Welcome To the Forum !!!!!!
Looks like a nice JBL score for a starter system.
You are asking,
"The information I found on the Lansing Heritage site says that these are 8 ohm drivers, but mine are clearly labeled 16 ohms. Are there two different models/impedances?"
The units that you have may be very early items which are labled as 16 ohm.The ones that I have are labeled 8 ohms and yours are the first that I have encountered as 16 ohm units.I suggest checking with an ohmmeter to ascertain the DC resistance.My 8 ohm units read 5.5 on both the woofer section and 5.5 for the tweeter section.
It would not be unusual for your 16 ohm units to have a similar DC resistance.Some of the earlier stuff was labled for 16 ohm applications and has DC resistance reading closer to 8 ohm items.
You ask
"What's the general opinion of these, as far as sound goes?"
They are mostly curiosity items and not very well regarded for there reproduction of sound.
You ask
"Are these worth building a cabinet for?"
Absolutly,After all isn"t that part of the journey?
You ask
" Any idea on current value, even though I have no intention of selling."
About $350.00 for the pair of speakers.More with crossovers.
You ask
"Any personal opinions/suggestions for cabinet size? Anybody have an original cabinet that had LE14C's that can give measurements?"
Reflex enclosures were the boxs for these speakers.Suggested size from the JBL enclosure Construction Folder CF-702 is between 6-12 cubic ft.(quite a spread in my opinion)
I have a pair of original enclosures that the LE14C speakers came in. (Harlan cabinets) The Harlan cabinets are just a bit over 8 cubic ft.
You ask
"Mine have the creamy yellow surrounds. They are in perfect shape, so they certainly don't need to be replaced, but for future reference, is anything available?"
Resurrounding using a generic foam is availiable from many sources (preform a search function for surrounds).If your units are in good shape exibiting no cracks but seem to be a bit stiff,also preform a search on Lans-a-loy and also brake fluid to learn about the revitalising effects that brake fluid has on this type of surround material.
Again,welcome to the forum.
Oldmics