JBL L99 Lancers opinions?

[shnaggle]

I'm listening to my L99's (actually Heathkit AS-48, but the same thing). Bass is great: punchy and deep. The vocals come right out of the cabinets, very forward, similar to L100's. There's none of the midrange stridency that the L100's are tuned for. Stereo imaging is good.

But these are two-way speakers, no midrange driver. Am I missing something in the midrange with these speakers? Woofers' Lansaloy surrounds are hard, but the bass is still kicking. Will the woofers get damaged if the surrounds are not softer? The LE20-1 paper cone tweeters are supposed to be below average? Cabinets are resting on 10" steel ADS stands designed for the L710/L520.

 

[absolve2525]

Great woofers in those! I had a pair of those speakers, but tweeters were both blown. I never got to hear the whole speaker, but I did refoam the woofers and still have them. Much more bass with new foam surrounds, and it's not particularly hard to refoam since the metal frames have indentations for where the surround fits in. I would avoid using brake fluid to soften the old surrounds, which has been suggested in the past. The cone can soak it up and leave the white coating stained.

I'm listening to my L99's (actually Heathkit AS-48, but the same thing). Bass is great: punchy and deep. The vocals come right out of the cabinets, very forward, similar to L100's. Thyere's none of the midrange stridency that the L100's are tuned for. Stereo imaging is good.

But these are two-way speakers, no midrange driver. Am I missing something in the midrange with these speakers? Woofers' Lansaloy surrounds are hard, but the bass is still kicking. Will the woofers get damaged if the surrounds are not softer? The LE20-1 paper cone tweeters are supposed to be below average? Cabinets are resting on 10" steel ADS stands designed for the L710/L520.

 

[malden]

I'm listening to my L99's (actually Heathkit AS-48, but the same thing). Bass is great: punchy and deep.

that's the LE14, great driver for a small box

The vocals come right out of the cabinets, very forward, similar to L100's. There's none of the midrange stridency that the L100's are tuned for.

what is "mid-range stridency"?

Stereo imaging is good.

have you heard any speakers in the exact same setup, room, position, etc that do not have good imaging?

But these are two-way speakers, no midrange driver.

I think they crossover at 2K, a bit high for a 14" woofer but I wonder if the stiff surrounds help

Am I missing something in the midrange with these speakers?

only you can say, you did state that "vocals come right out of the cabinets"

Woofers' Lansaloy surrounds are hard, but the bass is still kicking. Will the woofers get damaged if the surrounds are not softer?

I read somewhere that the stiff surrounds limit cone movement and can damage the voice coils if over driven

The LE20-1 paper cone tweeters are supposed to be below average?

again, you would be the best judge of how the tweeters sound since you have them right there

 

[shnaggle]

Great woofers in those! I had a pair of those speakers, but tweeters were both blown. I never got to hear the whole speaker, but I did refoam the woofers and still have them. Much more bass with new foam surrounds, and it's not particularly hard to refoam since the metal frames have indentations for where the surround fits in. I would avoid using brake fluid to soften the old surrounds, which has been suggested in the past. The cone can soak it up and leave the white coating stained.

Did you cut the dust caps and shim the coil when you refoamed?

 

[shnaggle]

that's the LE14, great driver for a small box

what is "mid-range stridency"?

have you heard any speakers in the exact same setup, room, position, etc that do not have good imaging?

I think they crossover at 2K, a bit high for a 14" woofer but I wonder if the stiff surrounds help

only you can say, you did state that "vocals come right out of the cabinets"

I read somewhere that the stiff surrounds limit cone movement and can damage the voice coils if over driven

again, you would be the best judge of how the tweeters sound since you have them right there

L100's midrange drivers duplicate whatever's playing through the tweeters and are ear-fatiguing after a while. That's kind of what I meant by "mid-range stridency". Both L100 and L99 have the same way of projecting a singer's voice forward to the listener, not sure if that's a feature of the tweeters or of the way the crossovers are designed. I've read some criticism about the tweeters, but nothing really specific about exactly what they're supposed to lack. Maybe that they're paper tweeters, or something. JBL L96 and L110 are supposed to have a really good midrange, but I've never heard them. But they have a midrange driver.

The ADS L710's I have don't seem to image as well as these older speakers do, and they are in the same exact position, etc. in my room. Stereo image panning effect back-and-forth between speakers seem a bit quicker with the JBL's, and go wider, but the L710's do have a richer midrange (but they also have the extra driver). As for your question: My pair of bookshelf Pioneer SS-BS22-LR on stand-mounter stands barely have any stereo imaging at all in the same position in the room, same amp, settings, though they improve a bit when I separate them a couple of feet wider.

 

[malden]

L100's midrange drivers duplicate whatever's playing through the tweeters and are ear-fatiguing after a while. That's kind of what I meant by "mid-range stridency".

yes, my 4311B, same basic design as the L100, are fatiguing most likely due to what you are saying. A better crossover between the mid and tweeter may help. It's on my list of projects.

Both L100 and L99 have the same way of projecting a singer's voice forward to the listener, not sure if that's a feature of the tweeters or of the way the crossovers are designed. I've read some criticism about the tweeters, but nothing really specific about exactly what they're supposed to lack. Maybe that they're paper tweeters, or something. JBL L96 are supposed to have a really good midrange, but I've never heard them.

I've never felt the LE20-1 to be lacking in the highs but I don't think it's very good down to 2K. The mid-range of my S99 and L77 are a bit muddied. Both of them have LE20-1 crossed over at 2k to the LE14 and LE10.

My L110 on the other hand (similar to the L96), are some of the most clear, balanced and at the same time dynamic speakers I have heard. They have been in my main system for years.

The ADS L710's I have don't seem to image as well as these older speakers do, and they are in the same exact position, etc. in my rooj. Stereo image back-and-forth between speakers (panning effect) seem a bit quicker with the JBL's, and go wider, but the L710's do have a richer midrange (but they also have the extra driver). As for your question: My pair of bookshelf Pioneer SS-BS22-LR on stand-mounter stands barely have any stereo imaging at all in the same position in the room, same amp, settings, though they improve a bit when I separate them a couple of feet wider.

I need to pay more attention to imaging, my attention is always focused on mid-range clarity.