L1 or L19 ??

[fotodan]

I have a chance to buy either a pair of L1's or L19's (can't get both). I know its like apples and oranges, but which would be your choice and why?? They will be used in a second system with Kenwood KA7300 pushing them. And of course, no chance on hearing them before hand.

[Chris Brown]

The L19 probably has more vintage/classic value, but the L1 should be a much better speaker. What stands out most of all is the different tweeter. The L19 uses a paper cone tweeter whereas the L1 uses a titanium dome tweeter which IMO is much better. The 116A woofer in the L19 was not used in anything else IIRC, and wasn't really anything special. The 706G in the L1 on the other hand is a very capable woofer for it's size, and is also used as a mid-bass woofer in the L5.

[Joseph Smith Jr]

I have a chance to buy either a pair of L1's or L19's (can't get both). I know its like apples and oranges, but which would be your choice and why?? They will be used in a second system with Kenwood KA7300 pushing them. And of course, no chance on hearing them before hand.

Having owned both, I believe you will like the sound of the L19s when married to the old "7300" much better than you will if you go with the L1s

The KA-7300 if working well is a very nice amp by the way, build quality is crazy good for the most part (could have spent a few more pennies on pots! )

I say this because I've owned a KA-7300 and am currently wrapping up a restore on a KA-8100

Specs, what's better on paper etc is all true about the speaker choice, but the combination I suggest will just sound better musically, and on more examples of it (quality of the recordings) and styles

[mech986]

Tough Choice and I agree with both of the above posts, the L1 is probably going to be the better sounding and more modern speaker, while the L19 is going to be more classic vintage JBL sound, especially with a vintage amp like you propose.

The L1 has no foam surround so much less maintenance. But the L1 is also just a medium black box with black grille. The L19 has foam surrounds that, unless recently (within 5 years) correctly refoamed, should be immediately refoamed with the correct surrounds for best results. The cost should be considered in the purchase. Also the L19 is a taller cabinet but has that very nice JBL walnut veneer and brown grille cloth. If the veneer needs a little work, then again, condition will affect the selling price.

personally, unless the costs were outrageous, I'd stretch and get both. You can alway sell off the one you don't care for, and likely not lose anything in the process.

[fotodan]

Tough Choice and I agree with both of the above posts, the L1 is probably going to be the better sounding and more modern speaker, while the L19 is going to be more classic vintage JBL sound, especially with a vintage amp like you propose.

The L1 has no foam surround so much less maintenance. But the L1 is also just a medium black box with black grille. The L19 has foam surrounds that, unless recently (within 5 years) correctly refoamed, should be immediately refoamed with the correct surrounds for best results. The cost should be considered in the purchase. Also the L19 is a taller cabinet but has that very nice JBL walnut veneer and brown grille cloth. If the veneer needs a little work, then again, condition will affect the selling price.

personally, unless the costs were outrageous, I'd stretch and get both. You can alway sell off the one you don't care for, and likely not lose anything in the process.

The L19's were refoamed few months back and the cabinets aren't in that bad of shape. Love the vintage looks and sound, but the L1 reviews are keeping me on the fence. The L1 cabs aren't in the best condition, but all drivers are in great shape. I have read here that the sound from these little speakers will blow me away. I have thought about redoing the black and following the steps I did with the 4435's.

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...highlight=4435



I finished a recap on the 7300 couple weeks ago and its ready to go for another 40 years...

[Joseph Smith Jr]

I finished a recap on the 7300 couple weeks ago and its ready to go for another 40 years...

Beautiful amp, looks and sound

I regret selling mine still, more than 20 years after the fact

The ONLY thing I did not like about the "7300" and still do not understand to this day is why on Earth they used those Darlington output devices instead of TO-3s? And it is my understanding that they were exclusively KENWOODS', there's no crossing over or subs that'll fit, it is almost impossible to find replacements today like you can still find substitutes for many of the STK "NLA" devices used by so many other manufacturers, that or "work arounds"

Yet at the same time, used the TO-3s as with my "8100"?

The "8100" specs out slightly better on paper, but I still think that your amplifier is better looking and has a much cleaner and elegant layout inside

Where what and whose filter caps where you able to find? Do they fit well or did you have to get creative?

[fotodan]

Beautiful amp, looks and sound

I regret selling mine still, more than 20 years after the fact

The ONLY thing I did not like about the "7300" and still do not understand to this day is why on Earth they used those Darlington output devices instead of TO-3s? And it is my understanding that they were exclusively KENWOODS', there's no crossing over or subs that'll fit, it is almost impossible to find replacements today like you can still find substitutes for many of the STK "NLA" devices used by so many other manufacturers, that or "work arounds"

Yet at the same time, used the TO-3s as with my "8100"?

The "8100" specs out slightly better on paper, but I still think that your amplifier is better looking and has a much cleaner and elegant layout inside

Where what and whose filter caps where you able to find? Do they fit well or did you have to get creative?

I have wanted the KA7300 for many, many years. I purchased the matching KT7300 back in 75 with my first stereo. Used L100's back then. Found this amp and had to have it, Near mint. Had it 4 days and turned it on one night and nothing, no click of relay no sound. Did search on google and found out about the relay driver transistors failure. With help from members on another fourm got me started on getting everything needed for fix. Ordered every thing from Digi-key. While inside the amp started looking and getting numbers from other caps and replaced them also. They fit very well, as the size on most were smaller then originals. Just for the relay driver board I ordered these...
Qk2 -> Panasonic TO-126 - 2SC15670S-ND
Ck5,6 -> 470µf 25V Panasonic FM - P12388-ND
Ck8 -> 100µf 16V Panasonic SU Bipolar - P1167-ND
Ck7 -> 10µf 50V Panasonic FC - P10316-ND
Ck9 -> 100µf 25V Panasonic FM - P12924-ND
Dk7 -> UF4004 - MCC Diodes - UF4004-TPMSCT-ND
Relay -> Omron MY4-02-DC24 - Z2634-ND