Where do you buy JBL?

[wu6fiend]

Do any of the big national chains still sell JBL? It seems to be almost impossible now days to find a store that sells any JBL stuff, apart from the odd inexpensive bookshelf speaker, or computer/Ipod doodad. Years ago, when I bought my L60Ts, I remember sitting in a listening room at the store, surrounded by the entire JBL line, from the most inexpensive to ones costing multiple-thousands of dollars. Not anymore, it seems.

I've written to JBL, asking them where I can find a retailer, and got no response. Maybe with the Home Theatre movement, quality loudspeakers (versus simply LOUD speakers), the days of listening rooms are over. "Visions" (a Canadian chain) sells some JBL, but only the basic Home Theatre stuff. Best Buy stopped selling them here a while back.

I'd really like to see/listen to the JBL lineup in a quality, controlled environment, instead of the "Best Buy" type of atmosphere.:(

[coherent_guy]

For whatever reason, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase JBL speakers, from what I can see. For example, I am interested in the Project Array series speakers, and ran a search on the JBL consumer website's Dealer Locator. The closest dealer to me is Nebraska Furniture Mart (!? :blink: ) in Omaha, Nebraska, and I live in a suburb of Chicago. A total of four dealers are listed, the others in New York, New Jersey, and Arizona, which is actually an improvement from what was listed about six months ago.

It is apparently possible to obtain them through the Synthesis dealer for your region, but I've read a few posts on this forum that those dealers are only interested in sales of large HT systems.

When I searched simply on bookshelf and floor standing speakers, there was one dealer in Chicago, the only one listed for the state of Illinois.

I realize the days of the Pacific Stereo's are over, and there are online dealers for some models, but the difficulty in even finding these products is frustrating. JBL suggests visiting the Harman online store, but they only have certain models, and although they do have the Project Array subwoofer (remanufactured), that is it for the Array series. You can still get TiK, Performance, and even SVA series speakers there, but certainly not the full lines. To hear them in a setting as you described... good luck!

From what I have seen on this forum, the best place to buy JBLs is either Japan or Europe. There are product lines marketed there that are not available in the US and I assume Canada as well. So if those at JBL are wondering why many forum members are "stuck in the past" rebuilding the classic JBL models or DIY'ing with pro parts, all of the above is a big part of the reason. I am not saying any of this cynically, but with much regret :(

[Doc Mark]

Hey, Coherent_guy,

Your mention of Pacific Stereo really brought back the memories for me! I used to love to go in there and listen to the JBL's that they used to stock, lusting for them, and planning, scheming, and dreaming of the day when I could afford to own a pair!!!

Later, I worked for Schaak Electronics, in Minneapolis, selling stereo system components and speakers, and it was Schaak that completely bought-out Pacific Stereo when that chain went under. Unfortunately, Schaak had DLK speakers as their "house brand", and only carried the J series JBL stuff, which was vinyl-wrapped junk, as far as I was concerned.

Did I FINALLY get to own a real pair of wonderful JBL's for myself? Yep, just recently, when we got our beloved L300's!!! And, since I fell in with all of the folks at LH, I have bought more JBL stuff, including a pair of L19's, and a wonderful pair of 4411's, plus lots of other miscellaneous JBL drivers, horns, and other stuff!! So, I guess you could say that, without a place like Pacific Stereo where I can go and listen to JBL systems, I have turned to buying such things, used, from other JBL Lovers!! So far, it's been a grand journey, but I do very much miss and yearn for the old days, when a quick trip to Pacific Stereo, or any of the other fine stereo stores of that time, would allow me to enjoy and compare myriad JBL systems!!! Sigh...... Those were, indeed, "The Days"!! ;):D:applaud: Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[wu6fiend]

I bought my L60Ts from A&B Sound, a local chain very similar to Pacific Stereo. They expanded into other provinces, then fell on hard times. They were ultimately purchased by Best Buy/Future Shop, then vanished without announcement. In the mid-1980s, several of their stores had large, very well equipped sound rooms, packed with speakers from several manufacturers, including JBL. One could take familiar CDs (this was at the beginning of CDs), and listen to the same songs over many different speakers. That is how to choose a set of speakers, not in a warehouse atmosphere, competing with the rap music coming from the car stereo install bay, and intermittent PA announcements. I guess I'm not alone in my frustration; if you are listening, JBL, many of us consumers out here have the money, and definitely have the interest. If you make it easier (or even possible) to buy your wares, we just might do so!

