JBL L100 Classic Loudspeaker Review and T-Shirt Competition w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- upscaleaudio.c...
A rebirth of a classic speaker with just the right updates. They've replaced those notorious foam surrounds, added bracing, and updated the drivers. These new L100's offer unbelievable bass with a lovely top end. They image like a banshee--spend some time setting them up and they will disappear!
Actually, the seventies were the best time for stereo gear - then and now IMO. The return of the JBL 100 attests to this. (People are tired of pansy towers, they want the big rich full sound of a real loudspeaker.) Today you're paying for lightweight and/or overpriced - sterile sounding - stuff that still doesn't have the muscle of vintage seventies audio. Mucho snake oil, for people who wish to boast of the obscene prices they pay for their "Eco-friendly green gear, with wireless capability, Bluetooth, MPS, iPod docking, 5G ready , etc." to listen to computer generated noise with monotonous lyrics. Mostly you're paying for the name today. At the end of the day, I'll take my vintage 70's audio over today's audio.
"In 1970, JBL released the iconic L100 Loudspeaker. Over the years, the L100 became the bestselling loudspeaker in JBL’s history. In 2018, we are proud to bring you the JBL L100 Classic, a modern take on a time-honored legend." JBL I rest my case.
You are correct sir!
@iamspyvspy today more people have access to really little sound for so much money.
@@PlanktoniusRex Agreed I just got my hands on a pair of Onkyo Scepter E-804A speakers for just 400.
Add to that the obnoxious RGB crap.
Ok not what gear you have but a pioneer sx1980 will set you back about $3500-5000 plus just saying
I sold hi-fi equipment starting in 1985. We had a great era of hi-fi. I never saw the original L100. JBL did come up with the L#T series later with titanium tweeters. L100T became their 3-way 12" woofer floor speakers. Still one of the best floor speakers ever imo.
Ohh my !! Looks like a car speaker that got the high end audiophile treatment Geez that could be my end game if it sounds as good as it looks and built
If i start saving this week, maybe i can buy a pair of these at some point. What a gorgeous speaker.
Yup, to look at.
You should get a kick out of this one Kevin. I know I have told this story before, not sure if I ever told you but my uncle was Frank Zappa's manager & Frank bought me my first pair of home speakers in 1978 which were JBL 4311Bs, as you know the studio versions of the L100s. I proudly still own them even though they don't get used as much, I only wish they had those cool grills of the L100s. I agree with you as the choice in audio gear has never been better. And the rebirth of the headphone world is simply over the top, who thought we would have ever seen that coming and we have the young guys to thank for that!
Scott I agree with you and happy for you. I bought a set of new in 1978 JBL 4311WX Control Monitors the professional version of the original JBL L100 and still have then and they are still in perfect condition and always sounded incredible on every type of music I play on it in 2,000 parties in 42 years. Always great a real legendary speaker still popular today. The new L100 Classic is better and cost more but worth it.
Wow never seen the L100 Classic close up like this and they are awe inspiring.
These are made in INDONESIA !!!.... NOT USA......Although you wouldn't know it by the $4,000 price tag. JBL is making a KILLING on these!!!
your American Iphone is made in China. Still it is worldwide sold for over 800 dollars for the cheapest version. And it is a great phone. Most probably better assembled than when done in the US. If the Iphone was made in US it would have cost 2000 dollar for the same phone, most probably worse assembled
@@dennisheuvelmans Umm, Dennis? They would have awesome build quality if they were made in USA. Christ! I find it hard to justify spending $1000.00 Plus on these phones considering that they are made in China...Its too much
Dennis H. It’s not just a bag of parts thrown together. Saying something is ‘made in China’ in most cases simply means ‘final assembly’. Where was the CPU designed? Where was it fabbed? Where was the OS conceived, coded, tested, developed? Assembly is a small piece of the pie.
@@dennisheuvelmans iPhone is not a re-issue nor reproduction of a long admired American-made product like the L100s were. And in their day JBLs were far better than anything coming out of China.
