Good amp for JBL L1s?

[JFreese]

Hi folks.

I have a pair of JBL L1s that I've always loved the sound from, tho I'm no fine audiofile and I likely never had them powered by a properly matched amp/receiver. (when I last had them hooked up I was using some random hand-me-down Onkyo receiver that seemed powerful but that's just an assumption)

Curious if anyone has any suggests for amps in 2 different set-up scenarios: (both assuming they'll be used in a media sized room with wide range of music types)

1. Compact/mini apt for at least the 2 L1s and a sub. I've read a bit about a handful of options from CNET/Amazon etc ranging from $50 - $300 or so, and a friend has a Sprout... which I believe is thought to be pretty impressive for its size bit cost near $600. Looking for something that size or smaller.

2. Something to work with at least a 5.1 surround using the L1s as main left/right speakers. Don't know yet what I'd use for center or rear. Would love tips on low-mid price range options that ideally are a fair bit smaller than the huge metal bricks of yesteryear.

Thanks people. I wanna see (hear) these things sing and wanna put my limited $ and space in the best place possible.

really appreciate the thoughts!!!!!

 

[DAA]

I just picked up a pair of mint JBL L1s last week for the price of a six pack. They are wonderful. Best 2-way JBLs I’ve heard and plenty of great reviews online. I’m pushing mine with a very nice and powerful Sony ES amp/pre. They seem to like some juice. Take a look for a nice Adcom pre/amp. Also a good integrated in the 50-100 watt range.

I actually went all in and bought good stands, filled them with sand, did a proper setup and integrated my stereo subs with the L1. Very happy and impressed with!

 

[JFreese]

Nice. Sounds great. (is that a pun?)

That Sony as well as the Adcom are both bigger and pricier than what I'm needing at the moment, though eventually I'll get around to that sort of goodness. For now I'd really appreciate some thoughts on mini/compact amps with 2.1, built in DAC for under $150. I know that's hardly gonna get the most out of the JBL L1s but thats what I'm playing with for now. I've seen lots written and reviews for these:

SMSL AD18
https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-AD18-Bl...s=SMSL+AD18&qid=1618859154&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Topping MX3
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Am...DJCN/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B08VJ2DJCN&psc=1

Fosi Audio BT30D
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Au...dio+BT30D&qid=1618859342&s=electronics&sr=1-3

This small size and general price point is what I'm looking for but really would like some direct experiences or opinions on what within this size/price/capabilities is really the best. Thanks again.

 

[JFreese]

Any other thoughts here? Could really use some direction or first hand endorsements for a few options. Shankyaz!

 

[smokingninja]

Any other thoughts here? Could really use some direction or first hand endorsements for a few options. Shankyaz!

Resurrecting a dead thread because I’m about to pick up a set of L1s. What did you go with? I was looking at the Fosi but wasn’t sure how it’d preform.

 

[Chris Brown]

I could try to find an amp that isn't too bright. The 035Ti / 035TiA tweeter is very revealing and can be a bit harsh in some cases (especially if the foam under the dome is in bad shape). This is going to potentially be even worse in a 2-way where the tweeter is forced to cover more of the frequency spectrum.

 

[smokingninja]

I could try to find an amp that isn't too bright. The 035Ti / 035TiA tweeter is very revealing and can be a bit harsh in some cases (especially if the foam under the dome is in bad shape). This is going to potentially be even worse in a 2-way where the tweeter is forced to cover more of the frequency spectrum.

Thanks! Any specific recommendations? I have a monoprice powered sub I was thinking about using. My main setup is a pair of L5s with a Yamaha r-s202 but the L1s will be on a shelf with less space for an amp.

 

[Chris Brown]

Thanks! Any specific recommendations? I have a monoprice powered sub I was thinking about using. My main setup is a pair of L5s with a Yamaha r-s202 but the L1s will be on a shelf with less space for an amp.

Well it's difficult to give specific requirements if you have strict space limitations. The r-s202 is not a huge amp so if that is already too big, then you are really looking for something small.

My go-to recommendation these days is to check out 10-15 year old high end AVR units on the used market. A nice Pioneer-Elite, Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Yamaha, etc. These are where the real bargains are these days. People dump them once they get "old" because they don't support the latest version of HDMI and don't support the latest Dolby/DTS surround codecs, but they are still fantastic for 2-channel listening because their amp sections as well as their DACs are still top-notch. They are right in that age gap where they are no longer the new-hotness, but still too new to be on the radar of vintage collectors. AVRs have a bad rep for 2-channel listening but that reputation mostly comes from low-end and mid-tier AVRs with exaggerated specs, etc. Many of these high-end AVRs sold for ~$2k when they were new, but you can find them for $100-200 now. Of course, if the r-s202 is too big, then a used AVR will probably be too big also, but still an idea.

 

[smokingninja]

An

Well it's difficult to give specific requirements if you have strict space limitations. The r-s202 is not a huge amp so if that is already too big, then you are really looking for something small.

My go-to recommendation these days is to check out 10-15 year old high end AVR units on the used market. A nice Pioneer-Elite, Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Yamaha, etc. These are where the real bargains are these days. People dump them once they get "old" because they don't support the latest version of HDMI and don't support the latest Dolby/DTS surround codecs, but they are still fantastic for 2-channel listening because their amp sections as well as their DACs are still top-notch. They are right in that age gap where they are no longer the new-hotness, but still too new to be on the radar of vintage collectors. AVRs have a bad rep for 2-channel listening but that reputation mostly comes from low-end and mid-tier AVRs with exaggerated specs, etc. Many of these high-end AVRs sold for ~$2k when they were new, but you can find them for $100-200 now. Of course, if the r-s202 is too big, then a used AVR will probably be too big also, but still an idea.

Yeah I’m looking for something along the lines of a Fosi BL20C for the L1s.

Any rec on an older amp with 150+ wpc? I’m looking to upgrade the 202 at some point but do know where to find a budget friendly option.