[robertbartsch]

Check these below. Personnally, I would just go with the professional drivers and install them into your own custom made cabinents.



http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/browse_category.cgi?category=29&subcategory=98&brand=100&submit=Go%21


http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/browse_category.cgi?category=29&subcategory=97&brand=100&submit=Go%21

[Mr. Widget]

Do any of the big national chains still sell JBL?A better question... are there any big national chains of audio stores left? The answer is no. Best Buy isn't an audio store, Circuit City wasn't really any better and is not long for this world and there are no other national chains that feature audio anyway.

For JBL your best bet is the Synthesis dealer route. Some do have showrooms and will be willing to give you a demo...


Widget

[toddalin]

You can still get some of the raw components from Parts Express. They have 2426s drivers and 22?? woofers. They even have some of the consumer grade crossovers.

[allen mueller]

I'd try the Synthesis dealer rout also. That’s how I got my LSR's. They were more than happy to order them for me and beat the best price I found by several hundred dollars.


Allen

[SEAWOLF97]

for us it was "Fred's Sound of Music" ....in the 70's I'd go and oogle the L100's that I knew would never be "in the budget" .... still have the JBL , Altec and Maxel demo LP's that they gave out..

We also had Jafco, a big box catalog store, but they did have a seperate stereo store with JBL, MacIntosh, Revox ...etc really miss them :(

[Titanium Dome]

I was in the Manhattan Beach, CA Frys, and they had the JBL ES Series. They also had some leftover Venues and some Control Series gear.

The ES looked very nice, much better than Venue or Northridge models from the past. They sounded better, too. Dollar for dollar, I'd prefer them over the Studio L Series.

[wu6fiend]

Had a spare couple of minutes, and wandered through the "speaker section" at Best Buy. And found a few sets of JBL speakers too, on a warehouse shelf, without any display advertising etc. The ES80BKs caught my eye. About $650 a pair. The grill on one was broken, and I could see why: it was so thin, that you would have to be extremely careful taking it off, or else it would snap in half (this one had). Most of the cabinet was grey plastic, it had odd silver plastic "feet" sticking out the sides, and overall was unappealing asthetically. A comparable pair of Klipsch speakers was sitting next to it on the shelf. The Klipsch seemed better quality construction, and (in my brief comparison) sounded better too.

I have the Northridge ES80s, which seem better quality, and are a few years old.

I can remember when JBL speakers, in addition to sounding superior to any competitor, were beautiful pieces of "furniture" as well. Not anymore it seems.

[Doc Mark]

Greetings,

If you want furniture grade JBL cabinets, look to the past, for the most part. Our L300's are simply lovely, and even our new 4411's are very nice, too. Well done, in the old JBL tradition of outstanding cabinet work!! For the money, I think "the past" is where it's at, for JBL. Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to have a brand new pair of Everest, or other similar JBL's! But, I certainly can't afford them, and don't know too many folks that can! For what it's worth.... Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[JBL 4645]

There used to be hi-fi store at Christchurch that stocked JBL the store closed down during the mid to late 1990’s. I remember seeing huge JBL 250Ti this was around late 1988. I also remember seeing smaller bookshelf models.

As for a dedicated dealer or authorized JBL supplier nope the few that are around the area only seem to deal with Kef, B&W, not sure of the other brands?

Movement Audio Winton high street Bournemouth
Movement Audio Parkstone Poole
Seven Oakes Hi-Fi Poole
Sutton Hi-Fi Westover Road Bournemouth

Can’t thing of anything else that is nearer?

I’ll just browse the internet find the best lowest deal on Google Product search and then pick up the phone. Stuff the Hi-Fi stores in this area they change far too much, talk about being robed blind.

[robertbartsch]

I have a lot of new JBL Professional components installed in custom cabinets and installed in older heritage cabs from prior decades.

Personnaly, I would stay miles away from the smaller stuff they are currently selling new. There is just nothing god to say about these.

[SEAWOLF97]

Greetings,

If you want furniture grade JBL cabinets, look to the past, for the most part. Our L300's are simply lovely, and even our new 4411's are very nice, too. Well done, in the old JBL tradition of outstanding cabinet work!! For the money, I think "the past" is where it's at, for JBL.
Doc

Doc

I love great woodwork like many here ,,I think the L250/250ti may have been near the pinnacle (cant top a Paragon) ...the huge expanse of teak, with solids on the edges & corners (there are NO sharp edges or corners..by design) and the pod for the 044ti almost get into the "art" category.. I have spent many years replacing plastic/vinyl around my house...I use beautiful woods whenever possible .... and have a thing about "black ash vinyl" ....looks like remnants of a house fire to me .... we do have other threads on this topic in the past.

