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JBL L7's = worth picking up?

Childof60

Childof60

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
So, I have found a pristine pair of L7's for not crazy money. I currently have a set of 4311's and L112"s (my favorite) in the main system. I would appreciate thoughts concerning the relative performance of the L7's compared with the other JBL's. I am very tempted to pull the trigger just based on the commanding look of the speakers. Thx.
 
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L7 need a lot of room to breathe or they get boomy. Very nice speakers if you've got the space though, and prices are generally a bargain compared to vintage JBLs.

Performance wise, the L7 will probably go higher and lower, beyond that whether or not they sound better than the L112 is subjective.
 
I've owned L112 since I purchased them new nearly 40-years ago. I also own two pair of L7, two L5, one of L3 and L1. I truly don't see any scenario in which you won't prefer them to your L112s other than the space they take up or, maybe, the power they could use. I give them around 200wpc and they could always use more. I'm one who doesn't find their positioning to be quite as picky as others but I will say they sound better, and better, with more power.

The fine tweeter on the L112 has never made any enemies. The Titanium tweeter in the '90s L-series have a reputation for irritating though much of it could be their damping plug deterioration. I've not had this problem with any of mine, that I've heard, but a bad recording will always sound better on the 044 dome.

I have no idea what "not crazy money" is but both of mine have been insanely cheap, the first coming from three-houses down the street and the other from 100-miles away. They are a bear to ship. Let us know what you think.
 
Hobie1dog said:
I found a pair for $75.00 and gave them to my daughter and she uses them in their HT system.
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The question is never what you paid for them but (assuming you've adequately powered them with capable equipment) what would you sell them for now that you've lived with them for a bit? I'm saying something over a grand is what it would take for me to give up either pair. Coincidentally, that's about what I paid for my L112s nearly 40-years ago!
 
Thx for the replies and insight. The (current) price discussion is $350 for the pair with a turntable (nothing really special) thrown in for an extra $75. I will likely come to terms this weekend and then decide what stays and leaves after testing with my Yamaha M-80 based system. I have reached the point something must leave with every new find. The real challenge is I found a set of L112's last night that need restoration with very good cosmetics. Seems like I am having quite the luck finding good speakers lately.
 
Nice week, buy the L112s and the L7s. If you can only afford one set, I'd side with the L112s, much easier to sell when you upgrade (this is the hobby, right?) due to the size and reputation for the L7 to need a large room.
 
Childof60 said:
So, I have found a pristine pair of L7's for not crazy money. I currently have a set of 4311's and L112"s (my favorite) in the main system. I would appreciate thoughts concerning the relative performance of the L7's compared with the other JBL's. I am very tempted to pull the trigger just based on the commanding look of the speakers. Thx.
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YES!!
Go now, get them!!
I love my L7's, and I have imparted this on three friends of mine who have gone out and bought them as well, they are amazing speakers!!
I have 4412's 4410A's L5's L7's and are very familiar with the JBL sound, I would say the L7's are possibly the best speakers they made.
They can handle bucket loads of power, they are very very smooth and delicate sounding speakers, but when you want them to rock, you'll have things falling off shelves and so forth....
 
I never got mine to sound as good as I'd hoped.
Upgraded crossovers and all. Did only try two 200 watt amps though.
They do require quality power ,as any amp change is clearly noticeable.
By comparison I like my upgraded B and W 801 series 2 better.
I'm guessing very room dependent as well.
For your price, it's a steal. Get em.
.
 
A truly surprising and dynamic speaker ... and one which I suspect is rarely set-up correctly or with truly complimentary gear...

The tweeter is extended and extremely accurate .. it points up any harshness in the associated amp.or cables.
They throw an image that you can walk around in ..
They need big power and a big room to sound their best .. In my estimation they're not "receiver" speakers.

Mine are bi-amped with an el-34 tube amp on top and an Aragon 4004 Mk2 on the bass ..
The tubes keep the tweeters tamed and take advantage of their extension ..
The Aragon can swing 400wpc onto a 4 ohm load, and will drive 2 ohms. Authoritative is an understatement in regards to it's bass performance...

Given power, and proper set-up they're the best JBL's that I've ever heard.
 
