JBL L82 Classic - Retro in Style But Not in Sound

In the recent months, the trend seems to be towards revival of old classics. From amps to speakers, there seems to be much love towards the yesteryears hifi. While most audiophiles opt to find the original vintage gear and refurbish it if required, there are the ones who prefer to indulge in new but old hifi equipment. JBL have definitely came up with a revival that will please a huge number of fans of their old classic L100 and now the smaller version L82 speakers.

After the launch event a few weeks ago, the L82 speakers landed at my place for a review. Impressed by the big brother L100 during the launch, I just had to give a go on this smaller unit. The L100, although sounds great, I believe it might be too big for my living room. Audio Visual Designs was kind enough to have me listen to these babies for about 3 weeks.

The speakers came with a matching stands that was designed to project the sound at a tipped angle.

THE BUILD AND SPEC

The pair came in one packaging box. While it is just about 12.7 kg each unit, I would still recommend  for 2 people to unbox and set it up. Mainly because the size is not a typical bookshelf size.

The workmanship on this speaker is of high quality. Retro it is but not the built. No sharp edges given how box-ish it is. The grille frame is also made from the same wood material as the cabinet giving it seamless look if one decide to use them while listening (I do not recommend this).

A relatively high sensitive speakers, design at 88 db, my SPL Audio 180 watter easily drives this speakers. No sign of strain at all playing at high volumes.  This 2 way speaker design comes with a 1" titanium dome tweeter and 8"pure pulp cone woofer. Of course not to forget it comes with the L pad attenuator control.

For the full specs, click HERE.

THE EQUIPMENT

1. SPL Audio Director Mk2 pre, Performer S800 power amp and Phonos
2. McIntosh MCD350 SACD player
3. Siltech 330L Anniversary speaker cable
4. Kronos Sparta TT

THE TRACKS

1. Smoked on The Water by Deep Purple on SACD
2. Sand of Time by Slumber Sonic on CD
3. Turn Me On by Norah Jones on SACD
4. Temptation by Diana Krall on LP
5. Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman on LP
6. Nothing Else Matter S&M 2 by Metallica on LP

THE SESSION

Smoked on The Water on SACD

The guitar intro on this track sounded as raw as it can be. When the drums kicked in, you can start to feel the build of this track. The bassline just completes the build up where the L82 delivered the track with such high clarity sound. The bassline sounded heavy and the drums especially the snare sounded tight and less dispersed. The shuffling of the hi hat sounded crisp and really recreated the rawness of this classic track. The guitar riffs was another highlight in which it sounded ferocious with no shrill. The vocal of course will bring you back in time to the glory days of Deep Purple.

Sand of Time 

Nowadays, no review of mine will be complete without listening to my band's track Sand of Time. Although we did not release a CD version of this singles, I did write one CD of this track. The bass intro sounded melodic and the separation from the guitar works can easily be heard through the L82. I must say at this point that the perception of the L82 (or the L100) is all about bass somehow does not really tally to my experience with this speaker. The bass produced from the L82 is far from a boom box definition. IN fact the bass to me is rather subtle and brings out more the musicality of the overall design. Iswardy's vocal was reproduced with sufficient emotion flowing through, giving flashback of our recording process. His solo also sounded energetic through the L82. The tom tom works on my drums was also clearly heard though the overall music.

Turn Me On on SACD

Call me soft but I can easily swept away by Norah Jones's Turn Me On over and over again. There is something about this song that punches through my soul and just stirs emotions like no other track of hers. Here, the L82 again presented a crystal clear vocal delivery without any ear pinching experience when she belts out certain parts of the song. The piano sounded smooth and emotional from start to the end.

Temptation on LP

Now we move to the analogue side of things. First up, Temptation by Diana Krall. The percussion intro just hit me at the right level through this L82. The double bass also sounded tight. Again, my expectation of deep diving bass is not something L82 will deliver. Instead it is more of a subtle but raw bass sound that hits quite tight into the overall musical presentation. By this 4th sampler, I must say the L82 focuses a lot on vocal presentation as well. 

Time To Say Goodbye on LP

Aha! Now comes my all time favourite track by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. I specifically used this track to reconfirm that the L82 will not give me an ear pinching experience when Sarah hits her high note. Sure enough the L82 did not disappoint me. And when it comes to Andrea's deep tone voice, it did not disappoint as well. I am starting to believe that the updated design  balances out across different spectrum of frequency. It brings out quite a performance with regards to musicality and not focusing on any particular genre of music. 

Nothing Else Matter on LP

How will the L82 fair with live concerts? Coincidently my Metallica S&M 2 arrived at the same time. Playing Else Matter was my my ultimate enjoyment with the L82. To me, it is not easy for a 2 channel hifi to deliver the concert atmosphere unless its combined with a TV set :).  James's vocal was so melodic it brought me back to the early 90s when the Black album came out. Such a classic track delivered live through the L82. The L82 delivered quite a performance by bringing up the orchestra where it matters on this track. The string works was soothing yet able to create that 'metal' atmosphere of the concert. 

THE CONCLUSION

Don't be mistaken for the L82 to give you the same experience as the L100. While it is perceived that the L82 is a bass bombarding speakers, it is actually a very natural and neutral sounding speaker. It is a fun speaker which you can just play almost any musical genre and it can give you hours of listening pleasure. And of course, if you have the matching deco, the L82 with orange grille will definitely match well. It is not for those who wants to spend hours of critical listening but more those who really want to enjoy the music as it is. I personally feel that the L82 strength is in the highs and the mids rather than the bass delivery. Sweet vocals coming out from these babies and at the same time still capable of delivering ferocious guitar and swinging basslines.

The L82 and L100 can be demo-ed at Audio Visual Designs. If you are interested to listen to them, give Tony Low a call.

Here is also another sample of a raw drum tracks through the L82 recorded live using SONY PCMD100 digital recorder.

 

Now, for this review, I also invited fellow reviewer AudioVault for a session. Here is his take:

Class act monitor sound

Natural and Detail

For the listening session,  I pick this track to test this iconic speaker.

Eric Clapton Unplugged 

Tears  In Heaven( LP)

Big natural sound that just pulls you into the MUSIC. Eric's voice sounded pleasing and easy going,

There was body and depth on the instrument like piano and guitar. Moderate soundstage and imaging, leans more towards warm, openness sound infuse with rich musical delivery. Highs have excellent extended resolution, clean and refined plus micro details.

Diana Krall 

Temptations( HiRes Files)

Diana voice really well render take me to the warmth side really nailed it. Lively and natural,well-defined tone range. The texture of vocal is rich with well placed in center.

Daft Punk

Get Lucky (LP)

I want to find bass so I play this track, Daft Punk track help me a lot to find out about bass track.

Stand out is the meaty bass, which is also tight in control of pace and timing.

Low mids had a some level of body and low bass for me a bit less of extension, fast and controlled lack though perhaps not the most impactful.

Conclusion

JBL L82 is tempting speakers but is not for all rounders. Capable in loud volume, they are full of character. Bring a wider soundstage and depth  which retaining that big full sound.

These are just lovely with zero fatigue.