JBL L-Series Speakers
The JBL L-series represents the company's most successful line of consumer speakers. From the iconic L100 Century to the flagship L250, these speakers brought studio-quality sound to homes worldwide. Browse the complete collection below, sorted by year of introduction.
Complete L-Series Lineup
| Model | Years | Type | Key Drivers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L100 Century | 1970-1978 | 3-way Bookshelf | 123A, LE5-2, LE20 | Best-selling JBL speaker ever |
| L200 Studio Master | 1973-1975 | 2-way Floor | LE15B, LE85 | Professional-grade 15" system |
| L26 Decade | 1973-1978 | 2-way Bookshelf | LE10A, LE25 | Entry-level model |
| L65 Jubal | 1974-1977 | 3-way Floor | 126A, LE5-5, 077 | Glass top furniture design |
| L300 Summit | 1975-1983 | 3-way Floor | 136A, LE85, 077 | Flagship, 4333-based |
| L200B Studio Master | 1975-1978 | 2-way Floor | 136A, LE85 | Updated L200 with sloped baffle |
| L166 Horizon | 1975-1980 | 3-way Bookshelf | 122A, LE5-8, 066 | First JBL dome tweeter |
| L36 Decade | 1977-1981 | 3-way Bookshelf | 125A, LE5-6, LE25 | Compact 3-way design |
| L65A | 1978-1981 | 3-way Floor | 122A, LE5-5, 077 | Updated L65 with 122A woofer |
| L40 | 1978-1982 | 2-way Bookshelf | 127A, 033 | First dome tweeter in class |
| L50 | 1978-1982 | 3-way Bookshelf | 127A, LE5-10, LE26 | Wavy grille design |
| L96 | 1978-1982 | 3-way Bookshelf | 128H-1, LE5-10, 044 | Ceramic magnet era |
| L150 / L150A | 1979-1982 | 3-way Floor | 128H, PR300, LE5-10, 033 | Passive radiator system |
| L112 | 1980-1983 | 3-way Bookshelf | 128H, LE5-12, 044 | Mirror-image pair design |
| L250 | 1982-1985 | 4-way Floor | LE14H-1, 108H, LE5-11, 044 | Flagship, SFG magnets |
Era Overview
The Early Years (1970-1975)
The original L-series established JBL's presence in the consumer market. The L100 Century became the best-selling speaker in company history, while the L200 brought professional studio monitor performance to the home. The L65 Jubal added furniture-grade styling with its distinctive glass top. These models featured Alnico V magnets and cone tweeters, delivering the "West Coast Sound" characterized by high efficiency and dynamic range.
Transition Era (1975-1980)
The L300 Summit brought flagship 4333 studio monitor performance to consumers, while the L166 Horizon introduced JBL's first dome tweeter (the 066), marking a shift toward more refined high-frequency reproduction. The L26 and L36 Decade models made the JBL sound accessible to budget-conscious consumers. The L200B refined the original L200 with improved woofer and slanted baffle. Woofer designs continued to evolve with improved magnetic circuits and mass control rings.
Ceramic Magnet Era (1978-1985)
Rising cobalt costs drove JBL to develop ferrite (ceramic) magnet alternatives. The SFG (Symmetrical Field Geometry) magnetic circuit maintained performance while reducing costs. Models like the L96, L112, and L150 featured aluminum-deposition dome tweeters and improved crossovers with phase correction circuits. The L40 and L50 brought 3-way performance to compact enclosures, while the L250 represented the pinnacle of JBL's consumer speaker engineering as the new flagship.
Speaker Categories
Bookshelf Systems
Compact designs for smaller rooms: L26, L36, L40, L50, L100, L166, L96, L112
Floor Standing Systems
Full-range performance for serious listeners: L65, L65A, L150, L200, L200B, L250, L300
Professional Heritage
Studio monitor lineage: L100 (4310-based), L200/L200B, L300 (4333-based)