I have them now for 13 months and man what a sound. I paired them with a marantz 2275 and a R2R (Studer/revox PR99 MK3). Everyday I go sit and rediscover all my tapes and records with this speakers. So much fun. I think the L100 is a very dynamic speaker that is also very balanced (HI, Mid, Low). The L100 is also much more balanced as my more recent purchase (Klipsch Heresy 4) that is also a nice speaker that sounds good but sounds less balanced, less analog. It has almost no low due to the bass port on the back and the smaller cabinet.
what do you use to amplify? I've blown two amps already.
I'm 71 and retired. I'm putting together a man cave in our retirement home and I decided to do it right.
When these came out I had to have them even at $4K.
I ran them solo on a McIntosh MA352 (which was the 1st piece of new eqpt for the system). The system is turntable only.
The source was either a Thorens TD-160C w/ Shure V15III or VPI Prime w/ Ortofon 2m Black LVB.
The sound was fantastic. A fantastic full-range sound.
I then decided to try them in parallel with a pair of Klipsch Forte IIs modified(1989) on the 4ohm tap, the combination was 3.75ohm and the MA352 barely got warm.
The sound improved, it appears that the 2 speakers complimented each other very well. The JBL improved the bass end and the Klipsch improved the high end.
I wasn't done yet. When I realized that the MA352 Preout was full range and was switchable I decided to pick up an MC275 for the 2nd output. I now run the JBLs on output 1 and the Klipsch on the MC275 on output 2 with a Niles speaker selector to balance the speakers.
I will run 1 pair or the other but I keep returning to the 2 pair together.
Retirement is sweet
JBL 100 = quality. They need to reintroduce the L 300
This is how speakers should be big beefy and ready to rock
Iron man, those JBL's look awesome with the orange grills. Thank God JAPAN has helped JBL SPEAKERS still kick today.
I really want to hear this speaker ..
Just bought a pair a week ago...LOVE THEM!!!
what do you use to amplify? I've blown two amps already.
@@LeoDqnl I currently power them with a Carver MXR2000 receiver that puts out 200 watts/channel at 8 ohms. It has no problem pushing them hard. Eventually they’ll be Mcintosh powered at 400 wpc. What have you been running for an amp?
@@mkaa05 the impedance of the L100 is 4ohm though.
I've tried a Phase Linear 400 (www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/phase-linear/400.shtml) and a Peachtree200 (www.peachtreeaudio.com/collections/discontinued-products/products/peachtree220)
Both with a nova preamp (www.peachtreeaudio.com/collections/discontinued-products/products/novapre)
@@LeoDqnl I’m surprised you are having such issues with those speakers!! Are you sure there isn’t something going on internally with one or both of them? I haven’t heard of anyone having such issues. Some of the older Infinity speakers were known as amp killers as they could drop down to two ohm loads....sorry to hear these speaks are giving your amps fits. I would call JBL and see what they have to say about them. Best of luck My Brother!!
@@mkaa05 apparently these can as well:
"Unfortunately its low frequency impedance phase angles are very high as a result of which the EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance) dips to a low of 1.3ohm at 82Hz. In other words, this speaker does present a pretty tough (low frequency) amplifier load even for a modern design."
source: www.hifinews.com/content/jbl-l100-classic-loudspeaker-lab-report
I Just Purchased your Last Pair of L100 Classic 75s and they are on the Way!!!! I grew up in California and JBL was Always my WANTs , so what I'm saying is,That as 1 of 750 People in the world to own these , I was 100% Excited and now can Hardly Sleep waiting for them to Get here!! Next purchase may be this New Naim integrated Amp! So we maybe Talking SOON.
YOU GUYS ROCK
Iron man Black Sabbath
That’s what I think too!
OK asap...if you are in the States you win a t-shirt either PrimaLuna or Upscale Audio. Send your address to info@upscaleaudio.com Man you rock!!!!
Just got a pair. Running them off of a Peachtree Nova 150. I'm blown away by the center image/soundstage on these
Still rocking my advent heritage!! Love em. Great vid
Wish he ran a business here in Singapore, seems like a real chill dude who's really into sound and customers.
Nice demo, heavy woofer! Fine craftsmanship. Beautiful grills. Would like a pairs myself! 🙂 Excellent!
