• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

JBL L112 anyone heard ? vs klipsch RF3 ?

quadklipsh

quadklipsh

Super Member
can anyone at audiokarma tell from his eperience which of these two is a better candidate for delivering a better overall sound with a 120 watt marantz esotec amplifier , pm 6..
i own the klipsch and was offered a good price for rf3s and was able to save some after purchasing a jbl L112....
id really like to know which one is a more serious speaker when it comes to 2 channel audio .
and ofcourse what differences do i get when going from klipsch rf3 to jbl l112
......
is this jbl a v good model ???
 
Register to hide this ad
JBL. It's a serious speaker with a brawny cabinet, high-quality drivers, excellent bass response, good dispersion, nice crossovers, great midrange and tweeters. If they sold them new today they'd be a few thousand dollars a pair. One pair of the woofers, new, might cost more than the entire Klipsches new. (Not that cost is the only criterion, but it speaks to the build quality and materials.)

Those Klipsches are pretty generic.
 
Last edited:
Having never heard the JBL L112, i cant really comment directly to your question.

But i recently got a pair of L166 with which i am very well pleased with. And still doing comparisions against a pair of Koss CM 1020. They are so close, but with apparent differences.
 
Having never heard either pair, I can't say for sure, but if I had to make a choice without hearing them, I'd definitely get the JBL's.

They were $1100 in the early 80's so they clearly have at least top notch drivers.
 
Have the 112's but fall in with the rest of the responders in that I've not been able to make a comparison. Can tell you the 112's are a fantastic 3-way speaker. I had to refoam the woofers and was a little disappointed in the bass response at first -- also put them on a pair of 10-12" wood stands with a few degree tilt -- but now!
They sound better and better! They have a beautiful veneeer fit and finish too.
BTW, when I removed the woofers to refoam I was amazed at the cast aluminum baskets -- very well made. A quality speaker for sure ----and parts available if ever needed to repair.
 
....Didn't answer your question. The 112's will easily handle the power of your Marantz amp. I'm using a Pioneer SX 950 underated at ? 85-95 watts but also used them with my Fisher RS1080, around 150 watts (iirc).
 
I use a Kenwood Model 600 (130 wpc) integrated amp with my JBL L150A's which are similar, same drivers etc. and it pushes the speakers with no problem.
 
I currently use my L112's with a 15wpc eico and a 30wpc gainclone. I would say 30watts is the minimum to get the best performance, although the eico does sound great.

The L112's are an amazing speaker and never fail to impress me, but I'm just not a huge fan of the JBL sound. I've been running them for over 6 months so I it's not just because I'm still getting used to them. I had the RF-7's and would actually prefer them. They are horns so that will definitely give them a different flavor. They provided more clarity and depth, plus a bit more relaxed presentation than the in your face (and lap) JBL's. The klipsch are also a bit forward, but much more enjoyable to me.

That said, I would be wary of using the Klipsch with less than great amplification. They will amplify any shortcomings more than the JBL. The klipsch may also sound a bit drier than the JBL's. The L112's are "warmer" sounding in my opinion.

This is my opinion, others may differ.
 
Last edited:
IMO it's a simple answer, the JBL's.

I've owned many pairs of Klipsch speakers including the RF-3's. I've also owned more vintage Marantz gear then I can remember. For 2 channel listening I'd take the JBL's over the Klipsch RF-3's any day.

If you were setting up a home theater then go with the Klipsch.

-Rocko
 
I had JBL 112s and 96s for years. I currently have RF7II. Not exactly the comparison you are looking for. FWIW I much prefer the Klipsch. I think they are better in everyway. That's not to slight the JBLs I did like them as well.

cubdog
 
pjsjr said:
quadklipsh said:
i own the klipsch and was offered a good price for rf3s and was able to save some after purchasing a jbl L112....QUOTE]

I'm confused...which do you have? Why can't you listen to both? Preston
Click to expand...

sorry about that confusing sentence,my bad !!!
what i wana say is that i have Rf3s
and a friends aquaintance has the JBLs ON SALE , maybe sold by now.
the friend has advised me to sell my klipsch and get the jbls instead ...
Used Rf3s cost 32 k here and used L112 jbls go for 35k (pak rupees)
I was wondering if i could sell mine for around 35 (a few guys have offered me that amount) and then i get those jbls , would that make my system a better one.
A guy with some JBL experience was skeptical about jbl having a laid back /recessed mids not even close to klipsches clarity and also said that dynamics may differ alot .
I am looking for reviews about the tonality imaging and bass of these speakers compared to the dryness of rf3s :)
Click to expand...
 
I too vote for the JBL L112's.

I had a pair years ago and am quite upset that I got rid of them. Actually, they were my oldest brother's speakers, but he was using a pair of Klipsch Cornwall's, so a nabbed up the JBL's. I eventually used them as a center channel. Now that I think about it, that was a total waste for those speakers being used like that. I wish I still had them.

p425308643-4.jpg
 
what opinions does your eldest brother have about cornwalls vs these jbls ?
im interested how the two american speakers rival each other and who rocks more in different kinds of music
who has always had a better bass !!!!????
 
I had JBL112s and Cornwalls at the same time. The JBLs got little use once I got the Cornwalls. But speaker comparisons are largely worthless since we all have our own prejudices.

cubdog
 
cubdog said:
I had JBL112s and Cornwalls at the same time. The JBLs got little use once I got the Cornwalls.
Click to expand...

I find it humorous that y'all are comparing a 12-inch woofer JBL 3-way bookshelf system (24x14x13") to a 15-inch woofer big-box (35x25x15") 3-way PWK icon.

I'm the original owner of an L112 pair so I can appreciate it, but a more valid comparison might be a 4333 or L300 and I don't think many would have a problem picking a winner there! :scratch2:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom