Cutting-Edge Nostalgia on Sale
Is the JBL L100 Classic for you?
Jeff Dorgay says, "You either get this, or you don't. I don't mean it in a bad way."
First released in 1970, the JBL L100 became the bestselling loudspeaker in JBL's history. The reissue was released in 2018, and the JBL L100 Classic quickly became a must-have for "burned out hippies," as Kevin would put it, and also highly recommended to anyone looking for a rock 'n' roll speaker that's no end of fun. In fact, Jeff Dorgay of TONE, who reviewed the L100 Classic on the end of PrimaLuna EVO 400 monoblocks, wrote, "If you want a pair of speakers that really rock, get the JBLs. You either get this, or you don't. I don't mean it in a bad way."
Don't worry if you don't get it; that's why we're here!
The Rock 'n' Roll Speaker
The L100 Classic qualifies as a rock 'n' roll or fun speaker because it projects a sound that's warm and—you'll see these words a lot—"big and bold."
This nostalgic sound signature is built into the very driver array and materials. The L100's three-way design uses a big 5" coated pulp midrange and a 12" pure pulp woofer. That's a big woofer by any standards but is massive these days, especially since pulp, considered stiff in the 1970s, is pretty flexible compared with modern material choices.
A cutting-edge "audiophile" speaker would use hyper-stiff drivers made of space-age materials and most likely prefer two or more smaller woofers, say 8", over one large one. After all, a bigger driver is harder to start and stop accurately and flexes more as it pushes against the air. But also, a bigger driver launches a bigger bubble of air and has a presence and weight to it that's unmistakable.
With a big, relatively flexible driver, you get a warmer, rounder tone that is technically less accurate but is a lot of fun to listen to because it sounds like bass and feels like bass. (With live music, you rarely listen to a band and think, "nice bass." It's just a part of the sonic signature because of how fast and uncompressed it is.)
The Floorstanding Bookshelf
Though dubbed a bookshelf speaker, the L100 Classic is better thought of as a "stand-mount floorstander," and getting JBL's excellent matching metal stands is strongly recommended. Not only do they lift the speakers off the floor, but they also rake them back a bit for better tweeter dispersion.
With their big sound, the L100s are easy to place and exceptionally well suited to spaces you want to fill with music. They are not an outdoor speaker but are fantastic at sending sound around a yard through open doors or windows.
They are also beautifully suited to a warmer, retro-modern system that occupies pride of place in a living room without dominating it. Just add a JBL SA750 amp, and you'll have the perfect pairing, visually and sonically. It'll be 1970 again but with clean air and Qobuz.
The JBL L100 Classic sale is on until August 31. What if you liked everything you just read about the L100 but want a true bookshelf-size speaker or want to come in at a lower price? Check out the L82 on sale until September 4.
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JBL L100 Classic (each) Was $2200, On Sale Now $1760 |
JBL L82 Classic Loudspeaker (pair) Was $2750, On Sale Now $2200 |
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JBL JS-120 (pair) $330.00 |
JBL SA750 $3000, Open Box On Sale at $2550 |
Catch Cabasse at Pacific Audio Fest!
Still warm from T.H.E. Show, our Cabasse Rialto system will travel up the coast to Pacific Audio Fest in Seattle June 23 to 25.
Come be amazed by these all-in-one active bookshelf speakers, the "just add music" system that has blown away hi-fi enthusiasts, audio journalists, and industry veterans at AXPONA and T.H.E. Show.
At both shows, the Cabasse Rialto was the punch nobody saw coming. Both weekends, we watched people leave the Cabasse demo room shaking their heads in awe, excited or shocked, or even troubled that such a small all-in-one speaker system could play with so much scale, detail, and room-filling authority.
At AXPONA, Ken Micallef of Stereophile gave these "amazing speakers" a very positive shoutout in his show coverage. Rialto also impressed folks at The Absolute Sound, who gave it the 'Best Sound for the Money' award for AXPONA 2023. And when customers found out this wasn't just a speaker but everything you needed to make music, more than a few Rialtos were sold on the spot.
See you in Seattle!
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| Cabasse Rialto |
POW! An Unbeatable Trade-In Offer
Until September 30, Balanced Audio Technology is getting you upwardly BAT-mobile, giving you an incomparable chance to enter the world of ultra-high-end tube audio.
Trade in your old stereo electronics (including CD players and turntables) for any new BAT product and could receive the full original retail price as a trade-in value!
Let's say you bought your current integrated amp for $4,800, and you want the phenomenal BAT VK-80i (pictured above), priced at $11,995. As long as your current product is in good working condition, has no major cosmetic issues, and has the original packaging and accessories, you will receive 100% of the retail price towards your purchase!
To get all the details, send a BAT-Signal to our sales crew on website chat, via email (info@upscaleaudio.com), or call 909-931-9686.
New Video with Kevin Deal: The Western Electric 300B Vacuum Tube
The tube Kevin has hunted for high and low and thought he'd never see again is being made right here in the US! Western Electric revived production of the 300B in 1997 and, in 2017, moved to a modern facility where they produce this legendary triode.
The WE 300B is a piece of great audio history that's still utterly relevant because of its wonderful sound. Modern manufacturing practices assure tight tolerances and outstanding consistency, and all tubes are factory tested and matched by Western Electric.
We're Open on Saturdays
The Upscale Audio store at 2058 Wright Avenue in La Verne is open on Saturdays from 9 to 5. We will be running with a smaller crew, and there are a couple of important things to note:
1) As with all other days, you'll need to call ahead and set up an appointment for a specific demo. If you decide to drop by, you won't be turned away, but your auditions will be limited to our headphone station and—only if the rooms are free—whatever systems we already have set up.
2) The warehouse will be closed, so if you need to pick up something, please call ahead, and we'll ensure we bring it over by Friday. If you buy something while you're here, it might be cheaper to ship it! After all, shipping is free above $49, and you'll save a little on La Verne city tax. Unless you live in La Verne...
Please call 909.931.9686 to make a demo appointment.
