Just fired up my 4343s!

[Ken Pachkowsky]

Hi Tom, congrats on finishing your project. We are looking forward to the pics of course. I suspect they look in showroom condition.

Ken

[Tom Loizeaux]

Thanks for the kind words about my 4343 restoration, ...but I posted that 2 years ago!
I'm glad my account may have influenced others to take the plunge and restore some neglected JBL monitor speakers. I found the restoration satisfying and enlightening and the result very rewarding. For very reasonable money invested I have the pleasure of a collection of vintage JBL studio monitors that I thoroughly enjoy.
I do still have some "before and after" photos, mostly of my first 4320 restoration project, but I don't know how to use a photo server. If someone wants to help with this, I will try to post a few images.
To me, there's something enriching about restoring something that was a classic - when compared to simply going out and spending money for a new product. There is a magic to be discovered with these classic designs and a real pleasure in seeing the quality built into these great JBL's studio monitors.

Tom

[Steve Gonzales]

I just assumed that it was a new pair!. What I said is no less true though and I'm glad I finally took the time to tell you. Very inspiring. My thoughts about the restore/buy new question is definately in line with your way of thinking. Rewarding.

[pmakres1]

To me, there's something enriching about restoring something that was a classic - when compared to simply going out and spending money for a new product. There is a magic to be discovered with these classic designs and a real pleasure in seeing the quality built into these great JBL's studio monitors.

Tom

I agree 100 percent...my 4313B's were a rescue mission with driver and cabinet issues...now they are practically mint, and I enjoyed every minute of restoring them. Now if I could just find one more 066 tweeter the restoration would be complete! (strictly a cosmetic issue, the dome is missing some of the silver coating). Congrats again on your 4343's...as I said I've always drooled over that model!

Best regards,

Peter

[Audiobeer]

Tom.......got to have some pics!

[pangea]

I know this is abit OT, but has anyone had the chance to listen a pair of 4343, 4344 and 4345, at the same time and if so, what sonic differences are there would yu say, if any? They all look as if they were siblings.

My own active MTM hybrids, with 2215H, 2123H, 2441J with Selenium horn and 075, have now been playing beautifully for a while, though they are not quite finished. There's still some tweaking left and they still miss the fake-leather on the baffles as well as the frames with cloth, but it will be any day now.
Back to my second question if I may, do you think those hybrids, could ever have the potential of playing in the same league as those monitors?

PS: It always makes me sad when people abuse their JBL's, so it makes me all the happier to hear, there are people out there who are willing to restore them. DS.

BR
Roland

[Ian Mackenzie]

I've built the 4343 and the 4345 and heard the 4344 (Jarrods) but never side by side.

The 4343 is a classic and has an unmistakable stamp on the classic JBL sound..nothing wrong with that.

The 4344 used improved/later developed drivers and an offset baffle driver configuration and refined crossover network. All that adds up to improved imaging, smoother character and more power handling under certain conditions.

The 4345 was an eighteen inch woofer version of the 4344 using the 2245H woofer (which was the ultimate at the time). This provided slightly improved sensitivity and greater low frequency output, perhaps the only flaw in the 4343/4344 in my practical experience in the professional arena. To the ear the 4345 voicing is otherwise identifcal to the 4344 but can convey a greater sense of authority at low frequencies, its also twice as big.

The brochures spell all this out well enough.

Regards your own system try and find a member locally who has the 4343 and get an opinion. The 2215 as I vaguely recall may not have the deep extended bass of the medium efficiency 2231A/2235H/2245 woofers. I can't comment on the driver horn combo or the 075.

No doubt it works , if your ears like the presentation then your on target.

Sit back, play the music and enjoy. The real key to these 4 way brutes is setting them up properly, adjusting the pads correctly and using complementy equipment.

Ian

[pangea]

I've built the 4343 and the 4345 and heard the 4344 (Jarrods) but never side by side.

The 4343 is a classic and has an unmistakable stamp on the classic JBL sound..nothing wrong with that.

The 4344 used improved/later developed drivers and an offset baffle driver configuration and refined crossover network. All that adds up to improved imaging, smoother character and more power handling under certain conditions.

The 4345 was an eighteen inch woofer version of the 4344 using the 2245H woofer (which was the ultimate at the time). This provided slightly improved sensitivity and greater low frequency output, perhaps the only flaw in the 4343/4344 in my practical experience in the professional arena. To the ear the 4345 voicing is otherwise identifcal to the 4344 but can convey a greater sense of authority at low frequencies, its also twice as big.

The brochures spell all this out well enough.

Regards your own system try and find a member locally who has the 4343 and get an opinion. The 2215 as I vaguely recall may not have the deep extended bass of the medium efficiency 2231A/2235H/2245 woofers. I can't comment on the driver horn combo or the 075.

No doubt it works , if your ears like the presentation then your on target.

Sit back, play the music and enjoy. The real key to these 4 way brutes is setting them up properly, adjusting the pads correctly and using complementy equipment.

Ian

Thank you Ian for your input, I don't know of anyone in my naborhood who's got one of these babies. I have listened once to a pair of 4350's, but that was almost 30 years ago and they sounded awesome, but so does my Hybrids IMO.
It would be nice though, if I could make a new and fresh comparison.

Yes, I do enjoy my speakers VERY MUCH.
I'm not kidding, I spend at least 4 or 5 hours a day (sometimes much more) listening to them. I simply can't seem to get enough of them and yes it's detrimental to my cleaning and housekeeping efforts.

BR
Roland