The new JBL L52 Classic presents itself as a two-way bookshelf speaker system and thus the smallest offspring of the JBL Classic Series from the house of JBL Synthesis. Nevertheless, it should also be able to come up with JBL Advanced Acoustic Technologies.
Once again, JBL Synthesis presents a speaker system with retro touch but state-of-the-art features, which is assigned to the so-called JBL Classic Series. This is the new JBL L52 Classic, which is the smallest form of this product series to date.
The JBL L52 Classic is thus designed as a compact two-way bookshelf speaker system, but in principle has the same genes as its larger siblings.
JBL L52 Classic continues the tradition
JBL Synthesis, as part of the Harman Luxury Audio Group, has for some time been pursuing the approach of resurrecting legendary audio systems from the decades-long tradition of the JBL brand, first and foremost in the form of speaker systems specifically reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s.
For this purpose, the so-called JBL Classic Series was founded, which so far includes the models JBL L100 Classic, JBL L82 Classic, and the Anniversary Edition for the 75th birthday JBL L100 Classic 75. It also includes the JBL SA750 Streaming Integrated Amplifier, also designed as a 75th Anniversary Edition, and the new all-in-one JBL L75ms Music System, which, as the name suggests, was also designed around the brand’s anniversary this year.
The JBL L52 Classic is now another speaker system in the JBL Classic Series, and this one is also seen as being very much in keeping with the long-standing tradition of the JBL brand.
Developed in Northridge
For example, the manufacturer explicitly highlights that the new JBL L52 Classic was designed at JBL Syntheis’ legendary Acoustic Engineering Facility in Northridge, California.
The JBL L52 Classic is a two-way speaker system that combines JBL’s advanced acoustic technologies with the award-winning retro style of its larger family members, the manufacturer promises.
Two-way bookshelf loudspeaker system
A 133 mm Pure Pulp Cone Woofer of the type JW135PW-4 is combined with a 20 mm Titanium Dome Tweeter JT020TI1-4, which also has a so-called Wavguide for a homogeneous radiation.
In addition, there is a bass reflex system led out to the front over the baffle.
Designed for amplifiers with a power between 10 and 75 watts, the new JBL L52 Classic is said to have an impedance of 4 ohms and an efficiency of 85 dB. The frequency response that can be reproduced by this speaker system is specified as 47 Hz up to 24 kHz.
Directly on the baffle, of course, a HF Level Control may not be missing and on the back presents itself the connection panel with high-quality gold-plated screw terminals.
Elegant walnut finish
The new JBL L52 Classic features a walnut veneer cabinet with a satin matte finish. The front is adorned with an optional speaker grille, which has always been a hallmark of JBL Synthesis speaker systems, and its vintage touch is now an integral part of all JBL Classic Series speakers. The manufacturer refers here to a Foam Quadrex Grille, describing the special construction with foam, and here you have the choice between black, Burnt Orange and Dark Blue.
The JBL L52 Classic measures 330.2 mm in height, 196.6 mm in width, and 216.2 mm in depth. Thus, it weighs in at 5 kg.
In addition to the free installation, wall mounting is also possible, which is quite unusual in this class, but probably not a problem due to the construction with the bass reflex port at the front.
The new JBL L52 Classic is to come in the course of the year on the market, whereby the manufacturer indicates for this solution as a target price US$ 1,000, – per pair.
Getting to the point
Once again, JBL Synthesis expands the JBL Classic Series with a speaker system reminiscent of the heyday of hi-fi long ago. In those years, it did not matter too much that loudspeaker systems could be integrated harmoniously into the living environment, i.e. that they were designed to be as slim and delicate as possible, so the models of the JBL Classic Series are also of a more powerful nature. The fact that the new JBL L52 Classic, the smallest offspring of this series, is now available as a two-way bookshelf speaker system, should please all those who find the design and the concept appealing, but still want a rather compact solution.
| Manufacturer: | Harman International Industries Inc. |
| Distribution: | Harman Deutschland GmbH |
| Price: | US$ 1.000,- |
