JBL 60 anniversary

[Valentin]

seems JBL will have some conmemorative products for it
any news

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/191274.html

[DRG]

We are expressly forbidden to say anything about any 60th Anniversary Products until after their official release.

In 2006, JBL celebrates its 60th anniversary as the foremost manufacturer of professional and consumer loudspeakers worldwide. Founded in 1946, no other company has consistently contributed more than JBL to the evolution of audio reproduction in professional, home, automotive and multimedia applications.

[Valentin]

OK

Thanks


we shall crave that moment

[Hofmannhp]

Hi All,

"The company that is presently known as JBL was first called Lansing Sound, Incorporated, and dated from 1 October 1946."

it's a long time of waiting till October :banghead: ....let's be patient

HP

[Steve Schell]

Here is the paper label from the first version of the D-101 15" general purpose speaker, Lansing Sound's first product. It wasn't long before Altec Lansing got wind of this and made Jim Lansing agree to stop using the term "Iconic."

[Titanium Dome]

As well as an overview of product plans and some comments on Greg Timbers from the President of Harman International Japan.

http://www.phileweb.com/english/s-i01.html

K2 Center? K2 Active Sub? Hmm. :hmm:

Interview is from 2004 (?) or misdated.

[Titanium Dome]

Here's blurb on Les Paul honoring JBL's 60th. At least we can talk about that.

http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_paul_honors_jbl/index.html

[Titanium Dome]

Just a mention of the 60th, but it's a pretext for looking at JBL's brain trust. Try the free trial to see the whole thing. Obviously, I can't post it here.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1:141755042/The+JBL+brain+trust~R~(Company+Profile)(Company+Pr ofile).html?refid=SEO

[Titanium Dome]

This 60th anniversary press release has a few interesting tidbits, and it also has one shocker. At least I never considered the Studio L Series direct descendants of the L100 and 4310. :confused:

http://www.mediaaudio.hr/site/upload_news/jbl_60th_anniversary.pdf

[Jan Daugaard]

The veil has been lifted on one of the models that will mark 60th anniversary:

http://www.hifi4all.dk/content/templates/nyheder.asp?articleid=1205&zoneid=1

[BMWCCA]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c378/BMWCCA1/TL260.jpg

[edgewound]

I'm trying to be impressed with the TL260, but it's not working. The end text in that article is contradictory on the performance of high freq dispersion, and the "industrial design" is very, very cheap looking. A huge disappointment...an insult to the 250ti's legacy...and to JBL's 60th anniversary.

They better sound awfully good....'cause they look cheap.

[Zilch]

Constant directivity and constant power response in the VHF and UHF, nominal 60° x 30° pattern.

Horizontal wider than a bullet, narrower than a slot. Vertical about the same....

[Don McRitchie]

Interesting. The press release has portions written directly from my L250 profile on the site. I guess I'm flattered. Now that its official, I assume it's safe to show this picture that I took last month. For what it is worth, this system was not designed by Greg Timbers. I have no idea what it sounds like.

[edgewound]

Interesting. The press release has portions written directly from my L250 profile on the site. I guess I'm flattered. Now that its official, I assume it's safe to show this picture that I took last month. For what it is worth, this system was not designed by Greg Timbers. I have no idea what it sounds like.

Don...

Your flattery is not very convincing.:D

I can't say I blame you for not being more...well...excited. Nothing like a little plagiarism for pay, huh?

[rockecat]

Major anniversaries are very cool, I have been married for over twenty five and have owned my first set of JBL Loudspeakers even longer. I wonder if the Maytag man and the JBL repair man hang out together.:applaud:

Congrats to JBl

[scott fitlin]

OK, 60yr anniversary is great, commerative products and all!

Is there anything coming out for the pro market for the JBL 60yr anniversary?

[scott fitlin]

You know, my freinds and I were discussing JBL,s 60th anniversary last night. And we just dont understand why they didnt do a commerorative 60th anniversary limited edition JBL 2441Be, or a Lansing Signature 375Be complete with brand new red wax seals, or something along the lines of what really made JBL so famous in the first place.

Besides, retro is really in vogue these days. Just look at the car makers, Dodge Chargers, Ford Mustangs, matter of fact, I am seeing many of those retro Ford Mustangs on the road.

