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JBL L80T Scroe with Pics and Questions

echase55

echase55

Crazy Zirconium
Yesterday I traded an iPod and a BPC boombox for a pair of JBL L80Ts. :banana:

I'm not sure about the value, but considering I already have an iPod and didn't want the boombox I consider this a scroe. :yes:

My first 20th century JBLs... perhaps not true vintage, circa 1982. (Serials are 13423 and 13431, if anyone can estimate a date.) These are some nice looking speakers and I got the original metal stands with them. :D

So, now, being the noob that I am I have a bunch of questions on getting these going. :scratch2:

1. Replacement Foams? Somone advised getting "correct soft compliant surrounds" for re foaming these in another thread. What/where are these "correct" foams?

2. Grille Cloth? One of the grilles is has some "runs" in the fabric, nothing drastic, but I imagine they should both be replaced. Where do I get suitable material on the cheap? Anyone know a good thread explaining the process?

3. Cabinet Cleaning & Restoration? The walnut veneer is in need of some oil, but it has a few little spots I'm thinking should be cleaned prior to oiling, is Murphy's oils soap OK for that? The veneer is absolutely beautiful, but it has a few little corner chips... any suggestions for making them look a little less bad?

4. General Info & Education? What can you guys share about these speakers? Any advice?

5. Am I OK to ask about value in this forum? Did I do good on the trade?

Here's the porn:
JBL-L80T-1.jpg


JBL-L80T-2.jpg


JBL-L80T-3.jpg
 
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"Correct" JBL surrounds come from Rick Cobb, who is looneytune2001 on eBay.

You have traded for what are essentially JBL Studio Monitors packaged in attractive floorstanders for home use, a worthy acquisition, indeed.

Check eBay closed auctions for current selling prices, if you like, but ignore them. You'll know what you have loud and clear when first you play your L80Ts.... :thmbsp:
 
Nice Score!! I used to have L100T's and like them a lot. Those should sound nice with your Sansui!! Congrats!
 
Monitors packaged for home? Groovy!

I assume that means these enjoy a fairly flat response curve? Does that also mean they are best suited for a near field arrangement?

Last, but certainly not least, is my Sansui 2000x going to be deficient for amplifying? I also have a modern amplifier, a Harmon Kardon AVR 247 I could set these up as "zone 2" on with a longer cabling run (~25")

It was GordonW who suggested correct foams, and his shop is local to me, but he's out of stock :-/ I can't wait to hear them!
 
Not nearfields, no; the drivers are vertical-in-line, not clustered.

Buy Rick's kit and have Gordon install them.

Keep the alignment CD to test closed box speakers for leaks.

[And vented ones, too, once you close the ports with ZilchPlugz™.... :yes: ]
 
You'd plug these? Or, is that just for testing?

I've re-foamed my Infinty 1001As and Yamaha NS-A98s with no problems... do you advise I don't do these myself?
 
Zilch and GordonW will definitely steer you right!

I have the 4410a Studio Monitors, which are basically the same speakers as yours. I absolutely love 'em! I was able to refoam mine, with foam purchased from GordonW. I did not have the test CD; I used a software tone generator to help with coil alignment while the glue dried.

I would say that your Sansui should be able to drive your JBLs to considerable levels. How loud do you normally listen your speakers?
 
Volume: Between 9 and 11 o-clock on the dial? I don't know how to communicate it... moderately loud I guess. You'd probably raise your voice a bit in the room, but you would not need to yell.

I might crank it occasionally when the wife is out, or if I'm gonna be in the next room a few minutes.
 
echase55 said:
You'd plug these? Or, is that just for testing?
Click to expand...
Just for testing, generally, but there are some systems for which closed-box operation is a viable option.

I would not consider L80T to be among those, tho....
 
I think your amp is rated at 39wpc. That is a little on the low end, but is definitely a good receiver to drive the L80T's. Make sure you don't go into clipping - your 035tia titanium dome tweeters are no longer being made.

Your JBLs should handle 100wpc of clean power with ease, buy they would probably be unbearably loud in a smaller room - at least mine are. At some point, you may want to find a larger receiver/amplifier, not necessarily to play louder, but to cut down on distortion and add headroom to prevent clipping.
 
There's a nice thread over on LHF if you want to read up on a few minor mods to make them even better.

