JBL 4312a for living room??

[ggcrawley]

I'm new to the hifi scene, but I'm closing in on a setup that will cost me around $1350, consisting of:

—pair of JBL 4312a's in great condition ($800) ONE PICTURED BELOW
—Pioneer sx780 ($300)
—Technics SL-D202 turntable with updated parts where it matters. ($250)

Listening to them in the shop, they sounded lovely—well-rounded and precise, albeit, the room was very small. From what I've read, the 4312a's have a smashing sound—punchy bass, soaring highs, articulate mids. Most everything I can find says they're fantastic, but one online opinion piqued my concern and I would like some input from those who know.

This particular gentleman said that studio monitors are not going to sound good in a living room. "They are not HI FI speakers. They are full-range studio monitors. They are not meant to make for a pleasurable listening experience. They are designed to accurately reflect what is being put into them, unlike hi-fi speakers, which are designed to flatter the music. In other words, unlike hi-fi speakers, they are precision measuring instruments."

For my part, I will be using my setup in a living room that opens up to the second floor loft (so high ceilings), and the space is about 406 square feet, with wood floors.

1. Does the above criticism hold water?
2. Does anyone have experience with the 4312a's, and what can you say about using them in a living room (or even better, if you can speak to the space I described)?
3. Does the Pioneer sx780 seem like a good match or should I shell out $1200 for a gorgeous Marantz Model 4270 (PICTURED BELOW) in mint condition that the guy is also selling?

Looking forward to your opinionation!

 

[Chad Michael]

Buy the rig (JBL / Pioneer / Technics) the Marantz might be a shade better but not for the cost difference, listen to music and not opinions.

Get that bitch a steaming and effing go!!!

 

[hjames]

Do you have any experience listening to JBL 43xx series speakers? Some think they are precise, others compare them to drilling into your ear.
I am older and tend to like an extended HF design, but your mileage may vary.
Marantz tends to bring high dollar prices these days ... isn't the 4270 a QUAD receiver? (70w/ch in 2 ch mode) - I'd pass on it.
The Pioneer sx780 specs out as a 45w/ch stereo - I'd look for a higher powered stereo receiver.
I don't play music stupid loud, but I do tend to favor a minimum of 100w/ch for general rock/jazz/classical music - for the best dynamics of the natural bass.

 

[ggcrawley]

Buy the rig (JBL / Pioneer / Technics) the Marantz might be a shade better but not for the cost difference, listen to music and not opinions.

Get that bitch a steaming and effing go!!!

My guy, you live up to name Chad. Getting me PUMPED

 

[ggcrawley]

Do you have any experience listening to JBL 43xx series speakers? Some think they are precise, others compare them to drilling into your ear.
I am older and tend to like an extended HF design, but your mileage may vary.
Marantz tends to bring high dollar prices these days ... isn't the 4270 a QUAD receiver? (70w/ch in 2 ch mode) - I'd pass on it.
The Pioneer sx780 specs out as a 45w/ch stereo - I'd look for a higher powered stereo receiver.
I don't play music stupid loud, but I do tend to favor a minimum of 100w/ch for general rock/jazz/classical music - for the best dynamics of the natural bass.

I don't have really any intentional experience listening to any hifi speakers. I listened to my friend's system, he introduced me to the whole world I was missing out on, and now I'm endeavoring upon the seas of real sound as green boy!

Fair advice on the Marantz. It's a massive price for me...it just looks so darn good. You're correct about the sx780 being 45watts. Perhaps I'll look around for something with a bit more drive. Thanks!

 

[swechsler]

Remember that the original 4311 and the L100 were essentially the same speaker with a slightly different driver layout. One was meant for use as a studio monitor, the other meant for the home, but the sound was the same. Many 4311s were sold for home use as well. I don't think there was ever a home version of the 4312, but if the original worked well in the home, why wouldn't the newer version?

 

[wiredbecker]

We think of the L100 and 4312A's as the same speaker, but they are different. 4312A is the basic L100 design with improved (smoother) mid and (extended) high frequency drivers, and mirror imaged. (Thanks Zilch! ) The 4312 features the titanium 035Ti, while the L100 features the LE25 cone tweeter (Thanks Gordon!)

I love the sound of titanium tweeters so it would be the 4312A all day over here while the L100s stay in storage. (The LE25 sounds 'wooly' to my ear.) If the bass response is too boomy, put a sock in it! Literally, you can put a sock in the tuning port to tame the boominess of the bass response.

Also, if you end up buying the 4312As, you'll want to flip them over so the woofers are on the bottom and tweeters are closer to ear level. Get them on stands if you can, that way maybe you won't have to end up flipping the speaker 180° to bring the tweeters up to ear level.

I also have the quad Marantz 4270 and while it looks amazing, I haven't set it up in my space in favor of smaller, discrete, and more powerful modern amplification. It's all just fun, have fun with it.

