The JBL L82 Classic MkII speakers are an updated version of the previous L82 Classic speakers, which were themselves a much appreciated update to an original design and this MkII version has been reissued with many improvements.
The new MkII version maintains a classic look, combined with updates to improve sound quality without changing the inherent character of the speakers. They are equipped with the new "performance package", which is a step up from the previous version, and includes improved transducers and a bi-directional crossover.
The shells are veneered in real walnut wood and the Quadrex grille is available in three colors. Stands that tilt the speaker slightly rearward are available.
The performance package includes upgrades to the L82's drivers. The 20cm bass/midrange unit has an improved design, while the titanium dome tweeter has been 'tweaked' to improve its performance. The new woofer has a fluted fiber membrane with a rubber suspension in the front. The fluted cone is of contrasting color.
In addition, it has a large voice coil in a powerful magnet system. The woofer also has a cast chassis that mounts with no less than eight screws. The tweeter now has a titanium diaphragm that has a small dispersion lens in front. This improves the dispersion of high frequencies.
The JBL Classic MKII cabinets are covered in real walnut veneer, and a pair of stands that tilt the speakers slightly rearward are available separately. There is also a treble control for the crossover. The Quadrex grille is durable and available in black, blue or orange.
The sound is dynamic with a full and warm atmosphere. Speakers are typically designed with rigid bracing to reduce resonances and provide a solid mounting for the transducers. Powerful computers can model how a given case design will react. Wadding is also used to dampen vibrations.
Smaller speakers usually have a bass port to improve bass response. The port consists of a tube that vents the enclosure to the air. It can be placed in the front or back. Subwoofers usually have a port that faces the ground. The L52s have a forward-firing port, making it easy to place near a wall without 'boominess'. Bass ported speakers are more efficient and can produce more bass for a given driver size.
The L82 MkII have an improved crossover design that allows bi-wiring. Bi-wiring involves the use of two amplifiers, one for the woofer and one for the tweeter. These have to be designed for the job, with the correct output frequency range. Typically, passive speakers use a crossover network that filters the input, sending bass to the woofer and treble to the tweeter. The L82 have gold-plated terminals for bi-wiring.
Ideally, place the speakers at least one meter from the wall. This will reduce any "boom", if there is a rear firing bass port. Additionally, bookshelf speakers should be at least 1.2m apart for proper stereo separation. Tilt the speakers slightly so that the sound is concentrated behind the listener. Additionally, high frequency sound is directional. Therefore, try to have the tweeters at the same height as your ears. Finally, make sure there are no objects between the speakers and your ears.
JBL is currently a subsidiary of Harman. The company was founded in 1946 by James B. Lancing, hence its initials. The first product was a 15" speaker that used the D175 high-frequency transducer. It was so good that it remained in production well into the 1970s. Another long-lasting product was the D130, a 15" speaker that remained in production. production for 55 years. Today, JBL manufactures a wide range of speakers, including portable speakers and headphones.
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