Found: C50 Monitor Speakers - Need More Info!

[crooner]

Hi Fellas!

Just recently registered but I'm a long time audio/tube enthusiast. First posting on USENET in the old days and more recently as a regular member of AudioKarma and Steve Hoffman forums.

I'm pretty excited with my most recent find: a pair of JBL C50 Monitor speakers from the mid 1960s (if I'm not mistaken!).

They were part of a custom installation in the library of a doctor. The system was all top notch consisting of Marantz tube and solid-state electronics.

The cabs are unfinished since they were built into walls, or so I was told by the doctor's estate.

As you can see in the pics, the cabs and grilles show some wear. The drivers do appear to be in excellent condition.

Now, based on some research that I have done, and also by dim recollection of reading my old Audio magazine collection, it appears this was a top of the line configuration with dual crossover networks. The only thing missing would be the solid-state energizer, which in this case was not needed with the Marantz amplification.

I haven't taken any drivers out yet, but was able to stick a little digital camera inside the rear port to take some pictures.

I was lucky to get a clear shot of the LE-15A woofer, in blue paint. The "bullet" tweeter seemed to have lost its rear sticker (a common occurrence?)

Ahhhh...but the elusive midrange compression driver's rear plate came out all fussy!

Would this be the fabled 375 horn?

I hope you can guess from the pics!!

Thanks in advance for your responses!

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL1.jpg


http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL2.jpg


http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL3.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL4.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL7.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL8.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL9.jpg


http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL11.jpg

[Zilch]

Stubby horn says, "Yes."

[crooner]

Stubby horn says, "Yes."

Man!!!!!!!!!!!

That's awesome!!!!!!

At first, I was fearful it would have the lesser LE85 driver but when I saw the large horn in there, I had a good feeling it would be the 375...

What do you think of the cabs? Are they salvageable?

[Hofmannhp]

Hi crooner,

try to find out the serial numbers of all the parts and we can date them exactly.

Merry xmas

HP

[crooner]

Hi crooner,

try to find out the serial numbers of all the parts and we can date them exactly.

Merry xmas

HP

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well!

I'll compile the serial numbers and will get back to you all this evening!

[Hofmannhp]

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well!

I'll compile the serial numbers and will get back to you all this evening!

thanks crooner,

forgot to welcome you here in the forum....:D

if you don't want to post the numbers here, you also can feed them directly to our "Registry", where you also can take a look for dates. There you also can place some pics.....

www.prpr.no/lhs (http://www.prpr.no/lhs)

User: lhs
PW: lhs2007

or post them to me by PM

HP

[crooner]

Awesome!
Thanks to you for giving me access to such valuable resource.
Right now I'm getting ready to go to work.
Can't wait to get back and start investigating on the speakers!


thanks crooner,

forgot to welcome you here in the forum....:D

if you don't want to post the numbers here, you also can feed them directly to our "Registry", where you also can take a look for dates. There you also can place some pics.....

www.prpr.no/lhs (http://www.prpr.no/lhs)

User: lhs
PW: lhs2007

or post them to me by PM

HP

[crooner]

By the way, would love to read about the differences between the "Monitor" series and the "Olympus". The former appears to have a more compact enclosure without the passive radiator...

[crooner]

Well...

Spent the whole afternoon working on the speakers...

Below are some pics of the raw components. The cabs, by the way, have consecutive serial numbers.

I don't think the cabinets are salvageable. They are in pretty bad shape.

I also got a single Marantz Model 2 tube amp with the deal. Perhaps I should sell the drivers and then try to find a mate for the Marantz...

OTOH, the Marantz would be the perfect amp to drive the JBLs!

.:dont-know

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL12.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL13.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/JBL14.jpg

[hjames]

You say the cabinets are in bad shape - are they water damaged or some such? There are folks that can reveneer a cabinet and make it look fabulous! (pity there is a whole country between us!)

It would be a shame to break up a system thats been together all those years, if it all works well...
The boxes look a lot like the 4320s I started with a few years back (but I had to build my own grill frames with Zilch's JBL pro cloth)!

