The question, ‘How long do JBL speakers last?’ comes up frequently in many online forums and discussions. Because let’s face it. Nothing hurts as much as spending a fortune on a hi-fi or stand-alone speaker that lasts only a few months.
I have been there once. I landed on a good loudspeaker that produced high-quality sound at a very good price. However, it didn’t even last three years. The speaker couldn’t even recreate sound accurately after I spent some money repairing it.
The next time I was out shopping for a speaker, I promised myself that I’d prioritize durability and sound quality while choosing a speaker.
But how long do these JBL speakers last? Read our article to find out how long speakers last.
How long do JBL speakers last?
How long a speaker lasts – whether wired or wireless – will depend on how well the user takes care of it. In my research, I found that some users were still using speakers they bought in the 1980s. We are in 2022 now, which can tell you how well they took care of them. Plus, that can be encouraging to hear, especially if you’ve spent a large amount of money to buy your favorite speaker.
Therefore, for:
- Wired speakers: If you bought a high-end speaker, such as a hi-fi or stand-alone speaker, that has high-quality components, you could expect them to stay for decades. That’s up to 40-50 years or even a lifetime.
- Wireless speakers: A high-quality one, such as a Bluetooth speaker – for instance, will also serve you for several decades. These speakers do not last for a year if you fail to take good care of them. The furthest it can go is 2-3 years.
What is the average lifespan of a good JBL speaker?
The keyword here is ‘a good speaker.’ Audiophiles have different ways of defining what a good or quality speaker is.
If the speaker offers the user quality sound, comes from a reputable brand, and has quality components that can last many years without having to repair them – even once, then you can classify it as a good speaker. If you use it well, that speaker can last for several decades (20-30 years) or even for a lifetime without needing to replace them.
Which lasts longer, old or modern speakers?
I’d say that old speakers, commonly referred to as vintage speakers, last longer than modern speakers do. The reason is this.
When producing speakers in the 19th and 20th century, manufacturers needed to develop a speaker system that could produce natural sound accurately and effortlessly. Hence, they needed to invest in high-quality speaker components and a quality build to enhance durability. Furthermore, they ensured the speakers were easy to maintain and repair.
This is different from what we see in most modern speakers in the market. Although the technology used on these systems is more complex than those used in vintage speakers, manufacturers sometimes fail to use high-quality components, especially since they have to mass-produce a lot of devices within a short time.
Also interesting – How long do Bose speakers last
Do old speakers sound better or worse?
All speakers, including quality ones, wear out after using them for a long time. When these components wear out, it affects the speaker’s ability to produce quality sound.
Nonetheless, high-quality speakers will take longer to wear out since the components used to manufacture them are high quality.
Do old speakers sound better or worse?
If you are wondering whether to buy a new or old (used) speaker, you may wonder which option you should go for. Primarily, a speaker’s sound begins to deteriorate as it ages or as you continue using it. You cannot expect an old speaker to produce the same sound level as a new speaker simply because of worn-out components.
On the other hand, some audiophiles say that the sound quality gets better as the speaker ages. But why would someone prefer such a speaker?
Well, as the speaker gets old, the sound it produces tends to be more natural and warmer. It’s the same sound profile that most vintage speakers provide to a user.
Anyone that loves to listen to traditional jazz, classical music, and any other type of music that was common in the 19th century, would appreciate the sound quality that the old speaker produces.
A few things that cause your speakers not to last long.
Environmental factors
If you place or use your speaker in an environment with a lot of humidity, sunlight, dust or debris, your speaker will wear out quickly. Excessive moisture will damage electrical components in the speaker, while direct contact with UV rays from the sun will weaken the speaker’s cone.
Mishandling the speaker
For instance, if you drop the speaker, rapture the cone, or use liquid cleaners to wipe out dirt or dust, you will reduce your speaker’s durability. Some speakers also deteriorate when you play music at high volumes over a long time.
Using bad speaker wires
Using the wrong wires can damage your receiver. Incorrect wiring, too, causes an intermittent signal, which damages your speaker.
Overpowering your speaker
Connecting your speaker to an amplifier with a higher or lower power wattage creates bad signals that destroy the voice coil.
What usually goes bad on a speaker and causes it not to work
- The speaker surround (the material that connects the cone to the speaker) wears out due to friction, mechanical stress, and heat.
- The crossover capacitor (the component that splits the audio into various frequency ranges) can stop working when exposed to heat over 80 degrees.
- The ferrofluid in tweeters (the magnetic fluid that cools down speaker coils and dampens the driver’s vibrations) can dry up when exposed to air and leave the speaker unrepairable.
- The speaker cone/diaphragm (usually made of different materials, including paper, metal, plastic or aramid fiber) can detach itself from the voice coil or go off-center.
- The voice coils can burn out, especially if you use excessive sound volume on your speaker.
How to know JBL speakers are going bad
Things you can do to know whether your speaker is dying or not include:
- The speaker will produce a buzzing sound continuously
- The speaker becomes less audible or won’t produce any sound at all
- Your speaker will not indicate any reading when you connect the speaker to a multimeter
- If the foam surround is deteriorated or has fallen apart
- If you hear distortion even at the volume, you normally play your music
- If you attach a battery to the speaker’s wire ends, and there’s no noise produced when you touch the wire
If you notice these signs, it could be a good time to invest in a new speaker or repair it before the damage becomes worse.
Take care of your JBL speakers and they’ll outlast your expectations.
If you want your speakers to last longer, you probably need to take good care of them. Doing so comes with so many benefits.
For instance, you reduce the cost of maintaining and repairing them. You also get to enjoy your music as it enhances your listening experience as the speakers provide quality sound effortlessly. Furthermore, you don’t need to replace them since they are a worthy investment.