[Doc Mark]

Hey, SeaWolf,

Thanks for the shout back! I have yet to see a pair of L250/250Ti speakers "in the wild", but I'd most certainly love to do so!! I've always thought they were absolutely lovely, and even considered trying to cobble up a pair of "clones", quite a few years ago. I still have the rudimentary preliminary sketches that I made back then. Never came to pass, however. Someday, I hope not only to be able to see a nice pair, but to enjoy listening to them, as well!!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[Uncle Paul]

for us it was "Fred's Sound of Music" ....in the 70's I'd go and oogle the L100's that I knew would never be "in the budget" .... still have the JBL , Altec and Maxel demo LP's that they gave out..

We also had Jafco, a big box catalog store, but they did have a seperate stereo store with JBL, MacIntosh, Revox ...etc really miss them :(

Now that brings back memories! I used to go to Brownell's in Oregon City (my home town), then later when they moved to Oak Grove. it was small, but they really had exceptional gear. A buddy of mine worked there and I'd spend hours checking out the latest whenever it came in. The party was mostly over by the early '80s, though.

Gimme a time machine, and I know exactly when I'd go...

[Jaxon]

for us it was "Fred's Sound of Music" ....in the 70's I'd go and oogle the L100's that I knew would never be "in the budget" .... still have the JBL , Altec and Maxel demo LP's that they gave out..

We also had Jafco, a big box catalog store, but they did have a seperate stereo store with JBL, MacIntosh, Revox ...etc really miss them :(

Yeah! Fred's Sound of Music. I was young and broke and was hanging out with a friend who worked in the Raleigh Hills store when he fired up a pair of L300's. My jaw dropped! i remember they were $1200 each and told myself someday I would have a pair of these. I think this was in 1979 or so. I bought a pair of 4333A's from a member here last year. It took a while but I finally got what I wanted. :applaud:

[SEAWOLF97]

It took a while but I finally got what I wanted. :applaud:

Only slightly OT...in 1977 I went into a (to me) highend audio store off Macadam, near the river in that mall converted from a factory ...name escapes me....

And heard a demo of the Ohm Walsh "F"'s....completely blew me away and never forgot that sound, tho had not heard another pair since then, a year and a half ago, I was just browsing CL and there they were, but mislabeled.

Called on the ad (this was on a Saturday) and asked the guy if I could come take a look Sunday, he said sure .....then an hour later he calls back and asks if I could come over TODAY, as his phone was going nuts ....but I was first caller and he looked me up on his callerID...
to shorten the story.....I gassed up and made a run for Beaverton and got them (at a nearly give away price) ...that was prolly the best thing that happened last year....there are some honest CL sellers..after all.

they were $4K/pair in 1982.


Hey, SeaWolf,

I have yet to see a pair of L250/250Ti speakers "in the wild"

Mine are the only pair that I have ever seen...not "super common"

[WDJ]

I used to work at store called "Norwood's" in Savannah, GA.

Sold JBL, Mcintosh, Harmon/Kardon, Dual, Nakamichi, Marantz and others. I still have the ST-7 straightline tracking turntable a customer beat with a hammer becsuae he couldn't get it to track properly. I pieced it back together and its still going after 31 years.

I could understand speakers sounding "different" due to physical size, number of drivers, etc. But I still remember hearing a local FM station over a HK330 reciever and thinking it was much better than what I had ever heard and then somebody turned on a Marantz 10B with a Mac 2300/C28 (maybe it was a C26?) and a pair of L300s.

The addiction was immediate and has proven permanent.......

[BMWCCA]

My original 030 system was purchased in 1957 in an unfinished reflex cabinet by my Dad from High Fidelity Showroom on Clayton Ave. in St. Louis, for my parents' anniversary. My JBL C37 030 system was purchased from the same store as a trade-in around 1967. I believe that shop closed in the late '80s. They were also the prime location for the old Mac Clinics. I still have all my evaluation sheets for my C20, and the super-clean tests on my original Crown D75, though my Mac C20 actually came from Hi-Fi Fo-Fum which incredibly seems to be still in business in nearly the same location today.

My L112s were purchased new in sealed boxes from Stereo Types in Charlottesville, VA, for my anniversary in 1983, for around $900/pair. The shop still exists and is a dealer for Boston Acoustics, Klipsch, Bowers & Wilkins, Yamaha, NAD, McIntosh, Fujitsu, Cambridge Soundworks, Eclipse, B&K, Sony Pro Flat Screens, Colorado vNet and JL Audio, but no JBL. I'll have to ask the owner why no more JBL.

