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JBL L222 Disco Speakers
- Thread starter KeithL
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BMWCCA
Addicted Member
You'll find opinion split on the L220/222. By all rights they should be outstanding but many feel the sum of the parts didn't add up. Many prefer the L150A even against the L222's 076 Cat's Eye tweeter. There's plenty of discussion on these over at LH though few of the experts will go very far to recommend them, especially at the going rate which is likely inflated simply because of what the tweeter brings by itself for use in other systems like Westlake. The weak point seems to be in the mid-range, despite the use of the cool diffuser grilles.
For the money ($1500 on Ebay last I checked) you could probably find a pair each of L7s and a pair of L150As, put $500 in your pocket, and still might like either better than the L222s.
Harman bought JBL in 1969 so that should answer that question. Most would agree the best came after . . .
For the money ($1500 on Ebay last I checked) you could probably find a pair each of L7s and a pair of L150As, put $500 in your pocket, and still might like either better than the L222s.
Harman bought JBL in 1969 so that should answer that question. Most would agree the best came after . . .
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I was familiar with the 220, a bad speaker IMO; poor tonal balance, boom and sizzle. Very distorted at high levels. Some say the 222 was even worse, I don't know.
A fella gave me 4 220s and I parted them out. The cheap Gemini PA speakers the fella used to replace them sounded better, piezos and all, no lie.
A fella gave me 4 220s and I parted them out. The cheap Gemini PA speakers the fella used to replace them sounded better, piezos and all, no lie.
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10 hrs round trip and $2100 you can try a set for yourself: http://albany.craigslist.org/ele/3727123752.html
not mine...
not mine...
I auditioned a pair locally, asking price is $1250. I can't say I was impressed for that price.
Zonker92
All shiny and chrome
I have seen some crazy prices on them in the last year or so. I saw one pair sell on eBay for some completely insane number; I could swear it was over $4,000. Seems nuts to me; I would say they should be selling for around $1,000 based on comparable models like the L150.
The L220 and 222 are virtually the same speaker. A little added trim around the grills of the 220 and the passive was loaded lighter on the 222. The 076 "cat's eye" tweeter can bring very good money. Westlake used them in some of their speakers. The rest is just your basic LE-5 mid with diffuser, LE-14 woofer and 15" passive. The L-pads are notorious for needing at least a good scrubbing. I have had both and just OK for me. The mid-range would help with a good compression driver and horn. I have read some owners having success with that modification. Ususally the driver sticks out of the back of the cabinet. Very impressive looking speaker that can thump given some clean power.
jdurbin1
Tandberg enthusiast
You are correct; couple pair of L220's went for that kind of money. Quieted down after that, I am sure much to the chagrin of a couple of local SD flippers that bought pairs and had to work pretty hard to get anywhere near that kind of price for them.
John
John
I have seen some crazy prices on them in the last year or so. I saw one pair sell on eBay for some completely insane number; I could swear it was over $4,000. Seems nuts to me; I would say they should be selling for around $1,000 based on comparable models like the L150.
sharpeman69
New Member
I have a set of these sounded good with 250 watts a side sound fantastic with Mcintosh MC402s 400 watts rms and McIntosh C2200 pre . Thes speakers love the power and sound great with it. If you do not like them you are under powering them.
