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Thread: JBL L200/300 restoration help.

  1. #1
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    JBL L200/300 restoration help.

    I picked up a pair of barn condition L200's this past weekend.
    They were converted to the L300 configuration from what I can tell.
    I am by no means an expert on either model and could use some guidance on my restoration project.

    The cabinets are toast, they got wet and I think that mice may have claimed them as a home for awhile.

    I cleaned the pots and connected them you an amp and played some music from my phone and they sound very good.

    Here is what I have in the way of drivers and network.

    Woofer - LE15B
    Mid - LE85
    Tweeter - 077
    Net work - LX16 and N7000

    I am thinking of keeping the same volume as the L200 including the slope and doing L300 cosmetic approach including the rounded top edge and glass top.
    My goal is to keep the cost down, but do a really nice restoration. I will use MDF and a Formica face, top, bottom, and rear with a wood veneer for the sides.
    I just want any thoughts on this approach.

    I will try to post some pictures soon.

    Thanks in advance...

    -retox

  2. #2
    Senior Member HCSGuy's Avatar
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    Do whatever is easiest and looks best to you. There is no resale value in cabinets, and if you need money, you’ll get the most simply by parting the drivers and crossovers out on eBay and taking the cabinets to the dump. Because of this, you may also try watching Craigslist for cabinets. I got a pair of really nicely restored L200 cabinets of CL for $225 - previous owner had already sold the parts out of them, and I had my dad’s LE15/LE85 that went right into them.

    Fwiw, I would also consider not using the original crossovers - build your own with better components, or go bi-amp/tri-amp with an active crossover. JBL M553 crossovers are inexpensive, though extra power amplifiers may not be. My dad’s setup sounds completely different, and much better, even through a cheap active crossover.
    That the internet contains a blog documenting your life does not constitute proof that your existence is valid. Sorry.

  3. #3
    Senior Member tjm001's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by retox View Post
    I picked up a pair of barn condition L200's this past weekend.
    They were converted to the L300 configuration from what I can tell.
    I am by no means an expert on either model and could use some guidance on my restoration project.

    The cabinets are toast, they got wet....

    I will try to post some pictures soon.

    Thanks in advance...

    -retox
    Some good pictures would help to decide if the cabinets are absolutely for sure totaled.

  4. #4
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    Here's what I did...

    If you have the N7000/N8000 crossover and 077 tweeter upgrades like I had done in the 70s, you might find my post here interesting.
    https://audiokarma.org/forums/index....-l200s.830641/
    Also, there are tons of posts here by others on the L200 topic.
    Welcome to the L200 'club'!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by nedseg View Post
    If you have the N7000/N8000 crossover and 077 tweeter upgrades like I had done in the 70s, you might find my post here interesting.
    https://audiokarma.org/forums/index....-l200s.830641/
    Also, there are tons of posts here by others on the L200 topic.
    Welcome to the L200 'club'!

    Here are some pictures of the cabinets. What you don't see is the smell...possibly cat pee.

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  6. #6
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    Smile

    Talk about rid hard and put away wet!!
    Ugh.
    Just for general knowledge, not that you should try to rehab those, but I've found OdorMute to be the only product that effectively gets rid of cat pee scent.
    I like the Formica idea - they make a lot of nice variants today.
    Maybe match with a Corian baffle?

  7. #7
    Administrator Mr. Widget's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by HCSGuy View Post
    Fwiw, I would also consider not using the original crossovers - build your own with better components, or go bi-amp/tri-amp with an active crossover. JBL M553 crossovers are inexpensive, though extra power amplifiers may not be. My dad’s setup sounds completely different, and much better, even through a cheap active crossover.
    I'll second that. The JBL crossovers of the day made exceptional drivers sound pretty standard in my opinion.

    I would seriously consider different woofers too if you can, but even if that is not a possibility, you have the basic building blocks for a very rewarding system.

    Quote Originally Posted by tjm001 View Post
    Some good pictures would help to decide if the cabinets are absolutely for sure totaled.
    Having looked at the photos, I am sure there are those who would do a restore, I would do a new build.

