JBL E100 Floorstanding Speakers

JBL E100 Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

  • Equipped with JBL's tried-and-true titanium-laminate tweeters
  • Dual 10" PolyPlasâ„¢ woofers
  • FreeFlowâ„¢ flared port
  • The Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal waveguide
  • Straight-Line Signal Pathâ„¢ (SSP) crossover network divides the signal with minimal processing (and minimal opportunity to degrade the signal)
  • Dual sets of gold-plated, 5-way binding post speaker terminals enable bi-amping or bi-wiring

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 15  
[Apr 01, 2018]
mikeintheD


Strength:

I picked up a used pair in excellent condition for $200. The guy also sold me his Marantz sr6006 he had them on for another 200 when i went to pick them up. I added a powered Cambridge 15 inch sub that i got a good deal on. I really didnt know what to expect to be honest I've always been a car stereo guy. They are loud. Very loud lol. Nice highs. Amazing mids. They have all kinds of loud clear bass for sure just not very low bass. But they will rattle the windows if you put some volume to them. They have enough bottom to keep me from using my sub until its time to get serious lol and by the way i am not to impressed with the Cambridge sub. It was a impulse purchase actually. It does great until you want to shake the walls then it seems to fall apart. Pros and cons would be appreciated? I only paid 150 for it and its in great condition. It was rarely used by the previous owner.

Weakness:

Dont have any really. They are loud as hell. Clean and clear sound. I listen to everything from slayer to norah jones and it does the job well.

Price Paid:
200
Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Feb 26, 2017]
FRANK WILSON
Audio Enthusiast

In order to enjoy the full dynamic sound of these speakers it's necessary to bi-amp them with a high quality and powerful amp. Until I experimented with several receivers I was not impressed with the end result.But after bi-ampnig with an SAE 2400 analog amp (200 watts per channel) I was blown away by the difference,WOW! Sure, I own more expensive and critically acclaimed speakers, but the reason I love these speakers is the fact that I can crank up the volume without worrying about losing a driver from a high dollar or rare speaker and still enjoy good sound quality.Surprisingly sensitive at lower volumes,overall not a bad speaker.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Dec 20, 2009]
csmithrt
AudioPhile

I have two E100s and the E250P subwoofer (250W) running through a Harmon-Kardon 3480 receiver (120W/channel). I have no complaints about the sound at all, but the durability of the tweeters is a problem. I cannot tell you how many times I have replaced one or the other tweeter because the voice coil has burned out. Beautiful sound, but just too fragile. I keep a few replacement ones handy now, and never get higher than about -4dB on the volume.

I looked for a drop-in replacement, but never found one. I am intrigued by Aigar's Polk Audio RTi tweeter replacement, could you please give the part number? If you want to e-mail me, the address is
mediaskeptic2009@bellsouth.net. Any other tweeter recommendations are also welcome. These speakers are a great value, if you exclude the cost of replacement drivers, I think I have spent about $250 so far.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 26, 2009]
Aigars
AudioPhile

I am using JBL E100 for more than 2 years and I think these are good speakers for home cinema. They have great bass and mids, but highs are muddy and unclear especially vocals. So I decided to replace tweeters to more audiophile. I bought PolkAudio RTi series tweeters in ebay for $70 and replaced them without any filter changes. Sound changed dramatically. Now sound is more than satisfactory.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 07, 2006]
Sisu
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Finish, sound quality.

Weakness:

Quite tall, but this is not a problem for me.

I bought these JBL E100s to replace my old 3-ways with 15" woofers (I bought them in the late 1980s). Now I have a complete JBL set of speakers for my home entertainment center. They look and sound great. Since I have a dedicated, powered subwoofer now, I cannot speak to their low-end handling. I can say that they look great and sound great. They are quite tall, however. But, they fit my room and I'm happy.

Customer Service

No problems

Similar Products Used:

Complete JBL speaker system including subwoofer. Also some Bose.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 08, 2006]
Bob Schappert
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good build quality

Uniform appearance including labeling from one speaker to the next

this is a comparatively heavy weight unit that has been well packaged for shipping

For those requiring good bass response the E 100 may be the closest thing available to a full range speaker system. For me, small bass drivers just don't do the job.

