The AR-9’s sounded good for the time, but sound somewhat less alive than current high end offerings. They were a cost no object engineering feat at the time that they were introduced. A friend who is the original owner had his refurbished, drivers & electronics. But after testing them we decided that they make great home theaters speakers, where precise tonal reproduction doesn’t seem as critical.
But back to the subject, Classic JBL Speakers... As responsible for me saying what? As other influences from the 1970’s and firearms.
Here the quality is directly related to the speaker model and the generation of the model, since they improved some over time. In the 1970’s, 95% of the recording studios used JBL monitors, so there was a feeling that when it came to the higher end models, we were listening to the music “as mixed”. This chiefly relates to the L300 series, although the L100’s were top notch for home audio, the L300’s were the undisputed king. With a dispersion lens baffle in front of the tweeter, the long horn midrange and 15” woofer they blew us away. Even if they were almost the size of washer-dryers. These were released in 3 generations, the final and best of these used Alnico V magnets and had the 2 large red and black rotating speaker binding posts. Some criticize the tonal quality of the horn woofers, but for brass or woodwind instruments I find them profoundly accurate. After having the woofers re-coned and the crossover refurbished, mine are remarkable and compare favorably with every speaker design I’ve heard. Yes, electrostatics produce that broadly accurate, ethereal sound, but like others they are only preferable in given applications (rooms/furniture layouts) and with certain music. That’s not to say they are superior, but they sound different. I like the Wilson Puppies too, but having owned my L300’s since they were new, I haven’t found any speaker that plays loud rock and roll better, which can also sound great at moderate levels (96dB efficiency). Over the years I have tried others and sacrificed point source accuracy by combining numerous different speaker combinations and configurations, but I return to my JBL’s; listen, compare and move them back to my main listening room... Others have proven to be excellent distractions or changes of pace, but like relationships very few meet the test of time.
I must admit that first time listeners of my system, recognize the electronics, but then start with, what kind of speakers are these, are these really JBL’s, turn it up; oh my God, can you play this next. Then when they’re chosen system analysis selection plays, that smile appears... “Wow!” With the advanced engineering materials available now for speaker cones and finite element analysis, it’s amazing that vintage ported speakers this big can sound accurate at low frequencies. They have a miraculous tonal balance, that just works and are the closest thing to unobtainium that I own. But such are the mysteries of life, some times it’s better not to ask why. Oh and don’t ask, because I’ve turned down swap offers that exceed the cost of the rest of my system.
Rock, Rap, Classical, Jazz, you name it; they are smile generators.
