Why is vintage/new JBL so expensive?

[Nyjblbob]

I was Just looking at his 4311 upgrade today. Quite enlightening to say the Least.
I hope he gets some 604's Soon!

 

[H2oman7.62mm]

I personally would not invest in the following "upgrade" for the 4311 without building larger enclosures but he at least knows what he is talking about...

He did make a good April Fools Day video, and the kit he is selling is more than I paid for my 4311Bs

 

[Chad Michael]

Go to Crutchfield and price the new L100 Classic mk2.

Made in China.

You be the judge.

 

[malden]

In terms of quality, "Made in China" is not a deal breaker.

Buying vintage JBL, like the L100's, 4311, etc., isn't about sound quality, it's about buying a piece of history.

I wonder how many of us, if offered for free either the original L100 or the L100 Classic, would choose "history" over sound quality?

 

[malden]

 

[Mr Boochie]

I wonder why JBL went with the orange lettering for their logo on the L100 Classics?

 

[H2oman7.62mm]

Buying vintage JBL, like the L100's, 4311, etc., isn't about sound quality, it's about buying a piece of history.

That is true.

I already had a set of modern speakers for my system that sounded great. The reason I went looking for a set of vintage speakers was to have a decent receiver, turntable and speakers all from the same era... all iconic. I was not on a quest for the highest sound quality, they just needed to be from the 70s, sound good, fit in the space available and be affordable. The set of JBLs I bought checked off every box.

I'll accept a free set L100 Classics, but I'm keeping my 4311Bs.

 

[ehoove]

I just wasted a bit of my afternoon cleaning up this mess. Everyone has an opinion, please respect each others and cut the persona attacks!
We now return you to the question at hand,
ehoove

 

[Tom Brennan]

I think many people buying big old JBLs with compression drivers, things like the L-200, L-300 and big monitors ARE buying them for the sound. I know such people and it's about the sound. Same thing with Altec fans; they buy for the sound not because they are "vintage". I have 604Es because I like the sound, they just happen to be old. When I ran across the 604s I was considering buying new Martin Logan (stats) or Harbeths.

 

[Nyjblbob]

They just need BIG cabinets

I rarely listen to my big JBL monitors these days

 

[SaturationPt]

Why not?

If you have the space for BIG speakers, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be using them.

I think that JBL’s current BIG speakers sound outstanding at any SPL, and I have no reason to listen to anything else.

 

[Nyjblbob]

In a small space Like my Living room 604's
up close and personal are more coherent.
and especially with flea powered SET amps.

 

[Mr Boochie]

They just need BIG cabinets

I rarely listen to my big JBL monitors these days

You should sell them. They have a pretty good market.

 

[Nyjblbob]

Yes and let the next caretaker completely rebuild the Xovers and dismantle replace clean the
Biamp switch

 

[Mr Boochie]

Yes and let the next caretaker completely rebuild the Xovers and dismantle replace clean the
Biamp switch

Yup.

 

[Mrvintage]

Yup.

I bought a pair of L100t3’s recently and love them over my vintage L100’s. I’m driving them with one of my Yamaha P-2200’s and a Belles Preamp. I also have a pair L36’s driven by one my Yamaha P-2100’s and sound great as well.
But there is something to be said about cubic inches and that’s why I have Joe Stewart building my dream 4355 clones. Which will be powered by my other Yamaha P-2200’s custom built charge coupled crossovers for midbass highs and ultra highs and DBX Driverack to control the bottom end.