Valveglow
Super Member
Well, it certainly was a struggle with the shipping companies involved, but the (to me) absolutely amazing JBL 4435s are set up and singing! They are nothing whatsoever what I thought they'd be like, never having heard a set before. In fact, aside from L100s and a couple of other small bookshelf JBLs from (way) back in the day, I don't ever recall listening to this brand speaker. I did what I recommend that people NEVER do, and that is purchasing speakers that they have never heard...this is far worse generally than buying sight unseen!
In any event, the crossover, and all associated paperwork, original manuals, etc. purchased with it, "vanished". They were packaged together with (but apparently not attached to) the speakers. This means that for the present, they are not being bi-amped, powered by two 225 Watt Triode Monoblocks into the internal crossover. I am currently exploring options with the shipper at this point...
Here are some impressions thus far, with photos to follow:
Where is this alleged West Coast sound I have heard endlessly about? The implication is that these speakers would leave their unmistakable DNA characteristics on everything they touched. I bought these speakers because I wanted a change, but they are vastly above what I imagined them to be.
These speakers replaced an older set of Magnepan 1.4s, 5' tall but no ribbon, quasi-ribbon, etc. How can a short, squat, box speaker increase the height, depth, and breadth reproduction of a 5' tall dipole. Design wise, they are complete opposites. I don't get it.
The coloration is vanishingly low. Where is that "JBL sound"? Regarding the cheeks driver and horn, where are the very rolled off highs I heard about? The highs just sparkle, but they do not sizzle. On some recordings, the presentation is 2 dimensional, uninvolving, and uninspired. On other recordings that I have known and played repeatedly through the Magnepans and other speakers, one is now transported to the actual venue itself!
Forget the hyperbole. Can someone please explain how something like these can trump other speakers in certain areas for which they are renowned?
The crime regarding what has happened to speakers since their Vintage production days may just be more heinous than I previously believed...
In any event, the crossover, and all associated paperwork, original manuals, etc. purchased with it, "vanished". They were packaged together with (but apparently not attached to) the speakers. This means that for the present, they are not being bi-amped, powered by two 225 Watt Triode Monoblocks into the internal crossover. I am currently exploring options with the shipper at this point...
Here are some impressions thus far, with photos to follow:
- Incredibly musical, natural, delicate, sweet, and airy when the program material calls for it
- WIDE OPEN as far as sound staging is concerned
- Rock solid, unwavering imaging
- Mind boggling midrange purity and lack of coloration. Vocals are spine tingling.
- Seemingly lower sensitivity (to me) than specs suggest
- Much deeper bass than I imagined
- No upper bass emphasis whatsoever that I expected to hear
- Incredibly sweet and detailed treble
- Sounds like different speakers on many recordings
- The most LIVE sounding speaker I have ever heard on many recordings
- Unforgivingly revealing of studio gimmicks: echo, limiting, compression, etc
- A drum lover's dream! I own several sets of hi hat cymbals. I have listened to dynamic speakers, planars, electrostatics, etc. The hi hat cymbals are REAL!
Where is this alleged West Coast sound I have heard endlessly about? The implication is that these speakers would leave their unmistakable DNA characteristics on everything they touched. I bought these speakers because I wanted a change, but they are vastly above what I imagined them to be.
These speakers replaced an older set of Magnepan 1.4s, 5' tall but no ribbon, quasi-ribbon, etc. How can a short, squat, box speaker increase the height, depth, and breadth reproduction of a 5' tall dipole. Design wise, they are complete opposites. I don't get it.
The coloration is vanishingly low. Where is that "JBL sound"? Regarding the cheeks driver and horn, where are the very rolled off highs I heard about? The highs just sparkle, but they do not sizzle. On some recordings, the presentation is 2 dimensional, uninvolving, and uninspired. On other recordings that I have known and played repeatedly through the Magnepans and other speakers, one is now transported to the actual venue itself!
Forget the hyperbole. Can someone please explain how something like these can trump other speakers in certain areas for which they are renowned?
The crime regarding what has happened to speakers since their Vintage production days may just be more heinous than I previously believed...