What was really JBL's finest speaker creation?

I’ve got a pair of JBL LX44s, from the early 90s. I like em. Is there any reason that these would need any refurbishing? They’ve had a lot of use and abuse, but still sound good to me. I’ve had one woofer replaced, maybe 20 years ago.

Do speakers wear out over time? I guess everything does. Would getting these refurbished be needed, or even make sense to do?

 

If they reissued the 4320 I’d be all over that

 

If they reissued the 4350 or 4355 I’d be all over that

 

I randomly stumbled onto this forum (story of my life) and felt like I was reading the meeting minutes of the flat earth society! Some ancient history: I first heard the UREI Time Aligned Monitors at an AES Convention in LA (1976?). They consisted of just a Altec 604-8? coaxial, and a crossover from Mars! They were earth shattering; had more punch than Mohammad Ali...

Shortly thereafter, Sid Harmon went on a buying spree, you'd think he was Japanese! Gobbled up JBL, UREI, and countless more audio companies (he was the original Harmon in the Harmon-Kardon brand, etc). Owning both JBL and UREI, Altec went out the window (they were simultaneously having severe delivery problems - may have been the business model for today's Tesla), and not only did UREI switch to JBL coaxial drivers, but also added a 15" subwoofer to the now doubled size cabinet. Somewhere around 9 cu ft, as they resembled my Altec 604-88G cabinets - may have been a design stolen from the original 1950's Frigidare model. In case you're doubting the validity of this belonging in a JBL forum, these were promoted as a JBL product therreafter, since they had more JBL goodies than anything else...and UREI's independence for speakers became more than a bit nebulous.

The Time Alignment aspect is what made these stand out for me. There was a 'fad' about Time Alignment, that I never hear about anymore (note: I don't get out much anymore). I'm not sure why they may be a audio dinosaur, as one of the attractions of High Def digital files is the 'precision' or 'punch' they provide. Time Alignment at higher SPL seems to provide a near overdose of euphoria. I'm gonna sneak in here that the best sounding low volume speakers in my humble opinion are the vintage DCM Time Windows. Like Time Alignment, Transmission Line designs seem to have become passe.

What is it with me and seemingly antiquated designs? Does it turn out that I'm the charter member of the Flat Earth Society? Please advise!

 

Classic speaker designs relied on physics of sound. That has not changed over the years.

Time alignment has never become passe.

 

nothing wrong with time alignment as long as it is true and not just being used as marketing hype
there are two competing methodologies that I am aware of - one being that the acoustic output of the drivers is "aligned" via the crossover and the other literally physically/acoustically i.e., the acoustic centers of the drivers being in physical alignment (the designs you see with slopping, stepped or staggered baffles - like Wilson)
I think but I'm not 100% sure on this but EV called there execution "time coherent" and it was done with a flat baffle (so whatever they had going on was going on with the network)
I have never heard any model from anyone that claimed to be "time coherent" that sounded bad - but in reality ANY well designed crossover network (1980s or later) should be - as much so as possible anyway with the given set of transducers

so no, there is nothing flat earth or antiquated about adhering to good design principles

Michael

 

Not that this is a realistic surround setup:

Sorry, your information is quite inaccurate. JBL decided for most of their classic Studio Monitors to offer blue baffles with walnut cabinets, blue grilles AND black baffles with studio gray cabinets, black grilles.

Guess you’ve never seen JBL Studio Monitors with black baffles - 4301, 4308A, 4411, 4412A, plus all early JBL 4320 and 4333 Studio Monitors had options of Studio gray finish with black or gray baffles. Later 4331A, 4333A & B, 4332, 4340, 4341, 4343, 4344 and 4350 through B models had gray enclosure with black baffle and black grille options.

the 4313, 4345 and 4355 were only available in Walnut and Blue baffle originally as they were later models but JBL would make them to custom order in gray/black if needed. I consider BMWCCA’s 4345 one such custom order.

if you ever come across that or similar again, IMO and IME, buy them, set them up, and play her favorite music on them. For days, weeks, months. Find a way to integrate them. And ask for forgiveness, not permission. Show her how emotionally involving great speakers plus great music can be, especially at more realistic levels, assuming she likes that. If she doesn’t like music, you’ve got a lot bigger hill to climb.

 

I remember when the L300's came out, I was still saving for a pair of L100's. Having an opportunity to listen to a pair of L300's I changed my mind about buying the L1oo's; but, after years of financial hardship, I gave up on saving for the L300's and settled on a pair of JBL L100t3's. They're the Mains in a 5.1 system, used for both stereo and multi-channel pleasure, which includes JBL L20t3 Surrounds, Studio Series S-Center II, and B 380 Subwoofer. At any rate, the L300's are the best sounding speakers I have heard and it's not just marginally best, it's leaps and bounds best. Examples I have recently seen at about $5000 a pair are still beyond my budget but someday I would like to get a pair, or perhaps the L200's, 4429's or 4367's if I come into some money and anyone of those speaker offerings comes to my attention. BTW, my L100t3's satisfy with effortless sound reproduction yet not as spacious sounding as the L300's.

