I don't know anything regarding the L82 or L100 Classic need for subwoofer support; however, I do know my L100t3's do need it for me to feel the lowest octaves. It adds feeling to dance music and movies. It's just a JBL B380.
Since we mention 30cm woofer speakers in this thread, here's a new, quite interesting one: Elipson unveils Heritage XLS15: retro-fabulous looking loudspeakers | What Hi-Fi? https://en.elipson.com/product-page/heritage-xls-15
While googling for a review, another one showed up, 38cm woofer, sorry for the offtopic: https://en.eltax.com/product-page/vintage-pwr-1959
so temped with these now JBL's limited edition L100 Classic 75 | Darko.Audio my Kef reference 2 20 year old floorstanders are probably in a different class but these are so tempting
They are very attractive; yet, for me, I would buy the 4429's if I had that kind of money to spend. Someone said the 4429's were discontinued but I see that they're still on the JBL site.
The L82 is at the top of my short-list to audition for replacements for my Denton 80th's. My positioning is rather "fixed" in that I only have plans to put them on the corners of this hearth, w/o the coordinating stands as that'd make them too tall for seated listening. It's an odd location, while not really up against a "wall", they will be very close to the stone even though it disappears around the corner. My concern is that being too close to the stone will cause the punchy bass of the L82's to become boomy and less precise, or worse. Albeit they are front ported speakers, I've read they still do best with some space (JBL recommends 20") from the front wall. Any of you owners with ears-on experience see this compromised position as a deal-breaker for the L82's? Listening in my own space will be the true test, just curious what others have as insight and experience on the matter. Thanks!
Yeah, they look fine, but my cousin had a pair (the originals) and though I'd call them "adequate," to me they were not impressive. Not long after he got those I did buy a pair of JBL L65's (aka Jubals). It was also a 3-way, but floor-standing (though not particularly large). Liked those much better, especially the tweeter. Sorry I ever sold them but then again, I feel that way about several components I sold; however, ya can't keep everything. (BTW, the guy that bought my L65's is still running 'em.)
A few people have mentioned how they felt the originals didn't sound good. I've never heard the originals but think it's worth mentioning that the reissued L100's are (obviously) not the same as the originals. The reissue measures relatively well, including the L82. The one descriptor I've read in various reviews of both the L100 and L82 that gets my attention is, "fun". Even critics who slight them for not being well-rounded or detailed enough, have admitted that the new L100's and L82's just make you want to keep listening to music. That is a ringing endorsement to this music lover. I'm excited to give the L82's an audition in my house.
The tabs are a bummer. Another reviewer said it well, "not everything has to be retro". Magnets would have been choice. Especially since a lot of listeners will be enjoying these with the grills off and subjecting themselves to those unsightly nubs.
A new chapter in my "Classic" journey... I became tired of the flamboyance of the orange and blue grilles, and started making arrangements to look at other speakers entirely. I've always had a "curiosity" about another model. Because I do like the sound of the L100s, I decided to try the black grilles to neutralize things a bit before venturing down that road. When I applied them I noticed, "Wow. The trim on these grilles are really brown. I wonder if JBL just made them darker for whatever reason". Then, I removed my late father-in-law's cap from the RH speaker...Here Comes The Sun. Since April 2020, the sun has de-colored the speaker quite a bit. Bill left his mark on me, and my speakers (see spot)! I never really noticed this was occurring before my eyes. The good part is, I like the speakers. I like the black grilles. You really can't see anything unless you're directly atop the speaker. The "bad": I basically lost most, or all of my future trade value. Good thing I basically like them! blacks by jbl top by
Interesting. I still display my late Father-In-Law's Ohio State Buckeye cap btw I have both the dark brown and orange grills
You need to try them in your space, but my L82 have just the right balance of bass even if I shove them against the wall, being front ported will mitigate most bass related problems you may have in your space. P.S I love my L82's more each day, they just make music sound so good!
Bought a pair of Wharfedale Lintons near the end of 2020 and I couldn't get them to sound less boomy (YMMV) in my room setup as I can't really move them out in to the room due to space limitations. Also way too warm for my taste. I ended up returning them and getting JBL L82. I love them but I am familiar with the JBL sound as my previous speakers were JBLs and have come to really like the synergy between my McIntosh integrated amp and JBL speakers. I realize this is the L100 thread but I see some comments about L82s.