1972 Model JBL Speakers

[VonFatman]

I was hoping someone here might know of a good forum for stereophonic/audiofile
information. I have a couple old JBLs that I would like to learn about. Thanks for the suggestions!

Here is pic of a page in one of the original brochures that came with the speakers (they came as a living room set). The second pic is of the original speaker information that was included. Those were the days.

Back in 1972, the original invoice shows the speakers part of the system costing $2,600 (A lot of money today. A bunch more in 1972).


Bob

 

[Phoenix too]

I've gotten help here: http://www.vinylengine.com/ (There is an associated site for other hardware, I believe, and think I've been on it, but...)

Another: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php

 

[VonFatman]

Thanks Phoenix Too

 

[737tdi]

No matter what any one says. The bigger the woofer and midrange the better it sounds. Those old speakers are the best sounding ever. I have owned Bose 301s, 601s and 901s and they all had 10" woofers, 6" midrange and ? tweeters. I always thought the old CVs sounded better straight on. These little speakers of today suck butt. If you can't feel Rimsky-Korsakov or Van Halen then you are missing everything. It must reverberate in your body or it is useless to me. Listen to 1812 Overture, if you can't feel the cannons it is just sound. With enough woofer you can feel it.

Listen to Lee Greenwood (I heard it on the USS Enterprise leaving Alameda one day and then on others). I am proud to be an American, so at least I know I'm free. If you have heard that where it penetrates your body you would understand, over the 1mc on an aircraft carrier deck transiting under the Golden Gate bridge. I know some of y'all have!!! The acoustics weren't so great but it still went though you like a spear. It was a good thing.

Big speakers, big sound. Never get rid of those. Fix them if needed. There are no electronics in the world that can replace the sound of a great big speaker. JMO..

Semper Fi:

Karl

 

[Phoenix too]

You're welcome!



My system. Advent speakers. Popped them, once. Had them rebuilt, new cross-over networks, etc. I can wake up the neighborhood!

 

[m657]

A buddy of mine built a ton of experimental speakers circa 1969-72. I had long term possession of one of his finest, an incredible 'sub woofer' in the era before the name was common.

The enclosure was the size of a 6' tall refrigerator. It had the largest custom paper cone bass speaker he could find, IIRC about 22" across. There was a recording by somebody (Beautiful Day???), of a tune called "Bombay Calling". A serene and subtle intro with the full-tilt sub harmonics going, made a most wonderful revitalization chamber to be recharged of the day's toil.

With a 300w old style tube amp, the barely audible bass notes would vibrate your sternum at about 18Hz. The curtains across the room would move for 'no apparent reason' and it was actually hard to walk AGAINST the sound pressure wave as the tune picked up intensity. If you leaned back against the wall across the room and someone turned up the gain....it pinned you right there till the song was over!!!

 

[737tdi]

Ptoo: Love seeing the vinyl on the shelves. It is such a rare thing today. I have at least as many (actually a few more) and they are the way that music should be listened to. I bought a turntable a few years ago that will plug into my digital receiver that reproduces the records quite well. Everything from Guns n Roses to classical music. The main thing is you don't want the original music altered. If I wanted that I would listen to the Los Angeles symphony. They play games with great symphonies. JMO.

Karl

 

[Number9]

I still have the Garrard Zero-100 turntable..
but, the amp and speakers are long gone.

 

[737tdi]

I use one of the cabinet hideaway turntables. It has a digital output, analog output, and is a very nice turntable for what it is. It is not close to the old balanced arm turntables. I see NO9s is weighted. I still have the gauge for measuring arm weight. Oh well, I guess I will move on because I have disconnected all of my Hi-Fi stuff. Why, I can't hear it. I have mentioned this before. I am only hearing out of my left ear. Right ear is done. I here very little. Oh well, my fault. No hearing protection in he Corps.? With no blame. I have worked Jets for 34 years, maybe that is it. Why the right ear??? Lets see if you can answer why the right ear?

 

[wheelgun1958]

Google is your friend.

http://www.head-fi.org/f/113/high-end-audio-forum

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/88-audio/

And a shameless plug for an old friend I just located on the internet.

http://www.morrowaudio.com/

 

[powder smoke]

JBL's IMO are absolutely the best. Back in the 70's I had a Kick butt system
Pioneer 10-10 Dual Turntable. Reel to Reel and naturally JBL's. Put hours of
music on the recorder played almost 24/7 Young and indestructible! Party animal. ps

 

[wavehopr]

Try the Lansing Heritage forums at http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/index.php
Never had JBL's but I still have Altec Lansings.

