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JBL L36

I have had these speakers since 1977; I had to re-foam the woofers about 20 years ago, but otherwise still in excellent shape.  In the last 15 years, I moved on equipment-wise and since shelved the L36s. So the other day, out of curiosity,  I decided to pull them out and connected them to my  current VPI, VAC and ARC front end; they were actually quite impressive!    For what was considered a “bookshelf” speaker at the time, they could pull off a large soundstage for these small boxes and fill my relatively large 18 x 20 room!  

I remember at the time listening to both the L36 and the L100; I actually preferred the L36 as I thought the L100 was bass heavy.  Does anyone else have any experience they would like to share on these speakers?  After my most recent audition, I am hanging on to them and listening to them more often!

 

 

 

post2338
lg1
199 posts
 

My L-65s, which I bought new in 1978, have had a similar history….Refoamed them once at about the two decade mark and haven’t really heard any other speakers I’d want to sell them in order to afford.  They’ve seen a variety of amps/sources across the decades.  Currently streaming Tidal mostly thru a PrimaLuna Prologue Classic.  Love JBLs!

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,501 posts
 

I'm no help but I'm glad I didn't buy the L200 Studio Masters I demoed back in the day and would have to move to two apartments, two condos, and four houses by now. 

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

L36 were beyond my meager paper route money in 1973. My best friend got them but I waited until the L25 Prima went on sale, which was a good sale being as ugly as they are. L36 had the midrange and nice wood cabinet. We were college roommates and with two sets of JBL had "the" stereo on campus. 

That midrange made all the difference. Mine were kept until the foam disintegrated. His, I don't know. What little imaging we got was nothing compared with today. But we didn't know any better and besides, they were LOUD!!😍

alexberger
904 posts
 

JBL from 60-70x are great speakers.

But according to my experience with Altec 604E from 60x, crossover parts update makes a huge difference. Despite my speakers sounding good with old original crossovers, the changing of capacitors and variable resistors improved the sound to a different level.

I measured old capacitors before the upgrade and their values were OK. But in any case, old electrolytic capacitors, and potentiometers are not good for transparency and dynamics.

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