Steve K
04-07-2005, 07:30 AM
Hello, all! This is my first posting here after accidentally stumbling upon this website when searching for a pair of L220's in Japan. Let me say, first of all, that I am truly impressed with just about everything here, especially you forum participants. I immediately registered to become a member just because I wanted to read all of your expert opinions and comments on JBL speakers. At present, I only have 1 pair of the compact 4312M (don't know if these were available in the US), but in the past I used to own the L26 and the S2600. However, my main speakers today are a pair of B&W 805's, but hopefully that should change in the next few weeks. Why? Because, like I mentioned in the beginning, I am in the market for a pair of a good working condition L220's.
A good friend of mine here in Tokyo happens to own a pair of L220's which he's had for at least 15 years now (given to him by his brother). I fell in love with its sound from the very first time I heard him play some jazz vocal CDs. The sound was rich and full even when the volume was turned way down, and his amp isn't an 'audiophile' grade product, but let's just say a pretty decent system. But the point is, after all these years, and after having heard a lot of newer quality speakers in vendor listening rooms, I think his L220's sound was just much better to my ears.
So, to make a long story short (if it isn't long enough already!) I've located two vendors in Japan who's got the L220's in stock. One is in a different city, about 150 miles away, and what he's got is one whose woofers have been repaired by its original owner, but instead of the 'usual' (?) foam edge, had it reinforced with a rubber edge. I have to admit that I'm not really sure what that means, but can only surmise that the unit maybe won't sound as a true L220 should. The other vendor located in an adjoining city has told me that they've taken the better parts from two pairs of L220's they had, and have been rebuilt to be as good as possible. The price is about 15% lower witht the first vendor, but I cannot realistically go there to have a listen. With the second higher priced vendor, I plan to go there in the next couple of days to see what they have.
Any advice on what to look for when buying a pair of these 'old' JBL speakers would be truly appreciated.
A good friend of mine here in Tokyo happens to own a pair of L220's which he's had for at least 15 years now (given to him by his brother). I fell in love with its sound from the very first time I heard him play some jazz vocal CDs. The sound was rich and full even when the volume was turned way down, and his amp isn't an 'audiophile' grade product, but let's just say a pretty decent system. But the point is, after all these years, and after having heard a lot of newer quality speakers in vendor listening rooms, I think his L220's sound was just much better to my ears.
So, to make a long story short (if it isn't long enough already!) I've located two vendors in Japan who's got the L220's in stock. One is in a different city, about 150 miles away, and what he's got is one whose woofers have been repaired by its original owner, but instead of the 'usual' (?) foam edge, had it reinforced with a rubber edge. I have to admit that I'm not really sure what that means, but can only surmise that the unit maybe won't sound as a true L220 should. The other vendor located in an adjoining city has told me that they've taken the better parts from two pairs of L220's they had, and have been rebuilt to be as good as possible. The price is about 15% lower witht the first vendor, but I cannot realistically go there to have a listen. With the second higher priced vendor, I plan to go there in the next couple of days to see what they have.
Any advice on what to look for when buying a pair of these 'old' JBL speakers would be truly appreciated.