JBL 6290 (1983–1985)
The JBL 6290 is a professional power amplifier. JBL made it from 1983 to 1985 and sold it for $1,295. It puts out 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms, which is enough headroom to drive serious PA or monitor systems. Frequency response is rated at ±0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Input sensitivity is +4 dBm, the standard pro-audio line level.
The unit measures 17.5" × 5.25" × 15.5". That is standard 19-inch rack width minus the handles, in a 3U chassis. Past those basics, documentation is thin. A period review in DB Magazine (March 1986, p.35) describes the adjacent JBL 6230 as a two-channel, 110 watt amplifier with a power bandwidth of 20 Hz-20 kHz.
If you have one, the known specs are:
- Power: 250W @ 8Ω, 400W @ 4Ω
- Frequency response: ±0.5 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Input sensitivity: +4 dBm
- Dimensions: 17.5" × 5.25" × 15.5"
- Production: 1983–1985
- Original price: $1,295
Weight, THD figures, and circuit topology aren't documented in the sources available to the Archive. If you own a 6290 and can fill in those blanks, the Archive would like to hear from you.
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