JBL just gave one of world's most legendary stereo speakers a refresh — but still in the same awesome ’70s design

• A new edition of the L100 speaker, first launched in 1970
• Limited to 800 pairs worldwide, for JBL's 80th anniversary
• $7,499 (about £5,449 / AU$10,700)

JBL has released a new version of its legendary speaker, the L100. First launched in 1970, the L100 became the biggest-selling speaker in JBL's history. The L100s are prized for their warmth, deep low end, and dynamics, which is why they've remained in production for decades with occasional updates, such as the L100 Classic in 2019 and the L100 Classic 75 in 2021 – and now they're back in a new, strictly limited-edition version to mark 80 years of JBL speakers.

The L100 Classic 80 will be limited to just 800 pairs worldwide, and while the outside retains that iconic '70s style, these are thoroughly modern speakers.

I know the word 'iconic' gets thrown around a lot in hi-fi, but the JBL 100s really are: they have a very distinctive design that's instantly recognizable, and they even ended up in an – that word again – iconic advert: the 1983 Maxell ad depicting a man being blown away by music.

JBL L100 Classic 80 comes with crate expectations

The very retro design features the iconic 'quadrex' foam grille that makes the JBLs look like they've been transported from a 1970s bachelor pad – that's a compliment – and in this version it's a very retro shade of brown that sits in a black satin frame. The cabinet enclosures are oak veneer.

Each pair sports anniversary edition badges on the front and rear including a numbered plaque signed by principal engineer Chris Hagen. And on the back you'll find dual sets of gold-plated binding posts.

The drivers are a 12-inch (300mm) pure-pulp cone woofer, which is teamed up with a front-firing tuned bass reflex port; a 5.25-inch (130mm) pure-pulp midrange driver; a 1-inch (25mm) titanium dome tweeter mated to an acoustic lens waveguide; and high-frequency and mid-frequency level attenuators. Frequency response is 40Hz to 40kHz, impedance is 4 ohms and sensitivity is 90dB/1W/1m.

The JBLs are sold as a pair with stands included, and they'll arrive inside a "specially crafted" wooden crate. They're yours for $7,499 (about £5,449 / AU$10,700).

The best stereo speakers all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best stereo speakers
1. Best overall:
Q Acoustics M40 HD
2. Best compact:
Dali Rubikore 2
3. Best desktop speakers
Creative Pebble Nova
4. Best budget buy:
Q Acoustics M20 HD

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