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View Full Version : are jbl l200b any good



angel mercado
12-27-2003, 11:45 PM
Hello im new here. i recently bought a pair of jbl l200b for 800 dollars here in Tulsa oklahoma. these are in good shape but i was wondering are these a good speaker to have also how would i place them any input will help thank you :banghead:

Audiobeer
12-29-2003, 05:12 PM
I liked them for years. They are great if you like thumping bass. The price you paid isn't bad and you could always make money if the cabinets and drivers are in good shape. I personaly do not like them anymore as I have listened to other JBLs and my listening tastes have changed over the years. I would rather listen to a pair of 4311s or 4312s than those. It is a matter of opinion but I think most people here would agree, for what those go for there are many other models of JBLs that will sound much better and have more range. Now that's just an opinion from the cheap seats.

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 07:50 PM
:) well thank you for the reply audiobeer i really appreciate it i had a pair of vots before these and these jbl are as heavy but not as bulky as the a-7 were i hope i make friends here seems like a great spot hang out i enclosed a picture of the a-7 i had will post pics of jbls soon

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 08:08 PM
:) well thank you for the reply audiobeer i really appreciate it i had a pair of vots before these and these jbl are as heavy but not as bulky as the a-7 were i hope i make friends here seems like a great spot hang out i enclosed a picture of the a-7 i had will post pics of jbls soon

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 08:47 PM
here are some pics from my jbl l200b sorry about the darkness i made my room into a theater room and camera really isnt great ill get better ones

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 08:48 PM
here is the other one

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 08:49 PM
here is a side view

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 08:51 PM
and at a angle i love these they sure dont make stuff nowadays like they use to they think a 6.5 driver and a 1 inch tweeter you see at ultimate electronics for 2300 dollars is hi end

Audiobeer
12-29-2003, 08:56 PM
For $800 you stole them!!!!!

JBL Dog
12-29-2003, 09:05 PM
Originally posted by angel mercado
Hello im new here. i recently bought a pair of jbl l200b for 800 dollars here in Tulsa oklahoma. these are in good shape but i was wondering are these a good speaker to have also how would i place them any input will help thank you :banghead:

Angel:

You came to the right place for an "opinion" on anything JBL. I'm suprised there aren't about 100 responses. But, I guess the recent debate over L100's has shyed a few people away.

Personally, I have never heard a set of L200's. However, I listened to other JBL systems with "like" components. I would have to agree with Audiobeer's opinion. Dynamic range could be lacking on the L200's. Down the road you may want to add an 077/2405 with an N8000 crossover and go 3-way. JMHO.

Good Luck!

This message comes from JBL Dog :band:

Audiobeer
12-29-2003, 09:08 PM
For classic rock......or if you have those setting on a wood floor (Wood joyces) and not a slab floor, they will really kick some butt for Home theater also!

angel mercado
12-29-2003, 09:20 PM
oh by the way these arte my speakers man i read some of those scams on ebay posted in here you guys really look out for another thanks for the opinions

Audiobeer
12-29-2003, 09:22 PM
:D :D :D :D :D

Don McRitchie
12-30-2003, 02:02 PM
The L200B is very similar to the L300 but without the high frequency extension. I quite like them.

The original L200A was the quintessential boom box. It was purposely designed to be a "rock" speaker, or at least what Marketing thought a "rock" speaker should sound like. To Audiobeer, I'm wondering if your impressions of the L200 aren't based on that version.

The "B" version was a complete redesign by Greg Timbers to be the home equivalent of the 4330 monitor. The underdamped LE15B was replaced with the much more accurate 136A and the cross-over was tuned specifically for this system. It is significantly better than the L200A.

I would go with JBL Dog's advice and see if you can't find a pair of 077's and N8000's. Adding these will effectively turn the system into an L300 which is very well regarded in these parts.

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 02:08 PM
If i do go that route do i just get the tweeters and the crossovers and make a small enclosure for the tweeters and mount them on the tops i hate to make holes on these

Don McRitchie
12-30-2003, 02:24 PM
That should work fine. Just make sure that the tweeters are flush with the front edge of the L200. You don't want reflections from the 077's off of the top surface of the L200.

boputnam
12-30-2003, 02:26 PM
Hey, Angel...

Since this is a L200 lovefest, and there ain't no L:D:D's to bust :(, if you've not got the L200 brochure, here's a Link to it on the Lansing Heritage site (it was too LARGE to provide here as a re-compiled .pdf... :( )

L200B - Link (http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/specs/home-speakers/1975-l200b.htm)

boputnam
12-30-2003, 02:31 PM
And, to comfort you that the 077/2405 fits nicely in the baffle (provided you can get a clean cut :hmm: ), here's what the L300 looks like, and a Link for it's literature, too...

L300 - Link (http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/specs/home-speakers/1975-l300.htm)

boputnam
12-30-2003, 03:15 PM
OK, final thought...

