Pete Basel
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2022
- Messages
- 32
- Likes
- 34
If you want an accurate 12" 3-way from JBL buy the LSR-6332 they certainly know how to
design a good speaker these days. Add bass EQ (6dB boosted high pass) for a B6 alignment
for a -3dB point in the mid/low 30s: https://jblpro.com/en/products/lsr6332#specifications
Unfortunate that these were discontinued.
I never liked the original L-100 and knew shortly after they came out that they had no
deep bass, and very poor frequency response. This technical review covers most of the
issues - nice work by the way: http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL_L100.htm
These were the main problems as I see it:
1. Tuned too high (60 Hz) in the bass causing bass boom
2. Both the mid and tweeter had cone breakup response issues
3. Mid had too small of a voice coil for good thermal capacity
4. Little if any crossover design, cap and L-pad to the mid and tweeter
JBL/Harman obviously has the technology today to design top notch speakers and the new
L-100 shows it. Obviously, as a reissue they kept the appearance and size the same, but it
is now tuned to the mid 30s where it is about 9 dB down. This could be made roughly a
B6 vented alignment by adding a peaked (6dB) high pass filter at the box tuning frequency.
Adjust to taste and room placement requirements, or use bass EQ management for even
flatter response. There's certainly enough volume displacement with a 12" to support this.
This speaker is obviously aimed at people who want an even better version of an iconic speaker.
I don't trust many reviewers who seem to throw in "measurements" to appear more scientific
and I was surprised to see several showing major peaks and dips in the response. I tend to
trust the Audioholics measurements where it can be seen that more effort was put into them:
www.audioholics.com
I think that pulling the mid down a few dB will help in rooms where the midrange peaks are
audible/offensive. Seems to me that they could be made to sound good in most rooms with
minor adjustments. Also note the modern in-phase crossover that should help with most of
the polar response issues.
I'd expect that marketing priced these to maximize their profits, weighing sales volume vs.
price - that is their job after all. They are not sitting there thinking some arm chair engineers
are going to add up materials cost and criticize us for such a high price!
The KLH model 5 reissue looks like a very well done large 3-way at half the price:
www.soundstagehifi.com
www.soundstagenetwork.com
design a good speaker these days. Add bass EQ (6dB boosted high pass) for a B6 alignment
for a -3dB point in the mid/low 30s: https://jblpro.com/en/products/lsr6332#specifications
Unfortunate that these were discontinued.
I never liked the original L-100 and knew shortly after they came out that they had no
deep bass, and very poor frequency response. This technical review covers most of the
issues - nice work by the way: http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL_L100.htm
These were the main problems as I see it:
1. Tuned too high (60 Hz) in the bass causing bass boom
2. Both the mid and tweeter had cone breakup response issues
3. Mid had too small of a voice coil for good thermal capacity
4. Little if any crossover design, cap and L-pad to the mid and tweeter
JBL/Harman obviously has the technology today to design top notch speakers and the new
L-100 shows it. Obviously, as a reissue they kept the appearance and size the same, but it
is now tuned to the mid 30s where it is about 9 dB down. This could be made roughly a
B6 vented alignment by adding a peaked (6dB) high pass filter at the box tuning frequency.
Adjust to taste and room placement requirements, or use bass EQ management for even
flatter response. There's certainly enough volume displacement with a 12" to support this.
This speaker is obviously aimed at people who want an even better version of an iconic speaker.
I don't trust many reviewers who seem to throw in "measurements" to appear more scientific
and I was surprised to see several showing major peaks and dips in the response. I tend to
trust the Audioholics measurements where it can be seen that more effort was put into them:
JBL L100 Classic Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review - Modern Take on a Classic
The JBL L100 Classics have the look of the L100 Centurys updated with the latest in loudspeaker design for improved performance. Our review determines if they surpass the originals to create a new legacy.
I think that pulling the mid down a few dB will help in rooms where the midrange peaks are
audible/offensive. Seems to me that they could be made to sound good in most rooms with
minor adjustments. Also note the modern in-phase crossover that should help with most of
the polar response issues.
I'd expect that marketing priced these to maximize their profits, weighing sales volume vs.
price - that is their job after all. They are not sitting there thinking some arm chair engineers
are going to add up materials cost and criticize us for such a high price!
The KLH model 5 reissue looks like a very well done large 3-way at half the price:
SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - KLH Model Five Loudspeakers
SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - NRC Measurements: KLH Model Five Loudspeakers
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) from those that know about interpreting testing graphs & speaker performance or have opinions on the JBL L100's vs. L82classic. I'm in the market for a new 2 way set up (no sub) music only. From advice I've gotten on ASR is buy a speaker that measures well & spend most of the budget on speakers. I was set on getting JBL L82 classic's they measured well here & have good reviews. Since than I've seen JBL L100's re-issues for costing aprx. 1K more. I figure the main benifit of the L100's would be at high volume listening, slightly better bass response at lower volume levels, and possibly better vocal mid response due to it's 3 way design. If thats the case than I'd be willing to spend the money on the L100's. Has anybody compared the L82's to the L100's testing or subjective ? I'd like to hear what the main difference's or advantage you would get with the L100's