1. Add 1.5" to the bass port
2. Add an LPAD to tame the tweeter if it's too harsh for you.
 
I had a pair of these a while back; I concur that the tweeter could be a little harsh.
I recapped (Dayton polys) and refoamed mine. I'd say if you feel comfortable refoaming go for it.
These were my "I'll keep them forever" speakers until I got my Polk RTS12a speakers.
Try some "Howards" restorer on the wood, it works wonders.
Enjoy 'em!
JimB
 
brutal said:
There's a nice thread over on LHF if you want to read up on a few minor mods to make them even better.

1. Add 1.5" to the bass port
2. Add an LPAD to tame the tweeter if it's too harsh for you.
Click to expand...

The suggestion to add 1.5" to the port (and 4" of insulation in the top of the cabinet) actually came from Gordon W probably here on AK. I made the mods while I was re-surrounding my L80Ts and they perform very well. I don't find the tweets harsh but an L-pad would be nice if you don't already have an EQ.

Here are my before-and-after pictures: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2860832&postcount=12 The one on the right is after Rick Cobb surround installation and three application of Watco oil. The one on the left is how I got them and that's the original surround still on it.
 
I have, but don't use an EQ. Perhaps it will be worth a try. It's an old 12-band realistic. I've been told unless it's parametric EQ typically does more harm than good. I'll have to let my ears be the judge when I get these hooked up.

As for clipping... will I know it when I hear it? Is there any way I can add any kind of protection to the speakers?

As far as power I have an old tank of a receiver in my garage I want to get going. It's a 60lb 115WPC Sony. Yes, they made quality gear too, and I have been told the STR-V6 is amongst that lineup.

Anyway it outputs essentially line-level audio at maximum volume. All sources/controls work, including tuner, but it seems to not be amplifying.

I posted in someone else's thread who was having a similar issue here, but response was thin. I'll probably start my own thread with pics, and maybe get some input from brighter minds.

Much appreciation to all that have helped me on this journey so far. I will enjoy "paying it forward" to the newcomers in time.
 
Give It a Chance......

Howdy, echase55.... congrats on acquiring the JBLs.... you are getting lots of opinions here, I wish to throw in mine....

I suggest that once you get the woofers refoamed, go ahead and run them with the Sansui for awhile....... i had one of those long ago, and it sounded very good with several different sets of speakers....... The 2000x is rated at 40 wpc RMS.......and since its an old school receiver, acts like more.... give it a chance.....I think you will find that those JBLs will blow you away.........:banana::drool:

Like I said above.......Give it a Chance..........willhowl
 
echase55 said:
I have, but don't use an EQ. Perhaps it will be worth a try. It's an old 12-band realistic. I've been told unless it's parametric EQ typically does more harm than good. I'll have to let my ears be the judge when I get these hooked up.
Click to expand...
That'll be best. To be clear, I don't feel the need to run mine with any EQ but then with your stands the 035 tweeters will be right at ear level (a good thing) so if they sound harsh to you, turn back the treble on your tone controls. You're not going to hurt the speakers with too much power so "protecting" them isn't really a worry. Making sure you're not feeding them a clipped signal from your amp is how you protect any tweeter and having adequate power is one way of assuring the signal isn't clipping. Essentially, if it sounds bad, turn it down.
 
Got the surrounds in the mail today, and I've prepped the first driver, but I don't want to work on these beauties too much while tired. I was very pleased when I opened it up.

The woofers are very solid cast aluminum, smartly painted flat black. The crossover has some mylar on it, but 'litics as well, so I guess those will need replacement. The inductors use very thick wire, something I've never seen before, but it must be good. And the resistors are huge beefy jobs. The board is very nicely laid out.

Pics are coming in the AM.

Random thought, and question for Zilch: would Ewave be an upgrade here? Those tweeters fetch a pretty penny on the 'bay could almost finance the conversion.

Probably sacrilege to talk about chopping up the baffles before I've even heard them play, but I'm curious as to the possibilities.

My 115WPC STR-V6 has risen from its coma, so power should no longer be an issue.

Any other mods I should do on these? Stuffing looked a bit thin, but JBL probably knew what they were doing.
 
I would not be eWaving any JBL speakers of that series; they are well refined monitor equivalents.

What WOULD be fun is to build similar eWave towers using those woofers, which show up from time to time on eBay, and then compare the performance.

Has anyone yet built eWaves w/127H-1 woofers?

Ah, yup.... :music:
 
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