Shop around for best price, I paid much less than MSRP buying online which included delivery

Weakness:

Although an audio pureist may not arrive at the same conclusion I have about the JBL E 100 and considering the price I paid for them I can find nothing to complain about. The though I have had is the possibility of even buying a second pair.

I have used four Pioneer 3 way speaker systems for the past 25 years with 12 inch bass speakers. As with most foam surround speakers of this era the foam was beginning to show its age. It was either send the bass drivers out for repair or replace the entire system. Although these systems were always good for bass they lacked midrange to my satisfaction which was supplimented with additional amplification and speakers.

Although I have purchased Eltax speaker systems for supplimental sound they have 5.25 inch bass drivers which seems common in many of todays more "trendy" speaker systems. I like heavy bass and this to me, can not be achieved by smaller speakers. My listening requirements are just not satisfied by anything less than a 10 inch bass driver.

I spent a considerable amount of time looking at what was available finding few full range speaker systems available with 12 inch bass drivers which was commonplace years ago. One name that I remembered was Cerwin Vega but for some reason they have become quite obscure from two decades ago when they were easily available and quite common. No dealers in my area had them anymore so I kept searching. I also have some commercial speaker systems with 10 inch bass drivers so I did not rule out a system with 10 inch drivers. I also have powered sub-woofers although I only use them on an as needed basis for certain musical selections.

In viewing the JBL website I found the E 100 may be just what I was looking for. A ( near ) full range speaker system with reinforced low end by having a pair of 10 inch bass drivers. Shooing around on the internet I found one retailer offering the E 100 at what I felt was a more realistic price than suggested retail and included shipping to my door.

Upon unpacking the E 100's I put them side by side for comparison and uniformity inspection and they matched quite well. Labeling was uniform and straight ( no tilted or off center self adheisive labeling ) Although I did not torque any of the hardware everything appeared secure including the speaker terminals and bi-wire terminals. The finish had no noticeable irregularities or other marks or abrasions. As these speaker systems weigh 63 Lbs each they obviously may not get the most tender and fragile handling in shipping. I felt they were sufficiently packaged for shipping as they sustained no apparant damage in transit. The exterior front grill assemblies are packed detached from the front of the cabinet, easily snapped into place after un-packing from the shipping container.

Although I do not fully agree with all of the discussion on the " Break-In " of new audio components, especially line level equipment. speakers being a mechanical object which are required to handle various amounts of power, I did take it easy on the for the first few days of operation after which I decided it was time to " crank em up " and see what they could do.

I am using a Nakamichi RE-10 to drive these speakers. As I described in an earlier review of the RE-10 when I upgraded my amplifiers a few years ago, the Nakamichi RE-10 was one of the very few integrated amplifiers around in my price range that had a true " Loudness Contour " control on it. Some amplifiers on the market offer what appears to be a mid-range attenuator as a loudness control which is unsatisfactory to me. I like plenty of Bass in most of the music I play and an effective amount of Treble is also necessary. A true Loudness Contour control affords me the pleasure of this especially at lower volume levels.

In a stand alone situation ( no additional speakers or amplifiers ) I have been well pleased to find the JBL E 100 speakers ( one pair of them ) to satisfy a majority of my music listening enjoyment. Although the bass is a bit tighter than my 25 year old Pioneer speakers the overall drive is there, even at lower or " reasonable " volume levels. With my Bass and treble controls on full and the " Loudness Contour " ON cranking up the volume does provide a bit of " Boomyness " which to me, adds to my pleasure of listening to certain types of music. In many listening situations that formerly required the use of a sub-woofer I can now rely on only the pair of E 100 speaker systems. The E 100's seem to handle a good amount of power in the lower frequency range without distortion or breakup. I do not rely on manufacturers power ratings as there aer just too many formulas for determining power handling capacity these days. These E 100's seem to be able to take what I give them with ease so power rating wise I know I have made a good choice.

