JBL HLS Center
Documentation on the JBL HLS Center is thin. No production years, original pricing, or period reviews have surfaced. What the record does show comes from a single spec database, and it describes a straightforward center-channel speaker from JBL's HLS series.
The HLS Center is a 3-way acoustic suspension (sealed) design, which is a bit unusual for a center channel of its era - most competitors were ported. It pairs an 8" polypropylene woofer with a 5" titanium-laminate midrange and a 1" titanium-laminate tweeter, with crossover points at 1 kHz and 4.2 kHz. Sensitivity is rated at 89 dB with an 8-ohm nominal impedance, and it's specified to handle 15-125 watts. A 1999 HiFI-Stereo listing describes similar JBL models with titanium-laminate tweeters and 89 dB sensitivity HiFI-Stereo (1999, p.167). Frequency response is listed as 50 Hz-20 kHz. The cabinet measures 20-7/8" x 8-1/4" x 8-1/4" and weighs 16 lbs.
Known specs, as recorded:
- Type: 3-way acoustic suspension center channel
- Drivers: 8" polypropylene woofer, 5" titanium-laminate midrange, 1" titanium-laminate tweeter
- Crossover: 1 kHz / 4.2 kHz
- Frequency response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Power handling: 15 – 125 watts
- Dimensions: 20-7/8" H x 8-1/4" W x 8-1/4" D
- Weight: 16 lbs.
Beyond these figures, almost nothing is recorded. No owner reviews, no market pricing, no repair notes.
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