JBL JBL C51 / Apollo ( LE15A / LX5 / LE75 & 1217-1290 potato masher) fretwork intact rare S6 System

A true piece of audio history for serious vintage connoisseurs and collectors: A verifiable factory matched pair of the legendary JBL C51 Apollo from the 1960s, loaded with the highly sought-after S6 component system.
The absolute highlight right away: The extremely delicate and rare carved wood fretwork grilles are fully intact with no cracks or broken pieces!
Cabinets: C51 Apollo (Serial numbers: 54903 & 5598*). (Note: The second badge is clearly missing its final digit due to a factory stamping error—a charming piece of handmade history). Both cabinets retain the original factory labels indicating they were prepared for the "JBL solid state ENERGIZER/TRANSDUCER" upgrade.
• Woofers: LE15A with AlNiCo magnets (Serial numbers: 18135 & 18140 -> only 5 digits apart!)
• Crossovers: LX5 (Serial numbers: 20631 & 20615 -> only 16 digits apart!)
• High-Frequency Horns: 1217-1290 featuring the iconic "Potato Masher" acoustic lenses.
Cosmetic Condition: The American walnut veneer has developed an honest patina over the last 60 years, displaying superficial scuffs and scratches. I intentionally did not sand or refinish anything to allow the new owner to decide on the restoration approach. The cabinets are entirely structurally sound.
Technical Condition & Sale Concept (Please read carefully): The LX5 crossovers and the delicate 1217-1290 horns are in untouched, original condition. The LE15A woofers are currently removed from the cabinets. As is standard with all vintage JBLs from this era, the surrounds have hardened over the last six decades, and the spiders need to be replaced.
To avoid destroying the immense collector's value through improper reconing, I have not had them repaired yet.
I already have a binding quote from a renowned German vintage speaker specialist (Total cost for both woofers: approx. (€ 480,00). This expert guarantees the preservation of the original paper cones and voice coils. The quote includes new surrounds, new spiders, and professional remagnetization of the AlNiCo magnets, including a measurement protocol.
Therefore, I am offering the buyer two options:
• Option A (For DIY-Restorers/Collectors): You buy the speakers exactly as they are (as pictured) and hand the original woofers over to your own trusted technician.
• Option B (The All-Inclusive Route): You buy the speakers in their current condition, and upon purchase, I can either connect you directly with my specialist OR ship the removed woofers directly to them on your behalf. This way, you have total control and know the overhaul is done professionally with a measurement protocol.
Price: €4,950 / $5,200 (OBO / Best Offer) pick up without packing and shipping !
The technical characteristics:
LE15A Woofer: A legendary 15-inch driver featuring an Alnico magnet, a massive cast-aluminum basket, and a voice coil designed for maximum linearity. It delivers an extremely dry, deep, and completely effortless bass, free from the bloated, over-damped sound of modern consumer speakers.
• LE75 Driver & Horn (1217-1290): The LE75 is widely regarded as one of the most musical compression drivers ever built. Paired with the matching cast-horn, it reproduces the midrange and highs with a sense of dynamics that direct-radiating speakers simply cannot match today.
• LX5 Crossover: The classic 500 Hz crossover splits precisely at that critical junction. The fact that it works so well is a testament to rigorous engineering where driver and horn were designed as a single acoustic entity to make the transition seamless.
Sonically, this system is characterized by tremendous directness, holographic vocal reproduction, and a liveness that brings performances straight into the room. It is an absolute collector's item with genuine museum value that easily puts many modern high-end heavyweights to shame.