JBL L100 Classic Loudspeaker Review and T-Shirt Competition w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal 

I Just Purchased your Last Pair of L100 Classic 75s and they are on the Way!!!! I grew up in California and JBL was Always my WANTs , so what I'm saying is,That as 1 of 750 People in the world to own these , I was 100% Excited and now can Hardly Sleep waiting for them to Get here!! Next purchase may be this New Naim integrated Amp! So we maybe Talking SOON. YOU GUYS ROCK

I'm 71 and retired. I'm putting together a man cave in our retirement home and I decided to do it right. When these came out I had to have them even at $4K. I ran them solo on a McIntosh MA352 (which was the 1st piece of new eqpt for the system). The system is turntable only. The source was either a Thorens TD-160C w/ Shure V15III or VPI Prime w/ Ortofon 2m Black LVB. The sound was fantastic. A fantastic full-range sound. I then decided to try them in parallel with a pair of Klipsch Forte IIs modified(1989) on the 4ohm tap, the combination was 3.75ohm and the MA352 barely got warm. The sound improved, it appears that the 2 speakers complimented each other very well. The JBL improved the bass end and the Klipsch improved the high end. I wasn't done yet. When I realized that the MA352 Preout was full range and was switchable I decided to pick up an MC275 for the 2nd output. I now run the JBLs on output 1 and the Klipsch on the MC275 on output 2 with a Niles speaker selector to balance the speakers. I will run 1 pair or the other but I keep returning to the 2 pair together. Retirement is sweet

I sold hi-fi equipment starting in 1985. We had a great era of hi-fi. I never saw the original L100. JBL did come up with the L#T series later with titanium tweeters. L100T became their 3-way 12" woofer floor speakers. Still one of the best floor speakers ever imo.

Wow never seen the L100 Classic close up like this and they are awe inspiring.

Thank you so much for making these videos! I cannot wait to visit your shop someday and drop a couple grand on some amazing speakers!

Just purchased a pair from you guys - the review was very helpful - so excited - customer service was white glove - you have a great team of specialist. Thank you so much and God Bless! - Anthony

Still rocking my advent heritage!! Love em. Great vid

Nice demo, heavy woofer! Fine craftsmanship. Beautiful grills. Would like a pairs myself! 🙂 Excellent!

If i start saving this week, maybe i can buy a pair of these at some point. What a gorgeous speaker.

I have them now for 13 months and man what a sound. I paired them with a marantz 2275 and a R2R (Studer/revox PR99 MK3). Everyday I go sit and rediscover all my tapes and records with this speakers. So much fun. I think the L100 is a very dynamic speaker that is also very balanced (HI, Mid, Low). The L100 is also much more balanced as my more recent purchase (Klipsch Heresy 4) that is also a nice speaker that sounds good but sounds less balanced, less analog. It has almost no low due to the bass port on the back and the smaller cabinet.

Just got a pair. Running them off of a Peachtree Nova 150. I'm blown away by the center image/soundstage on these

You should get a kick out of this one Kevin. I know I have told this story before, not sure if I ever told you but my uncle was Frank Zappa's manager & Frank bought me my first pair of home speakers in 1978 which were JBL 4311Bs, as you know the studio versions of the L100s. I proudly still own them even though they don't get used as much, I only wish they had those cool grills of the L100s. I agree with you as the choice in audio gear has never been better. And the rebirth of the headphone world is simply over the top, who thought we would have ever seen that coming and we have the young guys to thank for that!

Wish he ran a business here in Singapore, seems like a real chill dude who's really into sound and customers.

I would like to say that Upscale Audio is a great company. I will be getting me a pair of the JBL L 100 .

Just bought a pair a week ago...LOVE THEM!!!

I've always liked JBL's older speakers, my dad has a set of Apollos (they have a horn) and I have a pair of L7s.

Those little mini monitors you show, I bought a pair of them (4306 I think they were) back in 85. Heard them in the store and told the salesman "if they sound like that in my car, I'll buy them.. Well I bought them, and they sat in the back seat of my brand new Chrysler 5'th Avenue.. Driven by a 75 wpc Nakamishi amp and man did they sound incredible! I abused the hell out of them and all I have left is one of the crossovers, which l have on ebay if anyone needs one! Loved my JBL's and my Klipsch Heresys!

My Dream JBL CLASSIC

This is how speakers should be big beefy and ready to rock

I remember when I had a pair of those, back in the 70's.

