JBL L82 Classic MkII

Yes. Because the port is on the front rather than the back, you have more flexibility to place these speakers closer to a wall without worrying about bass buildup or muddying the sound.

The L-pad attenuator allows you to adjust the high-frequency output of the tweeter. It is useful for fine-tuning the sound to match your room's acoustics—for example, if your space is overly bright or reflective, you can dial back the treble slightly.

Yes, the L82 Classic MkII supports bi-wiring. By using separate cables for the woofer and tweeter, you can reduce signal interference and improve clarity, though this requires an amplifier with dual speaker outputs.

While you can place them on a sturdy shelf, they are designed as standmount speakers. Using dedicated stands will help position the tweeters at ear level and decouple the cabinet from furniture, which is essential for achieving the best imaging and soundstage.

The 8-inch pure pulp woofer offers a significantly more authoritative and dynamic low-end response than typical 5- or 6-inch drivers. You get a fuller, more visceral sound that handles rock, jazz, and electronic music with much greater ease.

They are primarily aesthetic, designed to give the speaker its iconic vintage look. While they provide minimal protection for the drivers, they are acoustically transparent and won't negatively impact the sound quality if you choose to leave them on.