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1965 JBL D44000 Paragon Speaker System (OBO) - $24,500 (SPOKANE)
Montgomery Av near Morton St.
condition:
excellent
make / manufacturer:
JBL Sound
model name / number:
JBL D44000 Paragon
size / dimensions:
8'8"W x 35"H x 24"D
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This is an opportunity to own a beautiful edition of the legendary JBL Paragon. Arguably the most sought-after vintage stereo speaker system in the world.
There is a ton of information on the internet about this system (suggest Wikipedia or LansingHeritage.org) so I won’t go into great detail here.
This Paragon is loaded with two LE15-A bass drivers, two 375 compression drivers and two ultra-high frequency ring radiators. Both the bass and mid-range drivers have 20 pound (not 20 ounce) magnets while each ring radiator has a 5 pound magnet. The components cross over at 500 cps and 7000 cps. This system is nearly 9 feet long and weighs approximately 650 pounds. There were slightly more than 1000 of these systems produced, in their 26-year run, by JBL in Northridge CA from 1957 to 1983. Each unit was hand made by a team of master craftsmen taking 112 man hours to assembly, detail and hand rub the chosen finish. During their production run, the cost of each unit was roughly equal to price of a nice new car of the same production year. In 1957, they were priced at approx. $1500 and in 1983, they sold for approx. $6500. Currently they are selling between 20k and 45K, depending on year of production, cabinet and component condition (good, very good, excellent or pristine) and, of course, current market conditions. There are generally thought to be less than 300 units left in the world in very good or better condition. Many of them have gone to wealthy buyers in Japan.
I purchased this unit in 2007 from the original owner residing in Daytona Beach, Florida. He purchased it new in 1965 (his guess). The serial number is 41172 and the unit number is 563. That would make it the 463rd unit produced as unit numbers were started at 100. This cabinet has been meticulously maintained residing in a secure, non-smoking, heated and air conditioned environment and hand rubbed, every 3 months or so, with the best available oils including JBL finishing oil and Milsek antique furniture oil. Shortly after it arrived at my home in Spokane, WA, I had it inspected by a certified JBL technician. He found it to be in excellent overall condition and prescribed only that the cones and spiders in the bass drivers be replaced which I then had done by said technician. It is in truly excellent condition especially considering that it is 58 years old. Please see photos.
Asking $24,500 - I have talked with a pro-grade, high-value furniture mover regarding delivery so I can arrange for delivery if a buyer does not want to handle the move themselves. I will contribute one half the cost of the furniture mover (up to $500). This system is located in NE Spokane and is offered for sale in the eastern Washington and northern Idaho areas. Interested parties outside of that area would need to arrange for shipping on their end.
PLEASE: Sincere, capable buyers only, no looky-loos. Thanks.
Call show contact info – ask for Sean (Spokane, WA)