In this review, we will be comparing L100 Classic 80 and L150 Classic, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL L100 Classic 80 and JBL L150 Classic first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL L100 Classic 80 | JBL L150 Classic |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 5.25" | 6.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Pulp | 15" Pure Pulp |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40Hz-40k Hz | 32-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-200 watts | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 26.59kg / 58.5lbs | 58.50kg / 128.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 25-5/16" x 15-3/8" x 14-7/16"
643.0 x 391.0 x 367.0mm | 36.8" x 18.5" x 21.3"
935.0 x 470.0 x 540.0mm |
|---|
L100 Classic 80 and L150 Classic are members of JBL's L Classic series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
JBL L Classic Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both L100 Classic 80 and L150 Classic are 3-way speakers.
JBL L100 Classic 80JBL L150 Classic
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
JBL L100 Classic 80 |
JBL L150 Classic |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
1 x 6.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 15-inch
|
L100 Classic 80 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Pulp Woofer. On the other hand, the L150 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 1 x 15" Pure Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 300Hz and 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
L100 Classic 80 has a frequency range of 40Hz-40k Hz whereas L150 Classic has a frequency range of 32-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the L150 Classic can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the L100 Classic 80's min frequency of 40Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
L100 Classic 80 and L150 Classic have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. L100 Classic 80 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the L150 Classic's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL L100 Classic 80 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL L150 Classic, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L100 Classic 80 and the L100 Classic 80 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
L150 Classic can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas L100 Classic 80 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the L150 Classic.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both L100 Classic 80 and L150 Classic features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare JBL L100 Classic 80's and JBL L150 Classic's external dimensions. JBL L100 Classic 80 has external dimensions of 643.0 x 391.0 x 367.0mm (25-5/16inch x 15-3/8inch x 14-7/16inch) whereas JBL L150 Classic has external dimensions of 935.0 x 470.0 x 540.0mm (36.8 x 18.5 x 21.3inch).
JBL L150 Classic is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 79mm wider, 292mm taller and 173mm deeper than JBL L100 Classic 80.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL L100 Classic 80 and JBL L150 Classic in scale.
Comparison image of JBL L100 Classic 80 and JBL L150 Classic Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the JBL L100 Classic 80 is approximately 1435.0cm2 / 222.4inch2 and base area of the JBL L150 Classic is approximately 2538.0cm2 / 393.4inch2. The L100 Classic 80 requires 43% less surface area than the L150 Classic which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The JBL L100 Classic 80 weighs 26.59kg / 58.5lbs and the JBL L150 Classic weighs 58.50kg / 128.7lbs. This makes the L150 Classic 120% heavier than the L100 Classic 80.
Here is a comparison of how L100 Classic 80 and L150 Classic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL L100 Classic 80?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L100 Classic 80:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
- 2 Speaker stands
- Quick Start Guide
What's in the Box of JBL L150 Classic?
Here are the items that come with the L150 Classic:
- 1 x L150 Classic loudspeaker
- 1 x magnetic Quadrex grille
- 4 x spike feet
- Quick Start Guide
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
643mm
vs
935mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1435cm2
vs
2538cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
6999USD
vs
9999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
JBL L100 Classic 80 |
JBL L150 Classic |
| Brand |
JBL |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
25-200 watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40Hz-40k Hz |
32-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Pulp |
Pure Pulp |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
300Hz and 1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
643.0mm (25.3") |
935.0mm (36.8") |
| Width |
391.0mm (15.4") |
470.0mm (18.5") |
| Depth |
367.0mm (14.4") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
26.59kg (58.5lbs) |
58.50kg (128.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/wood veneer |
Natural walnut veneer |
| Available Colors |
Oak |
Walnut |
| Recommended Stand Height |
9.3125" |
n/a |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5Yrs(spkr) / 1yr(stand) |
|
| Labor Warranty |
5Yrs(spkr) / 1yr(stand) |
|
Siblings in JBL's L Classic series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | JBL L150 Classic digs deeper - 32Hz against 40Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | JBL L100 Classic 80 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | JBL L150 Classic takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | JBL L100 Classic 80 is easier to place; JBL L150 Classic is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | JBL L100 Classic 80: bi-amping; JBL L150 Classic: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | JBL L100 Classic 80 is cheaper - $6,999 against $9,999, about 30% less. |
A JBL L100 Classic 80 B JBL L150 Classic
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
JBL L150 Classic is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 43% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - JBL L100 Classic 80 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the JBL L150 Classic appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 40Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper JBL L100 Classic 80 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, JBL L150 Classic has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, JBL L100 Classic 80 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.