John
Teased at Tokyo’s TIAS event last November (and mentioned in a Darko.Audio recent podcast), HARMAN subsidiary JBL has formally launched their L82 Classic loudspeaker at CES 2020.
The new model is a 2-way reduction on the 3-way L100 Classic (review here). One that maintains its bigger brother 70s styling – Quadrex foam grilles (available in three colours) and a satin walnut veneered cabinet – but reduces the loudspeaker’s overall dimensions to a more manageable size (472.8mm x 281mm x 296mm) and drops the L100 Classic’s middle driver.
The L82 Classic also sees its cast-framed ‘pure pulp’ mid/bass driver’s diameter lowered to eight inches (from the L100 Classic’s twelve). Bass reflexing outputs via a front-mounted tuned Slipstream port. Handling the uppermost frequencies, we note the same arrangement in the L82 Classic as its forerunner: a wave-guided 1″ titanium tweeter with L-pad attenuator.
Efficiency on the L82 Classic clocks in at 88db via a nominal 6 Ohm impedance. Despite these looking like 1970s loudspeakers, they contain modern-day crossover technology.
Perhaps the biggest change is to price: the L82 Classic will sell for US$2500 per mirrored pair, a full US$1500 lower than the L100 Classic. However, potential buyers should also factor in the cost of the matching JS80 stands that will sell for US$250/pair.
Shipping begins in April 2020.
Further information: JBL Synthesis
