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The unloved JBL 4349
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staticV3
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At 8-9K per pair, people expect perfection and the 4349 has some port and crossover issues: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...jbl-4349-review-studio-monitor-speaker.22686/
The high efficiency is neat, but power is cheap nowadays.
The high efficiency is neat, but power is cheap nowadays.
Outside the professional segment, I guess it's just not pretty enough for the price range. Who spends that kinda money for home hifi probably doesn't want speakers that wouldn't look out of place in a party cellar.
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It's weird to me since the efficiency is good, but nothing exceptional at around 90dB. A lot of tower speakers will match or exceed that. Granted, poor/cheaper ones will likely distort more at high SPLs, but with a $9k budget you are well into the realm of tower speakers that should match or beat the efficiency and distortion performance while being more linear and having more bass extension.
JBL's own HDI-3800, for example.
JBL's own HDI-3800, for example.
TurtlePaul
Addicted to Fun and Learning
I think that this line-up of boxy two-ways with a horn over a big woofer is meant to elicit a certain nostalgia for certain classic JBLs. I don’t think nostalgia gets you to $9k.
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So apart from looks , we talking almost no substance so , is the 4367 in the same lineage then … just a throwback to nostalgia
Apart from the often coveted M2 , which is the cream of the crop ? Is the 9900 any good ? Or any of their beryllium série like the 4365/9800 or indeed the s4700 from recent years
So so many models …
Ps: got offered a sk2-1000 …. Is it worthy ?
Apart from the often coveted M2 , which is the cream of the crop ? Is the 9900 any good ? Or any of their beryllium série like the 4365/9800 or indeed the s4700 from recent years
So so many models …
Ps: got offered a sk2-1000 …. Is it worthy ?
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
I think I heard a pair at Tower Records in Tokyo, and I thought they were great, but maybe not "holy cow, I have to buy these right now" great. Just, rather nice to listen to. But for $9K there's a lot of options out there that might outperform in various ways.
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Seems like a good time to note that it's not terribly burdensome to build a pair of two-way high-sensitivity loudspeakers with good drivers and horns, especially if one sidesteps that whole crossover issue with separate HF and LF amplifiers and some sort of active XO (analog or digital), ideally at line-level. 
... for less than nine kilobucks.
I am a terrible woodworker -- but I can build a box (albeit, ideally, with some adult supervision; e.g., my son, who's actually become a pretty good woodworker).
... for less than nine kilobucks.
I am a terrible woodworker -- but I can build a box (albeit, ideally, with some adult supervision; e.g., my son, who's actually become a pretty good woodworker).
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
I mean, for $9k in parts you can probably build something with 4x purifi 10" and the horn from the M2, with hypex amps. As long as you don't totally blow it on the crossover you're streets ahead of the 4349.
staticV3
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Crossover can be improved that way, port noise and overall directivity not.
ZolaIII
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9K? They were retailing for 7.5K and good discount could have been added to it. If you ask me they are bad and ugly so never ever had a chance. Why? A lot of better looking and behaving speakers where there with much lower price. In same shape Wharfedale Linton's and super Linton's even JBL own L100. On the other end you had towers that where both better and cheaper like Polk R700 and not so long ago sale of Revels. Cuple months back for 9K you could snatch one's from the picture for that money.
In short I hope that explains why.
To put in perspective old second hand in good shape JBL cinema THX big one's 1x or 2x 15" can be found for 5~9 hundred $ nowadays and JBL 4349 looks like a toy to those.
In short I hope that explains why.
To put in perspective old second hand in good shape JBL cinema THX big one's 1x or 2x 15" can be found for 5~9 hundred $ nowadays and JBL 4349 looks like a toy to those.
Last edited:
No. The 4367 is outstanding:
thatnorthernsound
Member
I was able to get mine brand new for $6k several years ago, I'm sure you could get them at an even bigger discount now. You can get the 4367 for about $8500 new now from certain dealers in the US if you ask nicely.
Every time I see photos of these in reviews they're set up improperly, towed in toward the listener. They should be pointing straight into the room so that the soundstage doesn't collapse. Even so, the reviews are generally favorable. Even Amir enjoyed them after the less-than-perfect measurements set them up for failure. JBL has a lot of experience with this form factor, and they do plenty of blind testing like Revel.
If you're someone who's seen a lot of live amplified music, and enjoys that sound, then these are probably the right speakers for you. Dynamics and depth of soundstage are phenomenal. And they will play at live levels without a sweat. They're also built like a tank, which makes them ideal if you have kids.
I always get the itch to sell them and try something new, but there's just something special about these. They don't have the most sparkle up top, and they don't reach the lowest rungs, but everything in between just works right. It feels palpable...if you close your eyes and listen it really feels like you could walk up to the performers. Turning up the volume just gets you a few rows closer in the venue.
Someday I'm sure I'll try something new, maybe something from March Audio—I'm using their amazing P482 amp—but until then I'll keep enjoying these several hours a day.
Every time I see photos of these in reviews they're set up improperly, towed in toward the listener. They should be pointing straight into the room so that the soundstage doesn't collapse. Even so, the reviews are generally favorable. Even Amir enjoyed them after the less-than-perfect measurements set them up for failure. JBL has a lot of experience with this form factor, and they do plenty of blind testing like Revel.
If you're someone who's seen a lot of live amplified music, and enjoys that sound, then these are probably the right speakers for you. Dynamics and depth of soundstage are phenomenal. And they will play at live levels without a sweat. They're also built like a tank, which makes them ideal if you have kids.
I always get the itch to sell them and try something new, but there's just something special about these. They don't have the most sparkle up top, and they don't reach the lowest rungs, but everything in between just works right. It feels palpable...if you close your eyes and listen it really feels like you could walk up to the performers. Turning up the volume just gets you a few rows closer in the venue.
Someday I'm sure I'll try something new, maybe something from March Audio—I'm using their amazing P482 amp—but until then I'll keep enjoying these several hours a day.
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