Opinions wanted: 240Ti vs L-150A

[Dagfinn]

Hi all! First post here, I hope you can help me. I'm a long time JBL owner, I guess since mid 90s'. Now it's time for some proper vintage, and two different sets have sparked my interest.

One a set of 240Ti with recent refoam of woofer otherwise original, which looks decent. The other a set of L-150A, also original elements with possible refoam of woofers. Looks good.

Of course, I should go hear them, but circumstance prohibits. The 240s looks better, but the 150s are technically more tempting (and twice the price).

So I wonder, any impressions on these two models? Comparisons or tips, advice?

Regards,
Dagfinn

[Odd]

Hi

I would choose 240ti. They have newer drivers.

In my opinion the best in this cabinet size.

[macaroonie]

Hi

I would choose 240ti. They have newer drivers.

In my opinion the best in this cabinet size.

Agreed. 240ti is a sleeper in the JBL range from that era. Superb bass driver.

[duaneage]

I would vote for the 150a since the woofers are my favorite. I've designed systems with both woofers and think the 128h offered better performance, lower F3 and smaller cabinet. The 150 is unique as a passive radiator system hence the larger enclosure.

Just my opinion that's all.

[Dagfinn]

Thanks, macaroonie . Don't think I could even enter any competition of that kind. Not that I need to anyway, it seems I have ample power resources - I can play much louder than wanted or needed.

So, after a few days of playing different music, I'm more than happy with my choice. Radka Toneff & Steve Dobrogosz Fairytales, one female voice and grand piano has never sounded so real, so rich in insight in the instrument and so close to the performer in my house.

For me they are a huge leap closer to stage or closer to the studio room, and music has gained both dimension and neuance. And more. It's easy to go on, but most of you know what a big, vintage woofer can do. On the other realism side, they are vintage so I'm trying to evaluate if the tweeters need a new damping foam plug. As far as I understand, the difference in a working or powderized/shrunk foam damper is subtle, so it may be hard to determine by ear. But to start with, I'd rather listen to positives than search for errors.

Tweeters out? (sellers pics)

[macaroonie]

[clwinbe]

Thanks, macaroonie . Don't think I could even enter any competition of that kind. Not that I need to anyway, it seems I have ample power resources - I can play much louder than wanted or needed.

So, after a few days of playing different music, I'm more than happy with my choice. Radka Toneff & Steve Dobrogosz Fairytales, one female voice and grand piano has never sounded so real, so rich in insight in the instrument and so close to the performer in my house.

For me they are a huge leap closer to stage or closer to the studio room, and music has gained both dimension and neuance. And more. It's easy to go on, but most of you know what a big, vintage woofer can do. On the other realism side, they are vintage so I'm trying to evaluate if the tweeters need a new damping foam plug. As far as I understand, the difference in a working or powderized/shrunk foam damper is subtle, so it may be hard to determine by ear. But to start with, I'd rather listen to positives than search for errors.

Tweeters out? (sellers pics)

Other than wanting to strip naked and hold a 240 close while it plays organ music,, I’ve never had a shot at them locally. Back in the late ‘80s, this was the speaker I drooled over at the Hi-Fi shop in Ogden UT. Best I could do was a pair of HK subs that use the LE14A-1 woofer. They are remarkable. Beautiful pics man. Envy

[BMWCCA]

I have to assume that across the Atlantic either of these must be rather rare.

Beyond the normal advice to purchase both and then make the determination for yourself, let me suggest that if the L150A costs double the 240ti then you'd either be over-paying for the L150A or stealing the 240ti.

I've owned my L112s since they were new. Nearly 40-years. I never thought of them as even superior to my 030 system I've owned for 20-years longer, but some of that is what you get used to. And my primary system is now 4345 so nothing else really stands a chance. I also own a pair of L150A, too, but really haven't used them much. And I have a pair of 250tis and a pair of L96s, so I'm experienced with most of the components of the two systems you are contemplating. I always loved the L96 and the L112 for the non-tiring nature of the phenolic tweeter. They really don't ever sound bad in any environment of on any type of material. The later titanium iterations of the 044 tweeter require superior program material quality to not occasionally become tiring to the ears. I'd have to say your enjoyment might depend on what you listen to, and whether the quality of the source is more important than simply listening to your favorite music complete with any flaws that exist in those recordings.

