JBL 136A Woofer
1973-1975
The 136A was a big 15" professional woofer with an Alnico V magnet, built for the most demanding applications. It was the foundation of the L200 Studio Master system. It moved a lot of air and handled dynamics well.
Specifications
| Nominal Diameter | 15" (38cm) |
|---|---|
| Magnet Type | Alnico V |
| Voice Coil | 4" (100mm) edgewound aluminum |
| Cone Material | Reinforced paper |
| Impedance | 8 Ω / 16 Ω versions |
| Power Handling | 100W continuous |
| Frequency Response | 35 Hz - 800 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/W/m |
| Weight | 12 kg |
Key Features
- Massive Alnico V Magnet: Large Alnico magnet structure for high flux density
- 4" Voice Coil: Oversized voice coil for exceptional power handling
- High Sensitivity: 94 dB efficiency for dynamic, uncompressed sound
- Professional Grade: Built to studio monitor standards
Applications
- L200 Studio Master (1973-1975)
- Professional studio monitors
- Cinema sound systems
Historical Context
The 136A came out of JBL's professional cinema and studio monitor drivers. It had high sensitivity and low distortion, which suited the L200. The L200 was essentially a domesticated version of JBL's professional monitoring systems.
The 15" diameter gave moving area equivalent to multiple smaller woofers. That let it reproduce bass at realistic levels without strain. This "effortless" quality - the sense that the speaker isn't straining even at high volumes - became a hallmark of JBL's large-format systems.
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Documentation
- Lansing Heritage - Comprehensive JBL specifications, photos, and historical documents
- HiFi Engine - JBL manuals, service documents, and brochures
- Audio Karma JBL Forum - Community discussions and restoration guides