[chgolatin2]

I came across a seller to a turntable that I was looking for, but to my amazement the guy had a pair of JBL L112 speakers, excellent condition and at first I was like, "blah just another pair of speakers, no big deal" but when he turned on his tube amplifier I was immediately shocked and amazed as to how well those bad boys sounded.  I went for a short visit and I ended staying for more than a few hours just listening to vinyl, etc.  But he wasn't selling his recondition L112, so I decided to do a search for the L100, came a cross a few listing and wow, they are not being sold cheap.  But on Craigslist locally I was able to find a pair for $450.  They look in fairly good to excellent condition, so for the verdict and decision...  What do you guys think? Nay or Yay?  Or hell yeah????

Thanks~ 

[WGH]

Nay or Yay?  Or hell yeah????

An interesting question, that is about what the L100's sold for in 1972 so you know they hold their value. 

Pluses:

• They rock!!!
• Practically indestructible
• Strong bass to 40 Hz
• Adjustable mid-range and treble
• Fun factor is off the charts

Minuses

• They like power, 125 W/channel is the sweet spot.
• Strong bass to just 40 Hz, low frequency output disappears below 40 Hz but the bump at 40 Hz is really nice.
• Midrange and treble a little ragged compared to the best today.
• Forward, in your face character but great for rock.
• No imaging to speak of.
• Probably time to replace the caps, the originals were not very good to begin with.
• Woofer run full range, that's right, full range.

My shop speakers are JBL L100's, I bought them new in 1972 and I can't think of a better shop speaker. I did replace the caps years and years ago. If I ever got inspired I would rebuild the crossover to balance and smooth out the sound using a crossover designed by Dennis Murphy:
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?13105-New-crossover-design-for-L-100A

Hell, yeah. Try them out with an AVA Ultravalve or Line Magnetic tube amp and you could be very happy. An Anthem PVA2 is a good match if you can find one used, good bass with a slightly soft treble works well with the L100's forward character.

Wayne

[Norman Tracy]

"I went for a short visit and I ended staying for more than a few hours just listening to vinyl, etc."

With that you answer your own question. Buy them or you will have regrets. Ignore the audio snobs and enjoy.

[chgolatin2]

Thanks guys~  I was looking into the 4312 as well between the L100 and the 4312 which one will I be happy the most with?   

[WGH]

Same soft dome tweeter on the 4312 and L100? Then which ever is cheapest. Or looks the best. Or wins the coin toss.
You definitely don't want to listen and find out which one sounds the best. 

[chgolatin2]

Same soft dome tweeter on the 4312 and L100? Then which ever is cheapest. Or looks the best. Or wins the coin toss.
You definitely don't want to listen and find out which one sounds the best. 

Make sense~     However my buddy who owns the L112 SWEARS by them and actually think that those are the best produced/ever made speakers by JBL and they actually sound like heaven in my ears but like everything else, that opinion is subjective... 

[WGH]

The L112 looks is similar but different than the L100.

L112 woofer - foam surround, used speakers probably the surrounds refoamed
L100 woofer - pleated surround, mine are original and still in perfect condition

L112 tweeter -  044
L100 tweeter - LE20

L112 Crossover - complex
L100 Crossover - simple

L112 Cabinet - 10 lbs heavier
L100 Cabinet - no bracing, minimal resonance control, a little fiberglass glued to sides

L112 Review - http://www.vintage-speaker-review.com/2013/12/jbl-l112-speaker-review-and-price.html
L100 Review - http://www.vintage-speaker-review.com/2012/02/jbl-l-100.html


My L100's actually started out as L88's and I did major surgery to them re-positioning the tweeter, and installing a sealed inner box for the midrange driver and the new crossover based on directions I received from the JBL factory. The L88's woofer and tweeter are the same ones used in the L100's in 1972. The 5" midrange is the LE5-2, the same as in the L100 and 4312.

While the speakers were apart I also did massive internal bracing and added another 3/4" MDF to the speakers back, the results were a cleaner presentation with deeper, more defined, punchier bass since the cabinet was no longer flexing and damping the low frequencies.

Not pretty but I keep the cloth grills on and they are shop speakers after all.

[charmerci]

Thanks guys~  I was looking into the 4312 as well between the L100 and the 4312 which one will I be happy the most with?   

Funny because when JBL 4312's were everywhere when I grew up - they were just connected to standard Pioneer/Kenwood receivers, I just thought all of them sounded just horrible. But I never heard them set up in good sounding rooms either.

[Triode Pete]

JBL L100 - Great Speakers! My first speaker that I inherited from my older brother when he blew one of the woofers by "bridging" Crown DC300 amps at an outdoor party he was hosting on a farm in upstate NY.

I repaired the woofer & refinished the lovely Walnut Cabinets... Those were great heavy drivers made by James B. Lansing in Los Angeles, CA.

They rocked out with a low power Yamaha receiver...

Get a pair & upgrade the crossover with new parts... You won't regret it!

My $0.02,
Pete

[chgolatin2]

Decided upon a pair of JBL L50...