:dont-know

[Mr. Widget]

I don't think that's a bad idea at all... unfortunately JBL isn't currently in the components business. In the '40s and '50s Hi-Fi was a completely hands on affair... kind of like PCs in the '80s... today people generally buy built up computers and all-in-one-box home theaters. OK, they also buy speakers, but very few of us are buying separate woofers, tweeters and the like...

It sure would be cool... I'd like to buy a pair, but I won't be holding my breath.

What you're asking for is like asking for Ford to sell retro engines... I'd say it is more likely that JBL will offer a retro system, though the retro trend has been going on for awhile in the car biz... it started with the Miata in 1990. I haven't seen this trend in the world of speakers... might not be a bad idea though.


Widget

[scott fitlin]

If they came out with a limited run of Lansing Signature 375,s and went with a Be diaphragm, and berrylium is all the rage right now, it would be a seller. They could get big bucks for them, and sell out of a 2000 piece run!

Harman re-issued the Urei 1620 nightclub mixer, which by todays standards is really not up to par, it doesnt have the features many other units come standard with, and is a basic rotary control mixer. They copied the original Urei 1620, utilizing modern parts, and put it out as the Urei 1620LE by Soundcraft.

10 years ago, they said no one wanted this anymore, and they wouldnt sell. Today they did the limited run, and sold out of them! Not bad for a 30yr old design, that doesnt have what todays DJ,s want!

The best part about this old DJ mixer is that sonically it kicked the daylights out of all of todays premium DJ mixers.

:)

[robpatton]

I know one thing about an upcoming release of a new product...and you better start saving A LOT of money! I MEAN LOADS!!!! Bye Bye K2 “King of the Hill”

Rob

[Zilch]

Mauna Kea summary:

1500AL pair with Levinson active amp
1200AL
452Be (2452-SL variant) on carved obsidian vertical biradial horn
045Be on Oblate Spheroid horn

Charge-coupled passive crossovers

Drivers to be available as components for DIY....

[Valentin]

Eureka

Hope too see some pictures soon

obsidian horn neat marketing new mid driver and a new vhf horn disign

great news

[Valentin]

in the japan site there is a new series caled the LS with compresion divers and priced below the array series
is it only for Japan or for the us also

[TimG]

Sorry, I put the wrong date on that press release, please go back and read it again, paying special attention to the date.

[Mr. Widget]

Then you should have posted it April 1st...

It did seem to good to be true. You are a very cruel person.


Widget

[TimG]

OK, I'm sorry for getting people's hopes up, but I thought the humor would make it obvious that it wasn't real.

Since 60 is now the new 40, we wanted to show the world that we are still young, strong, vital and relevant, and though we have lost a little hair on top grown a little larger around the middle.”

We also had some stories to tell from our time in Las Vegas away from the show, but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Some of our engineers, who enjoy watching a certain animated adult cartoon set in a small rural mountain community in Colorado, argued for naming the new loudspeaker the Keanu Reeves, for it's "butt-kicking abilities."

The horn is also carved from polished obsidian, a volcanic glass, in keeping with the mountain/volcano theme.

[Valentin]

cruel
very cruel


but what about the LS Series

[Zilch]

Yeah, well, we've got MOST of the parts to build 'em mythical Mauna Keas.


...the heart of the Mauna Kea is a two-way design....

[And Widget's wood version of the horn'd sound better, anyways.... :p ]

[edgewound]

OK, I'm sorry for getting people's hopes up, but I thought the humor would make it obvious that it wasn't real.

Since 60 is now the new 40, we wanted to show the world that we are still young, strong, vital and relevant, and though we have lost a little hair on top grown a little larger around the middle.”

We also had some stories to tell from our time in Las Vegas away from the show, but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Some of our engineers, who enjoy watching a certain animated adult cartoon set in a small rural mountain community in Colorado, argued for naming the new loudspeaker the Keanu Reeves, for it's "butt-kicking abilities."

The horn is also carved from polished obsidian, a volcanic glass, in keeping with the mountain/volcano theme.