JESUS that was fast!!! Looks like Asap Greens got it!!!
'Sorry folks, but the old L100 used pleated fabric surrounds on the woofer and midrange. The rest of the speaker / cone / whatever would blow up or rot before those surrounds gave out. You would have thought they could have put those back on a new speaker, considering what it cost. Give me a properly restored vintage pair any day......
I have a pair of these I got at a yard sale for $30.00. They are not cosmetically great and one of them has a failed mid-range speaker, they sound great and I use them in my computer room/shop. They have the fabric surrounds as well. Meanwhile my pair of AR-3a speakers have had surround failures about 12 years apart. The last repair has lasted about 20 years so just maybe they have a different foam now. I also have a pair of the original AR-3 speakers that have a cloth surround and they are likely from the late 1950's. Surrounds are still fine. I still use the AR-3a speakers in my main system.
Steve Dykes You got it right. Even my ancient 4311b have the pleated surrounds. No sign of deterioration after all these years. 4401, 4406, 4408, etc all changed over to foam surrounds. All of my 44 series speakers have been refoamed over the years. Still have a pair of NOS 123a in case I ever need them for my 4311s. Maybe I should leave them to someone in my will. Unless I can figure a way to take them with me.
When The Levee Breaks by Led Zepplin
Replacing foam with butyl may not be such a great idea. Butyl breaks down over time as well, but when it does it releases butyric acid. This stuff smells like vomit as anyone with butyl rubber handles on their tools learn in time.
First drum notes of Iron Man...
Dang you beat me to it
My Dream JBL CLASSIC
Does anyone remember the stereo warehouse catalog from san luis obispo...they always had the advent, altec etc as well as some low end amps from sherwood and sansui that you could get started in for under 500$ which was alot of dough back then...they advertised in RStone mag
There was a Stereo Warehouse in NYC back in the 1970's. I bought several components from them.
@sao hoai, I don't understand what a "shop loan" is?? The Stereo Warehouse was one of many hifi stores in 1970's/80's NYC with heavily discounted audio components.
Yes, I bought a sony amp, pioneer turntable and two jbl l 100s for I believe 800 dollars, still have the the speakers everything else gone.
I got the magazine or phamplet with about 6 or so different combinations from a friend at work.
@@widndn, sweet deal. Though accuracy wasn't the strong suit for the L-100 (Century) they were great rock speakers and sold very well. Dare I say "cult status"??? It was fun assembling a dream stereo system from those old magazines and catalogs.
Just purchased a pair from you guys - the review was very helpful - so excited - customer service was white glove - you have a great team of specialist. Thank you so much and God Bless!
- Anthony
Iron man for sure
How would you compare these to Harbeth, let's say Harbeth SHL 5+, please?
Excellent review, but I do miss stores like Rogers sound Labs & Pacific Stereo growing up in the valley home of JBL, Northridge Ca.
ROBERT DAVIS do you remember “Leo’s Stereo”"? Great name BTW
I have a pair of RSL speedscreen II and model fortys for sale. Any onterest?
Pacific Stereo was the largest and best stereo store with the widest selection. University Stereo was my next favorite. Roger Sound Labs and Leo's Stereo were much smaller stores.
I first started getting into audio during the last few years that the original JBL L-100s were being sold.
That was the greatest period of audio to me which was the 70s and early 80s. The power rating wars between Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha, and Sansui receivers was great to see.
My first serious stereo system was a Marantz 2235b receiver, BIC 960 turntable, and Jensen Model 6 speakers which were 15" four ways.
I've always liked JBL's older speakers, my dad has a set of Apollos (they have a horn) and I have a pair of L7s.
I have a pair of L112's that i bought in the 90's. I went on a deployment for a year and when I came home found out that my daughters dog had been pissing on the speakers that were on the floor. Both woofers had stains on them and when I tried to clean them I made a small tear in them they need to have the cones replaced now. I really love those speakers but I'm afraid to do the work myself. How much would you give me on a trade in for some new L100's? Just kidding, thanks for the your video.
