JBL L200B Studio Master
1975 - 1978
The L200B was an evolution of the original L200 Studio Master, retaining the professional studio monitor heritage while incorporating refinements for home use. It featured the same powerful 15-inch woofer and horn-loaded compression driver combination that made the L200 legendary.
Specifications
| Type | 2-way, 2-speaker, Bass Reflex, Floor Standing |
|---|---|
| Drivers | Woofer: 15" 136A, High Frequency: LE85 + HL91 Horn |
| Crossover Frequency | 800 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Power Handling | 150W (continuous program) |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/W/m |
| Frequency Response | 35 Hz - 18 kHz |
| Dimensions | 606 x 832 x 540 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 59 kg (per speaker) |
Drivers Used
- Woofer: 136A - 15" (38cm) cone woofer with die-cast mass control ring for stable operation at large amplitudes
- Compression Driver: LE85 - 2" (5cm) throat compression driver with ultra-thin aluminum foil diaphragm
- Horn: HL91 - Horn lens with 90° horizontal and 45° vertical directivity
Design Features
The L200B refined the original L200 formula with several improvements:
- 136A Woofer: Added a die-cast mass control ring to the voice coil for integrated piston motion and stable operation at large amplitudes
- Sloped Front Panel: Similar to the L300, the angled baffle improved time alignment and listening position optimization
- LE85 Compression Driver: Aluminum ribbon wire edgewise wound voice coil and Alnico V magnet provided high efficiency and excellent transient response
- Grille Options: Air foam grille with four color variations
Variants
- L200 (1973-1975): Original version with LE15B woofer and 1.2kHz crossover
- L200B (1975-1978): Updated version with 136A woofer, 800Hz crossover, and sloped baffle
Comparison with L200
| Feature | L200 (1973) | L200B (1975) |
|---|---|---|
| Woofer | LE15B | 136A |
| Crossover | 1.2 kHz | 800 Hz |
| Baffle Design | Vertical | Sloped |
| Power Handling | 100W | 150W |
Historical Context
The L200B represented JBL's commitment to continuous improvement. By incorporating the sloped baffle design from the flagship L300 and updating the woofer with mass control ring technology, the L200B offered improved performance while maintaining the professional heritage that made the L200 popular among recording engineers and serious audiophiles.
The lower crossover point of 800 Hz (compared to 1.2 kHz in the original L200) allowed the 136A woofer to handle more of the critical midrange, while the LE85 compression driver focused on the upper midrange and high frequencies where its exceptional transient response shined.
Related Models
The L200B was closely related to the L200 Studio Master and shared DNA with the flagship L300 Summit. It offered a more affordable entry point to JBL's compression driver-based speaker line while maintaining professional-grade performance.