Sorry? I've seen real press releases that have been worse...and considering the current state of JBL Consumers' sorry-ass marketing and "internet support specialists"...(I bet Rob Patton would consider that an oxymoron...he could sue for damage to his dealer reputation if that much non-effort carelessness goes into verifying authorized dealers)...

It sounded just tongue-in-cheek-enough to be valid....came up with part numbers and everything. That was hi-fraud genius...maybe Harman Consumer Group should hire you for Public Relations Director, since nothing seems to happen that's real there anyway also.

That really crossed the line.:(

[scott fitlin]

Yup, sorry ass marketing indeed! Very sorry ass!

Reissue the classic 375, updated with a Be diaphragm, and charge $2000ea! And people will buy this! If they made and sold 2000 units at 2G,s a pop, thats a paltry 4mil!

The R & D and tooling were done years ago, so this could be a great thing all the way around. Both for JBL users and JBL.

As long as they sound great, people would really buy these, and they would sell out quick.

Lansing Signature 375Be, Limted Edition, Made in the U.S.A.! The collectors choice!

[Mr. Widget]

Scott, they need to do something beyond an alnico 375Be. That was introduced by TAD in 1975 and is called the TD-4001. It's current retail price is $2150 and is exactly what you are talking about... except it has a different foilcal and is made in Japan. There is nothing wrong with the 375 or the TD-4001, but I think JBL has progressed beyond the 375, Be or no. I'd be interested in seeing what they do come out with.

Widget

[4313B]

OK, I'm sorry for getting people's hopes up, but I thought the humor would make it obvious that it wasn't real.Actually it wasn't funny at all and I'm real glad you deleted it. JBL is quite serious about not talking about product until it's release date, especially this year. That fact was just reiterated again for the upteenth time a few minutes ago via email.

[scott fitlin]

Scott, they need to do something beyond an alnico 375Be. That was introduced by TAD in 1975 and is called the TD-4001. It's current retail price is $2150 and is exactly what you are talking about... except it has a different foilcal and is made in Japan. There is nothing wrong with the 375 or the TD-4001, but I think JBL has progressed beyond the 375, Be or no. I'd be interested in seeing what they do come out with.

WidgetWhether or not JBL has progressed beyond the 375 is not the question!

But, the 375 is classic JBL, and one of the devices that made the name JBL what it is, so, I still feel there is a market for a collectible re-issue of the 375.

Seems to work for other manufacturers in other types of markets!

One legacy product is too much to ask for?

[JBLnsince1959]

I'm trying to be impressed with the TL260, but it's not working. The end text in that article is contradictory on the performance of high freq dispersion, and the "industrial design" is very, very cheap looking. A huge disappointment...an insult to the 250ti's legacy...and to JBL's 60th anniversary.

They better sound awfully good....'cause they look cheap.

they look like Studio L transducers in a 250 box for sure..

Hopefully that's not the same speakers ( tweeters mids, midbass) as in the studio L but it looks close. That would be a MAJOR disappointment if that were the case.

But then those speakers will most likely never be sold in the US but are most likely for Europe and other countries.


well, we'll see how they sound...I guess I'll have to fly to Europe to hear those only to find the store is closed...

[Thomax]

http://www.jbl60th.jp/

If anyone speaks japanese... ;)

You can notice in the history section of this site some flags on the top, if you click on them you can see which ones were the flagship JBL speakers over the years... Now click on the 2006 flag... :applaud:

[Zilch]

Now click on the 2006 flag... :applaud:That's just MEAN! :p

Here, from Harman Pro magazine:

[Valentin]

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Real_Hi_Fi/Full_Sized_Speakers?Article=/Real%20Hi%20Fi/Full%20Sized%20Speakers/R4V5N3E9



for 6000 australian dolars

[Titanium Dome]

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Real_Hi_Fi/Full_Sized_Speakers?Article=/Real%20Hi%20Fi/Full%20Sized%20Speakers/R4V5N3E9



for 6000 australian dolars

Wow! When they print "Click to enlarge," they aren't kidding. The pic is huge.

