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Some of the motherload is here!

87RangerXLT

87RangerXLT

Tubes Are Timeless...
Some of you may remember my thread a while back that was titled "I may have hit the motherload". Well I got a part of it today! I got a pair of JBL L-100's!!! So far I love them! I also Learned something, I found out that the power amp is a McIntosh 2100. I was just wondering how good they are, and what problems if any there are with them. I kinda want to know what they are worth aswell. Any info is great.
 
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I just realized that this is most likely in the wrong section. I must have clicked the wrong one on accident. Its hard to read the small letters on my phone.
 
Regarding the L-100's, the late great Zilch said they're "fun, but fake". That about sums it up. Great speakers if you want to rock and roll, but not terribly well suited for much else. Just my opinion, YMMV.
 
jhoyt said:
Regarding the L-100's, the late great Zilch said they're "fun, but fake". That about sums it up. Great speakers if you want to rock and roll, but not terribly well suited for much else. Just my opinion, YMMV.
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I am slowly finding this out. They are not that good for all around listening. my Expectations where high for these, but sadly I am let Down, I have opened them up, and they seem to come alive, but only when I can barely handle the volume. The Tweeter sound great, but the mid ranges are very harsh even with the pot turned on one.
 
I've always witheld my tongue (fingers) on the sound of the L100. Never liked 'em. I can spot their sonic signature anywhere. One time a few years ago I went to look at a pair of JBL4311s. I didn't like them either. Someone stated, like, the next day that you have to replace the crossover caps to sweeten the 4311 up. So, I may have passed on a bargain, but my gut says that level of JBL speaker of that vintage just isn't for me.
 
I for one am glad that im not alone in not liking the JBL sound.

i keep reading how great they are, but everyone i've ever heard sounded awful so far.
they just sound boxy and unnatural to me( maybe its my ears?)
I have heard someone describe them as J.unk B.ut L.oud and so far thats what ive heard of the ones ive auditioned.
They must have made some good speakers to have such a following,(and i've always wanted to like them) but i guess i havent heard the right ones yet.
Sorry for the candid opinion, just stating my(albeit limited) experience so far.
 
gigbyt said:
I for one am glad that im not alone in not liking the JBL sound.

i keep reading how great they are, but everyone i've ever heard sounded awful so far.
they just sound boxy and unnatural to me( maybe its my ears?)
I have heard someone describe them as J.unk B.ut L.oud and so far thats what ive heard of the ones ive auditioned.
They must have made some good speakers to have such a following,(and i've always wanted to like them) but i guess i havent heard the right ones yet.
Sorry for the candid opinion, just stating my(albeit limited) experience so far.
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If you are anywhere in the Northern California area, come by and have a listen. It may just be a life altering experience? Oh, for the record, the L100 is not my cup of tea either. You have to shell out a few more "Benjamins" to get the real JBL sound IMHO!:yes:
 
Jenkster said:
If you are anywhere in the Northern California area, come by and have a listen. It may just be a life altering experience? Oh, for the record, the L100 is not my cup of tea either. You have to shell out a few more "Benjamins" to get the real JBL sound IMHO!:yes:
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i would not base my opinion on jbl based on the l-100's either. if you get a chance try something a little more up the food chain. i have a pair of 4410's and a pair of 4312b's, the 4410 is a damn nice sounding speaker...
 
gigbyt said:
I for one am glad that im not alone in not liking the JBL sound.

i keep reading how great they are, but everyone i've ever heard sounded awful so far.
they just sound boxy and unnatural to me( maybe its my ears?)
I have heard someone describe them as J.unk B.ut L.oud and so far thats what ive heard of the ones ive auditioned.
They must have made some good speakers to have such a following,(and i've always wanted to like them) but i guess i havent heard the right ones yet.
Sorry for the candid opinion, just stating my(albeit limited) experience so far.
Click to expand...

The L100 is not really the typical "JBL Sound" to me, things got quite a bit better after that (as mentioned, the 4410A/4412A and the whole 44XX line, L96/L110/4313B, L80T3/L100T3, 120Ti/240Ti, and many others).

The "Junk But Loud" phrase was coined regarding their more recent low-line of PA gear...they were efficient (loud with low power) but the cabinets and some of the drivers weren't up to real pro standards.

je
 
Have also heard l166 and 4311's owned by my buddy.

both sound like crappola to my ears very boxy sounding and innacurate midrange (where we live),
thumpy bass like a realistic mach ll though if thats what someone likes.
 
gigbyt,
Listen to jblnut's pair of JBLs if you ever get the chance. It'll change your mind. Night and day difference between them and the JBLs that have been described in this thread. Very well executed when you up the benjamins.
 
gigbyt said:
Have also heard l166 and 4311's owned by my buddy.

both sound like crappola to my ears very boxy sounding and innacurate midrange (where we live),
thumpy bass like a realistic mach ll though if thats what someone likes.
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4311s are very, very similar to L100s. I'm not familiar with the L166, but they're from the same time as the L100...the models I references started later than that (maybe 1978 - on).

je
 
gigbyt said:
Have also heard l166 and 4311's owned by my buddy.

both sound like crappola to my ears very boxy sounding and innacurate midrange (where we live),
thumpy bass like a realistic mach ll though if thats what someone likes.
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Which Klipsch speakers do you own?
 
Jenkster said:
Which Klipsch speakers do you own?
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Currently none at all.

got some nice little polk monitor speakers at the moment.

but have had heresy cornwall la scala and forte ll in the past.

I would love to have a pair of Harbeth monitor 40.1's. it's ok to dream i guess.
 
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