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JBL L80t vs. Polk SDA 2A

halo71

halo71

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I know this is an apple to oranges comparison. But any advice is appreciated. I have a chance to trade a pair of SDA 2A's in mint condition. For a pair of JBL L80t's. With some slight veneer issue on one cabinet. All drivers working, fresh foam on woofers.

I have other Polk speakers. Been around their sound for years. Rather new to JBL though. I did get a pair of 4312C's a little while back that I like. The better question, since I can not really hear the L80t's before trading. Do to long travel distance. Is...how do the L80t's compare to the 4312C's?

Thoughts?
 
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It's a taste thing.

Personally, I'd do it. I've liked the L80Ts since we sold them new, back in '87. Just a very well balanced speaker. With a few minor tweaks (lengthen the port 1" from the inside of the box, add a bit more fiberglass stuffing behind the mid and tweeter), the L80T is still a seriously good speaker.

The L80T has a little more low bass extension and a bit smoother bass response (no upper bass peak) than the 4312, due to the larger box.

Regards,
Gordon.
 
Well sadly, I don't think its gonna matter now. I got some detailed pics of the JBL's tonight. Whomever refoamed the woofers did a terrible job. One woofer looks to have what appears to be a brownish glue on the cone. Looks like liquid nails. And one cabinet looks to have some water damage. Joints of the cabinet pulled apart a bit. And veneer is very wavy. I just can't trade an almost dead mint pair of SDA's for the JBL's in that condition.
 
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Well, the woofer was done badly, but the veneer on that series was not good. I have some 100T's that the veneer lifted like that. I doubt it is water damaged. I am in the middle of re-veneering them and they look great now. But personally I wouldn't do an even trade. Maybe the SDA's plus some cash from the other guy.
 
He told me up front they were a little rough. lol He has many pairs of speakers. And these and a pair of Phase Research were the only ones that caught my eye really.
 
Hey Halo, I bet those speakers are in Huntsville. I looked at them also. I ended up buying a pair of pioneer DCM 60's from him. He is a good guy and i enjoyed dealing with him.
 
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