JBL C50 monitor - looking for information

[TechnicsDirk]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and new to "vintage" JBL speakers. Today I stumbled upon this pair of C50 monitors that the owner claims he bought new in the USA somewhere in the late '60s. Anyone out here that can give me some information on these? More specifically looking for technical information and what the value of the pair would be.

It's a matching pair with the original grilles. The wood seems to be in real good shape other than the outside of the cabinets having been repainted in a very '70s beige. According to the owner the original color was a dark metallic with white JBL logo's on the sides? Drivers seem to be ok visually but the woofer felt "tight" - not flexible as I understand should be the case on ported speakers like these. We listened to some classical music and although the highs and mids were all there the bass department wasn't very impressive at all for such large speakers. That being said the owner is almost 90 years old and we played the music on an agreeable level fitting his age.

Anyway I like the look of these C50's a lot and I would be very interested to hear what you all think of them.

Thanks!
TD

[robertg]

That looks like a 4502 cabinet to me. I thought a C50 was an Olympus?

From what I remember LE85 mid, LE15 woofer and an 075. I had a pair for a while this summer, I liked them. Mine were only two way, no 075. I have some pictures on my other computer.

[grumpy]

The Lans-a-loy surround is probably not supple any more. I would consider a refoam job as necessary.

Could have a 375 installed :) ... 2402/075 could have been added when purchased or later.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/JBL%20D50SMS7%20Energized%20Self-Powered%20Prof.%20Studio%20Monitor.pdf

No idea on value.

[BMWCCA]

I grew up calling that box the C50SM (Studio Monitor). I built a clone once for my second 030 system when going stereo. It was available in several configurations:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/catalogs/1964/page36.jpg

[TechnicsDirk]

Thank you all for the information! This definitely gives me something to work with. It's nice to know what you are looking at and listening to :)

Cheers,
TD