Jbl :)

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited April 2010 in Vintage Speakers
HI all..

I was searching Craigslist, and saw this funny ad: http://allentown.craigslist.org/ele/1698406288.html

I know literally NOTHING about JBL speakers, and always thought the name was thought of as low quality. I have read on some websites that they acutally made some high quality speakers. Regarding this ad, I thought these looked very nice, then I scrolled down, and poof...ACK.

But, I'd love to hear comments on JBL as a brand and any specific models that are high quality and can be seen in local sales.

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
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Comments

  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,606
    edited April 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    Iand always thought the name was thought of as low quality

    :confused: Maybe a Google search is in order for you. Yeah they do make some cheap stuff these days. But I have never heard anyone mention the brand as low quality. James B. Lansing ring a bell? :D
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited April 2010
    They did make some nice stuff, but the apple has fallen far from the tree.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited April 2010
    As much as I love my Polks JBL has like many other companys have made speakers that will destroy any Polk ever made audio wise. That being said those models cost more than Polks so you cant really compare the two companys offerings. At the dollar value Polks are very hard to beat period.

    And they still make some very nice stuff John but it will cost you.

    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    They made some very highly regarded, and very expensive/valuable speakers over the years (into the present day)... most of even the highly-regarded JBLs (even the studio monitors) are unbearably harsh sounding to me, though. I far prefer the Altec sound (and, of course, the vintage Polk sound).

    That said, I do have a pair of JBL 275 compression drivers mounted to the right-angle HF horns used in the Metregon. Found 'em at the dump (and they work fine) :-)

    P1030535.jpg
    P1030536.jpg


    Looks like the drivers in the CL ad have seen better days...
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited April 2010
    Here are a few pics of nicer older and newer JBL's and some of the drivers used in them.

    4f14f4dcab.jpg

    711b592fa5.jpg

    9e3f687892.jpg

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    88b98f7301.jpg

    e233ff9ad8.jpg

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    8c78458ac7.jpg



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited April 2010
    How do I tell, from model numbers that you would typically find in a craigslist posting, if they are the 'good ones' or the 'fallen far from the tree' ones? :)

    Is there a hierarchy, and if so, can you post it? If I just look up JBL, I'm sure it would lead to 100 hours of reading, similar to if I just typed in POLK to read up on the brand as a whole. Can you help me narrow my search and I can start from there?

    Thanks for the info and the pics :)

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited April 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    How do I tell, from model numbers that you would typically find in a craigslist posting, if they are the 'good ones' or the 'fallen far from the tree' ones? :)

    Is there a hierarchy, and if so, can you post it? If I just look up JBL, I'm sure it would lead to 100 hours of reading, similar to if I just typed in POLK to read up on the brand as a whole. Can you help me narrow my search and I can start from there?

    Thanks for the info and the pics :)

    James
    What exactly are you looking for James? bookshelf type speakers or monster pro audio ones or floor standing home audio types?

    As you yourself said there are too many models made over the years to give you a hierarchy :D

    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited April 2010
    I'm interested in floor standing home audio for two channel. Something with enough clean bass that it doesn't require an extra subwoofer is a plus :)

    Thanks!

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited April 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    I'm interested in floor standing home audio for two channel. Something with enough clean bass that it doesn't require an extra subwoofer is a plus :)

    Thanks!

    James
    Well I would look into getting a pair of JBL-L100-T3's or a pair of JBL-L7's myself they both should provide enough bass that you wont need a seperate subwoofer . They can be had from anywhere from $200.00 to $800.00 a pair.

    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    The things in the CL ad in the first post appear to be from the recent JBL "Northridge" series to me.

    If you're really interested in good JBL or Altec stuff, the primary online resource is www.lansingheritage.org

    Meanwhile, here's some 1970s consumer-grade JBL...

    bic002.jpg
    AH477etc.jpg
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,104
    edited April 2010
    51PErGKJ6yL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

    http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Story-Sixty-Years-Innovation/dp/1423412818/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271695536&sr=1-2

    Not a bad read. Seems the "best" home speakers are Japan-market only.

    I wonder when the Polk history book will be written...
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited April 2010
    Hardy, sitting on some serious coinage there. Awesome.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    what the 275s? They're uncommon as heck... so it is a little hard to tell. They actually sound better to me than most JBL HF.

    Also picked up a pair of LE-8Ts the same day... those both need new surrounds, though.
    I kind of like the LE-8 drivers... but they are notoriously inefficient; odd design choice for a "fullrange" driver.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited April 2010
    Yeah, those would go pretty big, pretty quick to an Eastern buyer I'm sure. I like the LE8-T's also, I've sold a few pair over the years, another speaker worth some money.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • jax3822
    jax3822 Posts: 88
    edited April 2010
    Traded a pair of Jbl l80t's tonight for a pair of SDA 2's with cable and a pair of Rti800's and will never look back..I had a pair of the S38ii bookshelves from that line and they are made well, but like most jbls are really bright. Btw, that tweeter is discontinued and is impossible to fix or find a proper replacement. My Jbl's had audax tweeters and were as ugly as those.
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    edited April 2010
    I own a pair of L19's and a pair of L50's - wouldn't trade 'em for any Polk out there! Heresy but true. I've upgraded the crossovers and they sound absolutely fantastic!

