JBL Upgrade: Yes? No?

Fellow JBLers and Speaker Hoarders

I know I have to eventually rely on my own ears (pitiful as they are), but would like some opinions from the collective.

I'm the original owner of a pair of JBL L-36s from 1977 and have played them regularly all this time. I also have a pair of LE-8T 16 ohms in homemade vented furniture grade cabinets and listen to them often. And over the years have listened to L-100, L-65, and 4411s. I A/B'd the L-36 to the L-100 and prefered the bass balance of the L-36. My memory of the L-65 was that it was amazing, but out of my price range. I listen to everything from Alt country, to reggae, to R&B, to blues, to classical -- no opera. I'm familiar with the vintage L-series sound.

I'm facing a dilemma: a pair of very clean L-65s may become available near me, or I can get a very good deal on a new set of the JBL E100s or E90s. I have not heard either of these new JBL speakers, but the buzz is pretty good on the E100.

Before I go to the comparo audition of the L-65 and E100/90 I'd like to know what you all think of this match-up. Is the E100/90 a great leap forward compared to the L-65? The L-36? Note, every titanium-type tweeter I have heard; admitedly not that many, has been just too brittle and harsh for me. I prefer excellent mids and controlled bass, with the tweeter apparent, but not causing my fillings to vibrate.

Thanks for your observations.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL---------------------------------------66666666666666666666666666666655555555555555555555555555555555555ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss,they are and will alway be beloved.I will never part with mine and have replacements elements for both pairs.These are truely one of the best products that JBL ever constructed in a floorstanding unit.I might just have a problem 12 pairs.

Well, no contest, go Jubals!

Wornears, I've had a similar experience with JBL's. My first real speakers were JBL L166's. Since then I've had many speakers in the L line, and I have had some old timers like the C51 Apollo (S7) and C40 Harkness (001). I really don't think that anything JBL makes today compares favorably to their older stuff. That's just my dos centavos and according to my tin ears.
If anything, consider the resale on the newer JBL's and the L65's. If you were to pay the going rate for either of these two JBL's, after a small bit of time, you will be able to sell the Jubals for more than what you paid. I doubt that will happen with the newer ones.

They have a great deal on S-310s at harmanaudio.com, those are sort of a successor to your L-36s, only floorstanding. $188 each. But honestly, I'd hold out for something better. L-100Ts would be good, or maybe L-96s if you can't afford the big guys. The E-90s are the latest thing, but are in the lowest cost lineup. I can't say that I have really heard them though, because Best Buy doesn't have sound rooms here anymore. They have the E-90s and family sitting in a aisle now, competing with Bose crap on the other side of the aisle for loudness of demo.

Can't go wrong the the L65s!!! :thmbsp:

Thanks for the replies and advice. I know my emotional response is to go with the L-65s. Every time I've heard them I've had this thought -- "now that would be a speaker worth lieing (a little bit) to the wife about." There is nothing wrong with my L-36s (they are essentially mint), but I guess after nearly 30 years with them, I'm ready for another JBL sound <G>. Besides, can't get the screaming orange '70s cloth grills on any modern iron, too.

I don't really want an equivalent of the L-36, but wondered if the modern JBLs should be considered because speaker design and materials have changed over the ensuing 30 years. Sounds like most of you are saying stick with something 30 years old, just higher up the JBL food chain.

Should be an interesting audition.