In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by JBL. JBL L150 Classic is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the L100 Classic MKII is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL L150 Classic and JBL L100 Classic MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL L150 Classic | JBL L100 Classic MKII |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 6.5" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 15" Pure Pulp | 12" Pulp |
|---|
| Frequency response | 32-22k Hz | 40-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 250 watts | 25-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 58.50kg / 128.7lbs | 28.60kg / 62.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 36.8" x 18.5" x 21.3"
935.0 x 470.0 x 540.0mm | 25.0" x 15.3" x 14.6"
636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm |
|---|
L150 Classic and L100 Classic MKII are members of JBL's L Classic series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
JBL L Classic Series
History
What size room are the JBL L150 Classic and JBL L100 Classic MKII speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
JBL L150 Classic |
JBL L100 Classic MKII |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both L150 Classic and L100 Classic MKII are 3-way speakers.
JBL L150 ClassicJBL L100 Classic MKII
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 L150 Classic |
JBL L100 Classic MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6.5-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 15-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the L100 Classic MKII features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 3500Hz.
Frequency Response
L150 Classic has a frequency range of 32-22k Hz whereas L100 Classic MKII has a frequency range of 40-40k 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 MKII'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
L150 Classic and L100 Classic MKII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. L150 Classic sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the L100 Classic MKII's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL L100 Classic MKII 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 L150 Classic and the L150 Classic 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 MKII 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 L150 Classic and L100 Classic MKII features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
JBL L100 Classic MKII's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both L150 Classic and L100 Classic MKII have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 L150 Classic's and JBL L100 Classic MKII's external dimensions. JBL L150 Classic has external dimensions of 935.0 x 470.0 x 540.0mm (36.8 x 18.5 x 21.3inch) whereas JBL L100 Classic MKII has external dimensions of 636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm (25.0 x 15.3 x 14.6inch).
JBL L150 Classic is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 80.4mm wider, 298.5mm taller and 168.5mm deeper than JBL L100 Classic MKII.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL L150 Classic and JBL L100 Classic MKII in scale.
Comparison image of JBL L150 Classic and JBL L100 Classic MKII 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 L150 Classic is approximately 2538.0cm2 / 393.4inch2 and base area of the JBL L100 Classic MKII is approximately 1447.4cm2 / 224.3inch2. The L150 Classic requires 75% more surface area than the L100 Classic MKII which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of JBL L150 Classic?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L150 Classic:
- 1 x L150 Classic loudspeaker
- 1 x magnetic Quadrex grille
- 4 x spike feet
- Quick Start Guide
What's in the Box of JBL L100 Classic MKII?
Here are the items that come with the L100 Classic MKII:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- Owner's Manual