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=103391 (http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=103391&postcount=18)

[crooner]

You say the cabinets are in bad shape - are they water damaged or some such? There are folks that can reveneer a cabinet and make it look fabulous!
And it would be a shame to break up a system thats been together all those years, if it all works well...


They were originally unfinished cabinets. They now have several corner splits and water damage on one side.

Plus the cloth on the grilles is also in bad shape.

They also had several holes drilled at the rear because they were originally secured to a wall.

Your cabs look great by the way!

[Zilch]

I also got a single Marantz Model 2 tube amp with the deal. Perhaps I should sell the drivers and then try to find a mate for the Marantz....So, another Marantz is gonna cost you $5K+?

[hjames]

Thanks - I found a set of L200 cabinets in May and moved all my parts into those ... they are the pretty consumer version of the 4320s that came in those enclosures ... tho I did have to bore a hole for the slot tweeter to make them 3-ways.

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=181179&postcount=113

[crooner]

So, another Marantz is gonna cost you $5K+?

Recently a pair of those suckers sold for $8000. Too rich for my blood.

And yes, mighty close to 5 grand, per unit!!!

This particular Model 2 is the more desirable model with the amber meter. Harder to find too!

[hjames]

Recently a pair of those suckers sold for $8000. Too rich for my blood.

And yes, mighty close to 5 grand, per unit!!!

This particular Model 2 is the more desirable model with the amber meter. Harder to find too!

interesting! SO, if you sell off the drivers so you can get another marantz, what are your plans for speakers? I mean, if you could get what you really want ...

[crooner]

interesting! SO, if you sell off the drivers so you can get another marantz, what are your plans for speakers? I mean, if you could get what you really want ...

I already have a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce Signature speakers that I like very much. JBL's were the dream for me back when I was a kid. Never actually found a pair of worthy ones till now..

However, the things are huge and I don't have much space.

Funny thing is that I was actually looking for a Marantz 10B tuner. Got the tuner, and then I just couldn't help getting the JBLs and the Model 2 amp as well.

I'm pretty sure that if I were specifically looking for JBL C-50's, I'd never find them!!

[crooner]

That's beautiful stuff!
I wish I could devote an entire room for JBL stuff. Barely have space for what I have. But it certainly is a pleasure to marvel at the quality of the units. No off the shelf, OEM, crappy stuff like you see today!

I was noticing the striking similarity in design between your cabinets and mine. I guess this was the classic JBL "Monitor" shape.


Thanks - I found a set of L200 cabinets in May and moved all my parts into those ... they are the pretty consumer version of the 4320s that came in those enclosures ... tho I did have to bore a hole for the slot tweeter to make them 3-ways.

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=181179&postcount=113

[toddalin]

I'm pretty sure that if I were specifically looking for JBL C-50's, I'd never find them!!


They come up on occassion. I recently bought this pair (in 9.5+++ shape minus grills) with S7 loads (and the LE15s had been reconed in Dec 1997) for $400. I sold them for $900 the first day the Recycler ad hit. (I offered them here for $800 OBO but no takers).

http://www.largescaleonline.com/eimages/lsolpics/Team_Member_Pics/toddalin/DSC_0005.jpg

http://www.largescaleonline.com/eimages/lsolpics/Team_Member_Pics/toddalin/DSC_0002.jpg

http://www.largescaleonline.com/eimages/lsolpics/Team_Member_Pics/toddalin/DSC_0007.jpg

[crooner]

Love the finish on those. I wish my cabs were in such good condition!

Given the circumstances I decided to part mine. I know I'll probably never see another 375/H93 combo in my life.....

[Zilch]

Well, I'm not embarking on another preservationist crusade here. :no:

C50 with an S8 load may be the rarest of the rare among early legacy Studio Monitors.

Screw it. Part 'em out. That's what most likely buyers would do. :yes:

Unless it was an Asian collector with respect for the heritage and deep enough pockets to back it up, maybe.... :hmm: