Hello guys,
funny, just read a thread that could have me who started it... ok here's the next newbie who just entered the forum now, after reading a bit here and there recently. For sure a fantastic source for JBL enthusiasts, and i can say i am one, since the 70s too. So be warned, my 1st post will be a bit longer.
In 1977 (as an 18 years old) i sold my first real worthfull speakers, two Bose 901 to my brother (he still has them). I was dreaming of a pair of L65 or studio monitors at that time too, but also couldn't afford them and purchased a set of L166 Horizon from a friend who had them only half a year. They came out of the legendary PX-shop for members of the US army here in Berlins Clayallee, where normal natives didn't have access usually and were loaded with 122A, LE5-8 and 066 each. Serial numbers are 19474 and 19629.
At that time they were taken to several parties to be responsible for the music, and the cabinets suffered a bit. These elder signs of wear they had all the time until presence, when a refoaming of the woofers became neccessary. I've had that done recently by a local specialist, he did a good job, replaced the midtone calottes which were damaged by my little cousin a few years ago and refoamed the subwoofers. But a little surprise was the way he glued the foam surrounds to the cone of the subwoofers. You can see it here (left/right column is before/after):
http://www.iworld.de/homes/fj/horizon/
So, i have some questions to the pro's here and would appreciate any hints a lot:
- does this harm the acoustics in any way (beside the fact it wasn't optically welcome)
- is it true that glueing them behind the cone is a much more tricky procedure (the guy does this as professional since 20 years but isn't a JBL specialist, although he should have seen how they were originally)
- is there a way to redo it, or too late
- would you say i could live with that, or is that not acceptable, and has this to be redone. In last case i would need new cones?
- what else could be done, to make them even better (LE5-8s are a bit faded, huh)
- also more general L166 classifications inside of the JBL spectrum would be great, or simply opinions about them .
Anyway, i really like how they sound again now. No difference in my ears, its more a question of originality, and acceptable tolerance.
Also a furniture restaurator did an overhaul of the cabinets. Better than new, with only minimal visible marks left, and a silk glance they never had before. I also have the grills and badges of cause, and will publish more and better pictures later if anyone is interested.
English is my 2nd language, please forgive me when it sounds poor.
Many thanks in advance,
F.
Ah, i forgot: the L166 are hooked up to an onkyo receiver from nowadays usually, but right now i listen to them connected to my vintage marantz 4270 again, which i've also revived, a few days ago. Was sitting 10 years in the cellar but still works perfect.. still a nice combination in my eyes.