Sound similar to pre-'90's movie theater.

Poor construction, poor manufacturer support

I am the original owner of these, having bought them around 1986 or so. I chose them to use in my home theater (such as it was in the mid-eighties), trying to get that "movie theater" sound. Since many theaters up through the eighties used JBL or the similar Altec design, I figured this was about as close as I could get, in something that would fit in my house.

I was always very satisfied with the sound - not particularly accurate, being a bass-reflex design, but they did achieve my aim, and worked well with the room to duplicate a movie theater environment.

These speakers need to be several feet from the nearest vertical surface to achieve reasonably-smooth bass. Stuffing a rag loosely into the cabinet port goes a long way towards relieving boominess, especially when you have to set the speakers too close to a wall.

When the speakers were about 7 years old, the veneer on one of them started delaminating badly. JBL told me they couldn't repair it and didn't know of anyone who could. The dull-witted way they handled my calls has pretty much put me off of ever buying their products again.

After about 10 years of not-so-hard use, the bass driver foam surrounds succumbed to atmospheric pollutants, and disintegrated, one following the other within 6 months. Literally $500 later, about half what I paid for the speakers originally, I had factory replacement cones/surrounds installed.

As long as you are looking for a particular kind of "hot" sound, similar to what movie theaters, discos, concert equipment, etc., provided, you will be very pleased with a pair of these. They are very efficient and have excellent power-handling capability. Just don't expect the linearity of a KEF 104.2.

I use a Sony 1000ES digital preamp (early digital signal processing, and first generation "ES" component)and a Soundcraftsman ProPower 10 (600 watts/side) with the JBLs.

Fantastic bass responce as well as mids and highs

none that i can think of

I don't know why these speakers don't get more praise they can handle the deepest bass with no problems. I have not thrown a sound at these speakers that they dissapointed me. If you run into a set for sale buy them you will not be dissapointed!!!!

Model L100T3

Similar Products Used:

Bose, Advent, Boston Acoustics

great sound, good looks

a bit on the large side

I notice how subjective and often contradictory the reviews are for these speakers: too bright, not bright enough; too boomy, not full enough on bass; great cabinetry, poor workmanship; etc. Personally I LOVE the sound from these speakers. I bought them USED after someone traded them in at a small hi-fi construction shop. When I got them home the speakers sounded far better than at the shop. Room accoustics influence speakers greatly; room placement also. I listen mainly to classical music with an old HEathit AR-1500 that I built 30 years ago. I can now hear so much more orchestral colors than with the old Heathkit speakers (using 2-way, 14" JBL's) which are still wonderful speakers even though 30 years old. The L100ts give me a flat tonal picture, crystal clear highs, and a solid well-defined bass. I will never sell these speakers even though they lack the transparency (and expense) of the Martin Logans. The highlight of my week now is listening to "Live from the Met" every Saturday afternoon. My thanks to everyone trading in their older bigger speakers and older high-fi equipment for the latest flashing-lights computerized wonders. I can get great hi-fi stuff and still keep my money earning interest in the bank. Wally.

Similar Products Used:

Heathkit top-end products and various other speakers over the years