effortless dynamic range, what is on the recording comes out

I told myself I wasn't going to write this, but here goes: Jbl, among others, has been a brand that over the years which produces many hot audio enthusiasts debates, slams, etc. It is unfortunate that reviewers resort to "reviewing" on these levels, but alas many do. First off, I consider many of the brands which are touted as clearly superior to JBL as being very very good! Perhaps my audio re-productive concerns are differnt from yours. Imaging to me for the most part can be an oft chased- after elusive property. So many things affect it.. recording, room modes, listening position etc. Hence, it is not my primary criteria buy which I judge speakers. Tight, powerful bass, presence, a feeling of being there, and if its in the recording, a "nasty midrange growl" from a baratone sax, or a good southern bass singer; these are the qualities which appeal to me. And not least, reliability. Pick, or attempt to pick up a JBL4312. The old addage "There ain't no substitute for cubic inches" aptly applies here. I enjoy listening to my friend's KEF, B&W, PSB speakers, and admire their qualities, also like the JBL's, they need high quality associate equipment. And they on their part get a grudging "kick" hearing my "poor old obslete JBL's also. So, when posting reviews, let's rember that each other's priorities may be somewhat differn't, not that others are totally ignorant, or have purchased " junk" Thank you

Similar Products Used:

Altec605's, Advent

Accurate and detailed, yet dynamic sound is enjoyable for general listening

Needs good electronics, can get harsh at times on poor material

While I am not the owner of these speakers, I have listened to the pair that we have here at my college in the Musical Recording room for both casual listening and auditioning pieces for dramatic productions. I quite enjoy the sound, both for it's accuracy and listenability, although they can sound harsh or rather dry with poor material or poor electronics. I have found that they sound best with a powerful, yet high quality amplifier and clean sources, of course. They sound has made me want to find a nice pair on the used market to purchase as an alternative to my Magnepans which, I love as well, but are not ideally suited to repeated movings and less than serious listening.

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Older Advent speakers, Perhaps older Acoustic Research.

Very Efficient, Beautiful Cabinets, Long Lived, Very Strong Sound, Well Built

Lack Truly Low Bass, Can be a bit boomy, Very directional Highs

I have the (very) old 4311 WX, which were a slightly different (better) model than the then very popular L100. I bought them in the early 70s, that's 1970s for all you kids. Same basic 12" 3-way as is still (I guess) available. So, I have had them for more than 25 years. In that time they have survived 100+ roomates (no kidding), and being hooked up to dozens of systems ranging from 20 to 200 watts a channel. They have been used and abused, and generally played LOUD. I have never had 1 iota of trouble with them. Hook them up and play them. I purchased these when I was connected to the old Warehouse Sound out of San Luis Obispo. In that position, I listened to different speakers all day, and in my opinion, and that of most of my co-workers, these JBLs were the best. It is interesting to read how some of the owners love them, and others hate them. Really, they are what they are. They play loud and forceful, they are not shy or demure. For the money, they are still a great all-around speaker. Cerwin-Vegas are even more outlandish. Dozens of others will play classical or jazz better, but only to certain volumes and with lots of power...or at much higher cost.

I currently have these hooked up to an old Marantz 80 watt per channel power amp. I am also driving a pair of old Bose 901s (SII) with a big SAE power amp at the same time. That way I get some of the air and all this soundstage stuff you guys value so highly (from the Bose) while still getting some punch from the JBLs. Yes, I have heard better systems. But, the speakers cost 2 grand and they need 4 grand of electronics to make them 'happen.'

Good luck on whatever you buy.

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Heard Them All, at least all the old ones

This review is for the 4311b monitors. They have a very high quality cabnet, same for the drivers. They have that "classic" JBL sound that I still enjoy.

Depending on the quality of amps and speaker position, they can sound harsh.

I have my monitors set up up with two Hafler XL280 (mono 400w) and an old Adcom GTP 400 preamp. I use Kimber 4TC and PBJ for system cables. The speakers are positioned on spiked 24" stands, 6' apart and toed in.

