JBL L88 Nova (1969)
The L88 Nova was JBL's top bookshelf model in the Nova series, introduced in 1969 as the successor to the earlier L88. It's a three-way, bass-reflex design in an oiled walnut cabinet. It was well-regarded enough that High-Fidelity (August 1968, p.40) reviewed it in its first year, praising the clean, effortless sound and noting it plays louder than its size would suggest.
The drivers are a 12-inch LE-14A woofer, a 5-inch LE-5 midrange, and a 2.25-inch LE-25 tweeter, with crossover points at 1.5 kHz and 6.5 kHz. The midrange and tweeter both have L-pad level controls on the front, and the grille is removable. There are two pairs of input terminals, which allows bi-amplifier hookup. That was a forward-looking feature for 1969. The cabinet measures 21 x 15.75 x 12 inches and weighs 42 pounds.
The L88 Nova is rated at 8 ohms with 91 dB sensitivity. It handles 40 watts continuous and 80 watts peak. Frequency response is listed at 38 Hz - 15 kHz (±5 dB). It sold for $159 each at introduction.
Known specs:
- Three-way, bass-reflex bookshelf speaker
- 12" LE-14A woofer, 5" LE-5 midrange, 2.25" LE-25 tweeter
- Crossover: 1.5 kHz / 6.5 kHz
- Frequency response: 38 Hz–15 kHz (±5 dB)
- Impedance: 8 ohms · Sensitivity: 91 dB/W/m
- Power: 40W continuous / 80W peak
- Dual input terminals for bi-amping
- Oiled walnut cabinet, removable grille
- 21 x 15.75 x 12 in · 42 lb · $159 each (1969)
Two age-related problems are common. The LE-14A's foam surround eventually dry-rots, which is a standard refoam job, and the crossover's electrolytic capacitors can drift out of spec. The L-pads may also get scratchy with age. All of these are routine repairs.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- JBL 075
- JBL 077
- JBL 120Ti
- JBL 124A
- JBL 124H
- Braun AUDIO-1 (1965)
- Braun AUDIO-250 (1965)
- Magnavox Component Systems (1972)
- Acoustic Research AR (1967-1976)
- Acoustic Research 11