I still cant believe mr Robinson choice was the herasey vi over the L 100 classic
I have them both and like the L100 better
Very un-uniformed speakers with the mids/tweeters on the same side for both R & L speakers. This has physically caused me to lean to the right every time I look at it. Why can't JBL just mirror image the damn thing....
The decoration panel is like chocolate block. The speakers are cool but expensive for regular user.
that Bass Driver is MASSive
"what the fuck did he do to my speakers?" "..Kevin uhh". Spoken like a real valley girl. that was weird.
If only the grilles were magnetic, I'd buy a pair of the L 100's in a heartbeat.
1981, I was the poor kid who couldn't afford NAD 3020. Wa. LoL!!
Not sure what he's talking about. There has been no technological audio millstones since the 90's. Typical salesman.
Hal Blaine on the drums -- Wrecking Crew --
Be My Baby - Ronettes ! Phil Spector wall of sound
Your videos are great but you should play some music with the gear you showcase, otherwise it's like describing a wine with words.
The original Century L100 did NOT have a foam surround on the woofer.
Yeah, they did. If you look at the original brochures from JBL, it spec'd the C8R2212 re-cone kit... which was the foam surround gasket. As the foam began to inevitably rot away with time, JBL discontined the C8R2212 and replaced it with the Rubitex-chip gasket version. Virtually 100% of the L100s are re-coned at this time and have the improved gasket kit, OR the LF drivers have simply been replaced with the 4311 professional variants, which always had the impregnated cloth gaskets.
The L-100 was a very popular speaker. Unfortunately, it wasn't an accurate speaker. Not the best choice for classical music but with rock music, wow. The L50, L-166 and L-212 were top notch performers with all music. Nice video.
Atleast the tweeter is titanium and not aluminum but it still has that round spot right in the middle of the tweeter thats blocked. My old bostons with the lynwood tweeter had that design and so do the newer mackie xr series. What sucks about it is that I like to aim my tweeters directly in front of my face which gives a very focused center stage. But with the front covered like that I could never achieve the soundstaging I liked because it was kind of like a circle of sound coming at your face instead of a beam of sound. Ill never own a speaker with a cover over the tweeter like that again. And one reason they do that is because the tweeter is really bright and metallic sounding so they suppress the strongest center energy. Turning the tweeter pot could help but it depends where in the frequency it gets adjusted.
I would like to say that Upscale Audio is a great company. I will be getting me a pair of the JBL L 100 .
Five To One- The Doors
Back in the day, the “west coast sound” was disparagingly called “boom and sizzle” by those that didn’t care for it. I don’t recall the snub for the Boston area sound, but I’m sure there was one.
Yup. We used to sell the JBLs at Sterei Warehouse back in the late 70's. Customers would say "so sell me a pair of those JBLs and we would compare them the the Marantz HD880, HD920's or Avid's just for kicks and giggles. We'd then time their almost unanimous reaction (90 sec) which would invariably send people out of the audition room. It was cheap ass boom and sizzle 100%. BTW. Sometimes it's hard to listen to that granny voice...just sayin.
Polite and under water
That woofer looks very similar to the older Infinity Kappa Perfect subs, but with a paper cone. if it is based on those, then that can explain the powerful bass.
Is it weird that the frame around the midrange seems to not be square with the cabinet?
Hi... can I still get these speakers
...?
It's black sabbath Ironman?
The JBL L100's were the speakers I lusted after back then. I ended up buying a pair of Cerwin Vega 316R's (large 15" floor speakers). I would still like to own a pair of L100's but not at 4 grand.
You could buy awesome B&O Speakers..... for 4K.
Adjusting for inflation, the original L-100s would sell for about 4 grand today, taking into account minimum wage at that time was just shy of two dollars an hour.
My brother has Cerwin Vega model U-15 which were 15" two ways he bought around 1980. They sound excellent and can get extremely loud without much amplifier power.
@@oscarjung5405 A lot of doors open at $4k for speakers.
iron man by ozzy osbourne
Foghat - Slow Ride
Jbl 4345 ,4350,4355 ok 1 1 1 !!!!
0:35 the Kat's outta the bag now dude!
...Cat is cute.