Obviously the L150A requires some space commitment, but to properly hear the 240ti you'll need to elevate them anyway, so that's not really an issue. They have a somewhat equal footprint. Then there's whether you like the deep base provided by the more modern 240ti woofer versus the nice balanced low-end of the older 128. And then also whether the bass coloring from a passive radiator hits you the same way as the more direct single cone. You likely won't dislike either but side-by-side your favorite may be determined by what you listen too, and where in the room you can place either. Remember the 240ti has a rear port which requires placement away from back walls and must be elevated to get the tweeter to ear-level and to keep the woofer from too much barrier reinforcement. The L150A is more self-contained and will pretty much play well wherever you place it.

[Dagfinn]

Thanks, BMWCCA, will have a read . I'm near Oslo, macaroonie. (Had a look at Adyton power amps; used from €4K and up. Some interesting pre/RIIA too, but not much info to be found.)

Picked up the 240s today, and have only played a few albums, yet enough to have a nice warm feeling inside and a big smile on my face .

Authority, finesse, resolution, depth... power. Can't really play loud yet, but power/sensitivity seems no problem. What they deliver on lower volumes levels is just right, and some of what I've been missing, perhaps.

Well see about stands or platform, for the moment they sit on boxes bringing tweeters to ear height, some distance out from walls both rear and sides. Quite pleasing so far, I'll leave them there for a while. And the veneer looks even better than the pics in the ad, so I'm happy about that too .

[macaroonie]

Delicious. Enjoy and have fun with you favourite music. It's not a contest it's for enjoyment.

[DerekTheGreat]

I would vote for the 150a since the woofers are my favorite. I've designed systems with both woofers and think the 128h offered better performance, lower F3 and smaller cabinet. The 150 is unique as a passive radiator system hence the larger enclosure.

Just my opinion that's all.

My thought is that 70w/channel might not wake up the L150A.
I used a similarly powered integrated amp, that also doubled its power into 4 ohms, and was surprised at the difference when I replaced it with a 200w/ch separate amp. No ear-bleeding levels were involved.

I have not noticed this same effect with the 240Ti. Both are enjoyable. The L150A cabinets are more interesting looking, with the sculpted grilles.

...Picked up the 240s today, and have only played a few albums, yet enough to have a nice warm feeling inside and a big smile on my face .

Authority, finesse, resolution, depth... power. Can't really play loud yet, but power/sensitivity seems no problem. What they deliver on lower volumes levels is just right, and some of what I've been missing, perhaps.

Well see about stands or platform, for the moment they sit on boxes bringing tweeters to ear height, some distance out from walls both rear and sides. Quite pleasing so far, I'll leave them there for a while. And the veneer looks even better than the pics in the ad, so I'm happy about that too .

As an owner of a pair of L150A's, my vote was for the 150A's. Too bad I'm late to the party.. Not sure I'd want to spend $1,700 on a set unless they were mint but like Duane and grumpy said, the 128H is a damn fine woofer, but also, you need lots of power to properly drive a set. I've discovered by running twin Adcom GFA 555II's bridged (600wpc) is the ticket.

To express my favor of the L150A's, this past summer I went on a quest to try and replace them. Didn't really want to give up my Marantz gear so I tried more sensitive speakers, Klipsch. The L150A's battled Cornwall I's, Forte I and II's and then finally a set of JBL XPL200's. The L150A's lost their crown only to the XPL's. There is just something magical about the titanium tweeter, mid and running them vertically bi-amped. However, at the same time, I found that bridging those Adcoms to drive the JBL's was just F'in outstanding. They aren't as articulate in the upper registers or smooth or detailed in the mids but that's not trying to knock them, just nuances I noticed between the XPL's and the L150A's. However, that 128H in that cabinet with ~58g of mass on each PR300 (Factory is ~40g) the dig deep and are more accurate than the 2214H in the XPL200, especially above 100hz. This, at loud levels, more than makes up for the difference. So based on what you're listening to, a set of L150A's would treat you right and they do indeed look cool. An example of this extraordinary performance in the lows was provided by none other than the Beatles, "Honey Don't." It was so damn good I had to listen to it twice to fully appreciate Paul's bass plunkin'. Oh and of course, "Mercury Blues" by Steve Miller. I would have tried running the bridged Adcom's with the XPL's but minimum is 8 ohms and those are a 6 ohm system. Currently trying to figure out which older amps (because I can't afford new) will work with them. 200wpc from the Adcoms isn't enough...