Picked them up this afternoon and will start testing this weekend. Based on the weight they should be great.
 
I see you have them out in the wild where you can hear them.
dare I say image? Always refreshing to see
 
The family room I have them in now is on the live side. Soon I will get some help this evening bringing them downstairs to my carpeted basement bedroom where I will bi amp them. They are being powered by Sony TA-N77es right now. I like them and am pleased with my purchase even though I didn't get a bargain price. I've gotten plenty of bargains in the past to compensate though.
 
mr.muddles said:
I like them and am pleased with my purchase even though I didn't get a bargain price.
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The important part of any purchase is whether or not you gain enjoyment from the acquisition—with no buyer's remorse. The older I get the more I'm willing to pay more for something I want than I used to be. A few hundred bucks is really no big deal if it brings enjoyment.
 
BMWCCA said:
The important part of any purchase is whether or not you gain enjoyment from the acquisition—with no buyer's remorse. The older I get the more I'm willing to pay more for something I want than I used to be. A few hundred bucks is really no big deal if it brings enjoyment.
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I try and look at the big picture and remember the price I've gotten some of my gear and speakers for when purchasing something I really want, and also when moving along gear I'm no longer listening to. It's kind of in the spirit of AK.

I've been collecting long enough where I can't really expect to find great deals on the things that I really want as I'd spend years waiting and may ultimately never find. I used to work a job that allowed me to scour craigslist and take off at a moments notice but that is no longer the case, I'm not in a position to be first in line anymore, so I have learned to appreciate just being able to get the things I want for a fair market price.
 
The L7 sounds much better in a dead room. I haven't messed with placement too much in my basement but they sound very nice... and bi amping definitely brings them alive. I'm using a Yamaha M80 on the highs (recapped) and a Yamaha P2700 (350wpc) on the lows... sounds extremely good with SACD but I think I'm going to invest in a new DAC for redbook cds... sounds good, of course, but there is always room for improvement.
 
Congrats!
You clearly have large enough for them to open up. I don't.
Please share your thoughts and of course comparisons with your otherer fine speakers.
 
Stan man said:
Congrats!
You clearly have large enough for them to open up. I don't.
Please share your thoughts and of course comparisons with your otherer fine speakers.
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They image really nicely compared to my other speakers, and the soundstage is huge, vast, and expansive. I think the L5 is probably what people who can't make the L7 work in their room should try out. I love my L5 and honestly they aren't missing a whole lot compared to the L7. The bass is very punchy and focused with great midbass, and they also throw out a huge soundstage (it's almost more magical and impressive due to their size, they would do things I couldn't believe especially with Nirvana Unplugged). The L7 feels bigger, more balanced, and more coherent compared to the L5. There is a rawness and sense of detail in the midrange/vocals.. I think source is important with the Ti tweeters.

My Pioneer TZ-7 are more listenable speakers and sound great with any source but they are missing the vastness of the soundstage and the detail/presence of the L7. I also much prefer the bass in the JBL L series compared to the Pioneer TZ-7 (twin drive system 2 woofers connected by a metal rod). The L7 bass is very well balanced, has lots of detail, slam, and fills the room easily. Not exactly a fair comparison as the TZ-9 would have better bass than the TZ-7. Pioneers are great everyday speaker for listening to anything, whereas L7 are more of a reference system with higher potential but also more fussy with source/power. The L7 are more fun and really excel when you want to party and turn the volume up.

Compared to NS-1000, well the Yamaha's are much more clear and detailed... everything comes through in a way that no other speaker I've listened to can compare... The JBL L7 is not far behind in this regard, but they offer such a huge soundstage compared to the NS-1000. NS-1000 images nicely and great soundstage but does not compare to the vastness of the L7. Yamaha is also very dependent on source and recording material.

I would say the NS-1000 is best for the finest recordings in a smaller room seated closer to the speakers. The JBL L7 is the best of all worlds if you have the space and the soundstage is truly impressive. The Pioneer TZ-7 sounds good no matter what you play for them and is a wonderful all around speaker for everyday listening. I love all 3 of them... but right now I am definitely digging the L7 because they are new to me.
 
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