Mid Range, especially the vocals are nothing short of excellent to my ears and I most likely will no longer have to use supplimental mid range systems to fill in where my 25 year old Pioneer speakers trailed off in this area. I also used a second Nakamichi RE-10 to drive the supplimental mid - hi range speakers I was using with the Pioneers. Vocals are great, stereo imaging and presentation are good although that has never been a major requirement for me. I like Big Sound that can be heard throughout the entire house from one source and one pair of JBL E 100's seem to be doing a respectable job in that requirement for a good deal of my musical listening pleasure.

The High end is amazingly clear and maintains a good prescence despite the massive amount of Bass I like to push out of the E 100's . Even when supplimented with a powered sub-woofer the Mids and high end are not washed out. Bear in mind that for the most part I run the Bass and Treble controls to the max with the very effective " Loudness Contour " control of the Nakamichi RE-10 always in the ON position adding that extra bit of Bass and Treble boost to give my auditory sensors a most pleasureable listening experience which may not always give the same perception to an audio pureist although it is what I personally enjoy.

Depending on you own personal listening requirement, the JBL E 100 may very well serve as a good choice in what may be one of the few nearly full range speaker systems available at a reasonable price ( shop around for best prices ) in todays market place. These will give you the " Bigger " sound that I feel just can not be achieved in speaker systems offering bass drivers in the 5 inch diameter range. If you are of the type that wants speakers that are Heard but un seen these may not be for you although I do not feel their size is obnoxious do not confuse these with petete little bookshelf speakers. For certain types of listening you may wish to include a powered sub woofer although if you don't already have one check out the JBL E 100 by themselves and be pleasantly surprised.

Speaking for myself, I made the right decision to buy these speakers, shop around for best price.

Customer Service

I have not had the need for any customer service at this time

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 12 inch 3 way speaker systems ( 4 ) purchased 25 years ago

Eltax Liberty 5+ floor standing speakers

Carboneau commercial 10 inch 2 way speaker systems

Tannoy Mercury M2

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 23, 2006]
Hurricane2
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Bass

Weakness:

To big, lack in highs.

I want to rewrite my first review as I had just got back into the home audio world when I wrote it.

I am not completly happy with them anymore as I have found them to lack in highs,
They are a nice low bass speaker and work good without a sub for home theater, but for playing music solo, they are worthless.
.

Similar Products Used:

L890's blow these away

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 09, 2006]
sozcan
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Excellet power and quality

Weakness:

None as far as I can see

I was using Technics SB-T200 before I saw these sexy pairs at a communication fair in Istanbul. I knew JBL from the professional products and when it comes to speakers I thrust the brand name. I was wondering if these speakers are realy as good as their technical specifications. I have tested E80 and E100 at the store. I notice that lower frequency performance of E100 is noticably better then E80 so I decided to buy it. When I connect them to my Sony DTR-DB790 they sounded perfect. I also notice that JBL produced more sound (with the same volume setting)then older Technics. (They were realy at the sensibility levels at the sprecifications)

Similar Products Used:

Technics SB-T200

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
[Aug 12, 2005]
Hurricane
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Price

Weakness:

For the money, none

I don't know about shaking the house, but driving these with my Onkyo 702 and the right CD, they sound good to my ear. No they are not the best I'v had (L-7), but for the money, I like them.

Similar Products Used:

JBL L7

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 02, 2005]
simbadb
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Fit & Finish, Smooth and easy to listen to.

Weakness:

A bit large for some areas.

Very happy with my new JBL E100's. Fit and Finish is good, Comes with Stabalizer spikes. A nice smooth sounding speaker when driven with enough power. They dont Jump-Out at you like a Klipsch. I am running 2 sets of JBL (E100 & E50) with a 120 watt HK 3480 and am very happy with the performance. A tough speaker to match for the price and I recommend them.

Similar Products Used:

Rectilinear, Advent, Thiel

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 15  

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