September 2019


Best Of 2019 Blue Note Equipment Awards

JBL L100 Classic Loudspeaker
Price: $4000 per pair
Click here to read the complete review.

  The much-anticipated newer version of JBL's L100 has many design improvements over the older model. It has a newly designed crossover network, it uses internal "V-Brace", which is normally used in more expensive models, and the speaker uses new drivers, which includes its newly designed titanium tweeter. The JT025TI1-4 1" titanium dome tweeter is mated to an acoustic lens for optimum integration with its 105H-1 polymer-coated 5.25" pure-pulp cone midrange driver directly below it. In their literature, JBL says its "powerful" bass comes from its 12" cast-frame, JW300PW-8 white pure-pulp cone woofer in a bass-reflex enclosure, via a single front-firing port tube. The high-frequency and mid-frequency L-pad attenuators on the front baffle preserve the classic features of this "iconic legend".

A classic in every sense of the word. I listened to many different recordings of different genres while the JBLs were in my system. Yet I kept coming back to rock and electronic music. I don't think that's too surprising. The L100 Classics had no trouble sorting everything out, letting me hear all that was there, but also was able to present everything as a whole, letting me bask in their sound. They were not only able to separate instruments within a crowded soundfield, but they also was able to place dynamic distance between instruments, groups of instruments, and vocals.

Instruments and vocals that were playing at the same volume and occupying the same space in the soundstage stood out from this crowded field of instruments and vocals more than the others. I've heard some studio monitors that were able to sort out the sound like this, but after a while the monitor's sound would become fatiguing. The JBL L100 Classics were very non-fatiguing, the upper midrange and treble of the JBL L100 Classics sounded like music. If the music was annoying, I'd get annoyed. It was never the fault of any frequency anomalies coming from these speakers.

Many non-audiophiles will balk, but any audiophile with even just a bit of experience will recognize that these speakers are well worth their asking price. In fact, when inflation is considered the cost of these speakers are just about equal to what they cost back in the day. Still, I have no doubt that many customers will purchase the JBL L100 Classic sight unseen. Not only does JBL's reputation precede them, but these speakers will bring back pleasant memories to many music lovers of a certain age. And to them, I say, go for it. These speakers are a great way to enjoy the music.

Click here to read the complete review.

Previous Annual Blue Note Awards

Product of the Year Awards 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.