L200b

[majick47]

Last week I purchased a pair of JBL speakers, the seller had advertised them as "L200". When I went to look at them I found that they were the L200B model. They had been collecting dust in his family room and were a little rough but the price seemed to be right, $300. I listened to them and the horns and woofers worked and according to the seller the woofer foam had been replaced four years ago. One speaker has damage to the grill frame and a couple of noticable chips to the veneer. My qustion is considering the price I paid would it be worth it to have the cabinets restored by a professional?

[Don McRitchie]

The "B" is definitely the more desirable of the L200 series. $300 is a bargain as they are worth at least $1000. I would use this price as a benchmark to determine whether the costs of professional refinishing are worth it. In other words, if you can get it done for less than $700, I would go for it.

[majick47]

Don I appreciate the reply re restoring the JBL L200B speakers and I'm fortunate to have a furniture restorer about a half mile away and plan on getting an estimate soon. I might not of described the damage clearly, some of the trim pieces around the front edges of the two speaker cabinets is damaged/missing and the veneer is chipped off in a couple of spots. The speakers have window screens with black grill cloth held on with velcro strips. Also saw a tag inside one of the ports with a radio stations call letters printed on it. The speakers also have the original JBL tags saying the cabinets are finished in American walnut. Some of the screws for the 15" woofer don't look original and one of the spring loaded speaker wire "caps" is missing. Any recommended sources for the small parts? Thanks, Rich.

[Robh3606]

If those are the small ones that won't accept any thing bigger than 16 ga?? Upgrade those damn cheesy terminals to good 5 way binding posts.

Rob

[4313B]

North Creek has the Lexan 5-way posts as found on the 250Ti.

[majick47]

Appreciate the suggestions and about North Creek re updating the speaker terminals, not expensive and a big improvement over the tiny factory posts. Are their any other easy to do upgrades while the cabinets are being restored and all the components have been removed? I'v read that some owners placed material on the horns to prevent ringing, would this be worthwhile? Rich.

[Mr. Widget]

Check out this thread.

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...&threadid=2960

The proper replacement diaphragms cost more than you paid for your speakers, but it will make a big difference. With the 2421B diaphragms, JBL's recommended replacement, you will also extend the highs.

Widget

[Mr. Widget]

Damping the horns probably won't do much, but it can't hurt.

Check out this thread.

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...&threadid=2960

The proper replacement diaphragms cost more than you paid for your speakers, but it will make a big difference. With the 2421B diaphragms, JBL's recommended replacement, you will also extend the highs.

Widget

[majick47]

Mr. Widget I'm taking your suggestion re replacing the horn diaphrams under consideration. Still working on cleaning the L200B speakers of years of dirt/grime, had the 15" woofers (136A) out and the date noted for new foam/cones was April'04, not four years ago. My novice eyes didn't see too much out of the ordinary other then some missing insulation from the top of the left cabinet. The horns looked good to my untrained eye, are they the LE85? The crossover is the LX200b and in general everything looks stock to me. The right speaker has less volume output then the left speaker. I double checked all my settings on the amp/preamp etc and they were all correct. The crossover control on the right speaker is "rough" and wonder if this is causing the loss of volume. Thinking of spraying the crossover control with contact cleaner to see if that will correct the problem. I adjusted the balance on my preamp to compensate for less volume in the right speaker and the results were nothing short of amazing. The music came to life like it never did before on my a/d/s speakers and the "live" recordings transplant you into the audience, stayed up late a couple of night listening to a number of old cds that took on a new life with the L220b speakers. Rich.

[majick47]

Latest update re the progress of my L200b speakers. One of my LE85 drivers was missing the red seals and on inspection found an aftermarket diaphram. The other LE85 driver red seals are still intact and have the original JBL diaphram. After doing an a/b comparison I'm certain the JBL diaphram is noticably smoother sounding then the aftermarket. Called my local JBL pro shop and inquired re JBL oem diaphram (2421b) as recommended by Mr. Widget. I was quoted a price of $225 and he would not charge for labor and it would also include a JBL warranty on the part as long as he did the install. The JBL tech mentioned he owned a set of L100 and seemed real interested in assisting me get my L200b back in shape. For now I'm going to replace the LE85 aftermarket diaphram and again a/b the speakers to see if their is a difference between the old and new oem diaphrams and if I hear a difference I'll replace the second (original JBL) diaphram. Right move/wrong move?

[Mr. Widget]

Assuming your sealed LE85 had been babied or better yet hardly used there would still be the issue that JBL no longer makes the LE85 diaphragm. They make the improved, yes it is an improvement, D16R2421 diaphragm which is the one you ordered. So even if your original LE85 were as new, you would hear a difference.

Now since the one driver has been repaired, that would lead me to believe that the remaining one has been driven hard.

Short story, I bet you will need to replace both diaphragms... no harm in giving it a try though.

Widget

[majick47]

Mr. Widget I'm sure it is wishful thinking on my part that I will hear no difference between the old and new oem JBL diaphrams. Your suggestion to replace both diaphrams is not taken lightly. When I call the tech back tomorrow I'll ask him to double the order and replace both diaphrams. Had a feeling this was going to get expensive but a quality sound system doesn't come cheap either. Re planned for the future 2405 tweeters will they also require new diaphrams if they still have the original oem diaphrams and will they be equally expensive to replace? Also when everything is upgraded will it be reflected not only in the performance but will this be a "sound" investment in $$$?

[sonofagun]

Are you going to stick with the cloth grille coverings or would you like replacement foam grilles in the original style to fully restore them?

[majick47]

Sonofagun I have seen the posts re the foam grill covers and they look terrific. Traded my original cabinets that needed a serious rehab for another set that is in very nice condition. My biggest consideration is the CATS. I kept the old metal screens from the original set as insurance and so far they have ignored the speakers. Long run I'm contemplating having custom covers made to protect them cats, sun etc. The grill foam is on the list along with original JBL badges to get my L200b back to it's original appearance. I'll contact you as soon as I have the other items completed and ready for the finishing touches. Also thought of getting black plate glass tops for the cabinets similar to the L65/L300.

[John]

Sonofagon are you saying you have figured out the dimensions and specs to reproduce those. I might be intrested in a pair?