JBL TM520 (c. 1990)
The JBL TM520 is a 13cm coaxial 2-way car speaker, originally priced at ¥44,000 for a single unit around 1990. Documentation is thin. Most of what's known comes from a single Japanese installation blog and a handful of used listings, but the specs that survive are consistent across sources. It's a 4Ω driver with 60W allowable input (120W maximum), a frequency response of 60Hz to 22kHz, and 90dB output sound pressure level.
The low range uses a polypropylene cone and the high range a pure titanium diaphragm. JBL used their low-distortion SFG magnetic circuit with an edge-wise wound voice coil. The one owner who documented an installation in a Peugeot 306 noted that the magnet was surprisingly large - "なかなか巨大なマグネット" - too big to fit the stock speaker opening. He had to cut the opening with a cutter, and even then the 13cm TM520 barely fit. He noted that the 16cm TM620 from the same series would not have made it. He built a baffle board from two sheets of 9mm MDF (20cm square, 170 yen each) with a 12cm inner diameter to make it work.
The TM520 belongs to the same series and generation as the rear TM930. A replacement rubber edge is available (part number RS05, ¥1,419), which it shares with the JBL LT-1 and TM530. That's handy, since these edges do age, though the owner reported the surround on his used example was still firm. The speaker was made in the USA, and used listings have appeared in Russia described as in excellent working condition.
- Type: 13cm coaxial 2-way car speaker
- Impedance: 4Ω
- Frequency response: 60Hz – 22kHz
- Allowable input: 60W (nominal) / 120W (maximum)
- Output sound pressure level: 90dB
- Mounting diameter: 13cm aperture, 14cm between mounting holes
- Original price: ¥44,000 (per unit, c. 1990)
No production years, crossover frequency, or dimensional data beyond the mounting size have surfaced. What exists in the record is honest and specific, but sparse — this is a model that lived in cars, not in the pages of the hi-fi press.
Similar items on eBay
No exact JBL TM520 listings are live right now — these searches show current JBL and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:
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