JBL C50 Olympus (Early 1960s)

Name: JBL C50 Olympus
Brand: JBL

The C50 Olympus was JBL's top-of-the-line speaker of the early 1960s. It was a large-format two-way system that shared its driver heritage with the legendary Hartsfield. It paired a 15-inch LE15A woofer with a 375 compression driver on a 2395 radial horn with a diffuser lens, all in a vented (bass-reflex) enclosure with a large front port. The LX-5 crossover network splits the signal at 1200 Hz. Bart Locanthi designed it, and it was part of JBL's Studio Monitor series, though JBL marketed it to high-end home users as well as professionals.

These specs are consistently documented across multiple sources: frequency response of 30-20,000 cps (Hz), sensitivity of 96 dB at 1 watt/1 meter, 16-ohm impedance, and 50 watts program power capacity. Dimensions are commonly listed as 38″ H × 25″ W × 19″ D. The finish was walnut or painted. The "Olympus" name references the Greek mythological home of the gods.

The C50 sat above the smaller C34 and drew heavily from the Hartsfield's design, with the same driver and horn family. Sources differ on exactly how it related to the Hartsfield in the lineup. It was also cited as JBL's answer to competitors like the Altec 605A and Electro-Voice Patrician. It saw real use in recording studios including Motown and Muscle Shoals, not just living rooms. Owner reports describe incredible dynamics and clarity, with the ability to play loud at low distortion, but also say it is unforgiving of poor recordings. Some owners find the crossover a bit bright with certain amplifiers and recommend recapping the LX-5 network.

A classified ad in Audio (September 1982, p.76) listed a C50 Olympus with S8R at $1,400. That is a period data point for how these held value nearly two decades after introduction.

The record has some gaps. Exact production start and end years aren't confirmed, and no original price has surfaced. Sources also disagree on weight (82, 95, or ~100 lbs) and crossover slope (12 vs. 18 dB/octave), so those figures are omitted here rather than guessed.

Known specs:

- 2-way system: 15″ LE15A woofer + 375 compression driver on 2395 horn

- LX-5 crossover at 1200 Hz

- Frequency response: 30–20,000 Hz

- Sensitivity: 96 dB @ 1W/1m

- Impedance: 16 ohms

- Power: 50 watts program

- Vented (bass-reflex) enclosure, large front port

- 38″ H × 25″ W × 19″ D

Common issues collectors run into: the LX-5 crossover capacitors degrade with age, the 2395 horn's diffuser lens can crack, LE15A surrounds are prone to dry rot, and the walnut veneer chips easily. Parts are still available through JBL's professional parts department, and the LE15A and 375 show up used regularly.