[Steve Gonzales]

I'm a little disappointed with the way they look. I know that seems very superficial, but I would think that a statement speaker would look a bit more exotic, especially for that kinda loot. These look sorta cheap. As for Scotty j's idea for a special issue 375Be., that would be a major stroke of genius!. TAD may have taken JBL's large format design to the next level, but, they are not JBL's, as good as the TAD's are. As I recall, the Century Gold edition of the L100 sold for $5,000.00. It is that sort of limited edition marketing that makes sense. Hell, I think JBL currently continues to produce the 375 for some market. Didn't Don McRitchie mention he saw the production line on one his visits to JBL Northridge? I know it would be a tough to sell to for the JBL top brass, having the 435Be. on the market at the same time. I can't help but love that idea though.

[Phil H]

The picture of the TL260 looks like a rendering from a computer generated 3-D model. Like many of the pictures of products on JBL's consumer website, it doesn't look great. But when I have seen actual pictures of the products (Studio L, Performance, Array series, etcetera), they look much better than the renderings.

[MJC]

The picture of the TL260 looks like a rendering from a computer generated 3-D model. Like many of the pictures of products on JBL's consumer website, it doesn't look great. But when I have seen actual pictures of the products (Studio L, Performance, Array series, etcetera), they look much better than the renderings.
The Studio Ls are a much better looking speaker than any of the pics on the internet. So I would think the same is true for the TL260. My question, is the $6K for each or a pair?

[BMWCCA]

My question, is the $6K for each or a pair?
Oh surely you jest? Even at "only" $4,568.74 USD, that ought to buy you two plastic speakers. Kidding! But did I miss where anyone else posted this link to the JBL L260 Technical White Paper (http://www.mediaaudio.hr/site/upload_news/tl260whtpaper.pdf)? Sorry if this is old info.
http://www.av-magazin.de/typo3temp/pics/c51738b18e.jpg

[Robh3606]

I think they look good with the grilles on. I am not a fan of silver cones and trim either but the bottom line is how do they sound?? I would like to hear them, especially next to a pair of L250Ti's. Now that would be a fun comparison.

Rob:)

[brianlun]

can they make all the drive black?

[Valentin]

I agree with Rob

soud is the most important and i also agree that silver cone are not the nicest thing

If thy dont kick ass in all aspects against the old 250 it would be walking backwards and a big mistake for a conmemorative model.

[Zilch]

"Retro" can't happen unless there's something cheezy for marketing to work it against.... :p

[Titanium Dome]

can they make all the drive black?

They can but won't. They can paint those PolyPlas drivers any color they want to, and we've seen some weird ones over the years.

However, an individual could do some painting on his own. The mini horn and the EOS Waveguide are simple to separate from the drivers and spray paint any color one wishes. The trim rings on the other drivers would be easy to paint as well, though one would likely have to brush rather than spray those.

As for the drivers, that gets dodgy as you don't want to change the cone's characteristics, but on the other hand the PolyPlas won't absorb as much as a conventional pulp cone. Still, at $6k, I wouldn't mess with the cones themselves. :no:

[JBLnsince1959]

I think they look good with the grilles on. I am not a fan of silver cones and trim either but the bottom line is how do they sound?? I would like to hear them, especially next to a pair of L250Ti's. Now that would be a fun comparison.

Rob:)

I agree with Rob about looking good with the grills on..but then I look good with clothes on too..so that's not saying a whole lot...:D

as far as comparing against a 250, I think the 250 would out class the 260.....my take on the 260 is that they have really updated the TI5000 series that did so well in Europe. I say that because the 260 has a 12" woofer and not a 14" like the 250....the Ti5000 and TI3000 were marketed mostly in Europe.. We talked about this on the 260 thread.....at the time I said it looked like they were using the same cones as the Studio L (PolyPlas ) and they are....these are designed for the upper masses ( and are not statement speakers) and is really just Studio L in 250 shaped box ( again like the TI5000). I'm sure they would sound great..the one thing I have against the studio L is the size of woofers ( and yes size matters) so the 260 would be nice....

I'm still hoping that JBL will Redo the 250 to modern specs and that it will be part of the 60th ann. surprise...

