on the only good speakers they made?

The foam surrounds rotted on many, many JBL models.

[robert1946]

I have pair of L-100 since 1973. Love them.

[Socal Sam]

I have pair of L-100 since 1973. Love them.

The orginal L-100's with the vertically aligned drivers are IMO the best version. I have a pair of 1975 4311 WXA's.

[iamhifi]

I have a pair of mint D123.
Angel

[udt21]

Didn't the foam surrounds *butt*rot away on the only good speakers they made?

No. While they do go away they were not the 'only good speakers' JBL made. While YOU may not like the others there are quite a few others who do, including the large majority of studios. So let's not do what a bunch of UJM riders tend to do on H-D threads.
While no JBL person cares if YOU like them or not I believe most of us don't care to have someone making arbitrary statements such as yours. You'l only start a flame war. WE don't do that, so please afford the same courtesy to others.

[El Monte Slim]

My newest acquisition in the JBL "family".

Picked these up at a yard sale today for $5.00. They will pair nicely with the $5.00 Pioneer SX-550 that I bought also, but from a different sale.


http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd167/winnabowflash/Vintage%20audio%20album/DSC00295.jpg?t=1280599675

[Socal Sam]

My newest acquisition in the JBL "family".

Picked these up at a yard sale today for $5.00. They will pair nicely with the $5.00 Pioneer SX-550 that I bought also, but from a different sale.


http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd167/winnabowflash/Vintage%20audio%20album/DSC00295.jpg?t=1280599675

A $10 system is ALWAYS a winner! Good show!!

[Warped Bezel]

No. While they do go away they were not the 'only good speakers' JBL made. While YOU may not like the others there are quite a few others who do, including the large majority of studios. So let's not do what a bunch of UJM riders tend to do on H-D threads.
While no JBL person cares if YOU like them or not I believe most of us don't care to have someone making arbitrary statements such as yours. You'l only start a flame war. WE don't do that, so please afford the same courtesy to others.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IS WHY WE BANNED HIM SOME TIME AGO.

Always check the date and member status... it helps maintain proper continuity and stuff (and less blushing).

RADIO ABBY aka Uncle Warped

[Bob Boyer]

Man, Slim, ya'll got some hellacious yard sales out there. Me, I'm lucky to find a broken pre-recorded cassette.

Nice find!

[El Monte Slim]

Man, Slim, ya'll got some hellacious yard sales out there. Me, I'm lucky to find a broken pre-recorded cassette.

Nice find!

For quite a while, I didn't see anything worthwhile at any of the yard sales I visited. Then it started to pick up. Other than prerecorded cassettes and CDs for pocket change, occasionally I would find a sealed blank cassette.

I only go out about every other Saturday. I can usually be in and out in about 2 minutes. I also know the neighborhoods that tend to produce good results. The more you go, the better it will get. Last summer I picked up about 50 prerecorded cassettes, 3 drawer type units to hold cassettes, a Fisher TT and a Realistic Receiver, all for $15. I use the receiver on my "test bench".

My best score so far has been a pair of Pioneer HPM-100s and a Pioneer SX-1000TD receiver for a ridiculously low price.

In addition to the little JBLs and the SX-550, I also picked up a Sony 300-disc CD Player with over 100 CDs in it for a Jackson! I picked up a 200-disc Sony last summer as well for a Jackson. I think that I am going to load up 500 of my cds in the two of them for easy access, as you can link them together.

Just keep looking and good stuff will turn up!

[caddisgeek]

Well played Slim, another winner, bit wet and cold down here for garage sales at the moment.

[Socal Sam]

Well played Slim, another winner, bit wet and cold down here for garage sales at the moment.

Is there a lot of vintage JBL and Altec DOWN UNDER?

[jdurbin1]

I know of at least one pair of L220's that went to live there :-)

John

[stuwee]

Well played Slim, another winner, bit wet and cold down here for garage sales at the moment.

*Hi5*, sending warmth yer way and some luck for goos measure

[Warped Bezel]

*Hi5*, sending warmth yer way and some luck for goos measure

back at ya!

[caddisgeek]

*Hi5*, sending warmth yer way and some luck for goos measure

Must have worked, because spring is in the air this morning (even though it's officially a wek away)


Good to see you back Stu *Hi5*

[caddisgeek]

Is there a lot of vintage JBL and Altec DOWN UNDER?

No. Very little JBL, almost no Altec. Search on aussie ebay for completed listings to have a look at the prices. There has actually been a bit more vintage JBL about than usual, however I've only ever seen or heard of one Paragon for sale in the last few years, and never come across another set of speakers the same as those in my signature

When it comes to aquireing gear I've been blessed with good fortune, and even better friends

[teerts]

Bought a pair of XPL140, nos, some years ago.

Never regretted that choice *thumbsup*

[Socal Sam]

Bought a pair of XPL140, nos, some years ago.

Never regretted that choice *thumbsup*

The XPL series are very nice. I've heard a friend's XPL200a, which has the same large mid and high domes. Had a chance to buy the XPL160 but they were way too expensive.

[imready]

4311,4311b,L150 and L150a's here. I've seen the L150a's in many a top 5 favorite JBL speakers list . I need to finish the surrounds on my pair and get them back in action. I use the L150's as fronts in my main surround system and 4311b as fronts in my loft system. The B's really do well , they sit about 2 feet off the floor , on top of a gutted pair of L100 boxes that I stuck some Jensen Sigma 220's in, which sound fantastic by the way. Audio is fun!

[2ndRick]

I used to own a pair of J325 3-ways.
A friend traded these to me for an inexpensive pair of AKG headphones.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rJ1m7dJ6yYc/TLs8UopbGnI/AAAAAAAAEAc/WHOWN2Yg7CA/s800/J325%20close.JPG
(this is not my pic)

Looking at the lists that some of you have, I am sure that most of you think these are mediocre (because they kinda were). :)

I swapped out the mid and tweet for some Vifa drivers I picked up cheap at a loft sale at Madisound. They made a significant improvement, but then again it could have been the 'father's syndrome'.

[Socal Sam]

I used to own a pair of J325 3-ways.
A friend traded these to me for an inexpensive pair of AKG headphones.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rJ1m7dJ6yYc/TLs8UopbGnI/AAAAAAAAEAc/WHOWN2Yg7CA/s800/J325%20close.JPG
(this is not my pic)

Looking at the lists that some of you have, I am sure that most of you think these are mediocre (because they kinda were). :)

I swapped out the mid and tweet for some Vifa drivers I picked up cheap at a loft sale at Madisound. They made a significant improvement, but then again it could have been the 'father's syndrome'.

The "J" stood for Junk but they are decently voiced and have solid cabinets. The drivers are nothing special.

[itlldue]

4310s - rough, need surrounds. Good donors.

L80Ts - need 1 surround and some grill work.

L19s - technically my son's. Won them in an AK mini-fest raffle.

[oldsiralan]

I have a pair of Sovereign I/S8R's in pieces, but with reconed LE15A's (rest are 375 MF and 075 HF), plus a pair of 2440/Community horn PA drivers.

I also use a pair of JBL powered Eon 15's for sound reinforcement.

In the past I had a pair of EV Centurion bass horns with JBL 130A drivers and EV MF/HF horn drivers.

I was fortunate enough to hear the Sovereign I's against the Paragons, the AR3(a?), and the KLH Nine ca 1964; I preferred the Sovereign I on most things but the KLH Nines were by far the best for opera.

Mike Squires