My first JBLs, LL10s :)

canuckaudiog

canuckaudiog

On a quest for high fidelity
Woohoo! I finally managed to get a pair of JBLs. I've always felt like this was one of the brands that I should try, just to see what they're all about.

I picked them up tonight and they're in all right shape. They need some TLC, and with a little elbow grease they'll look pretty decent. The dust cap on one of the mids is pushed in, and unfortunately one of the LE111As was replaced with an LE10H-1. Not so bad, considering it's pretty close to the LE111A, but still not exact so I will have to source one. Cabinets are in good shape.

First impression of the sound is they are relaxed, but clear and detailed. The bass is a little boomy for my liking, but I imagine part of that is because of the fact my room exaggerates bass. I'm going to reserve final judgment until I have recapped these, though.

Anyone have any suggestions for what else I should do with these? I'm thinking I should also apply bypassed mylar capacitors just like the L110A. I think it would be a worthwhile improvement.

By the way, if anyone knows where an LE111A is, please let me know!

I'll have to get some pics up later, my listening room is a bit messy at the moment.

Edit: Whoops, just realized I put LL10 in the title. They're L110s.. :)

One question I had, the big cylinder caps that are 4uF and 12uF, these are film caps of some variety aren't they? I'm thinking I don't need to replace these.
 
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canuckaudiog said:
Woohoo! I finally managed to get a pair of JBLs. I've always felt like this was one of the brands that I should try, just to see what they're all about.

I picked them up tonight and they're in all right shape. They need some TLC, and with a little elbow grease they'll look pretty decent. The dust cap on one of the mids is pushed in, and unfortunately one of the LE111As was replaced with an LE10H-1. Not so bad, considering it's pretty close to the LE111A, but still not exact so I will have to source one. Cabinets are in good shape.

First impression of the sound is they are relaxed, but clear and detailed. The bass is a little boomy for my liking, but I imagine part of that is because of the fact my room exaggerates bass. I'm going to reserve final judgment until I have recapped these, though.

Anyone have any suggestions for what else I should do with these? I'm thinking I should also apply bypassed mylar capacitors just like the L110A. I think it would be a worthwhile improvement.
...

One question I had, the big cylinder caps that are 4uF and 12uF, these are film caps of some variety aren't they? I'm thinking I don't need to replace these.
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I put mylars in my L110A's and hated them. Went back to the stock caps and it was much better. Swap out any electrolytics for decent film caps, like the PE 5%ers, and add the bypass caps, you should be good to go. (Look for the dimple ring at each end of electrolytics, film caps are smooth all the way to the end.) And any that are in cardboard tubes are probably OK. It is pretty easy to disconnect the wires on those, and add different caps, then swap back if you don't like the sound.

Mine don't boom, maybe the LE10H-1 is the culprit there.
 
There are originally mylar caps in wax filled cardboard tubes. There are also small physical size non-polar electrolytics (3) that probably would benefit from replacement with like good quality NPE caps.

Some may upgrade the mylar caps to polypropylene versions. Canuck has been in the middle of the electro to poly and back to electro NP caps debate so he'll have some thinking to do on this. might be interesting to get a spare pair of crossover to work over and see where the best changes or non-changes may be.

original L110 crossovers:
 

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As for boom, get the speakers off the floor. They are consumer versions of the 4313 compact control monitor, so function best on higher stands or on your favorite recording console. :scratch2:

You could also progressively stuff the port (ala ZilchPlug) and see how that works.

As for the woofer, PM incoming for you.
 
Thanks guys!

I think I'm going to leave the caps in the tubes for now. After listening to them last night it's apparent to me these need the NPEs replaced so I'm definitely going to do that. I think I will do the mylar bypass later as well.

As for the boominess I think part of it is because I am so used to corrected bass and also because these are ported. I usually listen to sealed or transmission lines. I do have them raised off the floor a bit to get the tweeter to ear level. After I had some time to listen to them I began to appreciate them more and, also, I switched sources and that made a noticeable improvement in the bass.

I'll take a look into plugging the port, that's not a bad idea.

Thanks again!

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 
Nice find! I had some LX400s back around 1994. And while they weren't JBLs TOTL model, they sounded pretty good for what they cost. Much better than many similar costing speakers I had tried. Sadly, my ex-wife got them, and my Cerwin Vegas, in our divorce.

Id like to pick up another, older, pair one of these days... like the l110. Congrats again!


Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
 
Congrats, CD! I have always wanted a pair of those. I don't think I've seen a pair in the flesh, much less heard any.

I have always viewed them to be among the most refined examples of the JBL bookshelf systems from the 1970s and 1980s. In other words, they embody the quality and aesthetics of the older systems, but incorporate refinements that replaced the West Coast sound with a more linear, accurate sound. All around, they're just great JBLs. Or so I've heard.
 
Thanks zagnutty and Zonker92.

That's basically why I picked them up, because all that I could read on them said they were well designed JBLs and worth owning. Couple that with the fact they aren't as valuable and I feel like they're a pretty solid entry into the brand. Although mine have issues that need addressing, they're at least mostly there and, are good enough to teach me a little bit about the JBL sound. Although I've been tempted to pick up some of the lower end models, like the L26 for example, I really wanted my first model to be something more substantial, so I am pretty happy with what I got.

I've ordered up the capacitors needed to replace the NPEs. I decided to go with Mundorf E-Caps, nothing fancy but are good quality and will do the job. Recapping them doesn't look like it'll be a simple affair as the crossover is a little tricky to get at thanks to the L-pads, but I am sure I'll figure something out.