    If you prefer the L300 look then go that route. All you need is a solidly built 5 cu ft box with ample bracing and you are off and running.

    Have fun, please keep us posted, and welcome aboard!


    Widget

  8. #8
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    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by nedseg View Post
    Talk about rid hard and put away wet!!
    Ugh.
    Just for general knowledge, not that you should try to rehab those, but I've found OdorMute to be the only product that effectively gets rid of cat pee scent.
    I like the Formica idea - they make a lot of nice variants today.
    Maybe match with a Corian baffle?

    Might as well throw in the kitchen sink...

  9. #9
    Senior Member macaroonie's Avatar
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    This thread may help you

    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...ding-The-Build

    MDF is horrid , stay away ,just sayin. M

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    Quote Originally Posted by macaroonie View Post
    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...ding-The-Build

    MDF is horrid , stay away ,just sayin. M
    It appears that the original cabinets are made of particle board and veneer. What material are you suggesting?

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by retox View Post
    I picked up a pair of barn condition L200's this past weekend.
    They were converted to the L300 configuration from what I can tell.
    I am by no means an expert on either model and could use some guidance on my restoration project.

    The cabinets are toast, they got wet and I think that mice may have claimed them as a home for awhile.

    I cleaned the pots and connected them you an amp and played some music from my phone and they sound very good.

    Here is what I have in the way of drivers and network.

    Woofer - LE15B
    Mid - LE85
    Tweeter - 077
    Net work - LX16 and N7000

    I am thinking of keeping the same volume as the L200 including the slope and doing L300 cosmetic approach including the rounded top edge and glass top.
    My goal is to keep the cost down, but do a really nice restoration. I will use MDF and a Formica face, top, bottom, and rear with a wood veneer for the sides.
    I just want any thoughts on this approach.

    I will try to post some pictures soon.

    Thanks in advance...

    -retox
    Here are some reference threads to get your head around the options.
    Looking at the crossover network as a starting point check what horn you have? If it’s the short horn then your looking at a 1200 hertz crossover point for the horn. The longer horn sans the L300 has a crossover point of 800 hertz. Remember the equivalent L300 schematic is set up for the 2235H woofer and the 800 hertz crossover point. So that won’t work with the short horn. Assuming you have the LE15B and the LE85 with the shorter horn it’s a matter of taking the voltage drive of this network

    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...7&d=1055105053

    and then adding the 8000 hertz Low pass crossover to form a band pass filter. Then add the L300 077 high pass filter.

    On the enclosure l suggest you shoot for 5 cu ft3 then if you do change the woofer out you can use the 2235H or the 2216nd or the 2216nd-1.






    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...=1042#post1042

    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...-JBL-Crossover

    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...oofers-On-L200

    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...7&d=1055105053


    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...8&d=1055105118

  12. #12
    Senior Member macaroonie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by retox View Post
    It appears that the original cabinets are made of particle board and veneer. What material are you suggesting?
    Baltic Birch Ply

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by macaroonie View Post
    Baltic Birch Ply

    After thinking about a going forward plan, I decided to refinish the cabinets and clean, paint and rewire using all the existing parts.
    Once they are back in action do some upgrades starting with the woofers.

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    After I complete the upgrades I may build new cabinets, but to be honest, looks aren't everything...

    Some more questions, do most of you who have restored the L200/L300s use fiber glass insulation for the batting?
    Do you all normally repaint the 077 tweeter outer housing and flange if they are a little scuffed up?

    -retox

  14. #14
    Senior Member 1audiohack's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by retox View Post
    ...One more question, do most of you who have restored the L200/L300s use fiber glass insulation for the batting?

    -retox
    I do. I’ve not used anything else.

    Barry.
    If we knew what the hell we were doing, we wouldn't call it research would we.

  15. #15
    Senior Member jmpsmash's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1audiohack View Post
    I do. I’ve not used anything else.

    Barry.
    Do you just use the stuff from hardware store? Are you concerned about the fibers getting into the air with all the vibration?

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