I have eight other pairs of JBLs, one bought off Ebay, one from Audiogon, six from Craig's List. Five of the Craig's List purchases and the one from Audiogon all involved either "head's up" from this list or the involvement of members of this list that led to the aquisiiton or delivery.

I'm not sure that answers the question other than to say back when JBL had dealers where you could actually audition their speakers, I bought my JBLs from local dealers and willingly paid nearly $1,000 in 1983 money which is equal to $2,400 in today's U$D. (I also bought my Nak Dragon brand-new from the same shop.) With no local dealer I get my hi-fi jones satisfied through the Internet. I figure it's JBL's loss. I've spent something over $1,400 on used JBLs just since joining this list. Had there been a local dealer I'd have likely spent more than that on at least one new pair. It's been a family tradition for fifty years.

[Doc Mark]

Only slightly OT...in 1977 I went into a (to me) highend audio store off Macadam, near the river in that mall converted from a factory ...name escapes me....

And heard a demo of the Ohm Walsh "F"'s....completely blew me away and never forgot that sound, tho had not heard another pair since then, a year and a half ago, I was just browsing CL and there they were, but mislabeled.

Called on the ad (this was on a Saturday) and asked the guy if I could come take a look Sunday, he said sure .....then an hour later he calls back and asks if I could come over TODAY, as his phone was going nuts ....but I was first caller and he looked me up on his callerID...
to shorten the story.....I gassed up and made a run for Beaverton and got them (at a nearly give away price) ...that was prolly the best thing that happened last year....there are some honest CL sellers..after all.

they were $4K/pair in 1982.



Mine are the only pair that I have ever seen...not "super common"

Dang, SeaWolf!

Those are just flat-out beautiful speakers!!!! Love the solid hardwood edges!! Thanks for sharing them with us! Now, I have to find a pair to which I can actually listen. Oh, yeah! That will be fun! Thanks, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[jblsound]

I was in the Manhattan Beach, CA Frys, and they had the JBL ES Series. They also had some leftover Venues and some Control Series gear.

The ES looked very nice, much better than Venue or Northridge models from the past. They sounded better, too. Dollar for dollar, I'd prefer them over the Studio L Series.
When I first read of the ES, figured they would be better than the Venue, but as I haven't heard the ES (I'd have to go back to the Fry's in Sac. where I bought the L890s) I have no way of comparing them to the Studio L series. And as the ES list prices are cheaper than the Studio L, I figured maybe not as good. But maybe they are as good.

But to the topic of where to buy JBLs, no stores around here, nor Infinity either.

[SEAWOLF97]

Dang, SeaWolf!
Those are just flat-out beautiful speakers!!!! Love the solid hardwood edges!!


Doc ....as you can see, the tweeter pod is aimed downwards slightly as they are taller than most peoples listening positions. I had been interested in L300's , but they are going for stupid prices and sizewise do not fit in my limited area, but the 250ti's do.

I would NOT have bought any if piano black were the only option, and was iffy on walnut ....I wanted the TEAK. (would you have purchased the L300's if piano black was the only option ??)

So parameters were set...had to be teak, had to be outstanding condition, had to be within a days round trip driving and had to be $2K or less.

Got lucky and found Marty in British Columbia (7 hours each way) with a pair in teak and great condition, but he wanted 2.5K ...He had full price offers, but they HAD to be shipped...I made my offer, BUT I was able to pickup ..deal was made (Marty/JBLCanuk is a nice guy) ...the boss made up some sandwiches and we headed for Canada ....thru sun and rain and hail and BigMacs .....3 hours "on the ground" and back to Portland at 1 AM ...they sat in the truck all night , but a friend mysteriously appeared in the morning to help me get them inside.
Was worth the trip. :D

L300 v 250ti thread:
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=16905

[Doc Mark]

Hey, SeaWolf,

Great thread on the L300 vs 250Ti! I really enjoyed reading it. I agree with most of the thoughts and opinions expressed in it, but have to add one thing. Each of us has a very different idea about "what sounds real and natural", and to each of us, our own thoughts on that should be most important.

I remember, back when I used to sell Hi Fi stuff, that we sold Bertagni speakers, amongst many others. Oh, my!! Some folks thought those speakers were the be all and end all of transducers!! I never saw the attraction, however. Same with Magnaplaners, Heil AMT speakers, Bose, and many others that some folks would have sold the family farm to own!! None of those speakers sounded "real, right, or natural", to me.

