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FS: JBL 4350A Studio Monitors - The biggest and best vintage JBL monitor


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Item: JBL 4350
Location: Ipswich QLD
Price:  $17000
Item Condition: For a 48 year old speaker, great.
Reason for selling: I have owned them for a few years now and my room just isn't wide enough to get the speakers far enough apart.
Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only
Extra Info:

 

Anyone considering the investment in these speakers know what they are so I won't go on too much of a rant.

 

In my opinion these are the pinnacle of the 43xx Blue Baffle monitors. Overall system sensitivity of 95db/w and capable of SPL's exceeding 126db. Why would you require such high SPL's you may ask? Whilst you are not likely to crank the speakers to a level approaching 126db it's the sheer effortlessness of reaching high SPL's that is so addictive with large JBL monitors. They will play loud without a hint of strain. The dynamics here is just off chops. I have never heard another speaker come close to the mid-bass wallop these have. It's just insane, unless you have heard these speakers you couldn't even begin to imagine what I am referring to. I assume if you are considering these you are familiar with the drivers so I won't go into there sound signature of each but I have to say these are the most dynamic vintage JBL monitor.

 

You may ask where the 4345's fit into the mix? They are a similar sized monitor in size and sensitivity but with a larger 18 inch woofer as opposed to 2x 15's. Well you can keep your 18inch woofer and I'll raise you a 12inch mid bass, but most importantly the 4350's have a 4 inch compression driver and 2inch horn. The diaphragms are more than twice the size of the 4345 and the driver weighs nearly 20kg alone. It makes the 2420/2425 look like a toy. The 2440/2441 is really as good as it gets with vintage JBL horns. It's not just the sheer size of the 2440/2441, it's just a superior driver.

 

All the cones and diaphragms are original JBL OEM and being the "A" variation the drivers are all Alnico. The speakers come with the JBL 5234 Active Crossover with the 250hz crossover cards installed. This is just a freebie thrown in with the speakers but I would seriously look at a better crossover for these. I used a DEQX but something like a Bryston 10B or First Watt B4 would be good too. The old JBL crossovers are a bit long in the tooth these days, even if you recap them.

 

I bought these of the original owner so these have not been passed around or abused. I have the  foilcal for the grilles but the plastic flim has started to peel off so I didn't stick them on. You could heat them up with a heat gun or maybe get on to them with an iron.

 

Cabinets are in pretty good nick, the speakers are now approaching 48 years old so that has to be taken into consideration. If you look close there a few marks here and there but they are a solid 8/10. There is one defect worth noting, on the top left corner of one side there is a bit haziness in the finish. I have hi-res photos with the flash on so you can have look. It's not a big mark but worth mentioning. Unless you had a pair stored in a vacuum I doubt there are many 4350's in better nick. Sequential serial numbers 12007A 12008A. These will never depreciate and along with the Paragon are the most valuable and sort after JBL speaker.

 

I doubt this would interest any buyers but I have a pair of charge couple 3155 crossovers I could include if you wanted to bring these to 4355 spec. Jantzen caps, Jantzen Wax Inductors and Superes resistors. The HF portion of the speakers have been re-wired with Duelund 16AWG and the binding posts are CMC's. For a little extra I can provide a JBL MPA600 power amp to drive the LF section. 400 watts in 8 and 600 into 4, plenty enough to drive the 4x15's.

 

Not expecting to sell these quickly so I will not entertain any low ball offers. If you are local and want to hear the speakers without the interest in buying I am happy to give a few people a listen. This would have to be at a time that suits me as setting these up requires substantial component changes in my system.'

 

Edit I should also add I am open to trades. The speakers I am interested in seldomly come up for sale but it's worth a shot. If you have a pair of Duntech Sovereigns, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario or Elipsa Red or Stradivari. Let me know.


Photos:

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Edited by kelossus
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I know it's probably not the best time of year to post these. Either way it's going to be a long sell.

 

For anyone interested I have taken some hi-res photos which will show any marks on the speakers. The photos are too large and too numerous to post here so shoot me a PM if you want to see them.

 

Sadly I think these will end up overseas.

