JBL L36 Decade
1977 - 1981
The L36 Decade was a compact 3-way bookshelf speaker that packed impressive technology into a modest enclosure. As part of the "Decade" series celebrating JBL's consumer speaker success, it offered 3-way performance in a size that fit comfortably on bookshelves.
Specifications
| Type | 3-way, 3-speaker, Bass Reflex, Bookshelf |
|---|---|
| Drivers | Woofer: 10" 125A, Midrange: 5" LE5-6, Tweeter: LE25-4 |
| Crossover Frequencies | 1.5 kHz, 6 kHz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Power Handling | 50W (continuous program) |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB/W/m |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 18 kHz |
| Dimensions | 343 x 610 x 346 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 20 kg (per speaker) |
Drivers Used
- Woofer: 125A - 10" (25.5cm) cone woofer with Alnico V magnet and 5cm edgewound copper ribbon voice coil
- Midrange: LE5-6 - 5" (13cm) cone midrange with aluminum center dome
- Tweeter: LE25-4 - 3.6cm cone tweeter with 1.6cm voice coil and 15,000 Gauss magnetic circuit
Design Features
The L36 Decade offered several notable design elements:
- 3-Way Design: Rare for its size class, the dedicated midrange driver provided better midband clarity than 2-way competitors
- LE5-6 Midrange: Featured an aluminum center dome to smooth the transition to the tweeter
- 125A Woofer: Used JBL's traditional technology with Alnico V magnet and optimally massed/stiffened cone paper
- Oil Finish Enclosure: 19mm thick high-density compressed material with oil finish
- High Efficiency: Designed for high efficiency and wide dynamic range
Variants
- L36 (1977-1981): Original Decade model with LE25-2 tweeter, later updated to LE25-4
- L36A: Updated variant with refinements
Comparison with L26
| Feature | L26 | L36 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 2-way | 3-way |
| Woofer | 125A | 125A |
| Midrange | — | LE5-6 |
| Power | 35W | 50W |
Historical Context
Introduced in 1977, the L36 Decade was part of JBL's expansion into more accessible price points while maintaining quality. The "Decade" name celebrated ten years of JBL's consumer speaker success since the L100's introduction. By offering a true 3-way design in a bookshelf form factor, the L36 provided an upgrade path for L26 owners or an entry point for those wanting 3-way performance without floor-standing size.
The LE5-6 midrange was particularly notable, using holographic analysis during development to optimize cone material and composition. The aluminum center dome extended its response into the high frequencies for smoother transition to the tweeter.
Related Models
The L36 Decade was positioned above the L26 Decade and below the larger L-series models. It shared its 125A woofer with the L26 but added the dedicated LE5-6 midrange for improved midband performance.
Documentation
No specific datasheet available in archive. See JBL Loudspeaker Components 1979 Catalog for related information.