What is a fair going rate for a vintage pair of JBL L100’s? Cabinets 6/7 out of 10. Grill 6 out of 10. Sound - well pretty darn good. I’d say good condition overall for age. Foam on cabinets need to be glued on more secure. Edge of cabinets have splintered in a couple of places but pieces are still attached. Thoughts?
Fair rate for vintage speaker?
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GD70
Lunatic Member
Look on eBay for general prices.
FYI- Value discussions should should be in the dollars and Spence section, so the mods might move this thread.
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
More than most folks will consider upfront.
swechsler
Frog Whisperer
Pictures of the issues you're talking about (and in fact overall) are very helpful in determining a valuation.
pictures of speakers in question. Thanks
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swechsler
Frog Whisperer
Well, you didn't show pics of the damage you mentioned. The foam grilles yours have is from Radio Shack, but that's not surprising, since the foam that originally came with them would have disintegrated years ago. But you have the grille frames, which is good. Assuming all the veneer is intact, I'm guessing in the $400-$500 range for the pair.
swechsler
Frog Whisperer
Really? In less than perfect condition? If that's the case, I'm going to be on the lookout for some large, sturdy boxes.
Mrv8q
Audiofool
FWIW, I flipped a pair that I thoroughly enjoyed, before moving them on for 600 here in SoCal. They were not as nice as yours cosmetically, but I reconditioned the cabinets and they looked great. Original grills but no grill foam, and pulled the dimples out of the tweeters; Simply Speakers has the replacement foam for the tweeters which I did.
Many calls from the list of Craig, and I didn’t budge from my price; didn’t have to. You want them or not, there is a line behind you waiting on your decision. 1st guy grumbled but bought them.
It is all dependent on your location though, I think. Shipping would be a pain.
Many calls from the list of Craig, and I didn’t budge from my price; didn’t have to. You want them or not, there is a line behind you waiting on your decision. 1st guy grumbled but bought them.
It is all dependent on your location though, I think. Shipping would be a pain.
Those are L100A (late), and yes the grille foam is from Radio Shack. My L100 (late) in perfect original condition plus new tweeter foam and new blue quadrex II foam sold on ebay last winter for $3,650. They were perfect and sold for more than any others have before and since.
My "beater" pair of L100A (late) with some scratches and minor veneer corner damage, original grille frames with original JBL Russett Brown / Chocolate Brown cloth inserts (they sold them to replace the foam) and original badges good working condition new tweeter foam (Simply Speakers) sold locally / craigslist this summer for $700 IIRC, guy felt he was stealing them, I was happy they found a new home.
Very collectible, close or sequential serial numbers a plus, the fact that your drivers are in excellent condition and not rotated from original position indicates they are unmolested. Depending a LOT on cabinet condition and also location (but people will drive a distance for these) I'd say that $500 on the low side, $700 with some light veneer damage. You can replace the foam with new or replace with cloth inserts both available on ebay, the foam will make them worth significantly more but costs more, provided the cabinets can be restored to show condition.
I would NOT replace the tweeter (diffraction ring) foam with the one on ebay from the guy claiming "OEM", they're not, they are also the wrong density and the wrong ID and will stick to the tweeter's surround. The rings from Simply Speakers are the correct density and dimensions (although there are some here who prefer the darker foam from the ebay guy, if color is your top concern you'll want the ebay guy's foam or to dip the simply speakers rings in dye.
My "beater" pair of L100A (late) with some scratches and minor veneer corner damage, original grille frames with original JBL Russett Brown / Chocolate Brown cloth inserts (they sold them to replace the foam) and original badges good working condition new tweeter foam (Simply Speakers) sold locally / craigslist this summer for $700 IIRC, guy felt he was stealing them, I was happy they found a new home.
Very collectible, close or sequential serial numbers a plus, the fact that your drivers are in excellent condition and not rotated from original position indicates they are unmolested. Depending a LOT on cabinet condition and also location (but people will drive a distance for these) I'd say that $500 on the low side, $700 with some light veneer damage. You can replace the foam with new or replace with cloth inserts both available on ebay, the foam will make them worth significantly more but costs more, provided the cabinets can be restored to show condition.
I would NOT replace the tweeter (diffraction ring) foam with the one on ebay from the guy claiming "OEM", they're not, they are also the wrong density and the wrong ID and will stick to the tweeter's surround. The rings from Simply Speakers are the correct density and dimensions (although there are some here who prefer the darker foam from the ebay guy, if color is your top concern you'll want the ebay guy's foam or to dip the simply speakers rings in dye.
swechsler
Frog Whisperer
Was that including or plus shipping? Did they sell in the US or overseas?
Sold to a buyer in Colorado, he paid for packing and shipping at FedEx.
No buyer’s remorse, he is very happy with them, he has wanted a pair and only wanted the best, in perfect condition. I’ve been there enough times myself and price becomes less important than the condition, as I don’t want to find something after years of looking just to have to start again.
BTW, the second bidder contacted me to tell me that he is good for the price if the first buyer falls through, so not a total anomaly. Condition can make a high-volume item very rare.
No buyer’s remorse, he is very happy with them, he has wanted a pair and only wanted the best, in perfect condition. I’ve been there enough times myself and price becomes less important than the condition, as I don’t want to find something after years of looking just to have to start again.
BTW, the second bidder contacted me to tell me that he is good for the price if the first buyer falls through, so not a total anomaly. Condition can make a high-volume item very rare.
Multiple suckers born every day! Im sure you have zero sellers remorse! LOL
Considering the amount of L100's JBL sold, im sure there are even more pristine examples out there than yours were... Prolly worth 5,000.00 to that special dim bulb! I meant shrewd collector....
Considering the amount of L100's JBL sold, im sure there are even more pristine examples out there than yours were... Prolly worth 5,000.00 to that special dim bulb! I meant shrewd collector....
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I get it you’re not a fan, and likely not a collector of things in special condition so I can understand that perhaps you don’t get this, and quite a presumption on your part being “sure” that there are more pristine examples, I’m wondering what flaw from perfect you have identified on mine?
Everyone has things that we consider valuable, I know people who own collections of 7-figure cars, bizjets and helicopters, vacation homes, major ball teams, ... to some people whether it costs $300 or $3,000 isn’t as important as getting the exact one we want. Your judgement is misplaced, I worked hard for my money and how I choose to spend it is really my own business. Hell there are people drinking fine spirits tonight that cost that much. If I spend on a pair of speakers that I’ll enjoy for years what many people will spend on a week’s cruise on a ship am I really a “dim bulb”? I somehow thought this was an audio forum for those of us who love audio, ... not about what someone’s personal limit of what the limit of speaker values should be.
I’m not even going to ask what your opinion of a new set of six-figure Focals and their buyer, ...
The dim bulb comment was directed at your buyer. I’m sure you would not have spent what you sold them for considering you bought L200 or L300 in said minty shape for less.
I love L100 as well as Bose 301 & 601 series III for what they represent. A great way to sell for absurd prices to allow one to then go out and buy much better speakers.
I love L100 as well as Bose 301 & 601 series III for what they represent. A great way to sell for absurd prices to allow one to then go out and buy much better speakers.
superdog
AK Member
I found a very nice set about ten years ago at a thrift store for $34.99.These are in very good condition save for one plant ring.Even have the original tweeter foams in very good shape and grill frames.I cannot bring myself to part with them.They are a love hate type speaker that I heard them at their best with a Audio Research tube preamp and vinyl.Sublime was what I heard in a Chick Corea lp.Return to Forever.If the time ever came I would need $750 local for them to leave and that would be a price to move them.