Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bob, which version of the L100's did you get? The early ones had all of the drivers in-line vertically with a 2" tweeter. The later ones the drivers were not in a line and had a 1.2' or 1.5" tweeter (I have forgotten). They also had different crossover points. All of these were made when JBL was still JBL. Now they are owned by Harmon International.

I may be a little late for this-sounds like the bass problem is fixed but I didn't notice anyone mentioning to check if the speakers are wired in phase. This is generally the first thing I check when having problems with lack of bass output. In case anyone didn't notice, I started a "home stereo show-off thread-lets see all this good stuff I'm reading about! I remember the L100's well lots of midrange presence and huge volume capability! I do agree though that most any system can benefit from a good subwoofer. IMHO older Velodyne subs are the way to go- at least the one's that have motional feedback (this solves the damping factor issue) look for any ULD or HGS or F series Velodyne. Alternately, Genesis technology currently has motional feedback woofers. Haven't heard them but this company always gets great write-ups in the mags + the designer started Infinity. There top line speaker is 145k for the pair (the woofers are much less)!

http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/

Ken, they are the later Century L100's offset with the 12" woofer. I think they are the best sounding speaker I have ever heard.


They sound as good as my Antique Sound Lab's tube headphone amp using Grado cans. I couldn't believe it.

Abbott, I made sure the speakers where wired in phase.
Where is the "the stereo show off thread"?

I had the earlier ones but sold them many years ago. These are very dynamic, great for rock and roll. I will have to see if I have some old pics that I can scan and post.

"Home stereo show-off" is located in "the others" although there has been some "thread drift" into toy trains + "what my parent/spouse/friend threw out/sold/gave away when I wasn't looking". I know the phase thing was obvious but I had to ask-was not looking to insult anybody's intelligence. Anybody heard of JBL Jubals? They were around in the early L100 days, were more money, and if I remember correctly, had a black glass top to them. I had a friend who had 4 of them run by Crown amps back in the Quadraphonic days-it was quite impressive.

Abbott, I know you meant nothing about checking to see if the speakers where wired correctly.
Working in the computer field I sometimes forget to check the easy stuff first when troubleshooting.
I have heard of the Jubals. As a matter of fact there was a pair on ebay not long ago with glass tops. Have you heard of the JBL L200's? I have heard mixed reviews regarding them, versus the L100's.
I can't say enough about the L100's. Everyone says they are great rock speakers. Personally I think they perform better with classical, and Tony Bennet type stuff. I was blown away when I broke out an old Tony Bennet CD yesterday.

L200's are a 15" two way. L 300s are a 15" three way. Top of the line back then was the Paragon. If I recall correctly they were a 15" three way with a 15" passive radiator. I always preferred the L100's. Clean, tight, great definition and imaging.

I couldn't find a photo of my early ones with the grills off. I probably have one on a slide. That will take a little more effort to scan ( a co-worker has the ability).

I found some links. Paragon L100/4310

In this photo from left to right New style 4310 & L100, old style L100 & 4310. Notice the larger diameter tweeter on the old style. The new tweeter has better dispersion.

I've always held JBL speakers in high regard, their studio monitor, home stereo and instrument speakers. Very clear.

I used to have a pair of JBL L40s that were just great until I shipped them from Cleveland to L.A. by OOPS! I used the insurance claim money to buy a pair of DCM QED speakers which were nicer than the JBLs actually. I eventually sold those to fund a pair of Magnepan MG-Ic dipoles that I still have.

Aha! Another flat speaker owner! I love Maggies!

Greatest speakers for a flat world! We are living on a flat world, aren't we?

"Have you heard of the JBL L200's? I have heard mixed reviews regarding them, versus the L100's." Actually Bob, I thought at the time these models were around that JBL was really good at keeping consistency throughout the line, as you spent more the overall sound character stayed the same, you just got more volume capability and low end capability. Not true with many other brands-I've heard plenty of brands where I thought less expensive models sounded better than the more expensive ones in their line. They should keep getting better as you pay more!

I'm confident that we either live on: 1. a flat world. 2. A 10 dimensional one composed of sub-atomic strings. 3. Something in between. 4. None of the above. Now if the world was cone shaped, I could understand this woofer/tweeter obsession.