 

[4MUL8R]

You can send the speakers to a professional to have them refoamed. Search for someone that knows how to keep the voice coil aligned in the magnet.

 

[SAJohn]

I am a member and highly recommend audiokarma. I am a fan of 70's Pioneer stereo gear. With help from audiokarma members, I rebuilt my old Pioneer SX-828 receiver and CT-F8282 cassette deck. I use Pioneer CS-A700 and Acoustic Research AR-2ax speakers. The turntable is a Thorens 150.

In their day, most of the above was top of the line equipment and not cheap. However, with good maintenance and some DIY repairs it is all still going strong over 40 years later which makes it a real bargain.

For vinyl I search the second hand stores. I recently hit gold with a store which had their records on sale for 10 cents each.

Time alone takes its toll on speaker surround foam. Repairs kits and video how to abound on the web.

I love analog sound, especially when compared to digital MP3 music.

John

 

[toysoldier]

I was never an audiophile, but I never get rid of something that still works, either. Still have a Realistic STA-65C receiver/amp and Nova speakers, purchased in '72. Decent performance and solid walnut cabinets. The Radio Shack turntable is around somewher, to, but I need to lube the mechanism again.

 

[longspurr]

With hearing great music, I guess it falls into the “enjoy it while you have it” category. Age and shooting are not friends of your ears.

I recently found a set of Klipsch floor speakers with sub woofer at an estate sale. My wife didn't understand why I was so excited to grab them.
She” you already have speakers and these are so heavy you will have trouble carrying them to the truck”

Cranking them up a bit with a Enya CD I heard some odd rattle. I was afraid the speakers had a problem until I realized it was my wifes display cabinet with glass shelves. A part of it hit resonate frequency and was vibrating at certain low frequencies.

Good music and great speakers are Love at first listen.

 

[VonFatman]

Great stuff folks. Many thanks. I did google but did not hit much so i really appreciate the links and suggestions. Fifteen or twenty years ago, while checking on my turkey hunting spots (i always double check before each season to make sure i could still hunt), i stopped at a favorite farm and saw a for-sale sign in the yard. BUMMER - a GREAT turkey farm!!

I spoke with the owners (an older couple moving into town) and before i could say much they both exclaim, "do you want to buy a stereo"?

I didn't think I wanted to buy one, but soon changed my mind.

They had purchased this system from a favorite doctor friend who was the original owner. It included McIntosh MC2505 Amplifier, MR77 Tuner & C28 Pre-Amp (all "panloc'd" into the cabinet). Also, a Nice Revox real-to-real and Miracord 50H (Elac) turntable....oh, and the JBLs.

My ex about stroked when I hauled this (like new) system home. "$400....are you kidding me"

Long story short, the McIntosh equipment and JBLs remain with me.

I've often thought about getting the system all together....however, so far I've not done much with the speakers but the McIntosh stuff is INCREDIBLE with my old DLKs!!!

I can tell you this much....them speakers are HEAVY!!!

We recently moved out to the farm and I've thought about getting the speakers looked at and serviced...then I'd like to have each speaker mounted on some oversized pivoting wheels so I can drag them outside and CRANK EM UP when outside working around the house or while entertaining.

So far, that is as far as I've gone with these.

Interestingly, all the paperwork and original invoice accompanied the system. All in mint condition too.

Bob

 

[BucolicBuffalo]

Also a member of Audiokarma. Great forum.

Well over a thousand vinyl records, three MAC1900 receivers, and three sets of Klipsch Heresy II speakers (no foam to worry about). Retired the Dual 1019 & 704 turntables in favor of a new UTurn Audio turntable. I still have a silver faced Technics SA-700 100w per channel receiver, but love the sound of the McIntosh receivers. Recently ordered two pair of crossovers and titanium diaphragms for the tweeters from Bob Crites to replace those in two sets of my Heresy's. Capacitors eventually need to be replaced, as does the diaphragms in the tweeters.

 

[Bull Barrel]

DLK speakers... fantastic units. My brotherhad a set and gave them to me when they needed refoaming. I didnt have the amp to drive them so they were stashed at my parent's home.
I went to retrieve them one day and discovered Dad gave them to a niece's husband. Aaaaargh!
Now I have my brother's old amp and the crappy speakers he bought.