[Details on the 2nd pair start on Page 8 of this thread]
Well, in truth, my first JBLs were a pair of L36 Decades (new) in 1974, with a Yamaha CR400 and Philip 212 ... that was my budget system just after college.. all I could afford - but I remember seeing the L212s a few years later ('77 or so) and thinking they were really cool looking. Had those decades for many years, then around '05 I won a pair of 4320 monitors for $300 off eBay and started down a road of JBL monitors and custom speakers before I settled on the L200s I reworked and had for nearly 10 years ... sold them about 2 years ago, and have been playing with other things (DCMs, Vandersteens, Von Schweikerts, Magnepans) - but I am still kinda fond of JBL speakers - heck, I consider the 2 pair of UREI 809As down in the TV room to be JBLs - certainly they have coaxial JBL drivers!
And I think of some of the signature pieces from JBL - they have made some really nice speakers over the years. There was a nice refurb thread on an L212 system here just last spring - so I blame Zonker92 for getting me all hopped up for a pair!
Anyway, the L212 is a 3 way system from 40 years ago. It consists of two satellite tower speakers and a short Bass module or subwoofer, a newer design at the time.
First, they are thin, somewhat like the DCMs that came later - and remind me of the 2001 TMA monoliths ... Some of the drivers in them were used in other models - so parts can be rare. And
the Bass module was somewhat problematic , especially 40 years old. But the look is very distinctive, and I found a pair at a reasonable price to play with.
The pair I bought does not have the Bass module, just the towers, but they look to be in good shape - - tho the mid-Bass drivers need new surrounds (typical of older JBLs - no biggie), Grill cloth is a bit worn, and I should probably rebuild the crossovers. I already own a working M&K Volkswoofer sub that is very musical so I'm hoping I can use that with them.
I made an offer, we haggled a bit, and talked about taking the curved "feet" off the towers to make sure they make it through the shipping process (thanks for the info on that, Zonker92!) .
I won't see them until Christmas, and I haven't figured where I will use them (front mains in the 7.1 system?) - but here are a couple pictures ...
Well, in truth, my first JBLs were a pair of L36 Decades (new) in 1974, with a Yamaha CR400 and Philip 212 ... that was my budget system just after college.. all I could afford - but I remember seeing the L212s a few years later ('77 or so) and thinking they were really cool looking. Had those decades for many years, then around '05 I won a pair of 4320 monitors for $300 off eBay and started down a road of JBL monitors and custom speakers before I settled on the L200s I reworked and had for nearly 10 years ... sold them about 2 years ago, and have been playing with other things (DCMs, Vandersteens, Von Schweikerts, Magnepans) - but I am still kinda fond of JBL speakers - heck, I consider the 2 pair of UREI 809As down in the TV room to be JBLs - certainly they have coaxial JBL drivers!
And I think of some of the signature pieces from JBL - they have made some really nice speakers over the years. There was a nice refurb thread on an L212 system here just last spring - so I blame Zonker92 for getting me all hopped up for a pair!
Anyway, the L212 is a 3 way system from 40 years ago. It consists of two satellite tower speakers and a short Bass module or subwoofer, a newer design at the time.
First, they are thin, somewhat like the DCMs that came later - and remind me of the 2001 TMA monoliths ... Some of the drivers in them were used in other models - so parts can be rare. And
the Bass module was somewhat problematic , especially 40 years old. But the look is very distinctive, and I found a pair at a reasonable price to play with.
The pair I bought does not have the Bass module, just the towers, but they look to be in good shape - - tho the mid-Bass drivers need new surrounds (typical of older JBLs - no biggie), Grill cloth is a bit worn, and I should probably rebuild the crossovers. I already own a working M&K Volkswoofer sub that is very musical so I'm hoping I can use that with them.
I made an offer, we haggled a bit, and talked about taking the curved "feet" off the towers to make sure they make it through the shipping process (thanks for the info on that, Zonker92!) .
I won't see them until Christmas, and I haven't figured where I will use them (front mains in the 7.1 system?) - but here are a couple pictures ...
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