There appear to be 3 major versions of the speaker, with the MKIII not using the KEF drivers, so its probably a bit different
I read through the LS3/5A Yahoo group threads that mentioned JR149s the other day and I think it's more logical to say there are two versions with a slight amendment or two to the first over it's production run. The first being the classic B110 and T27 JR149 that everyone knows and loves, i.e. a "canned LS3/5A". The earliest ones (like my first rosewood pair) had a red logo on the base and no fuse. Later the logo was changed to gold and deadsheet and foam was added to the front baffle around the T27. Around this time, but not exactly, a protection fuse was added too, i.e. early gold-logo 149s don't necessarily have a fuse. I'd always been under the impression that the red-logo version had a 15 Ohm crossover and the gold-logo an 11 Ohm one similar to LS3/5As of the time, but this is not true - there was only ever one core design, it just had fuse protection added later. The red-logo ones are more collectable. There are also some difference to the B110s over the years, early ones having bare-metal frames, later ones black etc. All are SP1003, not the later SP1057 used in the Linn Kan etc.
The JR149 MkII is a whole other thing with Focal units and is exceptionally rare and seldom mentioned. Despite this rarity I don't think they are worth much, I guess because of no LS3/5A linage. I've not researched them much as they are of little interest to me - I just wanted a standard pair.
One good tip I picked up from that list is if the metal base is a bit loose and rattly take it off, sit it bottom down on the carpet and give it a couple of thumps in the middle. Don't go over the top, obviously, but just a mm or so convex will give the little alloy thumb-nut thing something to bite against. Mine were still fine to be honest, the bases on these are in remarkably good condition.
Very nice - 149s and an A60 is a classic combo for sure. I'd be interested to hear them wall mounted high - I can see that working. I certainly lived with my first pair happily enough shelf mounted in various rooms, it wasn't until a lot later I got some (really crap) stands. IIRC you could even hang them upside-down from the ceiling on chains in a totally 70s-kitsch manner if you wanted to, but I can't see a reference to that in any of the JR literature I've found online. Listening to my current pair I do prefer them out into the room, ok, it involves trading a little weight and warmth, but they really open up and sound lovely on most stuff. Both is good though, it's all about choosing your own compromise. I see you are running the same Van Damme cable as I am too! Mine is the 1.5mm stuff and seems about perfect as it's about as thick as comfortably fits through the slot in the 149's base.
I'm going to try them in the other room just plonked on the Heresys next, I bet they'll work nicely there too. They are a remarkably easy speaker to place due to the slightly lean balance, lack of porting and really solid cab.
I remember those going through - I let them go as I wanted a wood finish (preferably rosewood) and boxed. I ended up with teak and most of a box! I paid £366, which is still not at the top of the market, though I'm having to pay a lot more for grills than most folk have over recent years.
Are you going to get some proper grills made?
PS I ordered some fresh fuses from teh eBays a couple of days ago as both the ones in place and the spares had tarnished end-caps (luckily the holders are perfectly clean and unblemished). They turned up today and I know I'll be accused of being an audiophool fantasist but I'm convinced it's opened them up a bit more!