Jbl L100 Century Speakers

pezza89 · 9th October 2007, 09:27 AM

Hi there all vintage hi fi gurus, thinking of upgrading my speakers (currently own a set of nice modern JAMO's) and thinking of purchasing the JBL L100 century speakers....there are heaps of vintage hi fi buffs that LOVE these speakers, would appreciate anyones feedback if they are worth getting - i use vintage amps only and have a diverse taste in music - how do they sound generally? is it a flat sound or more bright? Hope someone out there can shed some light! Cheers, Andy

SY · 9th October 2007, 11:00 AM

Definitely bright, the archetype of the so-called "West Coast Sound." If you're a rock fan, you'll be very happy.

Check driver condition carefully!

pezza89 · 9th October 2007, 11:59 AM

cheers! they seem original and surrounds look ok, unfortunately cabinets arent in the best order - can they be revaneered? whats a good price??? Cheers! Andy

SY · 9th October 2007, 12:38 PM

Is the foam "chunky" grille still intact? That was the key visual design feature.

Have no idea of the price these days, sorry.

Robh3606 · 9th October 2007, 01:56 PM

If the woofers have foam beware. They are not the originals. The L100 used a D123A woofer which had a pleated and treated cloth surround. You need to pull one of those woofers to see it is indeed a JBL woofer. Could have been replaced with a 128H woofer. If this is true it's not an L100 but a hybrid and the low end may not have the rise at 60Hz that the normal driver has in that cabinet size.

L100 are a home version of the 4311 control monitor. They are voiced to have a specific contour and are not true syudio monitors as they are not flat. That said they can be a real blast and can sound good if set up properly.

Go to

www.audioheritage.org and look for the Product Profile on the L100

Rob

dublin78 · 9th October 2007, 02:27 PM

If you are interested in the JBL Centurys, then this should be considered to get the most from them, useful info too:

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL_L100.htm

richie00boy · 9th October 2007, 02:30 PM

I have fond memories of L100's as when I was in my year working in industry at uni, they had them in the R&D lab. They definitely opened my eyes to a less boomy sound.

chrismercurio · 25th October 2007, 06:03 PM

Check out

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL_L100.htm

I bought a couple pairs of 123a-1 woofers based on Troels' writeups and they are awesome.

He also manages to take the boom tizz out of the L100.

C

jmar · 20th September 2009, 04:35 PM

The L100's and the Doobie Brothers.

Match made in heaven.

ZilchLab · 20th September 2009, 06:39 PM

"Fake but FUN!"

Zilch said that.

Best appreciated playing air guitar in underwear.

Think Tom Cruise in "Risky Business."

[Face paint and loin cloth works too....

]

9th October 2007, 09:27 AM	#1
pezza89 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Jbl L100 Century Speakers Hi there all vintage hi fi gurus, thinking of upgrading my speakers (currently own a set of nice modern JAMO's) and thinking of purchasing the JBL L100 century speakers....there are heaps of vintage hi fi buffs that LOVE these speakers, would appreciate anyones feedback if they are worth getting - i use vintage amps only and have a diverse taste in music - how do they sound generally? is it a flat sound or more bright? Hope someone out there can shed some light! Cheers, Andy

9th October 2007, 11:00 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Definitely bright, the archetype of the so-called "West Coast Sound." If you're a rock fan, you'll be very happy. Check driver condition carefully! __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

9th October 2007, 12:38 PM	#4
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Is the foam "chunky" grille still intact? That was the key visual design feature. Have no idea of the price these days, sorry. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

9th October 2007, 02:30 PM	#7
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	I have fond memories of L100's as when I was in my year working in industry at uni, they had them in the R&D lab. They definitely opened my eyes to a less boomy sound. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

25th October 2007, 06:03 PM	#8
chrismercurio diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Silicon Valley	The L100 Check out http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL_L100.htm I bought a couple pairs of 123a-1 woofers based on Troels' writeups and they are awesome. He also manages to take the boom tizz out of the L100. C


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9th October 2007, 11:59 AM	#3
pezza89 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	cheers! they seem original and surrounds look ok, unfortunately cabinets arent in the best order - can they be revaneered? whats a good price??? Cheers! Andy

9th October 2007, 01:56 PM	#5
Robh3606 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Destiny	If the woofers have foam beware. They are not the originals. The L100 used a D123A woofer which had a pleated and treated cloth surround. You need to pull one of those woofers to see it is indeed a JBL woofer. Could have been replaced with a 128H woofer. If this is true it's not an L100 but a hybrid and the low end may not have the rise at 60Hz that the normal driver has in that cabinet size. L100 are a home version of the 4311 control monitor. They are voiced to have a specific contour and are not true syudio monitors as they are not flat. That said they can be a real blast and can sound good if set up properly. Go to www.audioheritage.org and look for the Product Profile on the L100 Rob

9th October 2007, 02:27 PM	#6
dublin78 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cheshire	If you are interested in the JBL Centurys, then this should be considered to get the most from them, useful info too: http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL_L100.htm

20th September 2009, 04:35 PM	#9
jmar diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Indiana	The L100's and the Doobie Brothers. Match made in heaven.

20th September 2009, 06:39 PM	#10
ZilchLab R.I.P. Join Date: Jan 2008	"Fake but FUN!" Zilch said that. Best appreciated playing air guitar in underwear. Think Tom Cruise in "Risky Business." [Face paint and loin cloth works too.... ]

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