JBL Hartsfield (1954–1960)
A horn-loaded loudspeaker kit designed by Bart N. Locanthi, celebrated in the 1950s as a high-fidelity breakthrough for home audio.
Overview
The JBL Hartsfield was a high-end horn-loaded loudspeaker system sold as a kit between 1954 and 1960. Designed by Bart N. Locanthi, it represented a bold step in bringing true high fidelity into domestic spaces during the early stereo era. Marketed toward modern, style-conscious buyers—often described as fitting for "Space Age bachelor pads"—the Hartsfield stood out as much for its striking presence as for its sonic ambition. In the 1950s, Life magazine called it the "dream speaker," underscoring its aspirational status among audiophiles and designers alike. While it could be purchased assembled, allowing technically inclined users to build and customize the system themselves.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | JBL |
| Product type | horn-loaded loudspeaker system sold as a kit |
| Production years | 1954 to 1960 |
| Original price | $699 for the kit in 1956; $933 assembled in 1956 |
| Designer | Bart N. Locanthi |
| Drivers included | 15-inch LE15A woofer, 375 midrange compression driver with 537-500 horn, 075 ring radiator tweeter |
| Crossover frequencies | 500 Hz, 3500 Hz |
| System impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB SPL at 1 watt/1 meter |
| Dimensions | 28 inches high by 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep |
| Weight | 100 lbs |
| Options | "Hartsfield Jr" driver system offered for $399 |
Design
The Hartsfield used a horn-loaded design and was sold as a kit, reflecting JBL’s commitment to high-efficiency acoustic engineering and DIY audio culture of the 1950s. No further details about cabinet materials, crossover components, or internal construction are documented in available sources.
Context
The JBL Hartsfield was hailed as a pioneering speaker that brought true high fidelity into the home. Its futuristic image and powerful sound and it was notably marketed toward the modern, design-forward living spaces of the 1950s—what were then called "Space Age bachelor pads." The endorsement by Life magazine, which dubbed it the "dream speaker," cemented its cultural status as a symbol of audio innovation and mid-century aspiration.
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