JBL Classic L100

Recently, Audiodrom has reviewed Fyne Audio’s take on vintage speakers. Fyne Audio used the appealing part of their own (ex-Tannoy) heritage and revamped it with up-to-date technologies, to preserve the form and massively improve functionality. The JBL’s approach is different. This is a true resurgence that pushes all the sentimental buttons.

The L100 was launched in 1970 and remained in production for 8 years, until 1978. My first opportunity to audition the as-is today version was in 2019, at its premiere at Munich High End show. Paired with Mark Levinson electronics the small speakers easily filled one of the big rooms with a lot of rock energy. This pretty much summarizes the Classic L100’s strong points: they need to play loud, and they are rock oriented.

The cabinets are the good old shoeboxes with front baffle populated by drivers, ports, and knobs. A 3-way speaker requires three drivers, so here they are: a 300mm white pulp woofer, a 125mm black pulp midrange driver, and a 25mm titanium dome tweeter embedded in a shallow round waveguide. Next to the midrange driver there is a port of the same size. The two knobs provide the option to adjust high and mid frequency content, although the settings cannot be reliably recalled as there is no scale printed on their backplate.

Around the back, there's a single pair of gold-plated binding posts recessed in a rather ordinary plastic tray. The grilles are arguably the most attractive part of the Classics. They come in rugged texture and are available in several striking colours. They can be also purchased separately if one wishes to replace them based on mood. As with any other real vintage speaker, the grilles are attaching to the baffle with plastic pegs.

I recommend placing the L100 Classics on dedicated metal stands (optional accessory) for the stands are tilted upwards, which is necessary to get your ears on axis with the drivers when seated.