I didn't order the mylar bypass capacitors, as I'm not sure what I will go with for those, and also I want to spend some time listening without them to appreciate what they are like, and then I will add them and have a better understanding of the difference it makes. I've never added bypass capacitors before so I am looking forward to seeing if it makes an appreciable difference.

Besides that, I don't foresee much else being done. I am considering replacing the L-pads with 8ohm resistors for improved sonics - has anyone done this? I've heard on more than one occasion that bypassing the L-Pads/pots in speakers can make an improvement with the sound. Of course, in this case the L-Pads in its neutral setting is acting as an 8ohm resistor so I can't simply take it out and not replace it with a resistor of equal resistance, so I wonder if I should even bother? Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Thanks again for the replies.
 
Zonker92 said:
Sounds cool! I like Audiocap Theta 0.1 uFs for bypasses, if you decide to go down that road. Not because I've noticed a difference, but because Zilch always suggested using them. :D

I would just clean the L pads and keep their nice adjustability. Here is something I've written on replacing them; it's a just a bit more complicated than what you said:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=8156434&postcount=18
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Ah, awesome! I'd love to go with one of Zilch's suggestions so that's what I will do. Thanks for the link Zonker92.
 
I got my L-100s off the floor and the presentation was much improved.

I used chrome legs, because I am a fan of the mid-century modern look.
 

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canuckaudiog said:
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I didn't order the mylar bypass capacitors, as I'm not sure what I will go with for those, and also I want to spend some time listening without them to appreciate what they are like, and then I will add them and have a better understanding of the difference it makes. I've never added bypass capacitors before so I am looking forward to seeing if it makes an appreciable difference.
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Good plan. Let us know when you do add them, and what you think about the difference, if any.

I have so many JBL designs with the bypass caps that I think of it as normal.

I also think of them as a band-aid for cheap sounding caps. As in, if you could experiment with replacing the film caps with some electrolytics (which _should_ be an audible down-grade), then adding bypass caps to them to see if they sound better. That's probably the best case scenario, other cap types that start out sounding better won't show as much improvement. Oil caps for instance really don't sound any better to me with bypass caps, and I'm not sure yet if even the next step in the development, that of "Charge-Coupling" could make them sound better. So far I have not tried that experiment. Mainly due to cost (and size!).
 
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I have been really enjoying the L110s as of late. I need to get some proper stands for them - I think the way I am using them is causing the boomy bass. They still sound slightly overbearing, but I think it's because what I have them sitting on is resonating too much. When they are on the floor, the bass increases, but it sounds better quality? If that makes sense.

I've been listening to some smooth latin jazz on these and they sound really nice. Voices sound sweet with only a hint of coloration. Instruments in general just sound great. They have this elegant presentation about them. They have a "big" sound, and I don't specifically mean the low end, I just mean in general they really put out a lot of sound and fill the room well.

Still, though, as good as they are sounding, a recap is definitely going to make some improvements as I can detect an imbalance in the sound. Which leads me to a question for any of you familiar with the L110. What is the easiest way to get at the crossover? The 4 screws on the back, take the terminals off, and pop it out? I tried to find other threads detailing this or some pictures but I couldn't find anything. I'm assuming this is how you do it but if there's an easier way, I'd like to know.

Anyway, overall I am really enjoying my first experience with a set of JBLs. There's obviously a reason people are big on this brand, considering the amount of support and information there is out for them. Personally I'm not head over heels like some folks are, but perhaps after the recap I will feel differently. If I like them enough, it might just send me on a downward spiral to find the better JBLs out there. :scratch2:
 
There should be 6 screws attaching the X-over network to the back of the cabinet. Of course you'll have to remove the woofer(s) to remove the network.
To remove the L-pads, you'll need to remove the plastic pieces from the front side of the cabinet. The L-pad position cal. is glued to the cabinet and easily pried off and then indicator piece is easily pulled off of the L-pad. You may be able to use some long nose needle nose pliers or a deep socket wrench to remove the nuts mounting the washers and L-pads to the cabinets.

Larry
 
Hi, Canuckaudiog,

Congrats, I love my L110A's, they were my 1st set of quality JBL's, and I would never let them go. I recently had the opportunity to sell off a lot of gear, and kept them over my L-150's. The size is perfect, and even tho they only house a 10", they can bring down the house.

I get excited when I see the 110's show up on AK, I love knowing that other people love them as much as I do.

Some good upgrades:

Swap out the binding posts with Gold banana plugs
re-cap (no brainer)
and if you feel so inclined, swap out the insolation if needed.

I was lucky enough to get mine from the brother of a gent who passed.. He was the original owner, and he took great care of them. I hope some lucky sap gets them from me in the same manner many years down the road. :) Good Speaker Karma LOL

L110A's in use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTmh46iW1FY

Nonetheless, awesome find, and congrats!

Kind Regards,
John
 
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Zonker92 said:
Congrats, CD! I have always wanted a pair of those. I don't think I've seen a pair in the flesh, much less heard any.

I have always viewed them to be among the most refined examples of the JBL bookshelf systems from the 1970s and 1980s. In other words, they embody the quality and aesthetics of the older systems, but incorporate refinements that replaced the West Coast sound with a more linear, accurate sound. All around, they're just great JBLs. Or so I've heard.
Click to expand...

Well said Zonk!

If you ever travel up to the bay, you are more than welcome to demo a set ;)
 
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