I personally think the 4333 layout is best, with the 2405 to the side of the horn - that way you could mirror image the pair (putting the 2405's to the outside of each baffle, L/R), which some of us find quite pleasing... :yes:

4333 - Link (http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/specs/pro-speakers/1977-4331-4333.htm)

Back to sleep... :snore:

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 04:46 PM
ok here are some pics of my friends shop here in tulsa

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 04:47 PM
dont you love friends like this i have had most of these items at home but once i got the l200b i kept those

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 04:48 PM
here is the other side of his wall

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 04:52 PM
another shot of goodies

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 04:54 PM
i almost bought those infinity kappa nine but ou have to have a powerplant to run those so i took the l200b

Don McRitchie
12-30-2003, 05:16 PM
I personally think the 4333 layout is best, with the 2405 to the side of the horn

Hi Bo

The original 4333 had all of the drivers aligned on a vertical axis like the L300. You can see this in the picture you posted above. The speaker with the grill off is a 4333.

I think it was on our old forum that Giskard weighed in on the advantages of a vertical alignment (I couldn't find it on a quick search of this forum). You may want to get him to reiterate his assessment on this.

Audiobeer
12-30-2003, 05:35 PM
My opinion was soley based on the 1st version as Don had mentioned. I hadn't realized the differences were of that degree! Sometimes It's not so good to be consistant as I am.........correct some of the time, wrong most! :banghead: :D

boputnam
12-30-2003, 05:38 PM
Hey, Don...

I shoulda been specific to 4333A. Duly noted.

And, I know Giskard is fond of vertical alignment as per this Thread: http://audioheritage.csdco.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=685&highlight=baffle+layout

but, the dood also is fond of paired imaging, too.

This quandry might drive him :nutz: ...

Audiobeer
12-30-2003, 05:39 PM
Originally posted by angel mercado
here is the other side of his wall


Wow! ask him if He has a wood cabinet for a 3600???

I have a pair of L-300s which are kind of the next evolution fom your 200s. I no longer feel the need to upgrade speakers. What people Don't like about them I love! I would like a pair of 4343s are many others but I just don't have the room!

4313B
12-30-2003, 05:42 PM
Allegedly the vertical alignment isn't "supposed" to be as critical with the 077/2405 since it operates at such an extreme frequency, but JBL made mirror imaging available regardless. Of them all I personally think the L300 arrangement sounds best in a home. I've determined that unless one does a direct A/B and can actually come up with a preference it isn't worth fretting over. Personally, if I was starting from scratch with a pair of enclosures I would just use the L300 alignment (transducers mounted off centerline though) and forget about it :p

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 06:07 PM
so basically if i added the tweeter and crossover it wont sound better but do you think this is a good set someone told me their bose 901 will kill mine on a face of i like to hear what you guys think of this :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

mike
12-30-2003, 06:13 PM
Another difference between the L200B and the L300 was that the L300 used the HL92 horn, while the L200B used the shorter HL91 horn.
Mike

boputnam
12-30-2003, 06:15 PM
No, Angel, I think we agree it would sound better with the UHF and appropriate crossover.

And, that 901 challenge is simply nonesense. :scold: That, my friend, is JBL Envy (or deafness...), plain and simple!

I'm about to repeat a joke Widget told me (I think...): James B. Lansing met Bose in a hallway, and Bose cupped his mouth and said "hello, how are you...?", to which James B. turned to the wall and said "fine, and you...?"... :rotfl:

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 06:18 PM
i told hom no highs no lows just bose and to keep his 18 midrange drivers away from me

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 06:31 PM
that was funny i think the bose guy brain is like this :cooked:

Robh3606
12-30-2003, 07:30 PM
Bose 901's my L100's could kill them.
:die:

Some people just like them. I know a few. They think I'm nuts:screwy: Why bother with those things when you can have it all from my Bose system!!! Poor misguided souls.

Hello Angel

Those a real nice speakers! Like Don said you have the right version. Enjoy them:)


Sorry Bo had to get them in somewhere,

Rob :slink:

Audiobeer
12-30-2003, 07:45 PM
I'm not going to Bose Bash.......to many to do it for Me. I never did get the 901s.....I owned a pair and set them up with the equalizer....everything, all the experimenting and placement, Just never got it?

Robh3606
12-30-2003, 07:58 PM
Hello Audiobeer

I used to go to a bar that used them for the DJ's music. They were not horrible but they sure were power hungry. They had a Dynaco ST-400 which had a user selectable soft limit feature it went like this 20 watts 40 watts 60 watts and I think 80 watts was the last one. They had them set up at 60 and the lights were on. It was a small bar about the size my friend did DJ work in. I lent him my ST400 when his amp was down one night. He had the "wrong" version of the L200 as his DJ speakers. We set the limiter on 20 to see if we could light it. Forget it!! We could get it to flicker but it was way too loud and those 901's could not compare even to that version.