[Valentin]

Cant wait till cedia 2 more weeks
we shall know JBL anniversary products
i heard an interview from sound and vision radio in wich Paul Bente (president of JBL Consumer Products) and he said that not only consumer prducts will be lauched but some Pro one too

I hope its a special edition LSR Monitor

[Rudy Kleimann]

This 60th anniversary press release has a few interesting tidbits, and it also has one shocker. At least I never considered the Studio L Series direct descendants of the L100 and 4310. :confused:

http://www.mediaaudio.hr/site/upload_news/jbl_60th_anniversary.pdf

Interesting to read a press release from Harman going into details about the history of JBL, yet incorrectly referring to the "exclamation point" Logo when in fact it is actually a symbol of a medal, a badge of honor. It is, in fact, a lasting icon representing the pride, dogged commitment and dedication to excellence that Jim Lansing had that made his products so great and influential in the field of loudspeaker design.

While I don't claim to have every bit of the details right, I believe the facts are located in various other pages on this site. I apologize for any errors, as I am writing from memory things I read 2-3 years ago. I hope the unaware readers here find this enlightening, and the diehard members of the LHS here don't disapprove-

The story goes like this:

After Jim Lansing had been seriously struggling with finances for quite some time with his first fledgling speaker manufacturing business, Altec desired their own loudspeakers, and approached Jim with an offer he couldn't refuse: Altec bought the Lansing Speaker Company (likely saving it from bankruptcy) and formed a new loudspeaker division named Altec Lansing. Jim Lansing was kept on to more or less run the newly acquired division for Altec and the terms of his employment were in a 5(?) year employment contract which included a "no compete" clause.

As soon as these contractual obligations expired, Jim Lansing left Altec and formed a new company named after himself. Altec sued, claiming the Lansing name belonged to Altec. This infuriated Jim, and a legal battle ensued.

Jim's argument was that "noone had a right to take a man's name" from him, and compared it to his signature, and a badge of honor (or disgrace without it). The dispute was eventually settled, and Jim was allowed to continue with his company named after himself.

Hence the term "Signature Loudspeaker", and the "Badge of Honor" incorporated into the labels on his products of the time. Eventually all that remained was the "Badge", which many (including myself) have confused with an exclamation point.

Perhaps Harman marketing would just as soon let this controversial "passion play" remain obscure and fade into history in lieu of the widely held notion that it is an exclamation point, meaning whatever the public imagines it to mean... which is usually along the lines of "LOUD" or "something to take notice of". A proud STATEMENT, if you will:D

But, I consider it something not to be misunderstood. Where would we all be without Jim and what his "Badge" stood for? What would we be listening to our favorite music through?

[Steve Gonzales]

Great post Rudy. It all makes perfect sense.

[BMWCCA]

Interesting to read a press release from Harman going into details about the history of JBL, yet incorrectly referring to the "exclamation point" Logo when in fact it is actually a symbol of a medal, a badge of honor. And all these years I assumed it was a stylized horn and driver. :blink:

[MJC]

I think they look good with the grilles on. I am not a fan of silver cones and trim either but the bottom line is how do they sound?? I would like to hear them, especially next to a pair of L250Ti's. Now that would be a fun comparison.

Rob:)
Get over it! I've had a pair of 890s for over a month and still haven't taken the grilles out of their plastic shipping bags yet, much less put them on the speakers.

[Mr. Widget]

That sounds kinda rude to me... personally I thought Rob was being very generous... these L890s look like the famed Kabuki speakers of the '70s to me.

At least this Sansui came with a real wood finish.


Widget

[Steve Gonzales]

Your explaination of the logo really made me think overnight. From now on, I'll call it a "proclamation point."

[Steve Schell]

I like Rudy Kleimann's suggestion of the 1950s JBL logo resembling a badge of honor- I had never considered this possibility.

Don and I once discussed this subject with John Eargle. I believe it is known who designed this logo for JBL, but I can't remember who it was. Nobody seemed sure what the inspiration for the shape was exactly.

I was once a graphic design major in college, and recall being instructed that a good logo will evoke impressions in the viewer that will form positive associations with the company or product, even though perhaps subconciously. Bank logos are usually firm, solid, often interlocking forms which imply safety and security. Airline images of aircraft are always ascending (travel, adventure) never descending (crashing).

To me the JBL logo has always resembled both an exclamation point and a driver with horn. Now it will also evoke a badge of honor, thanks to Rudy.

[Titanium Dome]

(snip)Now it will also evoke a badge of honor, thanks to Rudy.


