VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / AUDIO / JBL

JBL

From studio monitors to living rooms — the sound professionals trust

History

James B. Lansing Sound, Incorporated (JBL) was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing, the brilliant engineer who had previously founded Lansing Manufacturing Company (later part of Altec Lansing). After a dispute with Altec, Lansing started fresh with his own company. Tragically, James B. Lansing took his own life in 1949, leaving the company in the hands of his partner Bill Thomas. Under Thomas's leadership, JBL continued Lansing's legacy of innovation and quality. The 1950s saw JBL establish itself as a major force in professional audio. The company developed the iconic D130 15" full-range driver and the 075 bullet tweeter. JBL components became standards in movie theaters, recording studios, and concert sound systems. The 1960s brought legendary studio monitors including the 4320, 4310, and 4343. These monitors used compression drivers on horns combined with large woofers to deliver accurate, high-output sound. The L100 Century (1970) brought JBL's professional heritage to consumers, becoming the best-selling speaker of the 1970s. The 1970s and 1980s saw JBL expand its consumer lineup with models like the L65 Jubal, L112, L150, and the ultimate L300 Summit. The company also continued to dominate professional audio with cinema and studio monitors. Today, JBL is part of Harman International (a Samsung company) and remains a leader in both professional and consumer audio.

Key Facts

FactDetail
Founded1946, Los Angeles, California
FounderJames B. Lansing
Professional LegacyHollywood studios, concerts, cinemas
Best SellerL100 Century (best-selling 1970s speaker)
Driver InnovationCompression drivers, titanium tweeters
Current StatusPart of Harman International

Legendary Products

JBL L100 Century (1970)

The best-selling speaker of the 1970s. The L100 used a 12" woofer, 5" midrange, and 1" tweeter in a compact sealed enclosure. The distinctive foam grille (available in black, blue, or orange) became an icon of the era.

JBL 4310 / 4311 (1960s-1970s)

Studio monitors that became the reference standard for recording studios worldwide. These monitors used compression drivers on horns for highs, delivering exceptional detail and dynamics.

JBL 4343 (1970s)

A four-way studio monitor that represented the pinnacle of JBL's monitor design. The 4343 used a 15" woofer, 10" lower midrange, compression driver on horn for upper midrange, and ring radiator tweeter.

JBL L300 Summit (1970s)

The ultimate consumer JBL speaker. The L300 used a 15" woofer, 5" midrange with horn, and bullet tweeter in a massive enclosure. It brought true studio-monitor performance to the home.

Classic Models Reference

ModelEraTypeDriversKey Features
D1301950sFull-Range15"Iconic driver
L100 Century1970Bookshelf12"+5"+1"Best-selling 70s
L65 Jubal1970sFloor12"+5"+1"L100 in tower
L1121980sBookshelf12"+5"+1"Updated L100
L1501980sFloor12"+5"+1"+10"With passive rad
L300 Summit1970sFloor15"+5"+1"Ultimate JBL
43101960sMonitor12"+5"+1"Studio classic
43111970sMonitor12"+5"+1"Updated 4310
43201960sMonitor15"+ hornBig monitor
43431970sMonitor15"+10"+horn+ring4-way reference
43501970sMonitorDual 15"Dual woofer
24051970sTweeterRing radiatorUltrasonic tweets

Sound Signature

JBL speakers are characterized by: - Dynamic punch - High efficiency, high output - Horn clarity - Detailed, present upper frequencies - Full bass - Large woofers provide powerful lows - Studio heritage - Accurate, revealing sound - Efficiency - Driven easily by modest amplification

Collecting JBL

Vintage JBL gear is highly sought after: - L100 Century - The iconic 1970s speaker - 4310/4311 monitors - Studio legends - L300 Summit - Ultimate consumer JBL - Professional drivers - 2231, 2220, 2420, 2405 - Original grilles - Foam griles in good condition rare Most collectible models: - L100 Century - The classic - L300 Summit - The ultimate - 4343 - Studio reference - Early 4310 - First studio monitors

