(January 16, 2020) HARMAN International hit the Vegas Strip and CES 2020 with a throwback speaker design that’s sure to tug at the heartstrings. The all-new JBL L82 Classic features distinctive retro styling and an iconic posture that scratches a vintage itch with remarkable precision.
JBL’s latest release has true yesteryear underpinnings reaching back to one of the company’s best-selling speakers ever, the JBL L100 3-way bookshelf. Initially released in 1970 as a consumer version of its 4310 Pro Studio Monitor, the L100 was re-released during 2018 as the JBL L100 Classic. The L82 Classic is a smaller version, featuring a 2-way design that deploys an 8” driver and a 1” titanium dome tweeter.
“The L100 Classic has been a tremendous success for us delivering on the promise of JBL sound and the romance of the vintage aesthetic,” said Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, Luxury Audio. “With the L82 Classic, we have a product that evokes the same instantly recognizable design and revered sound quality, and yet it does so with a considerably smaller physical footprint. We expect these to be a hit with music lovers who desire the attributes of the L100 Classic in a more compact size.”
The speaker’s cabinet is finished in a satin walnut wood veneer and outfitted with a single front-firing Slipstream port. And the vintage-looking Quadrex foam grille is available in one of three colors: black, orange, and blue.
Set to begin shipping in April 2020, the L82 Classic will carry a retail price of $2,500 per pair. Optional floor stands can be purchased separately for $250, while additional grille pads are available for $199 per pair.