4” in and out pushing air
what kind of amp would be a good match for these? thanks for showing us the parts
did you ever get a good answer to this??
Cooool.👍
Kat is pretty :D
and you are desperate
She not gon let you beat chief...
@@Pableras46 stating someone is pretty does not imply im desperate. Just stating an observation based on my opinion.
@@blanchbacker with the range of speakers about there I would agree.
Tests L5
IRON MAN
I had the JBL 4312’s. Powered by an VTL IT-85. Sounded nice. Until I replaced them with the Focal 1007be. Sold them for profit never looked back. That would be like buying a brand new 1967 Chevy Impala. Yes very nice but completely out of place. All these heritage speakers coming out, totally ridiculous.
the tannoys in the background look impressive....are they a fair comparison?
Third or fourth review this week I've seen of these JBL's I guess the home office is pushing them hard. It's not like they are new, they've been out for a year or two.
Probably they are not selling because at $4000, for what you get... they are a scam.
Get the JBL Studio 698 instead. I bet for half the price they image better, sound less boxy, and have the same bass output. Does not have $2500 USD of memorabilia factor on the price tag, that's all.
If they are not available on the country you live now you know why... they want the 2500 extra off the pockets that can afford it, and the best bang for the buck goes to where there are no funds or make no sense to pay the stupid price tag for underwhelming paraphernalia.
Please shut up being negative on the things you can't afford. Thank you
@@BastianUllr you are a jealous guy
@@dennisheuvelmans I'm talking because I know, I had them. And no, I'm not jealous. They suck at 4000US, they are a memorabilia item, for fans, not for the sake of making a good speaker for today standards. Truly glorified boxes that do not disappear. And my main speakers are TAD. Jealous of what? Pf haha.
@Larry Niles you wish your wishes were true, but sorry, that's not the case. If your concern is affording a product, please take your concerns with someone that cares to wear Paul and Shark shirts, I don't. Speakers are a tool, not a fancy prize for insecure males. And as a tool, they are MEH, at 4k compared to other speakers. Other than the expected clarity of a 3way speaker, and a rather nice tone, they fall short on other points were other speakers excel at a Lower price point. Are you a fan of JBL? Sorry to hurt your fan feelings. Maybe I'm fortunate to know much better speakers? Sorry if you haven't, what can we do.
Other offerings form JBL are far better.
4200€. No mirror symmetry retro Design. Hahaha. And 250€ for the steel foot. Amazing . Open it and shop the great crossover parts. 😅😅😅
1976 was an exciting time in stereo and also the year I bought my first pair of L100's at the base exchange while stationed at Kadena AFB, they cost 400 bucks for the pair. I bought my second pair of L100's the new classic series , all I had to do was add a "zero" plus 400 equals 4000.The only speaker to listen to 70's Prog rock back then(Rush Kansas, etc) and now.
Jbl always disappointed me in the end. Gross shop friendly sound, but at home , problems arise, turn up the volume in my treated big room and they just can't handle it, no bracing inside, cheap X over full of electrolytic caps, with serious music they are finished. No classical, jbl is intent in saving 30 bucks in the production line, that same money could make a huge improvement in sound with bracing, simpler and better X over, and silicon gaskets. Not so many people can afford 20.000 bucks a piece 6600 s, but c Mon JBL make more decent items and keep them in production, don't change every six months. For that plastic gadgets too !!!!
I come from JBL D130 N-2400 Crossovers and 075 ring radiator tweeter days . I have a set of Decades too that are awesome. Returning my 530s think they are overated. JBL 100 AWESOME GO JBL
Made in Mexico with offshore parts for a fraction of the cost they were made in Northridge, CA. For $4400 a pair, there are better choices.
Back in the good ol' days when it was just Uncle Kev and the camera.
Looks like JBL chintzed out on the crossover with iron core inductor and an electrolytic (!) cap.
