JBL L820 speakers

[Matt34]

I know JBL doesn't get much love around here but this is type of speaker design I'm leaning towards for my H/T (95% of music will be enjoyed on a dedicated 2-channel setup). I'm having a hard time finding much in the way of reviews besides a couple professional reviews for a system using these as surrounds. Does anyone have firsthand experience with them?

I would love to get the older S38's but they seem to be almost impossible to find nowadays.



http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-spe...tag=mncol;psum

Thanks,

Matt

[lngbruno]

Hi Matt,

I have a local audio enthusiast friend who likes to dabble in vintage gear, mostly speakers. Two weekends ago he dropped off a pair of JBL 4410A's in like new condition. They are sound very nice and could compete with speakers costing 5-6 X's what he paid for them. I highly recommend them if you can find them. Keep in mind, they do need a sub to squeeze out those last couple of Hz's.

Next on the agenda is a pair of JBL 240Ti's that he just picked up. They are much larger than the 4410A's and the cabinets are very clean. However, the drivers are in need of some tender loving care - new woofer surrounds, some regluing of the mid-range drivers, and a complete frequency sweep of the tweeters to see if they need some help. The woofers are huge - not your girly man variety but a true beast of a driver. The problem with the tweeters is that they are not made anymore so one has to be very careful and patient with examining and repairing them if they need to be repaired.

He has also intoduced me to a nicely restored pair of AR 3A's, orginal large Advents, and a few others I can't recall. A nice winter hobby to find and restore these vintage pieces.

L

[engtaz]

Cool great friend

[Matt34]

Hi Matt,

I have a local audio enthusiast friend who likes to dabble in vintage gear, mostly speakers. Two weekends ago he dropped off a pair of JBL 4410A's in like new condition. They are sound very nice and could compete with speakers costing 5-6 X's what he paid for them. I highly recommend them if you can find them. Keep in mind, they do need a sub to squeeze out those last couple of Hz's.

Next on the agenda is a pair of JBL 240Ti's that he just picked up. They are much larger than the 4410A's and the cabinets are very clean. However, the drivers are in need of some tender loving care - new woofer surrounds, some regluing of the mid-range drivers, and a complete frequency sweep of the tweeters to see if they need some help. The woofers are huge - not your girly man variety but a true beast of a driver. The problem with the tweeters is that they are not made anymore so one has to be very careful and patient with examining and repairing them if they need to be repaired.

He has also intoduced me to a nicely restored pair of AR 3A's, orginal large Advents, and a few others I can't recall. A nice winter hobby to find and restore these vintage pieces.

L

Those 4410a do look like they would be great for HT use but they seem to be a bit hard to find.

[lngbruno]

Matt,
I didn't say finding vintage speakers was going to be easy. My friend finds most of his treasurers on Craigslist and generally checks within a two-three hour drive from where we are located. The key is to be patient and eventually something will show up. In his experience, after a long draught of no finds, several pairs show up at once.

engtaz,
Yes, he is a good friend. I have also loaned him some of my speakers and other assorted equipment. -I find audio friends to be “friends with benefits,” not the Sex in the City type thought. :applause:

L

[Matt34]

Matt,
I didn't say finding vintage speakers was going to be easy. My friend finds most of his treasurers on Craigslist and generally checks within a two-three hour drive from where we are located. The key is to be patient and eventually something will show up. In his experience, after a long draught of no finds, several pairs show up at once.

engtaz,
Yes, he is a good friend. I have also loaned him some of my speakers and other assorted equipment. -I find audio friends to be “friends with benefits,” not the Sex in the City type thought. :applause:

L

Yup, I check Criagslist almost daily for both localy, Tucson and Phoniex.:dizzy:

[dweekie]

Wow, it's surprising to see a 4 way such a small package.