Restoration Tips

Common JBL service items: - Replace foam surrounds (L100, L112, etc.) - Replace foam grilles (reproductions available) - Recone 15" woofers if needed - Replace diaphragms in compression drivers - Update crossover capacitors - Refinish cabinets

Competitors & Comparisons

JBL vs Altec: Sister companies; similar heritage JBL vs Klipsch: Both efficient horn designs; JBL more studio focus JBL vs EV: Similar pro audio heritage; JBL more refined

All Models in Archive (146)

033 TweeterUnknown
044 TweeterUnknown
066 TweeterUnknown
122A WooferUnknown
123A WooferUnknown
128H WooferUnknown
136A WooferUnknown
2118H MidrangeUnknown
2123H MidrangeUnknown
2202H MidUnknown
2204H WooferUnknown
2205H WooferUnknown
2206H WooferUnknown
2213H WooferUnknown
2220H WooferUnknown
2225H WooferUnknown
2226H WooferUnknown
2235H WooferUnknown
2241H SubwooferUnknown
2245H WooferUnknown
2301 Acoustic LensUnknown
2307 / 2308 Horn & LensUnknown
2307Unknown
2390 BiUnknown
2391 / 2392 Horn & Lens AssembliesUnknown
2395 BiUnknown
2405 Slot Tweeter (UHF Driver)Unknown
240TI1977
2420 Compression DriverUnknown
2441 Compression DriverUnknown
250TI1979
250TIBQ1975
4301B Broadcast Monitor1979
4301B1975
4310 Control Monitor1968
43101970
4311 Control Monitor1971
43111971
4311B Control Monitor1976
4311B1975
4312 Control Monitor1975
4312B Control Monitor1980
4312B1974
4313 Control Monitor1976
43131975
4313B Control Monitor1980
4315 Control Monitor1977
4315B Control Monitor1980
4315B1975
4320 Control Studio Monitor1968
43201970
4331 Studio Monitor1977
4331B Studio Monitor1980
4331B1976
4333 Studio Monitor1977
43331975
4333B Studio Monitor1980
4333B1977
4343 Four1978
43431975
4343B Four1980
4343B1978
4344 Flagship Four-Way Studio Monitor1982
43441975
4345 Ultimate Large Format Monitor1979
43451973
4350 Legendary Large Studio Monitor1975
4350B Legendary Large Studio Monitor1979
4350B1975
4355 The Legendary King of Studio Monitors1981
43551977
44011978
44081975
44101974
44351974
5234A
D1301968
E120 WooferUnknown
E140 WooferUnknown
240TI High1982
250TI Flagship Tower Loudspeaker1983
250TIBQ Limited Edition Tower Loudspeaker1985
4430 Professional Studio Monitor1981
4435 Studio Monitor1985
L45A Flair1973
L45B Flair1973
L45C Flair1975
L55A-LANCER1975
L65B-JUBAL1976
L75 Minuet1960-present
Jubal
L100 Century1970
L100A1978
L101 Lancer1977
L1101974
L110A1975
L1121972
L151973
L1501972
L150A1974
L166 Horizon1977
L1661976
L191975
L200 Studio Master1972
L200 Studio Monitor1973
L200A Studio Master1971
L200A1974
L200B1974
L2121978
L2201972
L220A1976
L222 Disco1977
L2501982
L26 Decade1976
L300 Summit1975
L3001978
L36 Decade1977
L361974
L401978
L45A1972
L45C1972
L461970
L501972
L55 Lancer1971
L55A1974
L65A1972
L65B1973
L71 Verona1971
L71A1975
L88-11975
L961985
LE10A WooferUnknown
LE15 WooferUnknown
LE20 TweeterUnknown
LE25 TweeterUnknown
LE5Unknown
LE851969
LE8TUnknown
S105 Aquarius I1971
S1051972
S106 Aquarius II1970
S1061975
S701976
S99 Athena1989
SA660 Integrated Amplifier1969
SC99 Athena1991
Models

Speakers

Amplifiers

Drivers

Speakers

VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / 03-16-2026 / FEEDBACK