    Whoops - forgot - there's a pair of L36's here too.
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited April 2010
    ALL212 wrote: »
    I own a pair of L19's and a pair of L50's - wouldn't trade 'em for any Polk out there! Heresy but true. I've upgraded the crossovers and they sound absolutely fantastic!

    Whoops - forgot - there's a pair of L36's here too.
    Thats probablly cuz no one would trade their vintage polks for them :p

    All kidding aside the lower end L series were nice speakers to be sure but trust me they dont compare in any way to a pair of Polk SDA SRS series speakers. And I have owned or currently own virtually all the L series speakers.

    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    HI all..

    I was searching Craigslist, and saw this funny ad: http://allentown.craigslist.org/ele/1698406288.html

    I know literally NOTHING about JBL speakers, and always thought the name was thought of as low quality. I have read on some websites that they acutally made some high quality speakers. Regarding this ad, I thought these looked very nice, then I scrolled down, and poof...ACK.

    But, I'd love to hear comments on JBL as a brand and any specific models that are high quality and can be seen in local sales.

    James

    Need a model number. If you can get it you can look at the archives on their site. I own a pair of JBL monitors with the titanium domes....I would NOT call them harsh. That tweeter is a very revealing tweeter...much more so than the standard SL2000 or the SL2500 polk. And it reveals more detail than a Polk M-series tweeter or an Rti tweeter. JBL made some nice stuff if you're into that 'kind' of sound. In my book it was a real winner. There was a time when most studios had JBL monitors and over half the movie houses were JBL. And let's not forget how many live concerts used JBL pro speakers! Like John mentioned JBL--consumer kind of bit it after, I'd say the late 80s. But the professional division is alive and well!

    Find out the model number and give them a listen. You might like them. I know I will 'never' part with mine...they're due for surrounds soon--got to hate that FOAM thing!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited April 2010
    I sold my JBL L150's when I got my sda 2.3. Honestly I thought the JBL L150 had more bass to them but the 2.3's were a bit clearer especially in the mid and highs.

    I have heard the L200 and L300 also Some great stuff!

    Like it has been said, JBL has some great stuff and some crap. Just depends on your ears and what you are looking for.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited April 2010
    In 40 years I never heard a JBL speaker that was listenable. Everything sounds amplified. Classical and non-amplified music accuracy will never happen cause JBL's add their own sizzle and "electronic" sound to the picture.
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited April 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    I'm interested in floor standing home audio for two channel. Something with enough clean bass that it doesn't require an extra subwoofer is a plus :)

    Thanks!

    James

    Maybe off - topic a little but for what it's worth, if you ever see a pair of these with the anlalog bass computer and stands, grab them (or PM me so I can).

    KLH-1 with analog bass computer.

    -- wayne --

    p.s. I think the best bass i've ever heard in any speaker :)
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    George Grand wrote: »
    In 40 years I never heard a JBL speaker that was listenable. Everything sounds amplified. Classical and non-amplified music accuracy will never happen cause JBL's add their own sizzle and "electronic" sound to the picture.

    I've heard one pair that is, George... Kevin Kennedy has a pair of three-way speakers he built with woofers in Onken cabinets and big money passives in the crossovers, driven by a 300B SE stereo amp of his own design and construction. They sound sweet and immediate and lack the JBL harshness to my ears (even though they have 075 tweeters!).

    Just sayin'... because otherwise my experience parallels yours.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    Just a little background on Kevin Kennedy FYI and FWIW (since this is the second time I've invoked his name on the Polk forums recently):

    http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue15/kennedy.htm
    http://www.kta-hifi.net/projects/amp_page/300BEA/300bea.html
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    I agree for the most part: Lots of JBLs are harsh...but... Another thing to consider is that a LARGE number of recordings some of us HAVE were mixed on JBL monitors?

    Just saying...

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited April 2010
    Yama, NS10's are used a lot but, before they were introduced, yes many recordings were mixed with JBL or B&W speakers.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    cnh wrote: »
    I agree for the most part: Lots of JBLs are harsh...but... Another thing to consider is that a LARGE number of recordings some of us HAVE were mixed on JBL monitors?

    Just saying...

    cnh

    Very true. I still have my NS10's and my 4412's.
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    cnh wrote: »
    I agree for the most part: Lots of JBLs are harsh...but... Another thing to consider is that a LARGE number of recordings some of us HAVE were mixed on JBL monitors?

    Just saying...

    cnh

    Dunno about today, but back in the 1970s that crown belonged to Altec :-)


    http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/specs/home-speakers/891a-897a.htm

    (I apologize for the large img)


    page3.jpg
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    In the 80's and early 90's it was UREI Time Align Series for the big ones and 4412's / NS10's for near-field. At least in the studios I worked in.
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited April 2010
    vc69 wrote: »
    In the 80's and early 90's it was UREI Time Align Series for the big ones and 4412's / NS10's for near-field. At least in the studios I worked in.

    near-field It seems as some studio's get a little smaller, they go with near-field more and more.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,991
    edited April 2010
    vc69 wrote: »
    In the 80's and early 90's it was UREI Time Align Series for the big ones and 4412's / NS10's for near-field. At least in the studios I worked in.

    True enough; the early UREIs were essentially super-Altec 604 duplexes augmented with (real) woofers.

    NS-10s were ubiquitous, I know :-( Before them, the industry mixed for car (AM) radios using the Auratone cubes. If the mix sounded OK on either of those atrocities, it would be OK in the car (as I understood it; needless to say I am not a pro).
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