You are a genius. Great review.

Ohh my !! Looks like a car speaker that got the high end audiophile treatment Geez that could be my end game if it sounds as good as it looks and built

Brilliant advice 👍....

Love to do an A-B comparison of these vs my Frazier Mark 5DII’s. Rather similar and designs and sensitivity. It would be interesting to compare a legacy speaker vs new retro tech.

Excellent review, but I do miss stores like Rogers sound Labs & Pacific Stereo growing up in the valley home of JBL, Northridge Ca.

Kevin, could the Mystere iA11 power these or do the L100s require more power? Something like the PrimaLuna Evo 300 or 400? Thanks.

The L-100 was a very popular speaker. Unfortunately, it wasn't an accurate speaker. Not the best choice for classical music but with rock music, wow. The L50, L-166 and L-212 were top notch performers with all music. Nice video.

Is it weird that the frame around the midrange seems to not be square with the cabinet?

1976 was an exciting time in stereo and also the year I bought my first pair of L100's at the base exchange while stationed at Kadena AFB, they cost 400 bucks for the pair. I bought my second pair of L100's the new classic series , all I had to do was add a "zero" plus 400 equals 4000.The only speaker to listen to 70's Prog rock back then(Rush Kansas, etc) and now.

That’s one impressive looking bass driver. I really wanted these but saw the $2200. Price tag per speaker and was like um hell no, so I went out and bought a set of infinity sm 100’s that had just been freshened up new foam surrounds and new tweeters all for a $100. And they are in like new condition plus he threw in a like new set of Onkyo Fusion av-s85 (military) speakers in for free. Maybe couple years down the road I’ll pick up a clean usrd set of these new L100’s. Now may be a better time for audio choices but the prices have inflated drastically compared to then, you got more for your money. Thanks for pulling that driver out of it’s cabinet for us to see, and honestly I think that’s the most impressive looking driver I’ve seen come out of a home speaker. Great video

That woofer looks very similar to the older Infinity Kappa Perfect subs, but with a paper cone. if it is based on those, then that can explain the powerful bass.

Atleast the tweeter is titanium and not aluminum but it still has that round spot right in the middle of the tweeter thats blocked. My old bostons with the lynwood tweeter had that design and so do the newer mackie xr series. What sucks about it is that I like to aim my tweeters directly in front of my face which gives a very focused center stage. But with the front covered like that I could never achieve the soundstaging I liked because it was kind of like a circle of sound coming at your face instead of a beam of sound. Ill never own a speaker with a cover over the tweeter like that again. And one reason they do that is because the tweeter is really bright and metallic sounding so they suppress the strongest center energy. Turning the tweeter pot could help but it depends where in the frequency it gets adjusted.

JESUS that was fast!!! Looks like Asap Greens got it!!!

Excellent speaker

You say you collect JBLs. I have had a set of s412pii's for 8+ years and love them. Do you have any idea how they compare to other JBLs? Thanks

Iron man, those JBL's look awesome with the orange grills. Thank God JAPAN has helped JBL SPEAKERS still kick today.

We Will Rock You!

Back in the day, the “west coast sound” was disparagingly called “boom and sizzle” by those that didn’t care for it. I don’t recall the snub for the Boston area sound, but I’m sure there was one.

the tannoys in the background look impressive....are they a fair comparison?

The JBL L100's were the speakers I lusted after back then. I ended up buying a pair of Cerwin Vega 316R's (large 15" floor speakers). I would still like to own a pair of L100's but not at 4 grand.

Actually, the seventies were the best time for stereo gear - then and now IMO. The return of the JBL 100 attests to this. (People are tired of pansy towers, they want the big rich full sound of a real loudspeaker.) Today you're paying for lightweight and/or overpriced - sterile sounding - stuff that still doesn't have the muscle of vintage seventies audio. Mucho snake oil, for people who wish to boast of the obscene prices they pay for their "Eco-friendly green gear, with wireless capability, Bluetooth, MPS, iPod docking, 5G ready , etc." to listen to computer generated noise with monotonous lyrics. Mostly you're paying for the name today. At the end of the day, I'll take my vintage 70's audio over today's audio. "In 1970, JBL released the iconic L100 Loudspeaker. Over the years, the L100 became the bestselling loudspeaker in JBL’s history. In 2018, we are proud to bring you the JBL L100 Classic, a modern take on a time-honored legend." JBL I rest my case.

I really want to hear this speaker ..

