JBL L36

My L-65s, which I bought new in 1978, have had a similar history….Refoamed them once at about the two decade mark and haven’t really heard any other speakers I’d want to sell them in order to afford.  They’ve seen a variety of amps/sources across the decades.  Currently streaming Tidal mostly thru a PrimaLuna Prologue Classic.  Love JBLs!

I'm no help but I'm glad I didn't buy the L200 Studio Masters I demoed back in the day and would have to move to two apartments, two condos, and four houses by now. 

L36 were beyond my meager paper route money in 1973. My best friend got them but I waited until the L25 Prima went on sale, which was a good sale being as ugly as they are. L36 had the midrange and nice wood cabinet. We were college roommates and with two sets of JBL had "the" stereo on campus. 

That midrange made all the difference. Mine were kept until the foam disintegrated. His, I don't know. What little imaging we got was nothing compared with today. But we didn't know any better and besides, they were LOUD!!😍

JBL from 60-70x are great speakers.

But according to my experience with Altec 604E from 60x, crossover parts update makes a huge difference. Despite my speakers sounding good with old original crossovers, the changing of capacitors and variable resistors improved the sound to a different level.

I measured old capacitors before the upgrade and their values were OK. But in any case, old electrolytic capacitors, and potentiometers are not good for transparency and dynamics.

russ69: It’s funny you mentioned the L200s; I actually purchased a pre-owned pair in 1974; I was a Junior in HS and was saving every penny I made from stocking shelves at our local drug store for stereo equipment.  The pharmacist at the time was quite the audiophile and got me hooked.  It took me about a year of part-time work to assemble my system- Sansui Eight Deluxe receiver, Dual 1229Q with Stanton 681EEE, and L200s.  The funny thing is that I fit this system into my 11 x 12 bedroom; I had a pull out sofa for my bed!  Needless to say, I could definitely load the room!😂. Ended up selling the L200s to my brother as I was moving out of state; he still has them and uses them to this day!

...he still has them and uses them to this day!

Outstanding!

Side Note: That was when the guys in Northridge were doing their best work. A good friend of mine was a QA guy at JBL back then, he QAed all the drivers. A great guy, I still am in contact with him.