While they are not as sharp, or smooth as my newer BP2004TL's, I am still very suprised at how well they still sound, given the age of the speakers and the other associated equipment. They mate well with the Haflers. Even at low volumes, the Haflers keep the 12" woofer in perfect control.

They are not flashy. The materials for the drivers are not "exotic". What you end up with is a very flat, pleasant tone. I find that listening to them is similar to what it would feel like to drive a vintage Ford Cobra. There may be newer kids on the block, but the aged JBL's can still hang with the newer crowd.

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KEF, Infinity, Definitive Tech, Mission,

Very accurate reproduction of source at all frequencies (except below 50 Hz or so)

Not even close to a "flat" response curve. (balanced tward upper mids and highs)

As a professional in the audio industry (Live sound and Studio Engineer), I have a great appreciation for these speakers. The reason that they are used so extensivly in the studio is their incredible accuracy and detail. Yes they are very colored but what good is a speaker which has a ruler flat response curve, which introduces its own distortion at various frequencies? In the studio you want a speaker which gives you an a faithful reproduction of your source (maybe not in amplitude but in all other respects). These speakers are not generaly used to "Mix" music on but they are used to monitor individual tracks (if there is a problem there you will here it). Equalization is something which can be fixed electronicly later in the recording chain, distortion cannot be fixed ever.

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You name it

Paid $500.00

Poor Soundstage, Distorted Mids & Harsh High`s

I owned these speakers for 4 years and thought they were pretty good , but allways thought they were lacking somthing.After I bought my KLIPSCH KLF 20`s I realized just how bad the 4312`s sounded , especially the imaging and poor soundstage.I think these are an outdated design , probably why JBL stopped making them and why J&R Music World sold them for $500.00 a pair.At one time they listed for $550.00 each.

This review is for JBL 4311b
Great sound, bass is not boomy!! Nice sound.

Flimsy grill

A friend of mine owns a recording studio, and was clearing out some equipment. I picked these up out of curosity. I have had Bose speakers for ever, and thought everything esle was crap.I was wrong. The first time I hooked these up, I was in ahh. I felt roobed by Bose for all these years. I never knew what I was missing. These are older speakers, but still sound GREAT!

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polk r40, Bose 301

Tight Accurate sound reproduction. Perfect for studio use. Bass seems weak at first but when ask they will produce(no resonances creating boomy or false bass notes)

Almost too acurate for home use. Reveals everything. Use with good cables and componets. You will notice weak links in your setup.

Congratulations to the previous poster, you finally came to the realization that Bose is crap. More Hype than Hi-Fi.
You be surprised how much better even cheaper speakers can sound. =)

I have been using a pair of small Pinacle studio monitors that had amazingly smooth highs and alot of bass for thier size, but the bass that was thier was muddy and indistinct.

I bouhgt this pair at a local used gear shop and hooked them up in the studio. Wow there was the REAL bass I was looking for. I am now in the process of re-mastering everything I was working on prior to this purchase. These things revealed everything in the recording. Bass is accurate highs are transient and imaging is unbelievable. JBL arranged the drivers to be the closet to being "point source" without a coax setup.

I would recommend this setup for anyone with a home or professional studio. Especially if you have the space. These things are a bit large.

I wouldn't recommend the 4312s for home listening because they tend to be a bit dry and almost too crisp. I prefer warm liquid sounding setups for home use. But it's all about preference.

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I have a pair of JBL Olympus SR8s that have simalar results in the low end with a bit more force and low end extention. Klipsch Hershey, and few old Altec models.

A top notch monitor that still holds its own. I've had mine for 6 years and wouldn't trade'em for anything.

I have owned my pair of 4312A's for 9 years now. All I can say is that the things are very,very,very unforgiving on there source. If you feed it Rock & Roll it will probably sound bad(No low end and highs that will cut your ears) ). Give them some Jazz/classical/country and they will sound quit good. I do feel that anyone looking for speaker can do better for the price.