Can you tell me what I have here? JBL Signature Speakers from the 50's???

[tcmalibu]

So my mother-in-law finds these speakers and gives them to me, and I'm not quite sure what I have - can anyone help me? It would seem that they may be a model C-40? I have opened the back panel but its difficult to actually get to the drivers. Here are some photos that took when I opened 1 of the speakers. These speakers look to have legs that attach. Any help, suggestions? Cabinets are a little marked up, but no gouges, etc. I am a newbie, so please excuse me if I am in the wrong area....Attachment 62737Attachment 62738[ATTACH]

[martin2395]

They look like C50 Harkness model D40001 with:

JBL 130A woofer, 175DLH comp. drivers (small "potato mashers") and N1200 dividing network.

[tcmalibu]

It looks like there is another driver in there as well - Silver Bullet looking type driver???

[martin2395]

It's a 075 tweeter so yours are modified as 3 way with two separate networks, N1200 and N7000.

[Lee in Montreal]

The bullet tweeter is often crossed lower, circa 4KHz.

Lee

[martin2395]

Wasn't it the case with 2-way systems, mostly E130/D130 + 075/2402?

[wpod]

You need to buy her, at the very least , a six pack (of GREY GOOSE!) There are some great components within those cabinets, you did well!

[tcmalibu]

I really appreciate the feedback.....thank you all.

So the question is, what do I do with them. They are simply too big for my place. I love audio but these speakers are out of my league. I do not want to be the guy that cuts them open and parts them out, unless thats what I should do. Are these things dime a dozen, or are they revered in any way - it seems that some of the old JBL's are.....
And if I am going to sell them, its either local or shipped on a pallet I would think.

Any suggestions will be appreciated....

[badman]

You have a pretty good grasp here. I'd urge you to reconsider how you place them, and see if you can make them work in your space. Such a windfall doesn't come often, and having a rather cool system like those is a unique opportunity not only to have a cool vintage-based speaker, but also a conversation piece that you can enjoy for a very long time.

Placing them "for sale" here would be preferred to parting them out- you'll at least get people who are looking to enjoy them and appreciate their legacy, not epay flippers/strippers, but again, you have a little piece of american historical excellence there- pretty cool stuff to have sharing your space.

[audiomagnate]

They look like C50 Harkness model D40001 with:

JBL 130A woofer, 175DLH comp. drivers (small "potato mashers") and N1200 dividing network.

I have a Harkness and always thought it was a C40.

[martin2395]

You're right, my bad! C50 = Olympus, C40 = Harkness