JBL's for a small apartment.

[tim]

Recently I sold my stax 4040 tube-based headphone system to get a pair of nicer speakers. A couple of people told me that the LE-8 based JBL's would suit my tastes well. I can't really find any L75's or Lancer 44's or 54's, so I'm thinking of getting the Aquarius IV. Since i have a small apartment where proper positioning would be difficult, these might be an fun option. If you guys have any further recommendations, i'm open to suggestion. The jubal 65 look sort of interesting, as do some of the voice of theatre altec models.

[Zilch]

The jubal 65 look sort of interesting, as do some of the voice of theatre altec models.Those are not the diminuitive "small apartment" speakers you began with here. You need to narrow the field regarding size, price range, and preferences, and if you want some DIY suggestions, as well. I betcha we can cook up some nice two-ways with LE8-T's for you here....

OH, and "Welcome Aboard!" :smthsail:

[Oldmics]

If you are looking for a "vintage" investment-Howszabout a pair of

Minigons

Take a gander at them thru this link

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/catalogs/1962/page20-21.jpg


Oldmics

[mike]

I've owned most of the sytems that utilized the LE8T (Lancer 44, L75 Minuet and Aqurius IV) and aside from collectibility they are something of a dissapointment. I wanted to like them simply because the LE8T is such a nice driver but sonically they are a dissapointment in just about every regard.

The L65 Jubal is an OK speaker. The 10" 3-way's JBL's from the late 70's and early 80's were in my opinion their best sounding compact speakers. This would include the L110, L96 and 4313 studio monitor. Actually they sound better than many of JBL's large speakers.

If you want to stick with a truly vintage JBL with all alnico drivers I would think that the Lancer 77 would be an OK choice.

Mike

[tim]

Thanks for the info guys... guess i should look at some other stuff. I'm trying to keep the size somewhat reasonable. Just nothing huge like klipsh cornerhorns or altec model 19's.

Pricewise anything around 400 or less would work, and from what i've heard the old JBL's are MUCH better than the new ones with the exception of the k2 series.

[Mr. Widget]

... so I'm thinking of getting the Aquarius IV. Since i have a small apartment where proper positioning would be difficult, these might be an fun option. If you guys have any further recommendations, i'm open to suggestion. The jubal 65 look sort of interesting, as do some of the voice of theatre altec models.
The Aquarius IVs are a real style statement. I heard them back in the day and was not at all impressed with their sound. They certainly were the best sounding fern pedestals around, but were not what I would call hi-fi. Others may disagree, but I don't think I can remember ever hearing anyone rave about their sound.

The Jubals are not a tiny speaker and all of the Altec VOTT variants are quite large. For a small apartment I think I would go with a pair of 2 cu ft "book shelf" JBLs if you can work with that size. The L166s are usually in your price range as are L100s, L96s etc. and their Pro variants.

Widget

[4313B]

Have you looked at any of the small 2-way and 3-way 4400 Monitors? 4406's are nice as are the 4408's, 4410's and 4412's. XPL90's are great too if you can find them.

[tim]

No, not yet. Are you sure i'd like these though? I really can't stand the sound of the JBL PA systems that everyone uses nowadays, or the northridge series for that matter. I just don't like that sort of bass heavy bloated sound.

[Robh3606]

Hello Tim


The 4406/XPL90/L20T/L20T3 all share the same 6 1/2 bass driver. They are not what could be considered bass heavy but what they have is solid as a rock. Actually sound like they go a bit deeper than they do. You could add a sub of leave them be depending on your taste. Take a look in the Library at the spec sheets to get an idea.

http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/4406.pdf

Rob:)

[boputnam]

Hey, Tim...

I'm a bit late here, but would echo what Giskard sez. I've got all sizes of 43's, and my 4301B's wow everyone. They are remarkable. Similarly, I have the 4406's flown in the corners of the master bedroom, and they are excellent. No need to get exotic - just get authentic JBL... :yes:

[Zilch]

No need to get exotic - just get authentic JBL... :yes:Well, JBL MONITORS, that is.... :cool:

Flat, honest, some think them "dry." Sounds like that's what you want.

4400 series. Whatever you can afford. $400 MAY get you 4412's....

[jblnut]

If you search the archives I think we beat this to death in a "small JBL" thread somewhere. The XPL90, 4406 and smallest TI model were generally regarded as the standouts iirc.

jblnut

[cary]

Hi Tim,

You might look into the L15's, L20T, 4401 or 4406's. The have a small foot print size wise. Also the L19, L46, or 4301 series might fill the bill.