As I've detailed (some would say, endlessly) in at LH, when I first heard a pair of L300's, however, I knew that, at long last, I'd found a speaker that reproduced what I actually heard on stage when playing live music!! YES!! To me, the sound I heard was clear, dynamic, clean, and effortless. It also was exceedingly natural to me. Please keep in mind, however, that for close to 30 years, I had JBL's in my floor monitors, and used PA systems filled with JBL components. Very few other speakers sound that good to my ear, "tainted" as it may be with that very long JBL association!!;):D:bouncy: Now, all those years later, I finally have my own L300's, and they have not failed to impress me, just like they did back when I first heard them!! Are they "right" for everyone else? Who knows. All I know is that they are "right" for ME, and also for Sweet Bride, and that's all that's really important, isn't it?! ;)

You can bet your last dollar that I am also looking forward to experimenting with the other combinations of JBL stuff that I know have on hand. You have probably read the list of JBL goodies that now live up here with us, so I'll not labor you with them again. Suffice it to say, however, that no matter if we end up with a 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, or even a 5-way system, ALL of those systems will be JBL driven, and so I expect them to all sound "right" to me! That having been said, however, I am a "horn man", first and foremost IF those horns are JBL's, and IF they are crossed over properly and at their optimum frequency. As an example, I note the wonderful JBL 2405, which sounds very hissy, spitty, harsh, and brittle to my ear when crossed over at 7KHZ, but sounds absolutely sweet and wonderful when it's crossed over at 8,500 HZ, or higher!!

In any case, each of us must choose which sound is the "right" sound for us, when deciding on speaker systems. For us, the L300's, and other similar JBL systems, are absolutely perfect, and we will very probably never get rid of our L300's, now that we finally own them!! Sure, they may end up being rear speakers, especially if we end up liking the sound of the 4 or 5-way JBL systems better. But, we'll keep and enjoy the L300's, nevertheless!! ;):D:applaud:

I actually wonder how I'm going to like the sound of our new 4411's, since they are not horn driven on the top end. Time will tell, I'm sure. But, I worry that they might sound "small" compared to what we are enjoying now. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[Doc Mark]

Hey, SeaWolf,

Oops! Sorry, I forgot to answer your question, in my L300 ramblings! :o::blah::o:

Had our L300's only been available in piano black, though that would have been disappointing to me, yes, I would most certainly have bought them anyway (for less money, however)!! Remember, this is the model of JBL after which I've lusted since before some of our LH members were even born!! Even though I dearly love the lovely walnut-finished cabinets of our L300's, and absolutely prefer that to piano black, yes, I would have "made do" with the lesser finish in order to get the quality of sound I am enjoying at this very moment,!! ;):D Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[SEAWOLF97]

Do any of the big national chains still sell JBL? It seems to be almost impossible now days to find a store that sells any JBL stuff, apart from the odd inexpensive bookshelf speaker, or computer/Ipod doodad.


I tried to answer the question...but I think the 800 number is an escort service now :(

[MikeBrewster77]

Well, me being the curious sort, of course I tried that number - it is apparently not in service. Now if I can't dial a toll free number and either get a hooker or a local JBL dealer, what exactly has this world come to? :(


I tried to answer the question...but I think the 800 number is an escort service now :(

[jblsound]

JBL is more/less an ID only company anymore. No longer at BB, but that's no loss, as BB only had the bottom of the barrel series. And Frys is not a national chain, and they've switcned from selling the Studio L series to the cheaper ES series.

But for Everest, K2, Arrays, still have to go though a Synthesis dealer. Asam Khashoggi, Steve Wynn, Wayne Newton could afford them, no way I could. It would be 1/20 the price to fly to Tokyo and have a listen in one of Tokyo's hifi shops.

[Titanium Dome]

In support of the statement about JBL being largely Internet Direct, here's all the authorized online vendors:

[Titanium Dome]

With a little work, I can get most of the JBL consumer stuff from most of these on line vendors. Apple and Best Buy only have multimedia stuff.

OTOH, there are eight authorized dealers here in greater Los Angeles, six of which are Frys. Since Frys basically carries only three models near the bottom of JBL's offerings, it's hardly a benefit.

The other two, it's anybody's guess what can actually be purchased there. One seems to focus on HTIB and the other doesn't actually stock JBL at all though you can order it.

[jblsound]

As always, people living in the LA, NYC, Chi and other large metro areas will always have a better dealer selection. Whereas many other areas of the country one might have to drive 3, 5, 8 hours to get to a dealer if one wants to do an audition, in store.

If odering online, then its a crap shoot as to if the person in question will like what he/she gets, and then the hassle of sending it back, if not. But that seems to be the way of the future.