EDIT: I really wanted to and still want to try out a set of Klipsch Chorus II's, JBL L100T3's and JBL 240ti's. Just before I got the Klipsch's there was guy locally (turns out he's also a member here) who was selling his but later parted them out. I passed because they didn't have the original poly 104H mids, maybe I shouldn't of. Another dude was selling a set of 100T's but the woofers didn't look right and he wanted too much. Although given I've tried the XPL's, I don't think I need to audition a set of L100T3's. SE Michigan is a dry spot for JBL gear as well as audio stuff in general. I had to drive down to Ohio just to get the XPL's and that guy met me halfway! Can't thank him enough. Think his name was Tom, maybe he's a member here. Only sold the set I bought because he had XPL 200A's. Said he couldn't notice a difference in sound between them but one set had to go so..

[Dagfinn]

Thanks for your responses, it helps a lot . It clearly makes it much more attractive to give the lower cost 240s a shot. They do look good, space is there... .

Located Norway, in the same area as Odd (you've maybe seen them on Finn.no, Odd). I'm not too familiar with the marked, but prices do seem high for some objects. I got back into vinyl a year ago, and revived my E100 Northridges from storage. After a year of rebuilding a vintage vinyl system and discovering a passion for vintage hifi, I thought these speakers now are ready to be replaced. I used to want an indestructable rock speaker, now I listen mostly to acoustic instruments in variety of styles. From '50s Art Blakey to Little Feat, Ry Cooder, Jennifer Warnes to Joni Mitchells early folk and later jazz period. But collection starts with AC/DC and ends with ZZ Top. Music is primary, sound number two. I will buy a better pressing, if needed! But I also found I enjoy the cultural heritage of hifi, so for me a Signet TK9Lca on a Kenwood KD550 with AT1100 tonearm, connected to Electrocompaniet EC-1 MM pre/phono stage amplified by a modern Abrahamsen v2.0 up integrated, is one signal path which makes me smile... . To have something like the suggested sets to finish the line seems... right .

So grand piano, standup bass, drums, some sax and some trumpets, many stringed instruments and multiple metallic percussives and lots of vocals are key words... Tom Waits, swordfishtrombones.

I heard the L300s some 45 years ago, and have never forgotten them. When I recently stumbled over the Troels Gravesen site, his writings actually tempted me to go vintage JBL, which he gives great respect to (for the same reasons I seem to remember).

Asking prices for 240s are $850, L-150As $1700. I'm sure there's some leeway on the 150's, didn't talk to the 240 seller yet...

[Mr. Widget]

Considering the price differential, I would definitely go for the 240ti. Either speaker will be a significant step up from your current system, but the possible harshness of the titanium tweeter aside, the 240ti is a better speaker.

I used to have the KD500 table in a system with 4 SEAS 13” woofers... I had to build a special isolation platform to avoid feedback. Either of these new JBLs will have more low end than your current system, so keep that in mind.



Widget

[grumpy]

My thought is that 70w/channel might not wake up the L150A.
I used a similarly powered integrated amp, that also doubled its power into 4 ohms, and was surprised at the difference when I replaced it with a 200w/ch separate amp. No ear-bleeding levels were involved.

I have not noticed this same effect with the 240Ti. Both are enjoyable. The L150A cabinets are more interesting looking, with the sculpted grilles.

[SEAWOLF97]

I have 3/4's of the "Ti line" (18's,120's,250's) and like the teak styling and their build quality .

Cannot speak to the 150a's , never heard any, but did read some neg comments
on the 150 - NON a's. Cabinets seem good looking and well done.

The LE-14H-1 is a fine LF driver and very capable. I'm also partial to the 044Ti HF driver. It's not super crisp, but sound very nice to me. It's main drawback is that by now
the foam under the dome is most likely gone, rendering the HF a bit harsh to some people. Not too hard or expensive to fix.

For that price difference, seems like an easy choice , if all condition on both is the same.