Rob:)

boputnam
12-30-2003, 08:19 PM
Originally posted by Robh3606
Bose 901's my L100's could kill them. BEAUTY!! Rob... I was gonna myself, but, youe know, thoots is likely to resurface from holiday any day now, and, well, you know, keeping the Peace and all... :duck:

The rhythym guitar player in my band (also owns BlueCornMusic.com, an indie label) loved his 501's and 901's 'till he started "listening around". Seems he contracted a JTD (JBL Transmitted Disease..) and now has a pair of 4313B's (thanks, Audiobeer!) supporting his mix-down room. Nice... :yes:

We are spreading the word, my friends...

JBL Dog
12-30-2003, 09:42 PM
Originally posted by Audiobeer
I'm not going to Bose Bash.......to many to do it for Me. I never did get the 901s.....I owned a pair and set them up with the equalizer....everything, all the experimenting and placement, Just never got it?

I have to admit, I do have a Bose surround system in the Family room. It isn't that bad of a set-up. The sub is weak. I'm considering getting one of the powered JBL consumer rigs to replace it.

Now, the 901's. I will take my place in line behind the rest of you with a 38 ounce baseball bat and wait my turn to take a swing at whatever's left. Arguably the most overrated speaker EVER!!

:die:

I'm with you, Audiobeer. I don't get it either!!

This message comes from JBL Dog :band:

angel mercado
12-30-2003, 10:55 PM
so from what are saying i can probrably keep these and alot of people wont laugh at me i personally like them compared to those maggies in the pictures i had those too but man they just didnt do it for me i really like the altecs vot those were nice and my wife actually let me keep those and she is japanese im lucky i gues i really want to get my friends sovereigns those are really nice now only if he will let me buy them he is the same nice guy who sold those l200b to me for 800 so what kind of amps to you people use on your jbls and can you please post pics of your rigs i like drooling over stereo equiptment i have had about all of them to from electrostatics to horns and i prefer horns i ran those jbls with a fisher 400 reciever it is tubed and only had 28 watts but man it sounded really good to my ears i wish i had my dynaco mk111s so these are effieciant speakers they say 80 db 1 watt at distance of 15 feet

Ian Mackenzie
12-31-2003, 07:15 AM
Angelo,

Nice catch, keepem and enjoy.

The Maggies are a nice boxeless sound but the are colored to the extend of rather limited transients beyond the capacity of the panels, hence you JBL may sound crisper in dynamics.

I'm sure your tubed Fisher is a fine amp for these Jbls.

If you wish to butter your shortbread, consider enhancing the design with some non permanent tweeks like damping the horn with sorbathane and 1/4 inch open cell foam under the acoustic lense, and if you are keen upgrade the crossover with some Audiocaps, even re diaphrapm the driver

Ian:smthsail:

jandregg
12-31-2003, 07:48 AM
Ian

Maron Horonzakz
12-31-2003, 07:49 AM
I can piss louder than Maggies.

jandregg
12-31-2003, 07:49 AM
Ian,
Have you listened to horn and lense dampened this way. What did you think?

jandregg

Ian Mackenzie
12-31-2003, 10:07 AM
Not yet..shortly

Ian

angel mercado
12-31-2003, 02:07 PM
happy new years and all please be safe god bless you all

angel mercado
12-31-2003, 05:24 PM
hey audiobeer ill ask him tonight if he has awood cabinet for a 3600 i have to help him setup he is a dj and im his roadie .Let me just ask out of left field altec a7 or these if you had to pick both were 800 dollars what would you get

Audiobeer
12-31-2003, 05:28 PM
I'm not at all familiar with them. I did remember hearing a pair hooked up to an old fisher reciever and it sounded pretty darn good. I would have no ideal what those bring however.

Audiobeer
12-31-2003, 05:38 PM
Originally posted by angel mercado
hey audiobeer ill ask him tonight if he has awood cabinet for a 3600 i have to help him setup he is a dj and im his roadie .Let me just ask out of left field altec a7 or these if you had to pick both were 800 dollars what would you get

It is the same cabinet that the Marantz 250 uses! Thanks!

sonofagun
01-01-2004, 10:31 AM
Angel - I can't tell from the photos but do these 200s still have original foam grilles? If so, what kind of condition are they in (crumble to touch?). If not, I could make new ones for them.

angel mercado
01-01-2004, 11:06 AM
how much i had my friend at speakerworks here in tulsa make these for me can you send me a pic of what orange ones look like

sonofagun
01-03-2004, 06:08 PM
Are they foam or cloth? You talking about Dave @ S'works?

Email me.

angel mercado
01-04-2004, 08:26 AM
these are cloth grills i have yes dave miller at speakerworks

gyusher
01-05-2004, 08:28 PM
I tried to turn the lights up. . .

sonofagun
01-06-2004, 01:14 PM
Yeah, I know Dave - he use to buy foam grilles from me - guess I'll try contacting him just to say hi.