JBL L36 vs L46

[bimmerlucas]

I'm looking to pickup some vintage JBLs and I've found these two speakers as options. The L36 are $550 USD while the L46 are $350 USD.

This should be a no brainer, where the L36 trounces the L46, except my listening space is an average sized bedroom. I feel like the L36 would be better in a larger space which I can't supply. Are the L36 overkill and would my money be better spent saved and getting the smaller L46?

 

[malden]

For background listening in a small room I'd go with the L46

 

[BMWCCA]

For years I ran a JBL 4345 in a 12x18 living room—and loved it. So I really don't understand your logic.

 

[malden]

For years I ran a JBL 4345 in a 12x18 living room—and loved it. So I really don't understand your logic.

if you have a suggestion for the OP, why not offer it ?

 

[BMWCCA]

if you have a suggestion for the OP, why not offer it ?

It is pretty apparent from my post that I feel room-size is overrated when considering a speaker's applicability to a particular room. If I can play my JBL 4345 with their 18-inch woofers in a small living room and enjoy them there for over five-years before moving to a larger home, then I wouldn't make room-size even a small part of the decision process in the OP's case. I'm on record as rebelling against the severe criticism of the JBL L7 for their placement issues, including separation and relief from a rear wall. They don't really care that much and will continue to help you enjoy your music. The fact is the 4345 sounded better to me in a small room stuffed with upholstered furniture, low ceilings, and carpet. I'm still working on making them sound as good in a large room with a 15' cathedral ceiling, huge windows, hard wall surfaces, and oak floor with a rug. I just haven't gotten around to room treatment that can match the warm sound these monsters produced in their old home!

This does not necessarily imply that I'm okay with the prices quoted for the two choices here. There is so much out there in the JBL range that is superior to either the L36 or L46, particularly when you go beyond the $500 range. Either don't be in a hurry, or buy what you want and consider any extra hundreds-of-dollars spent as a cheap investment in your enjoyment. FWIW, I've purchased L96s for $200 after they sat on a well-known JBL forum for months apparently without interest. The L5 is my all-time favorite "steal" in speakers, having bought two pair for $200 each over the years—and I'd do it again. The L5 is such an under-appreciated JBL and all I can think is that some prefer walnut veneer to black ash. The L5 will certainly make you forget the L36, if you had the chance to hear them side-by-side.

I sincerely hope that makes my previous comment easier to understand—for those of you who encountered difficulty in figuring out what I meant! Buy the one you like best. Simple.

 

[hjames]

I bought a pair of L36s brand new in 1976 - redid the surrounds when needed and had them until maybe 2005 -
And once I heard some of the other models I dumped them in a heartbeat - no regrets.
Don't know where you are or what your market is, but you can certainly find better JBLs than L36 Decades.
L5s or L7s are a great step up ... wait to find a pair of them on sale.

 

[KingBubba]

I have the L36s and they are just fine, but I paid $35 for them. No way I would spend the asking prices on the ones you are looking at.

 

[Chris Brown]

This should be a no brainer, where the L36 trounces the L46

Just curious, why are you drawing this conclusion? The L36, quite frankly, isn't that good. The paper-cone tweeters are terrible and the 125A woofers are nothing special. About the only thing the L36 really has going for it is the LE5 midrange, which I personally like but isn't without it's own issues (rising response).

The L46 uses the 034 tweeter which is, IMO, quite a bit better than any paper-cone tweeter. The 8" 117H-1 woofer is smaller than the 10" 125A, but uses a ferrite magnet (H) instead of an Alnico magnet (A). The ferrite magnet means the woofer can handle more power without any risk of demagnetization (Alnico magnets can suffer partial demagnetization if overpowered). The L46 also uses a very reasonable 3000Hz crossover which should keep the tweeter reasonably safe at higher volumes. The crossover frequency is an issue with some other 2-ways such as the L40 with it's 1800Hz crossover that really dumps a lot of the midrange on the tweeter and limits it's power handling. The L46 actually has twice the rated power handling capacity compared to the L36, which is pretty impressive for a 2-way. I'd take the L46 over the L36 in a heartbeat. Add a subwoofer to those L46 speakers and that should be an extremely nice sounding setup.

 

[absolve2525]

I like my L36, after replacing the electrolytic woofer crossover capacitor. I don't have a problem with the tweeters, with a bit of treble boost. I guess people love or hate the paper tweeters. Kinda like Titanium, I suppose! I haven't heard L46, but I'm sure they sound nice. My latest JBL are L1, which I think are great.

 

[sanford12]

Had a pair of 36's. Played them when got them. Thought they were terrible. Recapped them. Still terrible. Icepick's for tweeters. Never been a fan of JBL speakers, they didn't help that opinion.