In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by JBL. JBL L82 Classic is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the L100 Classic 80 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL L82 Classic and JBL L100 Classic 80 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL L82 Classic | JBL L100 Classic 80 |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Pulp | 12" Pulp |
|---|
| Frequency response | 44-40k Hz | 40Hz-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-125 watts | 25-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 12.80kg / 28.2lbs | 26.59kg / 58.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18.6" x 11.0" x 12.4"
472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm | 25-5/16" x 15-3/8" x 14-7/16"
643.0 x 391.0 x 367.0mm |
|---|
L82 Classic and L100 Classic 80 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that L82 Classic is a 2-way design whereas the L100 Classic 80 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
JBL L82 ClassicJBL L100 Classic 80
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 L82 Classic |
JBL L100 Classic 80 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
L82 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700Hz. On the other hand, the L100 Classic 80 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Pulp Woofer.
Frequency Response
L82 Classic has a frequency range of 44-40k Hz whereas L100 Classic 80 has a frequency range of 40Hz-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the L100 Classic 80 can go slightly deeper then the L82 Classic's min frequency of 44Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
L82 Classic is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the L100 Classic 80 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L100 Classic 80 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. L82 Classic sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the L100 Classic 80's is rated at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL L100 Classic 80 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL L82 Classic, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
L100 Classic 80 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas L82 Classic has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the L100 Classic 80.
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
L100 Classic 80 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. L82 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL L82 Classic's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals
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 L82 Classic's and JBL L100 Classic 80's external dimensions. JBL L82 Classic has external dimensions of 472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm (18.6 x 11.0 x 12.4inch) whereas 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).
JBL L100 Classic 80 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 110mm wider, 170.2mm taller and 51.5mm deeper than JBL L82 Classic.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL L82 Classic and JBL L100 Classic 80 in scale.
Comparison image of JBL L82 Classic and JBL L100 Classic 80 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 L82 Classic is approximately 886.6cm2 / 137.4inch2 and base area of the JBL L100 Classic 80 is approximately 1435.0cm2 / 222.4inch2. The L82 Classic requires 38% less surface area than the L100 Classic 80 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of JBL L82 Classic?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L82 Classic:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- Owner's Manual
What's in the Box of JBL L100 Classic 80?
Here are the items that come with the L100 Classic 80:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
- 2 Speaker stands
- Quick Start Guide