You say you collect JBLs. I have had a set of s412pii's for 8+ years and love them. Do you have any idea how they compare to other JBLs? Thanks
Those little mini monitors you show, I bought a pair of them (4306 I think they were) back in 85. Heard them in the store and told the salesman "if they sound like that in my car, I'll buy them.. Well I bought them, and they sat in the back seat of my brand new Chrysler 5'th Avenue.. Driven by a 75 wpc Nakamishi amp and man did they sound incredible! I abused the hell out of them and all I have left is one of the crossovers, which l have on ebay if anyone needs one! Loved my JBL's and my Klipsch Heresys!
"a larger mid-range driver gives you a better sense of body" - according to this review (by you),
th-cam.com/video/4FbNnP34xWc/w-d-xo.html
Here we are looking at the mid-range that is smaller than the size of a port, so no good then.
I don’t know if they’re the best sounding speakers, but in orange they’re sure are the best looking ones.
I had a pair of original L-100 for years... The JBL 123A-1 12" bass driver has an impregnated paper surround, not foam. It's the same speaker they used in the 4310 monitor.
jbl crossower berbat tasarım
Jbl l100 classic vs tannoy arden legacy
Jbl new and arden used same rate which one to chose
How is this speaker for Movie listening on stereo 2 channel? Want my next speaker to be diverse.
For SQ do you prefer L100 Classic or Heresy III? Thanks
Do you think these are better for music than the Heritage iv's?
Which one do you prefer? This or the Heresey IV
You are a genius. Great review.
Pink Floyd welcome to the machine
Dire Straights so far away from me.
My first hifi system with a budget of $500 included set of Cerwin Vegas back in 1973. I don't recall the turntable or the receivers names, they were all stolen in burglary, however my memories of that system still stay with me today. By the way, I've dealt with Kevin and he's ok. He gave me a terrific deal on a set of Tannoy Gold Reference speakers.
Do u 💘your Tannoys?
@@gizzy2403 The best overall speakers I own. I run them with a Luxman amp. Got another terrific deal from a guy in Chicago on the amp. Overall I saved about $4000 in total. There are deals out there you just have to shop around and also get lucky sometimes.
@@sidneyburch2457 congrats man! They r a bit pricey, but th craftmanship & sound quality makes them way worth it! If I had Tannoys I would never, ever let them go. Gr8 job on $$ savings, right now would certainly b th time 2 buy, w/ people being crazy & stuck @ home
@@gizzy2403 Thanks. I forgot to mention the cabinets on the Tannoy's. The craftsmanship is top drawer. Solid beautiful walnut. Like fine furniture. Everything about them exudes quality. Even at full price, in my opinion they are bargain.
Are you still a burglar?
I want a T shirt, I’m in th U.K., boo,hoo
I remember when I had a pair of those, back in the 70's.
Poorly built like so much Asia made stuff. Way over priced and does not resemble the original L100 in any way. This is over priced corporate consumer Lo-Fi, with a big name from the past, to fool the uneducated.
Saw them in person at a store. The veneer quality in the cabinets is nowhere near as nice as the originals.
@@johnstone7697 - I demoed a pair in my system. Before I turned them on I was disappointed in the build quality. And after I heard them it was obvious that they are a lot more clinical sounding than the originals. Not that they sounded bad or un balanced, but if you buy these thinking they will sound like the originals you will be disappointed. Less dynamic, less engaging, and that's just the way it is.
@@jamiemcneil9462 I owned the originals for a couple of years. Honestly, they were pretty colored and had virtually no bass below 50Hz. The main attraction was their efficiency and punched out sound. Great for the rock music of the day. But I got tired of the over brightness and pumped up midbass, and moved to British monitors like Spendors and IMF's.These were much more accurate and better detailed. I would imagine this new version measures much better and probably has a more contemporary sound with less coloration. But that then begs the question why you would want to call it an L100, and make it look like the old one. That creates certain expectations about the sound.
My originals sound great with my velodyne.
Love to do an A-B comparison of these vs my Frazier Mark 5DII’s. Rather similar and designs and sensitivity. It would be interesting to compare a legacy speaker vs new retro tech.
Kevin, could the Mystere iA11 power these or do the L100s require more power? Something like the PrimaLuna Evo 300 or 400? Thanks.
What about those Tannoys?????????????????
Iron man, I love the speaker
Advent had some damn good bass as well
do the pots seem to make a difference for you?