Does anyone remember the stereo warehouse catalog from san luis obispo...they always had the advent, altec etc as well as some low end amps from sherwood and sansui that you could get started in for under 500$ which was alot of dough back then...they advertised in RStone mag

My first hifi system with a budget of $500 included set of Cerwin Vegas back in 1973. I don't recall the turntable or the receivers names, they were all stolen in burglary, however my memories of that system still stay with me today. By the way, I've dealt with Kevin and he's ok. He gave me a terrific deal on a set of Tannoy Gold Reference speakers.

If only the grilles were magnetic, I'd buy a pair of the L 100's in a heartbeat.

0:35 the Kat's outta the bag now dude!

For SQ do you prefer L100 Classic or Heresy III? Thanks

Do you think these are better for music than the Heritage iv's?

How is this speaker for Movie listening on stereo 2 channel? Want my next speaker to be diverse.

that Bass Driver is MASSive

do the pots seem to make a difference for you?

JBL 100 = quality. They need to reintroduce the L 300

I had a pair of original L-100 for years... The JBL 123A-1 12" bass driver has an impregnated paper surround, not foam. It's the same speaker they used in the 4310 monitor.

How would you compare these to Harbeth, let's say Harbeth SHL 5+, please?

Advent had some damn good bass as well

Which one do you prefer? This or the Heresey IV

If I wanted to drive this with a Primaluna amp, Would the Evo 200 integrated amp be enough or should I jump to the Evo 400? I will be using this in a small living room 6x5m (19x16ft) and I usually dont go too loud win music or would you recemnd the l82s?

Jbl l100 classic vs tannoy arden legacy Jbl new and arden used same rate which one to chose

omg the bass driver is insane

'Sorry folks, but the old L100 used pleated fabric surrounds on the woofer and midrange. The rest of the speaker / cone / whatever would blow up or rot before those surrounds gave out. You would have thought they could have put those back on a new speaker, considering what it cost. Give me a properly restored vintage pair any day......

Cooool.👍

what kind of amp would be a good match for these? thanks for showing us the parts

I don’t know if they’re the best sounding speakers, but in orange they’re sure are the best looking ones.

Question - what are your thoughts about the JBL soundbars particularly the 3.1 JBL soundbar ? Do you think it represents the company’s reputation well ?

I come from JBL D130 N-2400 Crossovers and 075 ring radiator tweeter days . I have a set of Decades too that are awesome. Returning my 530s think they are overated. JBL 100 AWESOME GO JBL

When The Levee Breaks by Led Zepplin

Hi... can I still get these speakers ...?

The decoration panel is like chocolate block. The speakers are cool but expensive for regular user.

I still cant believe mr Robinson choice was the herasey vi over the L 100 classic

Hello! What's the best amp or amplituner for these speakers?

1981, I was the poor kid who couldn't afford NAD 3020. Wa. LoL!!

The original Century L100 did NOT have a foam surround on the woofer.

Hi .. uk calling …do you think the quad artera solus at 75w will drive the L100 ok …. I love you video …. You’re so warm and caring x

Cerwin Vega also made some descent products in the old days.

'An adjustment for the mid and tweeter' - Alleluia!

Hal Blaine on the drums -- Wrecking Crew --

is this new fashion?

i want buy this speakers

Slow Ride by Foghat?

Five To One- The Doors

i just wish this has a horn tweeter

Or JBL 15s??

Back in the good ol' days when it was just Uncle Kev and the camera.

It's black sabbath Ironman?

What about those Tannoys?????????????????

First drum notes of Iron Man...

one of'em is taken hard updaass

Iron man Black Sabbath

How much

The original 123A woofers in the original L100 did NOT have a foam surround. I used to sell them in 1970s. I still have a pair and a pair of 4311s. NO FOAM surrounds.

Be My Baby - Ronettes ! Phil Spector wall of sound

4” in and out pushing air

Slow Ride- Foghat

Se agradece los sub títulos

Did he say $4,000?

Foghat - Slow Ride

Your videos are great but you should play some music with the gear you showcase, otherwise it's like describing a wine with words.

Made in Mexico with offshore parts for a fraction of the cost they were made in Northridge, CA. For $4400 a pair, there are better choices.

These are made in INDONESIA !!!.... NOT USA......Although you wouldn't know it by the $4,000 price tag. JBL is making a KILLING on these!!!

where the hell can you go buy those? nobody sells speakers like that anymore? !