JBL L100 Century (1970)

 

The JBL L100 Century is an iconic, vintage 3-way "bookshelf" (mid-sized floorstanding) loudspeaker that became the largest-selling speaker model of any company in the 1970s. It is renowned for its dynamic, "West Coast" sound and distinctive Quadrex foam grille. Key Features and Specifications: The L100 was designed as a consumer version of the popular JBL 4310 and 4311 professional studio monitors. There were several versions of the L100 Century, featuring slightly different drivers and crossovers over its production run from approximately 1970 to 1978. Design: 3-way system with a 30cm woofer, a 13cm midrange driver, and a 3,6cm cone tweeter. Enclosure: Oiled American walnut veneer cabinet with a matte black front baffle. Aesthetics: Best known for its iconic, pyramid-shaped open-cell foam grilles, originally available in burnt orange, blue, or black (these often deteriorate over time and need replacement on vintage models). Controls: Front-panel attenuators for adjusting the midrange and high-frequency output to suit the room and personal taste. Power Handling: Rated for 50 watts continuous program. Impedance: 8 ohms. Sensitivity: Approximately 91 dB (1W/1m). Dimensions: Approximately 36.2 x 59.7 x 34.6 cm. Weight: Approximately 25 kg per speaker. 

Reviewers and users often describe the JBL L100 Century as having a lively, bold, and unapologetically physical sound. Praised for its natural and realistic reproduction of voices and drums, punchy bass, and ability to play loudly without distortion. Many found it ideal for classic rock, pop, jazz, funk, and soul music. Some users and experts noted a potential lack of balance compared to more linear modern speakers, sometimes finding the treble a bit "hot" or fatiguing during long listening sessions. The original crossover network was considered relatively crude and a potential weak point. Proper positioning, often elevated on stands, is recommended for the best performance. Despite some sonic quirks by modern audiophile standards, the L100 is celebrated for its engaging musicality and significant place in audio history.

Modern Reincarnation. JBL released a modern, acoustically advanced version called the JBL L100 Classic, which features updated drivers (Pure Pulp cone woofer, titanium dome tweeter), a revised crossover, improved bracing, and bi-wiring capabilities, while retaining the iconic vintage look. A second generation of the reissue, the JBL L100 Classic MkII, was later introduced with further enhancements. 

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