JBL N38 (2000)

Overview

The JBL N38 is a bookshelf-type speaker system from JBL's North Ridge series, released in 2000. Designed to bring professional JBL sound performance into the home, it features a 3-way, 3-speaker configuration with magnetic protection and a bass reflex enclosure. The system uses a 20 cm cone-type woofer, a 10 cm dome-type midrange driver, and a 1.9 cm dome-shaped tweeter with a titanium-laminated diaphragm. It was built with thermal management in mind, incorporating a heatscape structure in the magnetic circuit to improve input resistance by efficiently releasing voice coil heat. The bass reflex port uses a free flow design to optimize airflow and eliminate port breathing, while the tweeter is mounted on a unique elliptical curved surface (EOS) shorthorn baffle for wider dispersion and precise stereo imaging.

Specifications

Model Rating Method	3-way, 3-speaker, bass reflex system, bookshelf type, magnetic protection design
Low-frequency driver	20 cm cone type
Mid-frequency driver	10 cm Dome Type
High-frequency driver	1.9 cm dome-shaped tweeter with titanium-laminated diaphragm mounted on a unique elliptical curved surface (EOS) shorthorn baffle
Diaphragm material for woofer	Polyplus (polymer-coated fiber cellulose diaphragm)
Diaphragm material for mid-range	Polyplascone
Diaphragm material for tweeter	titanium-laminated diaphragm
Enclosure type	bass reflex system with free flow bass reflex port
Frequency characteristic	45 Hz to 20 kHz
Output sound pressure level	90dB/2.83V/m
Input impedance	8 Ω
Allowable input	175W(IEC)
Crossover frequency	1 kHz, 5 kHz
External dimensions	Width 305x Height 800x Depth 267 mm
Weight	15.9kg
Original price	¥ 38,000 (1 unit, released in 2000)

Design

The N38 uses a heatscape structure in the magnetic circuit to improve thermal dissipation from the voice coil, enhancing power handling and reliability. The cone’s split vibration is suppressed to expand piston motion for tighter bass. The free flow bass reflex port optimizes air movement to eliminate port breathing, while the EOS shorthorn baffle on which the tweeter is mounted improves stereo imaging and widens the listening area.

Context

The JBL N38 is part of the North Ridge series, a line designed to deliver professional JBL sound performance in home audio systems.

Market

As of July 2017, a used pair of JBL N38 speakers sold for $100–150 on the secondhand market.

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