To JBL L212 or not?

[TimboW]

I've been given the option of picking up a pair of JBL-L212 speakers in fine condition (minus the sub woofer) for $400, and I'm in rather a quandary what to do. I've actually been looking at buying a pair of GR research's A/V-3 speakers in kit form for about the same price and pairing them up with a decent sub as well. Question is, which way do I go for the same money? The JBL's were fine speakers in their day and quite expensive in 70's dollars.

Any views on the subject would be much appreciated.

Timbo

 

[markw]

Just keep in mind that those were made to be played with that subwoofer.

 

[TimboW]

oh??

Hi again,
You mean that simply hooking up another sub-woofer isn't going be the solution I thought it might be? Given that the better subs allow adjustment in the range of the bass being pumped out it I thought it would be easy enough to get a balance that would emulate the output of the original matchup. Am I wrong?

 

[markw]

Yes, another subwoofer will work.

And, if you feel these surrounds are worth $400/pair. then go for it.

Yes. they are JBL, but the 212 sub/satellite was recognized as one of their marketing miscalculations. Not that that makes them junk but if you're looling for a "classic" JBL sound, then this will not be it.

If you're looking for a large, bass shy pair of speakers that have the JBL logo, then you've got it.

To put it simply, you can get better sound for that $400, even with the JBL logo. I picked up a pair of L-26's for $150 a while back.

 

[TimboW]

thanks

Thanks Mark, that's the kind of information I was looking for.

Much appreciated