Kevin recreates a famous advertisement that wasn't for JBL, but is well remembered for featuring it.
Just 800 pairs worldwide, but fear not, we got a big shipment.
If there ever was an iconic "S is for speaker" speaker, it would be the JBL L100. When Maxell released its famous "blown away" campaign (re-created by Kevin above), the cassette tape company might have reconsidered its choice of speaker if it knew that the ads would be better remembered for featuring the JBL L100 Century than for the product it was selling.
The L100 is so central to the JBL brand that the Northridge, CA, company is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a limited edition version called the Classic 80. With the traditional L100's immediately recognizable bright orange grille, JBL has chosen a more muted color scheme for the celebrations. Check out the beautiful oak wood veneer enclosure complemented by a brown Quadrex foam grille accented with a gold-and-black JBL logo and black satin wood frame. There are anniversary edition badges on the front and rear, and a commemorative numbered plaque with the signature of the principal system engineer, Chris Hagen. The L100 Classic 80 is sold as a matched pair system and includes a set of JS-150 floor stands. The entire system ships inside a specially crafted wooden crate.
The L100's three-way design and 12" woofer both date it and make it highly desirable.
The L100 in 2026 and Beyond
Most of us would agree that richly grained wood veneer never goes out of style. However, a couple of aspects of the L100 have largely fallen out of style, so you should make sure you know exactly what kind of loudspeaker you are getting. We believe that the L100's three-way design and heavy 12" woofer both date it, and make it highly desirable in today's market of lean, mean loudspeakers.
Small Enclosure Three-Ways
You'll notice that few standmounts these days (even ones as large as the L100) are three-way. Modern materials allow for a "mid/bass" driver that can play low frequencies while staying stable into surprisingly high frequencies. This means the cost-savings of one less driver and the coherence-savings of one less crossover point. However, stop and think about the air-moving ability of a rock band, jazz quartet, or even a couple of acoustic instruments at a party. By having more drivers cover the frequency range, the L100 has an immediacy and engagement that's hard to find with more "audiophile" designs.
That 12" Woofer
Another modern loudspeaker trend has been to replace, say, a heavy 12" woofer with two 6" ones. The lighter cones and lower excursion for a given frequency mean that bass is now quick and "agile". But bass in the real world is both agile and heavy and chest-thumping. Many of these multi-woofer setups lose the impact of deep bass while chasing speed. The L100's big woofer may not track a bass line quite as quickly, but it immediately reminds you that bass reproduction is serious work, bringing back the rumble in your chest cavity that's so exciting about live music.
Who Is It For?
Those of you who know and love the L100 will already know if you're going to get the Classic 80. Perhaps you're replacing the pair of classic L100's you've had since 1983, bought after seeing that Maxell ad. Or, you have a full-tower, multi-woofered monster main rig and want to put together a system that's just great fun from source to speaker.
If you're new to the whole L100 canon, keep in mind that this is a speaker for the fan of steel bicycles in the age of carbon fiber; 1970s sports cars in the age of paddle shifts and electronic driver aids; and mechanical watches in a time where there's a clock nearly everywhere you look. It's a truly great speaker with a lot of character, making it one of those designs that every music lover needs to own at some point.
Don't miss the Kevin Deal's video on the L100 Classic 80!
After years of the instantly recognizable orange grille, JBL has gone with a more muted anniversary celebration.