REVIEW SHOP SHARE LEARN
JBL L3
JBL L3
MSRP: $

More Products from JBL >>
Search AudioReview forums for the JBL L3 >>
   
Top Ranked Products from JBL.
JBL 2241gh
Rated: 5 of 5
JBL MRV 310
Rated: 5 of 5
JBL HP82B
Rated: 5 of 5
JBL HP8B
Rated: 5 of 5
 |  Sorted by Latest Review |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> |  View All >>
Rating
Reviewed by:

audioguru

(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
February 15, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 12

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
ok, I found a pair of these speakers on craigslist for $120. I quickly went to audioreview to see the reviews There were several very positive reviews from folks that had experience with some serious audioproducts. Still, it was kind of hard to believe. There was also a bad review, but it was so bad, i had to discount it.

Anyway, i bought the speakers and the guy who demo'd them had them hooked up to a 30 watt amplifier and he also had bunch of strange equipment. I was less than impressed. Also, it was off putting that the speakers came with a cheap plastic base.

well, i got them home and i agree with several reviewers that said this speaker doesn't do anything really incredibly, but it does everything very well (well, mostly) and the overall presentation snatched my rapt attention. i usually play some music in the background, but when i put several discs on this, the music became center stage.

it is great with subtle sounds, it's great at giving each instrument it's own "space" in the soundstage. I would say all of the songs sounded "decompressed" and "unfolded" like the music was literally blooming out of the speakers. the imaging was great, i got the impression that the music was moving back and forth and hanging in the air in the way the artists intended.

some things this speaker does, doesn't sound right. but the vast majority of what it does, comes through so authentically, that it makes you question if the speaker is wrong, or the original recording.

In any event, these are the speakers i will use (i also have vandersteen's and klipsch) when i have non-audiophile friend come by and i want to blow them away.

in all respects, an absolute steal for $120. there's magic in these speakers.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:

dogboy_from_nz

(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
June 3, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 2 of 12

Price Paid:  $0.00 from tonezone matamata ne

Summary:
I have had the JBL L3's for some 10 years now. Used to run them with a 75watt Yamaha amp, but now use a 100w yamaha. These speakers have amazing depth and clarity and friends who visit can't believe they are 10 years old. Amazing speakers for thier strenght and long lasting quality. Since upgrading to full surround, I thought may have to change, but to my delight they are flawless for home theater. At the moment they are placed a little to close to the walls, and can get a boomy effect on low bass notes, but thats where the wife says have to be. To get the best out of these speakers they need loads of power ( I still need more) and placement makes big differeneces in sound. I listen to a variety of music and dvd from thrash metal to opera, these babies are great for everything and when you hear quality recording through these you will be blown away.

Strengths:
quality build keep going and going and going

Weaknesses:
none really, but placement makes a big difference to sound quality

Similar Products Used:
paradigm, polk


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Richard75
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
March 18, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 3 of 12

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
These speakers are the bomb! I run them with harman/kardon citation 21 & 22 and give them the ampere they want to produce awsome sound. The accuracy, live and well balanced sound makes you wanna listen more and more. You don''t need a sub to feel the low bass cause the L3''s take care of everything. I had a pair of L5''s before and they didn''t sound as good as the L3. I even have a pair of L1''s and they are very good to but lack a bit when it comes to very low bass....but they produce a very satisfying sound with it''s 6,5" bass element. I love JBL and especially the L3''s....

Strengths:
The JBL L3 capability to sound so live and play the "whole sound picture"!

Weaknesses:
None!!!

Similar Products Used:
JBL L5, L1. (Tried some speakers in the TLX and LX series too..)


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
binoj matthew
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
August 31, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 4 of 12

Price Paid:  $500.00 from circuit city

Summary:
I've compared it to $1800 speakers from Energy's top-of-the-line Veritas series......and they don't even come close. I'm in the hunt for speakers for a second system that I am creating and so I've been auditioning quite a few systems. My respect for these old war-horses grows every time I hear some of the overpriced nonsense that's out there. So much is made based on "name". Hook these up to a good amp or a receiver thats capable of driving 'em (>100 watts..continuously) and you'll get a very satisfying sound. Couple these to a reasonable sub and you'll be blown away.

Strengths:
For the price, hard to beat. Very hardy......and they look beautiful.

Weaknesses:
The bass leaves you a little short.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Ray b
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
March 12, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 5 of 12

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Rod Wilson Furn

Summary:


I use mine as surrounds. Believe me they would also make an excellent Main.Specs. 35HZ to 27KHZ impressive especially for a two way speaker with a 8 inch sub.Guaranteed to blow any surround speaker off the face of the earth.

Strengths:
Built to last attractive Hi End Sound

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
L5 Fronts PB12 sub


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Next 5 Reviews >>

Popular Floorstanding Speakers

more...

Latest and Greatest

Marantz SA-7S1 and Cary 306 Professional CD/SACD Players

Review of the wonderful Marantz SA-7S1 and Mini-Review tease of the Cary 306 Professional CD/SACD Players

Emotiva ERC-1 CD Player Review

The ERC-1 CD player is in a class by itself for price/performance.

IMAX: How to Ruin a Great Product

Unfortunately, it seems that IMAX has embarked on an expansion strategy that risks watering down a premium brand that took 40 years to establish.

Axiom Millennia M60 Ti

Yes, Axiom speakers are as good as you have read about.

Magnepan Magneplanar MG 1.6 User Review

In my judgment the advantage of the MG 1.6 (and other Magneplars), stems from the following: = It is a full-range dipole, and = It has uses low-mass, planar drivers for the whole audio spectrum. These attributes account for its extraordinary clarity, coherence, “air”...

News & Reviews

Submit Content Here
Come join the community. Comment on the blogs.
Sony and NetFlix jump in the same tub
NETFLIX ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SONY ELECTRONIaq: NFLX) the world’s largest online movie rental service, today announced a partnership [...]   more...

Onkyo A-5VL and C-5VL SACD and amp combo
Onkyo has released a SACD/Amp Combo aimed at audind allows for bi-wiring. The cost for the A-5VL and C-5VL combo is around £350. read some more [...]   more...

Used Gear Wednesday - Don’t Pass It Up!
Did you know that audioREVIEW has a classifieds sals and gear from it. Every Wednesday we’ll select classifieds to highlight all over the [...]   more...

Hi-fi Home Theater Speakers Meets Abstarct Modern Art
This beauty, 42 inches long, is designed to fit “artistic” speakers and the normal design can be found here at bornrich.org.  Even [...]   more...

Marantz SA-7S1 and Cary 306 Professional CD/SACD Players Review
I had just about given up on CDs. There were somem like second class citizens. Sure they have a place in the audio landscape, but for enjoying [...]   more...