JBL L100 Speaker Repair and Service - BG031

Repair and Service of a set of JBL L100 speakers. New speaker bindings, tweeter foam replacement, woofer replacement

[thompintello]

I know this is coming eight years too late but I’m dying to see how you repaired the woofer at the end of this video! I would love to know how to do that. My goodness, you left us hanging! Is there any possibility of a sequel so that you can tell us how to repair the voice coil on that woofer?

[LouMontana-wcnr]

I appreciate your dedication to the history and restoration of the beautiful JBL Century L100!
I am a life long JBL fan! Stories will come later.

[magicmerls]

My granddad gifted me a pair of these and they are legit in perfect condition. They have the original frame, no knocked in dust caps and they sound amazing.

[truckmoon]

I bought my JBL Century L 100 speakers in May of 1976 from the top pop shop Bitburg AFB. Thank-You a most interesting video.

[exogarwinoputt]

I have a pair of these L100's. Also wanted to change out the woofer. The captive nuts on the woofer screws were bound and would not come out. Ended up drilling the heads off the screws! Thanks for your descriptive video.

[matthewenderby]

Regarding the pushed in tweeter dust covers. I can agree sometimes it pays to leave well enough alone but I just picked up a pair of JBL L100A's(Early black label) and had pushed in tweeter dust covers. I found using a q-tip and some water I was able to wet down the affected area that was pushed in, and then use a large to small vacuum adapter and the dust covers sucked out within seconds, then I used a hair dryer to dry them. This step is probably not necessary. Hope this might help others.

[origtex]

Thanks for the prying of the woofer out. I was about to cut the cabinet open. I will soon have the woofers for a vintage JBL listed online. Thanks

[daikuone]

Had some L100's in college. Had the Brown speaker grills. Many hours listening to those...

[helifynoe]

I was wondering if the crossover was burnt out as well, but this model does not seem to have a complex crossover. Years ago, I had to replace the outer foam rings of my 12" woofers on my home made 1978 speakers. Each speaker has one 12" woofer (15" outer rim), two mid-range drivers, and 4 tweeters, plus the crossover assembly. Just several days ago I re-stained the front black panels, since they had faded somewhat. I was amazed at how much that made them look new again. The only covers in these speakers are the two metal 15" Round Waffle Style Woofer Grille covers, so the front panel has to look its best..

[ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Just acquired a pair of JBL L96 Deltas. The only drivers that are functional are the tweeters. I checked everything else on the bench (crossovers, binding posts, etc). I found direct replacement midranges from Simply Speakers. My problem is the white 10" woofers. I ordered two GRS square frame ones from Parts Express...haven't got them yet. Is there anyone out there that re-cones AND re-foams the white woofers? Cost?

[UncompressedWAVmusic]

I bought a set of new in 1978 JBL 4311WX Control Monitors the professional version of the original JBL L100 and had the same size drivers. I still have then and they are still in perfect condition and always sounded incredible on every type of music I play on it in 2, 000 parties in 42 years. Always great a real legendary speaker still popular today. The new L100 Classic is better and cost more but worth it.

[signasmilk]

Im watching this to learn how to fix my jbls. I need to replace the tweeters and one of the large woofers. So thanks for the video.

[Sn]

I have my dad's centurys I got when he passed I just in mothballed them and I was just ranting about how horrible those binding posts were, for what was a fairly expensive speaker in the day they seem so chinsey. I remember as a kid in the early 80s picking at those quadrex grills because they were allready crumbling by then. I love those speakers my dad cherished them, my mom bought them for him in like 73 and they weren't cheap even then I understand. They still sound great and in good shape except foam is gone but he kept the grills on so the drivers are like new dust caps arnt pushed in and the woofers are still immaculate and bright white. I almost fell over when I see JBLs century l100 "classic" they recently released priced at $2000 a piece! I see These still pull down pretty good money in decent condition.

[drayhazel]

I have a pair of L 112 I bought in Germany in the 80's. Since I've owned them I've only had to re do the cones once. L 112 's are a awesome set of speakers I love my music loud and these babies perform....Love your videos.

[Bluescout]

You just earned a subscriber. I randomly came across your channel searching for video electronic restoration. The first video I saw was a Marantz tape deck restore which had a thumbnail with on of these JBLs in it. I have a pair I bought new in 1977 . I have always hated the factory wire terminals and have wanted to change them . I just have never wanted to go in cold to do that if you know what I mean. This video gives me the assurance that this is well within my doing. I originally had a Marantz 2250 receiver. I now drive them with a Onkyo P304 and M304. I love these speakers. Is there a source for the original speaker grills mine dry rotted away in the 90s. I like your style also interesting and easy to follow Jim
I obviously wrote my comment before watching the whole video. All mine questions were answered. I have the frames and badges so I just need the foam which I will replace in my original 70s orange. Any value in since I have the woofer out in cleaning or blowing dust out of the potentiometers?

[wizardrule]

Nice video, funny how things work, I actually bought a pair of those for my father back in the day I was in the Army, He played the heck out of them and when the woofer went he trashed them. If I only knew at that time about rebuilding stuff. Man what I would have today for a system.

[brianchisnell]

Fun watch! I am a happy HPM 100 owner since the late 70's so, I consider these JBL's the enemy!! Lol. I Never understood the waffle grills, the foam around the tweeters. What I can say is, the Pioneer HPM 100's have never needed ANY repair. I know they were an upgrade to the L100's. Would love to do a side by side demo for my ears. How do they stack up in your opinion?? Cheers!

[cdev]

Love your work and videos very inspiring. Was wondering why you would not redo the crossovers while you were in there and at least deoxit the pots?

[FluxCondenser]

Nice overview and refresh on these classics.

[williamjver]

Thanks for all of the awesome tutorials. I appreciate how you invest your time and knowledge to help others. Thanks.