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You mentioned your room isn't wide enough which is why you are selling them.  Put them on they're sides.  They image better and sound amazing that way and aren't much bigger than the Duntechs you have.  One of the guys from the Athens audio club has these with all Ypsilon electronics, Goldmund Reference and other Turntables and Stellavox Reel to Reel and many people thought they were the best speakers they had ever heard (and he used to own Focal Utopias, JBL Everests and others so he has had some really nice gear).  He did mention they are the hardest speakers he has ever had to set up and they are ruthlessly revealing of every part of the system but when set up and powered right are amaze-balls.

 

I prefer the 18 inch driver of the 4345 myself but these are incredible speakers.  Its all different taste.

 

LPG

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1 hour ago, Lansche plasma guy said:

You mentioned your room isn't wide enough which is why you are selling them.  Put them on they're sides.  They image better and sound amazing that way and aren't much bigger than the Duntechs you have.  One of the guys from the Athens audio club has these with all Ypsilon electronics, Goldmund Reference and other Turntables and Stellavox Reel to Reel and many people thought they were the best speakers they had ever heard (and he used to own Focal Utopias, JBL Everests and others so he has had some really nice gear).  He did mention they are the hardest speakers he has ever had to set up and they are ruthlessly revealing of every part of the system but when set up and powered right are amaze-balls.

 

I prefer the 18 inch driver of the 4345 myself but these are incredible speakers.  Its all different taste.

 

LPG

Or move :D 

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2 hours ago, Lansche plasma guy said:

You mentioned your room isn't wide enough which is why you are selling them.  Put them on they're sides.  They image better and sound amazing that way and aren't much bigger than the Duntechs you have.  One of the guys from the Athens audio club has these with all Ypsilon electronics, Goldmund Reference and other Turntables and Stellavox Reel to Reel and many people thought they were the best speakers they had ever heard (and he used to own Focal Utopias, JBL Everests and others so he has had some really nice gear).  He did mention they are the hardest speakers he has ever had to set up and they are ruthlessly revealing of every part of the system but when set up and powered right are amaze-balls.

 

I prefer the 18 inch driver of the 4345 myself but these are incredible speakers.  Its all different taste.

 

LPG

I had considered rotating them but you can't use the lens. I think the lens does make a significant difference which is easily seen in the measurements with and without. I just couldn't go without it.

 

The Duntechs are more vertically dominating as opposed to the extreme wide baffle of the 4350's. I just can't get the 4350's far enough apart.

 

The 18inch driver in the 4345's is stellar but the 4350's better them in the all important mid-range.

 

Interesting regarding the gentleman in the Athens Audio Club. You could bring over a pair of new Everests, TAD Reference Ones or some other 100k speaker and the JBL's would do certain things better. Guaranteed. How's that for a 50 year old design?

Edited by kelossus
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I should also add I am open to trades. The speakers I am interested in are rather peculiar but it's worth a shot.

 

If you have a pair of Duntech Sovereigns, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario or Elipsa Red or Stradivari. Let me know.

Edited by kelossus
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56 minutes ago, Tamura said:

One of the most iconic, and beautiful speakers ever made. A true classic!

Haha glad you think so.

 

I can remember another SNA member listening to them recently and saying "They sound excellent but they are the ugliest speaker I have ever seen"

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6 minutes ago, kelossus said:

Haha glad you think so.

 

I can remember another SNA member listening to them recently and saying "They sound excellent but they are the ugliest speaker I have ever seen"

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I'd take these over modern super glossy designs any day. 

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3 hours ago, kelossus said:

I should also add I am open to trades. The speakers I am interested in are rather peculiar but it's worth a shot.

 

If you have a pair of Duntech Sovereigns, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario or Elipsa Red. Let me know.

I have a pair of Amati homage... might have to move however... might drop you a PM for a chat

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I’ve personally owned a set of these magic monitors. Endless dynamics and just like being there at a concert. I have had dealings with the owner and is great to deal with. I really hope they stay here in Oz rare vintage JBL monitors are getting rare here so good luck with the sale end game speakers.

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I have seen these in the 'flesh' and they are, as Chris describes them, in VGC for their age. Even my wife was impressed - but living in apartment, well..... I have bought a couple of sets of JBLs from Chris and the most recent set (4313B) are on my 'never to be sold' list. 

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