Looks like that 'Roo has two badges of honor.

From the Lansing Heritage site:


At the time, graphics at James B. Lansing Sound was unremarkable. Company identification was weak. The exclamation point logo that Jerome Gould designed was admirable, but the 'Signature Sound" lettering was weak and feminine. Subsequently, when the company became JBL, those letters were placed inside the circle of the exclamation point. But this too, was weak. The problem persisted until Arnold Wolf redesigned the logo. (More about that later.) My work at Lansing was basic stuff--catalog sheets, announcements, labels, what have you. I applied the extant logo as strongly as possible, sometimes in a pattern of three or four exclamation points. Gradually, graphics began to improve, especially in typography. At that time, Helvetica was not yet widely used, but designers who wanted a clean look could use a version of it available in monotype. Alas, only the expensive typographers had it, and this sometimes resulted in concerns about costs. You had to fight for better typography in those days.

http://www.audioheritage.org/html/perspectives/graphics.htm

[glen]

Jim's argument was that "noone had a right to take a man's name" from him, and compared it to his signature, and a badge of honor (or disgrace without it). The dispute was eventually settled, and Jim was allowed to continue with his company named after himself.

Hence the term "Signature Loudspeaker", and the "Badge of Honor" incorporated into the labels on his products of the time. Eventually all that remained was the "Badge", which many (including myself) have confused with an exclamation point.
That's a great inspiring story Rudy, but it doesn't quite match the facts.

I believe the "signature" part did grow out of the lawsuit as ir reinforces the key distinction between "James B. Lansing" the individual and Altec-Lansing the company. The "Jim Lansing Signature Speaker" logo appeared on some of JBLs earliest products, at least as early as 1948:
http://lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/catalogs/1948/page1.jpg

After Jim's death Bill Thomas had Alvin Lustig design a new logo which was the big script "L" which began appearing around 1950 and was in use until the mid 1950s.
Alvin Lustig died in 1955 and a new firm was hired to update the JBL designs once more. I believe there is an article on this site
but the "exclamation point" or "medal of honor logo" did not appear until the mid 1950s

In an article on this site graphic designer Roger Kennedy who did catalogs and literature for JBL credits Jerome Gould with designing "exclamation point logo" with the "'Signature Sound" lettering" which he felt was "weak".
http://audioheritage.org/html/perspectives/graphics.htm

It's not clear (to me at least) if Jerome Gould also designed the first version of the "exclamation point" logo bracketed by "Jim Lansing" on the left and "signature" on the right.

Who can tell what the original inspiration for the design was, your interpretation of the design as a medal or commendation may be right on. This was about the time that JBL got significant recognition as the "ultimate dream speaker" in the February 1955 Life magazine article. The design would certainly be a clever allusion to any award that JBL might have won, but I have never seen that connection made in any JBL literature. Maybe someone else knows more.

You are also right about JBL marketing sometimes being misinformed about the early days of JBL, unfortunately they are not charged with being curators of the history of JBL. I think most of them do have a high regard for the accomplishments of the past but their concerns are much more immediate. So if sometimes their efforts to keep JBL aggressively moving forward today cloud the details of past history give them some slack. If today's JBL went out of business the history that we're so interested in would certainly grow colder and more remote.

And as for the logo, symbols are imbued with meaning by their viewers as much as their creators, and all the great positive values you associate with the logo are absolutely intergrated with this long-lasting symbol of JBL excellence whatever it's orignal inspirations might have been.

[Steve Schell]

All of the following is AFAIK.

Jim Lansing incorporated his new company, called "Lansing Sound, Incorporated" in October 1946. His first product was the D-101 driver, which was fitted with a round paper label that stated the company name as well as the term "Iconic." Altec Lansing soon found out about this and protested both the company name and the use of Iconic, which they regarded as theirs since they had earlier purchased the Lansing Manufacturing Company, manufacturer of the the Lansing Iconic. Jim Lansing settled the matter by using his full name in the company title (James B. Lansing Sound, Inc.) and dropping his use of the Iconic term.

There was another round of negotiations in the 1950s between Altec Lansing and JBL's president William Thomas which resulted in his company being primarily identified by the initials "JBL", but this occurred years after Jim Lansing's skirmish with Altec.

