Current JBL Speakers - Not What They Used To Be (1 Viewer)

[DonnyD]

Yeah, Fraula, I've seen the config of of some of the Century L100 in the vertical placement in the cabinet and just don't know if there is any difference elsewhere. I do believe that the L series, as well as the 43xx series all were "Alnico" magnet types. My old Ls are in the non-vertical alignment and are tagged simply L100. Don't remember what years JBL actually tagged them with "century" but I believe the crossovers and drivers are the same throughout. Seems I read somewhere that the 43xx series diffeerence was in the crossover.....

I do hope you can obtain some of these wonderful speakers as they are a unique treasure. I was lucky enough to find new foam for the grills that was just like the original!

Good luck!

 

[DorianBryant]

I just missed (by a matter of minutes) picking up a pair of JBL L100's for $30. They were supposedly in great shape. The owner had no idea what he had. So close...

I must say that I have a pr. of S38II's and they are great speakers in their own right. I believe these may end up being considered a classic as well.

 

[Angelo.M]

I must say that I have a pr. of S38II's and they are great speakers in their own right. I believe these may end up being considered a classic as well.

Amen.

In 20+ years of playing with this stuff, I haven't heard a sub-$1000 pair of speakers that sounded any better to my (jaded) ears. These "bookshelf" speakers are extraordinary.

 

[Mark Russ]

Angelo, I now have a pair of S38IIs also, and I certianly can't complain about them, but if someone were to offer to trade me a pair of NHT SB3s for them, they would have to go from here in a heartbeat!

 

[Jeff Koch]

I grew up with the L100s. I also bought a pair of L112s. I absolutely loved those speakers...until the S38s came out. The L100s and L112s are now packed away in my garage. I'm using four S38s, an S-Center and a PB12 for the sub and I couldn't be happier. I've never heard better imaging, clarity and accuracy. The S38s reveal every single detail in recordings. I can clearly hear musicans turning pages, conductors making noise and any kind of problem in the recording is clearly revealed. Some people may not like that but I love it. If it's on the recording, I want to hear it and these speakers deliver. They are truly monitors.

My only regret is that I didn't get an extra set of S38s and S-Center speaker to have as a backup just in case of a problem but unfortunately JBL discontinued the studio series line. I'm waiting for the next generation of monitors that JBL is working on. I can't wait to compare those with the S38s.

I made the mistake of playing my system for the neighbors. Now they always are asking to come over to watch dvds. We recently had a screening of "The Day After Tomorrow" and the JBLs performed phenomenally. The DTS track sounded better than when I saw it in the theater.

Jeff

 

[Angelo.M]

Mark, those NHT's must be something special. I'd love to hear 'em.

Jeff, I agree. The S38's floor me too.