JBL Refoam

sk1939

My Dad has a pair of JBL L40's that he got new back when he was a lad. The problem is that 40 + years later they need to be refoamed, and I'm 99% sure one has a short (blew a fuse on the reciever). They cost about $1000 in 1975 (when he got them), but the question is, are they worth restoring now? How hard would it be to refoam them?

Shipping them off anywhere would be horrible on cost as they weigh about 45lbs each. What little I could find about them: http://audio-database.com/JBL/speaker/l40-e.html

If they're not worth replacing, suggestions on what they should be replaced with are welcome. Note that my Dad is not an audiophile, and has viewed that he isn't so picky in his twighlight years, so no tube/electrostatic suggestions please.

Joe08867

I would get them refoamed. The shorting issue is something else but could be cause the voice coil is misaligned do to the bad foam surrounds.

cnh

If I'm not mistaken, the L series of that time was a mirror image of a sister JBL studio Monitor. Those are the two way 10" that seem similar to the former L26 that some people on the Audiokarma site have described as Advent killers in the late 70s?

Which is to say that they are pretty good for what they are (however JBL and Advent are totally different sounds--after all JBL typifies the West Coast 'rock'--big sound, boomy bass).

Are they worth refoaming? Yes, if you're into the JBL sound they are a good representation of that sound before they started to produce cheapier, crappier consumer stuff. I have a pair of L80ts that I will probably never part with. I'm the original owner, it's been about 2 decades since I bought them and it will be time for a 'refoam' for me soon. Will try to find someone to do it for me?

What I suggest is that you tell us what state you live in and see if any other members might know of someone who can refoam for you. There are JBL kits all over ebay so they're easy to get a hold of!

cnh

sk1939

cnh wrote: »

If I'm not mistaken, the L series of that time was a mirror image of a sister JBL studio Monitor. Those are the two way 10" that seem similar to the former L26 that some people on the Audiokarma site have described as Advent killers in the late 70s?

I'm guessing maybe? I know precious little about the history of the speakers, it was much before my time.

cnh wrote: »

What I suggest is that you tell us what state you live in and see if any other members might know of someone who can refoam for you. There are JBL kits all over ebay so they're easy to get a hold of!

cnh

DMV if your feeling hip, or DC for everyone else.