Hal Cox, who knew the people involved, told me that Jim Lansing approached his friend Norman Neeley about developing a marketing plan for his products; Neeley was just forming a marketing company at the time. According to Hal it was Neeley who suggested the use of the "signature" phrase to Jim, as a way of capitalizing on Lansing's fine reputation in the industry. The phrase "A Jim Lansing Signature Speaker" soon appeared on the products. This must have happened very early on, as the labels marked San Marcos contain the phrase. As far as I know the round paper label that said "Iconic" was immediately replaced with the rectangular "Signature" paper label, and this would have happened by late 1946 or early 1947.

The "big L" Jim Lansing logo was designed by Alvin Lustig, who was hired by William Thomas shortly after Jim Lansing's death. Lustig also designed the black, white and yellow JBL catalog (with the bird on the cover) that was published in 1950 or 1951.Thomas was pouring more of his personal capital into JBL at the time to try and really get the company rolling and hiring Lustig, who was very well known at the time, was part of the strategy. I'd say it worked!

Yes, JBL's marketing people sometimes get aspects of the history all bollixed up. They frequently use the picture of the theatre marquee advertising "The Jazz Singer" and sometimes imply that Jim Lansing had a hand in developing the sound equipment used in the first talking pictures. This was 1927, the year that Lansing moved his tiny radio speaker business from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. Jim eventually made enormous contributions to the theatre sound industry, but they didn't begin until 1934 or 1935.

[louped garouv]

All of the following is AFAIK.

...sometimes imply that Jim Lansing had a hand in developing the sound equipment used in the first talking pictures. ....


sorry to be OT, but....
I was reading an interview of the US GM of Ortofon, and he was saying that Ortofon was the company that invented the technology for 'talkies'... (he gave the product name, but i do not have it handy) he was also saying that they developed the first stereo MC cartridge, and the lathe to cut stereo records on....

have you ever heard this?

[Steve Gonzales]

I believe that Thomas A. Edison beat everyone to that invention. "Mary had a little lamb, who's fleece was white as snow"

[glen]

So are there going to be any 60th anniversary items for less than $30,000 ea. I got excited when I saw a JBL anniversary poster in the background of an ebay auction, then I realized it was for the 50th, not the 60th, anniversary. No pens, pocketknives, lighters or keychains?

Will John Eargle be signing his JBL history book anywhere?

[Valentin]

probably Don could tell us and when we could expect them to go out
there is only 3 more months to this year maybe ces2007

[glen]

60th anniversary T shirt in ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-60th-Ann-T-Shirt-Yth-L-Mens-XS-4311-sovereign-4312_W0QQitemZ160044856745QQihZ006QQcategoryZ3042Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[scott fitlin]

Thats a nice shirt, really cool!

[Titanium Dome]

Do you think that's a legit shirt? I'm not dissing the seller, but I'm really curious. I wonder if Don or anyone else has seen such a shirt? I surely haven't seen them on sale anywhere, yet, I klnda hafta believe that JBL could sell a few here among the faithful.

Maybe it's another in house exclusive, but, jeez, throw us a bone once in a while.

[scott fitlin]

To me, it does look like a legit shirt, because the emblem, and logo are pretty perfect looking.

[yggdrasil]

Got a chance to listen to the TL260's today. Brought some of my own CD's.

I liked them. They are dynamic, with good transient response. The treble are detailed, but not tiring.

Compared to my 4-ways they sound smaller and fall through in the mid-bass.

They must be a real good value for the money.

With the grilles on the even look ok. The piano lacquer is really impressing.

[Frenchie]

To say that here in Paris France, the TL260 cost 1879 $ each.
It was a surprise for me to discover "made in China" on the back…

(this is maybe why the box finish look so good…)

[Titanium Dome]

Mon dieu, celui est beaucoup d'argent.

That's a lot of money.

[Thom]

I think Edisons machine was missing a coil and a magnet and being the business man that he was so was everybody elses till his patent ran out. Bell wanted to improve it very early on and Edison was having none of it.

[MJC]

With all the fan fare of the Everest, and rightly so, did the TL260 get lost.
JBL doesn't show it on their web site. And if I remember right, it was anounced before the Everest's premiere in Tokyo.