Cary Chin

[Valentin]

What about ti2k thy are very nice looking and must sound vey wellhttp://www.jbl.com/home/products/images/products_small/TI2KBE.jpg (http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.asp?ProdId=TI2KBE&SerId=TIK&sCatId=)

[Steve Gonzales]

I recently restored a pair of L15's and am truely amazed with the sound of them. definately a contender worth your consideration. The amount of output is incredible. leave it to JBL to get that much great sound out of a little enclosure. If you want these, send me a pm and we'll take it from there.

[Tom Loizeaux]

After reading all this, I think a pair of JBL 4412s would make you pretty happy!
If you buy a used pair, inspect the foam surrounds carefully. These are compact but will give you the essence of the JBL sound. The foam surround 12s really do put out a nice low end.

Tom

[tim]

You know i've seen a bunch of those speakers you guys are showing me at pawn shops of all places around here. I'll have to go to the bad side of town and listen to stuff, heh.

[Steve Gonzales]

If you find good deals on the vintage stuff, you could buy low, sell for profit and have all your stuff for FREE. I'm sure if you run into something you could ask the fellow members what a fair price is for it and go from there. Just make sure you get EXACT model #'s and have an honest and detailed discription of them, i.e. driver and cabinet condition, grills, badges in place etc. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!:)

[tim]

Heh..yeah. So what should i keep an eye out for?

[Steve Gonzales]

All the models that begin with "L" - 15 all the way to 300 and "D"30085 to 44000, and "C" models, any of the PRO models . ANY compression drivers,horns, wave guides and crossovers or lenses,also old ALTEC or ELECTRO VOICE and Tannoy to name a few. I am sure that I missed alot but that is a GOOD start and remember CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION ! P.S. to make it clear the models that begin with "L" only, not "LX" etc , maybe "LT" but certainly pure "L" models. Go through all the wonderful product info on this site and you will see all the GOODIES to be on the look-out for.

[Oldmics]

Models that start with an "I".

Such as Iconic



Heh-Heh

Oldmics

[Steve Gonzales]

Damn, "I" knew "I" would m"I"ss someth"I"ng !:banghead:

[Alex Lancaster]

:) Check these out on eBay, they are more than ample for an apartment: 5731572327

[tim]

Update...

The ones i saw at that store were 4200's.

They were 160$ and had metal tweeters. My instinct said not to bother. Keep linking me to ebay auctions though, heh.

[tim]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5734859695&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Do you guys think i'd be able to fix these? They arent too far away and use the old alnico magnets.

[Zilch]

You'll send the woofers and also the passive radiators, most likely, out for refoaming while you refinish the cabinets. Chances are whatever environmental conditions (and age) caused the surrounds on the woofers to dry, stiffen, and crack operated on the passive radiators, as well.

Orange County Speaker charges $45 apiece to "Re-edge" them, so count on nearly $200 to put them in shape. You could refoam them yourself for about half that, if you're mechanically inclined. There's good instructions how to do that in earlier threads here.

When purchasing vintage JBL, it's important to factor in refurbishment cost, weighing it against the fun and satisfaction of completing a successful restoration. Those L166's Alex recommended above MAY be a better deal for you, though I can't guess how high they'll go....

[Zilch]

Yo, WAYNE!

Last post in this thread was from three years ago.... :yes:

[bigyank]

Yo WAYNE - its the Internet, there are SCAM artists out there.
You might want to DELETE all your personal info from your post ... else it will be out here FOREVER!

:applaud:

Keep on posting! Will eventually make it outta here!

[johnaec]

All that said, I might have pair of L15's for sale. They're in excellent condition except for the foam, but I do have the correct surrounds on hand. Let me think about it...

John

[JBL 4645]

Yo, WAYNE!

Last post in this thread was from three years ago.... :yes:

Yo Wayne who the devil is Wayne may I ask? :confused:

[AltecLansingFan]

Don't you know who is Yo Wayne?
I think Yo Wayne is the brother of John Wayne.
John Wayne
http://www.sportcartoons.co.uk/caricatures/wayne.jpg
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eigenaar/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpgfile:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eigenaar/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg

[bloatedpig]

L40's come to mind..............a 10" woofer and dome tweeter in a pretty small foot print. I use to own a pair and they surprised me with their "Large" soundtstage. They have been turning up recently on Ebay as of late.

regards