JBL LS80 3 1/2 way Floor Standing Speaker

INTRODUCING THE LS 80.

The high-performance JBL LS 80 loudspeakers share the design philosophy and signature Bi-Radial®-horn/compression-driver configuration of the widely acclaimed JBL Project speakers – K2® and Array – as well as of the Everest DD66000, the most uncannily lifelike musical instrument ever to bear the JBL name. Considering its lineage, you can be forgiven for expecting greatness from the LS80. Greatness was a design spec, and it’s the very thing these remarkable new loudspeakers were born to deliver.

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MEETS EXQUISITE CRAFTSMANSHIP.

LS enclosures are more than just beautiful to look at: The wedge shape and gently curving side panels prevent unwanted internal resonance. High-mass MDF construction minimizes sound coloration. A curved lower baffle prevents acoustic interference with the lower woofer, while gracefully transitioning into the gloss-finish, streak-ebony side panels, which are finished in a rich mahogany shade.


SHOUTS AND WHISPERS: THE LS EXPERIENCE.


The ideal home audio system doesn’t favor music over movies, or small rooms over larger ones. The ideal home audio system has the raw power to reproduce bass and midrange frequencies without any effort or distortion at any listening level, as well as the finesse to deliver brilliantly clean highand ultrahigh-frequency sound directly to your ears, undiminished by interaction with walls and furniture.

In the high frequencies, the LS80 employ a constant-directivity HF compression driver and UHF ring tweeter in a unique computer-optimized baffle that suppresses phase interference and signal loss. The realism of low-frequency sound is heightened with high-performance dual pulp-cone woofers in a staggered network design for exceptionally rich bass response.

Working together, these technologies ensure that the LS80 speakers render “out-of-this-world” action sequences and delicate, otherworldly musical passages with equal clarity and accuracy. Music and movies are made to be enjoyed, and the JBL LS80 speakers are engineered to ensure that you’ll enjoy them to their fullest, whatever your taste in entertainment may be.

THE BI-RADIAL HORN. The proven design of the proprietary JBL Bi-Radial horn delivers precise imaging with strict directivity for highly realistic on- and off-axis response to 40kHz. The graceful curves of the LS horn baffle maximize clarity by preventing any interference between the HF and UHF drivers.

THE CROSSOVER NETWORK. In LS80 and LS60 speakers, a staggered network design divides bass and mid-bass frequencies between identical woofers, enhancing low-end response and smoothing the transition to the HF driver. The networks employ three

types of capacitors, including a polypropylene film capacitor, for detailed musical expression and dynamics. Gold-plated HF and LF binding posts allow for bi-wiring.

THE HF COMPRESSION DRIVER. An expressive 176Nd compression driver with a 50mm titanium diaphragm and lightweight aluminum voice coil delivers superior high-frequency

response, and a ferrofluidinjected neodymium magnet structure provides improved

power-handling capability.

THE PURE PULPCONE WOOFERS. Dual pure-pulp-cone woofers provide exceptionally rich, realistic bass and mid-bass reproduction. A heat-resistant, high-excursion Kapton® voice coil with center-pole vent minimizes distortion and power compression at high output levels, even over extended periods.

THE UHF RING TWEETER. The 015M ring tweeter features an exceedingly fast, highly rigid 19mm polyimide diaphragm driven by a ferrofluidcooled neodymium magnet that provides outstanding heat resistance. The tweeter’s diaphragm, surround and voice-coil superstructure is molded as a single piece to minimize signal loss. An oval-shaped short horn and bullet-shaped center equalizer control energy attenuation caused by phase interference, for smoother overall response.

Reviews

AV HUB Australia had this to say: READ FULL REVIEW HERE

I had actually written all this review except for this conclusion when I learned that the European Sound and Imaging Association had awarded the JBL LS80 ‘European Speaker of the Year 2008–2009’ (Home Theatre Category). Had I been on the panel, they certainly would have had my vote, but since they’ve won that award, my advice would simply be to not let that ‘Home Theatre’ category deter you from auditioning a pair of LS80s with a view to using them as just that: a pair of hi-fi loudspeakers. Whether for home theatre or home hi-fi, the LS80s are real winners!

 Hi Fi News UK had this to say: READ FULL REVIEW HERE

JBL’s three-and-a-half way LS80 offers a rich and detailed presentation with fine stereo and a big, deep wide soundstage. They are never ‘in your face’ and relatively unfussy when it comes to programme material. Rarely has such a big albeit relatively affordable speaker sounded so urbane, yet transparent and versatile. It is a rare trick. And I loved the translucency through the midrange and treble.

Pure HT Theater Reviews had this to say: READ FULL REVIEW HERE

Ultimately when you want to pay a bit more for a speaker then normal you will expect it to look stunning and have better performance than the average speaker out there. The JBL LS80 will fit that description, it is really, really good. Even when having it side by side with similarly priced and massively impressive Monitor Audio GX300, it did not stand back. What I will say if you want to listen to pure stereo, there might be better offerings in the same price range in the European stables, but when you require an all rounder for home theater as well, the JBL will be a worthy contender.

Specifications 

Model	JBL LS80
Discription	3 1/2 Way Floorstanding Speaker
Built From
Power Handling	200watts
Recommended amplifier power	100-400watts
Frequency range
Frequency response	46hZ - 38kHz
Sensitivity	90 dB spl(2.83V, 1m)
Nominal impedance	6 ohms
Tweeter	19mm Polyester-film ring radiator, neodynium magnet;EOS waveguide
Midrange Driver	50mm Pure-titanium compression driver;Bi-Radial horn
Midbase Driver	n/a
Bass Driver	Dual 200mm with cast aluminum frames, shielded
LOW to MID-FREQUENCY CROSSOVER	400Hz
MID to HIGH FREQ CROSSOVER	2kHz
	8kHz
External Dimensions excl Stand (H x W x D)	1117x259x418mm(44x10.2x16.5in)
Terminal Input	Gold plated Bi-Wire terminals
Weight	35.6kg
FINISHES	High Gloss Ebony wood panels
Configuration Options (Stereo and.or HT)	Stereo and Home Theater use