JBL L112

[PhonoJ]

Hello,

I recently got a deal on a set of JBL L112's, to possibly replace my 4312a's. I'm no speaker expert, but I'm trying to find information on what the difference is between JBL L112, JBL L112 Century and Century II. Are they all the same and it's just a name that was added on, or are they different in any way. I would like to find out exactly what I have and what year they were made if possible. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chris Brown]

I believe that there is only one version. L112 is the model number, "Century II" is a marketing name. If something makes a reference to only one or the other, I don't think that really means anything. The L100 was the "Century".

All "versions" of the L112 use the same drivers (128H woofer, LE5-12 mid, 044 tweeter). I believe there is only one version of the crossover, as it's also the same crossover used in the L96.

The L112 was introduced in 1981.

Compared to the 4312a:

The 128H woofer in the L112 is hands-down a much better woofer than the 2213H in the 4312a. JBL used the 128H also in the 4411, 4412, and the 4412A, with the 4412A still being sold until ~2006.

The LE5-12 midrange in the L112 is older than the 104H-3 midrange in the 4312a, with the 104H-3 being better but the LE5-12 is still good and should not hold anything back.

The 044 tweeter is a fantastic tweeter, although it is older than the 035Ti in the 4312a. The 035Ti suffers from an issue where the foam underneath the dome (that helps to dampen the dome) disintegrates due to age and causes the treble to become more harsh. This is a very delicate and difficult repair that pretty much all 035Ti tweeters require at this point. The 044 does not suffer from this issue. Foam plug issue aside, even an 035Ti that is in great condition will have a harsher and brighter sound than the 044, and it would really come down to preference.

The woofer and tweeter would make the L112 a clear upgrade IMO, even though the midrange and tweeter are older.

 

[PhonoJ]

I believe that there is only one version. L112 is the model number, "Century II" is a marketing name. If something makes a reference to only one or the other, I don't think that really means anything. The L100 was the "Century".

All "versions" of the L112 use the same drivers (128H woofer, LE5-12 mid, 044 tweeter). I believe there is only one version of the crossover, as it's also the same crossover used in the L96.

The L112 was introduced in 1981.

Compared to the 4312a:

The 128H woofer in the L112 is hands-down a much better woofer than the 2213H in the 4312a. JBL used the 128H also in the 4411, 4412, and the 4412A, with the 4412A still being sold until ~2006.

The LE5-12 midrange in the L112 is older than the 104H-3 midrange in the 4312a, with the 104H-3 being better but the LE5-12 is still good and should not hold anything back.

The 044 tweeter is a fantastic tweeter, although it is older than the 035Ti in the 4312a. The 035Ti suffers from an issue where the foam underneath the dome (that helps to dampen the dome) disintegrates due to age and causes the treble to become more harsh. This is a very delicate and difficult repair that pretty much all 035Ti tweeters require at this point. The 044 does not suffer from this issue. Foam plug issue aside, even an 035Ti that is in great condition will have a harsher and brighter sound than the 044, and it would really come down to preference.

The woofer and tweeter would make the L112 a clear upgrade IMO, even though the midrange and tweeter are older.

Fantastic, thanks for the info, exactly what I was looking for. I just didn't get the whole Century Century II thing.

 

[MaxP]

I believe that there is only one version. L112 is the model number, "Century II" is a marketing name. If something makes a reference to only one or the other, I don't think that really means anything. The L100 was the "Century".

All "versions" of the L112 use the same drivers (128H woofer, LE5-12 mid, 044 tweeter). I believe there is only one version of the crossover, as it's also the same crossover used in the L96.

The L112 was introduced in 1981.

Compared to the 4312a:

The 128H woofer in the L112 is hands-down a much better woofer than the 2213H in the 4312a. JBL used the 128H also in the 4411, 4412, and the 4412A, with the 4412A still being sold until ~2006.

The LE5-12 midrange in the L112 is older than the 104H-3 midrange in the 4312a, with the 104H-3 being better but the LE5-12 is still good and should not hold anything back.

The 044 tweeter is a fantastic tweeter, although it is older than the 035Ti in the 4312a. The 035Ti suffers from an issue where the foam underneath the dome (that helps to dampen the dome) disintegrates due to age and causes the treble to become more harsh. This is a very delicate and difficult repair that pretty much all 035Ti tweeters require at this point. The 044 does not suffer from this issue. Foam plug issue aside, even an 035Ti that is in great condition will have a harsher and brighter sound than the 044, and it would really come down to preference.

The woofer and tweeter would make the L112 a clear upgrade IMO, even though the midrange and tweeter are older.

Doesn’t the L150 and 150A is the 128H woofer as well?

 

[zebra03]

I always thought the L150 used the same components as the L112 with the addition of a subwoofer in a larger cabinet . Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Chris Brown]

Doesn’t the L150 and 150A is the 128H woofer as well?

I always thought the L150 used the same components as the L112 with the addition of a subwoofer in a larger cabinet . Please correct me if I am wrong.

Yeah the 128H was used in many speakers, even more if you include the 128H-1 which is the same except the cone is black.

It's the L150A that uses the same components as the L112 as well as the same crossover frequencies.

The L150 (non-A) uses the older 033 tweeter instead of the 044, and has slightly different crossover frequencies. The closest bookshelf equivalent to the L150 (non-A) would be the L110 (same mid and tweeter, same crossover frequencies), although the L110 had a smaller 10" woofer.

The bottom cone in the L150 and L150A is not a subwoofer, it's a passive radiator. There is no voice coil or magnet, it moves based on the pressure from the woofer inside the sealed cabinet. It essentially performs the same function as a port in a ported speaker, but allows for tuning that would not be practical with a port (some tuning would require a 10 foot long port tube, etc).

 

[zebra03]

Yeah the 128H was used in many speakers, even more if you include the 128H-1 which is the same except the cone is black.

It's the L150A that uses the same components as the L112 as well as the same crossover frequencies.

The L150 (non-A) uses the older 033 tweeter instead of the 044, and has slightly different crossover frequencies. The closest bookshelf equivalent to the L150 (non-A) would be the L110 (same mid and tweeter, same crossover frequencies), although the L110 had a smaller 10" woofer.

The bottom cone in the L150 and L150A is not a subwoofer, it's a passive radiator. There is no voice coil or magnet, it moves based on the pressure from the woofer inside the sealed cabinet. It essentially performs the same function as a port in a ported speaker, but allows for tuning that would not be practical with a port (some tuning would require a 10 foot long port tube, etc).

Thank you. I did say subwoofer instead of Passive radiator .

 

[wallacefl]

Just my minor take on things … the 128 woofer is better as as a woofer than the 2213/123a but as for the purposes each complete model was as designed for …the 2213/123a has a much less convoluted higher midrange+ lower treble frequency response and might sound better if tried with a 4412 crossover style.