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JBL L112

I recently acquired a nice pair of JBL L112 from my lawyer who was cleaning out his basement. After a fun restoration ,surrounds,midrange dust caps and cabinet refinishing they turned out beautiful. I'm driving them with a XL600 and a mcintosh pre amp..These speakers are 44 years old and sound great,they are so lively and dynamic and well balanced.They also have some shortfalls but lt makes me think 

Speakers have gotten better but not by much...my Mcintosh Revel Ultima setup  plays louder with less distortion.....but these JBL L112 's will hold there own and they are truly fun to listen to ..brings you back to a high-school party.would it be a mistake to sell them and get the new L100 anniversary models?

vinnydabully
vinnydabully's avatar
vinnydabully OP
86 posts
 

I read a post on audioheritage this morning..A guy and his wife bought a new pair of L100's and did a side by side comparison with the L112 's They wound up returning the new L100.The said the highs were glaring and the bass was floppy...l think ll keep these old classics.

norton
91 posts
 

Wow what memories. My first pair of real speakers were the L112's powered by a Sansui AU-X1 and would give anything to have that system back.

And to think, I sold that stuff to a buddy dirt cheap just so I could get into home theater.

No way I'd get rid of them if I was you for a new model if those are restored and am envious sir.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,618 posts
 

Did you replace the old electrolytic caps? They are bad by now for sure. Dried up and out of spec. Resistors can also wander far off spec in 40 years. I bet you have not really heard them yet.

 

If the caps are all film they can still be upgraded with modest cost to caps like Clarity CSA, Audience Auricap XO and Jantzen Superior Z ……Replace resistors with Mills MRA at $5.50 each. 

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,618 posts
 

Check this link out,

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JBL-L112.htm

 

missioncoonery
1,244 posts
 

I bought a pair at auction that were immaculate and a great price about a year ago ...they sounded ok but not even close to modern speakers. Good for Rock and roll but that's about it...Off they went.

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