 

Agree. A cousin of mine back in the 70's bought the L100's - and around the same time I got the L65's, which I found less "boxy-sounding" and more dynamic. They were more balanced overall, with smoother highs (utilizing the nozzle tweeter, as they nicknamed it). Very decent bass as well. A friend of mine bought them from me about 30 years ago - and still has 'em. Never regretting owning them.

 

Interesting question. And I don't know the answer. Jbl has admires from different eras so I doubt there will ever be a definite consensus

As for me I own the 4367 and the l100 classic. The k2 is one that I've always wanted to hear. As for my past I've had stadium, center, balcony and monitor from the venue series with the 12 inch sub. Then the Studio L 890 lc2 l830 and two l8400p subs. I had the 4312se and really enjoyed my time with it.

I'm always for the lookout for the ti 250 speakers and good priced 4429. The hdi 1600 looks nice too

 

Although far from being a JBL fanboy of any significance, I'd love to hear the new L82's at some point. L100's would be too much for my space.

 

For me their finest speakers would be the pair of d130's buried inside these cabs (under the receiver) and hidden from identification. I picked them up for a C note and sold them a week later for $1,500

 

For me it’s was my old pro JBL/McIntosh 3 way bi amped club type system. It was insanely set up in a very small living room and probably sounded better about three city blocks away. Totally insane but I loved it. If I got a place with a 15000 cubic foot room I might consider getting one again.

 

mech986,

You know me. I love audio, you do too. I have special needs and was born preemie. I love music. You get that. I just got home from Erlanger Behavioral Health in Chattanooga, TN. The Gig city and the home of VW and Enterprise South. I have CP, like your daughter does. I use a wheelchair. Some of the time. I have muscle spasms like you do and our host does. I am logical, give love without conditions. And I state facts when I post. I got member of the year on a forum because I was me. I was a veteran. I've been there a long time. You know why, I know why. I have startle reflex like a newborn. Facts are just that. JBL is the finest USA made loudspeaker built which fits on a bookshelf and is there. We love music. A pair of Lancer 77 loudspeakers I bought. I bought Marantz too. You know that. I know that. I love audio. I own a McIntosh, a Sansui, and Technics. I also own Otari reel to reels (free both, thank you Sandy Geiger). I also own Dynakits. I repair things, I am an engineer, I am mature and sane beyond sane. But when I have a senior moment. Mine is a fail and an epic one. I love a good bicycle and taking a picture. There's a CP shirt, it's good "I have CP, when a CP person is told he can't do it, he does it, he takes pictures to prove it, twice". I love you and everyone.

 

I’m in Sweetwater... us audio guys should get together.

 

Let me know when you're coming. You know another McIntosh owner already. Without being Japanese. He's a doctor. He hates failure. He spends money. He owns the best and wants it. Without lifting a finger. I'm poor, I don't like losing money. I am his patient. I have a house in Athens. We can meet. Bring the music you want. The gear works. And no failure.

 

Array 1400s are the nicest JBLs I have heard
K2s reported to be great
Enjoyed L300s - great presentation of the "West Coast Sound"

 

The 4311b loudspeaker, when new. Was the recording and broadcasting industry near field reference when new. Everybody wanted one. JBL was no dummy. So, JBL built one to take home and blend in and be modern. My new to me Lancers are the same size, function the same. Are super efficient. They fit on a bookshelf. They're equally a reference. The JBL 4311b was too popular. Too small. Too Good. It's like McLover is. It's misunderstood. It is a tool. It is accurate and uncolored so engineers, producers, and those who create can hear what they're doing. It is sold to the public who use it at home. And got reissued and new. You know it as the L100 Century.

 

Nope, but always happy to have visitors. Just send me a PM.

I have often thought of the idea of a sort of restricted rental agency for audiophile homes. Sounds appealing...

 

I agree about the quality of the Array 1400s - probably the best all around speakers I’ve ever heard.

 

I just stumbled upon this, I usually hang in the music corner, or visual arts.

I have L200’s that were converted to L300’s at the factory in northridge. My employee’s dad worked for JBL, and had a untimely death. I bought these from him around 1985, still use them!

 

JBL 4410A near field studio monitors.

I have had these for many years. Known for their accuracy.

 

Wow, what a fantastic system you’re running there.

 

I really liked the 4320's for what they were. They were great to mix on. They didn't have that ultra extended high end, and the 4330's added the 2405 'spitter' as a result but it was harsh sounding to me. The 4350s were interesting but you really need a big room for them. We used them for small PA's with great success.