Speaker stand for JBL L100

freemanxp · Mar 13, 2010

Hello all JBL L100 owners and everyone else)

I recently acquired JBL L100A speakers in very good condition.
Now I'm in a process of choosing proper speaker stands for them.
I found online vintage JBL wooden stands for L100 series
but they seem to be to low or I am wrong?

What is the proper height (min-max), weight and design (metal) of speaker stand
that is intended to carry L100?

Thanks for advise

eedork · Mar 13, 2010

Hi -

I am in the same boat with a pair of L166s which are the same size as your L100s. I like the replica JBL stands, but they definitely seem too short. I think they are only 3 or 4 inches tall, which basically puts the speakers on the floor. I have to think that JBL thought of this back in the day when they first made these stands available though.

I now have my L166s on some ~24 inch stands that I had lying around. In my opinion these are too high. I think 12 to 16 inches would be just about perfect (in my opinion).

-Matt

131east23 · Mar 13, 2010

I had those for my L112's which weigh about 55 pounds each, mine broke about 4 years ago. I loved them. They were low but slightly angled up and the bottoms of my speakers were pristine until the stands broke and I started sitting them on the floor. Ask the guy if they come apart or if they are stuck together. Mine eventually became so tight I couldn't get them apart. While trying to separate them I broke them.

Cactus Bob · Mar 13, 2010

I have a pair of those and they are suppose to come apart and do. I think they are just right and look cooler than heck with my L50's or L56 on them.

Tarl Of Gor · Mar 13, 2010

I would like to find a couple pair of those stands for my L112s and L50s.

freemanxp · Mar 13, 2010

All right, these vintage or replica JBL wood stands do look cool and add charm
no doubt but how about the rule that the center of the tweeter should be on ear level?
The distance between L100 bottom and the tweeter is about 20 inches.
The distance between the seated person's ear and the floor is about 45 inches
So to match the 45 inches ear level you have to put L100 on 25 inches speaker stand
But there is an opinion that it is too high (25inch) for L100 so can anyone explain why?

rdgrimes · Mar 13, 2010

The right height is the one that puts the tweets and mids at or about ear-level from the listening position. I use these:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_051SFC...-Black.html?search=center+speaker+stand&ssi=0

They are solid steel and have a top platform suitable for large speakers. My L112s will sit perfectly on them. You can also fill the tubes with sand or shot.

Using the lower stand that's tipped back is an option but the bass won't be as clean.

bassnutt · Mar 13, 2010

I just use my Sansui SP3500s for stands for my L100s just the right size and I don't listen to them anyways, look cool though.

freemanxp · Apr 2, 2010

Yesterday I got some kind of crazy idea of making a cheap speaker stand.
What if... to put L100 on a couple of bricks? (red bricks)?
Just stack two bricks. 2 stacks for each speaker. That makes 8 bricks total.
What would it sound like in your opinion? Is it worth testing?

Thank you.

Coolhandjjl · Apr 2, 2010

freemanxp said:
Yesterday I got some kind of crazy idea of making a cheap speaker stand.
What if... to put L100 on a couple of bricks? (red bricks)?
Just stack two bricks. 2 stacks for each speaker. That makes 8 bricks total.
What would it sound like in your opinion? Is it worth testing?

Thank you.

I've got some vintage paver bricks from city streets circa 1890 I'll sell you for $30 each plus shipping.

24HACKER · Apr 2, 2010

I just made a pair of stands out of walnut - turned out really well.

Freemanxp - send me your e-mail, I will send you the prints to make these.

navydiver · Mar 13, 2011

I just made them myself - not hard

Attached are the designs from another site.

hspLOBO · Mar 13, 2011

navydiver said:
Attached are the designs from another site.

Looks really nice.....what type of wood ?

4343 · Mar 13, 2011

eedork said:
Hi -

I am in the same boat with a pair of L166s which are the same size as your L100s. I like the replica JBL stands, but they definitely seem too short. I think they are only 3 or 4 inches tall, which basically puts the speakers on the floor. I have to think that JBL thought of this back in the day when they first made these stands available though.

I now have my L166s on some ~24 inch stands that I had lying around. In my opinion these are too high. I think 12 to 16 inches would be just about perfect (in my opinion).

-Matt

Actually, 24" is just about right for L166 "Horizons". Think about that name for a bit, it's a clue as to how they should be placed...

Despite the labels trying to convince you that they are meant to be stood up, they are in fact designed to sound best laying down. The tweeter and mid should be aligned one above the other, exactly as a lot of JBL studio monitors are. 4412's for instance, which have the labels oriented to be read when they are horizontal.

navydiver · Mar 14, 2011

I did a rough mock up using pine from a spare wooden shelf just to do a proof of concept (attached photo). It turned out so so for sturniess so I am still playing with some techniques before attempting to make the final stands in Oak. Couldn't get Walnut at Home Depot and I didn't want to go searching far and wide. Not really fussed that they have to be Walnut anyway. Plan is to fabricate from Oak pieces I bought for $25 and then use a Walnut Stain - I will use a craft wood burner to replicate the JBL logo on the front. Will post images when complete and only if it turns out half decent.
The speakers sound much better off the ground - As most folks say, the mids and tweeters are best at ear level for optimum sound. With CINCHOMEFLEET though, that will not be an option for me in our living room since looks are definately more important to her and these stands will make them look real good. Can't wait to receive the Ultra Blue Quadrex inserts and tweeter foams I ordered now...

navydiver · Mar 15, 2011

L100A Oak Stands

Well, I did spend a few hours today (Flex day off) making the stands and must say I am really happy at how they turned out. Here is where I departed from the original design:
1. I used Oak instead of Walnut (used a Walnut stain though)
2. I did not round off the the wood cross-brace ends (wife likes them squared off and besides I don't really have a tool to properly round them off just yet)
3. Made the back support slightly higher
4. Cross members are not quite flush (may have to cut a little bit deeper notches to get them even - if the speakers sit on them sturdy I probably won't bother
4. Made the JBL Label slightly bigger using a craft wood burning iron
5. I did not router the tops of the front and back wood pieces (may yet do that but is not really visible when speakers are on the stand anyway.
Attached are some photos at different stages. Stain is drying right now and I plan on putting a coat of varnish overtop to protect. Once fully complete I will post more photos....

navydiver · Mar 15, 2011

L100A Wood Stands

Here they are - rock solid and fit perfectly. First 2 photos are with the pine (unfinished) mock-ups under speakers and the new stands beside. Now I can't wait until my Ultra Blue Quadrex Grill Inserts to arrive...

tboat4 · Mar 15, 2011

They look very nice. You've convinced me, so when the weather changes I'll make myself a pair.

24HACKER · Mar 15, 2011

I made a pair from walnut - an easy afternoon project. Navydiver - yours look great - especially the 'JBL' wood burn in. Great job.

70salesguy · Mar 15, 2011

That's a nice looking pair of stands that you have made!

Back when my L-100s were new (in the 70's), I wanted stands to place them higher, so I made these from a pair of damaged lab chairs.

They have a very slight "tilt", are height adjustable and rotate. They are also very heavy duty.

Posted this so you might start thinking about what other items might be converted to a nice pair of speaker stands.

Speaker stand for JBL L100

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