[caladois]

I was given a JBL home audio japan catalog product for years 2006-2007 and the TL 260 are not mentionned at all. Are these limited to european market ?

[Rolf]

I was given a JBL home audio japan catalog product for years 2006-2007 and the TL 260 are not mentionned at all. Are these limited to european market ?

Don't know, but they are here in Norway. Newer seen or heard them throw, just read.

[coherent_guy]

sorry to be OT, but....
I was reading an interview of the US GM of Ortofon, and he was saying that Ortofon was the company that invented the technology for 'talkies'... (he gave the product name, but i do not have it handy) he was also saying that they developed the first stereo MC cartridge, and the lathe to cut stereo records on....

have you ever heard this?

Stereophile recently credited Joe Grado with inventing the MC cartridge. If it was a mono cartridge or he worked for Ortofon at the time, I do not know.

Regarding the "talkies", the credit for it is not so simple, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_film

A quick scan indicates AT&T/Western Electric had a hand in it. That was in the U.S. There was important independent work on it done in Europe and Asia too.

Regarding the TL260, etc, it drives me crazy that Japan and in many cases Europe have the best products JBL makes . . . make that jealous!!

The TL260 made in China? Sigh . . . :(

Then again, in the U.S. we have enjoyed such products as the PSW series, the CF line, and HLS series . . . what am I complaining about?!?! :banghead:

[marcus_helsinki]

We have it here in Finland, and it is sold also in Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Germany.

How do you feel it compared with L890?

In one review, the bass and transients from it were superb, but they said that because there are so many elements, the timing is not perfect. The balance was also nice and it was nice to listen to.

[marcus_helsinki]

A review of TL260 is found here:

http://www.areadvd.com/hardware/2007/jbl_tl260.shtml

[MJC]

Has anyone noticed that on quite a few sites that describe the TL260 that the 7" driver ( I believe that's what it is) is not listed. These sites list the ultra high tweeter, the high frequency tweeter, the 4" mid-range, and the 12" bass, but no mention of the 6", 7", or 8" driver, which ever it is.

I did find a site that wasn't in English that listed all 5 drivers and it showed the "missing" driver to be 170mm, which should be about 7".

But the TL260 seems to be a L880 or L890 with a 12" bass driver added and all put into a L250 box.

[caladois]

in fact the box is smaller than l250> And the speakers looks similar to Performance series...

[greyhound]

ive heard it and didnt like it. its not a bad speaker but there was a definitif bulk on the 56/60 hz region and it sounded a bit harsh in the mid high.
of course it could be the acoustics in the room but it didnt leave a good impression. no one at the show that i spoke liked them. and they couldnt believe I didnt like em , beeing well known for adoring JBL.

[JBLnsince1959]

in And the speakers looks similar to Performance series...


No, like the ones in the Studio L series...

[marcus_helsinki]

ive heard it and didnt like it. its not a bad speaker but there was a definitif bulk on the 56/60 hz region and it sounded a bit harsh in the mid high.
of course it could be the acoustics in the room but it didnt leave a good impression. no one at the show that i spoke liked them. and they couldnt believe I didnt like em , beeing well known for adoring JBL.

How was the harshness heard in music? In high female vocals?
Still, those speakers, I think reproduce sound naturally, a natural sound may be a little harsh, but I got my TL260 just today, no yesterday (I'm still listening to music).
Were the speakers broken in? The rubber surrounds in all cones may need a long period, the salesman said they need a week.

[marcus_helsinki]

The second day.

I think that the sound has changed a little: harshness in high female vocals etc. has mostly disappeared. I read in the manual that all cones have rubber surroundings and rubber is always hard when just produced and unused. There was something in the sound like what happens when you feed music signal to a guitar amp. The woofer works with frequencies for which it has not been designed for and resonates. Also the sound has become softer and lower, more bass.

So, were the harsh sounding TL260s in the demo really broke in?

[marcus_helsinki]

Remarks:
-a revealing loudspeaker
-the woofers need current!

This means that these need high quality& high current amplification. Then you get a fantastic sound. Bi-amping was also a significant improvement with Rotel RB991:s. An amplifier of higher quality should be even better if one can afford.