 

[ivandezande]

I'm new to the hifi scene, but I'm closing in on a setup that will cost me around $1350, consisting of:

—pair of JBL 4312a's in great condition ($800) ONE PICTURED BELOW
—Pioneer sx780 ($300)
—Technics SL-D202 turntable with updated parts where it matters. ($250)

Listening to them in the shop, they sounded lovely—well-rounded and precise, albeit, the room was very small. From what I've read, the 4312a's have a smashing sound—punchy bass, soaring highs, articulate mids. Most everything I can find says they're fantastic, but one online opinion piqued my concern and I would like some input from those who know.

This particular gentleman said that studio monitors are not going to sound good in a living room. "They are not HI FI speakers. They are full-range studio monitors. They are not meant to make for a pleasurable listening experience. They are designed to accurately reflect what is being put into them, unlike hi-fi speakers, which are designed to flatter the music. In other words, unlike hi-fi speakers, they are precision measuring instruments."

For my part, I will be using my setup in a living room that opens up to the second floor loft (so high ceilings), and the space is about 406 square feet, with wood floors.

1. Does the above criticism hold water?
2. Does anyone have experience with the 4312a's, and what can you say about using them in a living room (or even better, if you can speak to the space I described)?
3. Does the Pioneer sx780 seem like a good match or should I shell out $1200 for a gorgeous Marantz Model 4270 (PICTURED BELOW) in mint condition that the guy is also selling?

Looking forward to your opinionation!

Pass on everything. Both receivers are mid at best and the JBL’s are rock speakers and not much else. Accurate is the last word to describe them.
Also junk turntable.
Much better out there for similar price.

 

[malden]

Agree with above but would not consider any of it "junk".

 

[Mr Boochie]

Listening to them in the shop, they sounded lovely—well-rounded and precise, albeit, the room was very small. From what I've read, the 4312a's have a smashing sound—punchy bass, soaring highs, articulate mids. Most everything I can find says they're fantastic, but one online opinion piqued my concern and I would like some input from those who know.

Take a CD or LP you are familiar with down to the shop. Give a tune a good listen or two. Be honest. If you like the sound, then these are your puppies.

Your listening environment may need minor modifications to approach the dealer's listening room—this is another consideration. I love big speakers, even in small rooms. I do not like the tiny "peashooter" effect many speakers exhibit.

 

[ggcrawley]

Take a CD or LP you are familiar with down to the shop. Give a tune a good listen or two. Be honest. If you like the sound, then these are your puppies.

Your listening environment may need minor modifications to approach the dealer's listening room—this is another consideration. I love big speakers, even in small rooms. I do not like the tiny "peashooter" effect many speakers exhibit.

Good advice. Thank you

 

[Bicyclist]

I'm not sure what exactly you will eventually want but in most living rooms that rig should sound good. It may not be the ultimate but it'll be plenty good. Even the turntable, as long as everything is in good shape.

 

[BMWCCA]

Nice to see folks fresh to this hobby. At least you won't complain when I give the same critique I always do of the 431x 3-way monitors and the original L100 Century JBLs.

Most people assume "monitor" means a flat response curve but the 4310/4311 were not meant to be "flat" but instead were intentionally voiced to match the response of the ubiquitous Altec studio monitors at the time but to do that job at a lower price and with a smaller footprint. It's not flat, but instead purposely articulated to be what engineers were used to hearing. Today we call those Control Monitors where we assume a Studio Monitor does give a rather flat response. Either can be dealt with using EQ or tone controls, but to say the 4312 is a "rock" speaker or will give the same response the engineer intended while mastering Little Feat does not tell the entire story today. The reality of it is that your room acoustics may be just as important to what you "hear" as the speakers you're listening to.

You will enjoy them. Your ears will get used to them—as they will and do adjust to any component change in anyone's system—and after that anything else may sound "off" to you. You may even prefer that "colored" response. As Zilch (RIP) used to call them: "Fake but Fun!" Can you do better for $800 even within the JBL line? Yes. (My suggestion would be to compare the 4312 with the 4412.) Will they be as iconic? No, but do you or your friends care about that? Today I own the first pair of L100 I ever heard back in 1970. I keep them for their iconic status, not their sound. Last night I was breaking down my workshop system to install some Crown amps in original Crown walnut cabinets. When I hooked it all back up I was surprised by the first sounds that came out of them until I realized I had the L100 playing and not the 250ti and L150A that I'd been listening to for an hour or more just before the disassembly. They sounded awful! I really can't sugar-coat it. But so much of what you "hear" is your frame of reference that your brain and ears may just love it.

Either way, enjoy the music and enjoy the hobby. I'm pretty sure this won't be your last pair of speakers.

 

[spark1]

Pass on everything. Both receivers are mid at best and the JBL’s are rock speakers and not much else. Accurate is the last word to describe them.
Also junk turntable.
Much better out there for similar price.

I hope the OP takes your advice for what it's worth.

 

[Apreggiator]

Pass on everything. Both receivers are mid at best and the JBL’s are rock speakers and not much else. Accurate is the last word to describe them.
Also junk turntable.
Much better out there for similar price.

As mentioned before, junk would also not be my word of choice, but you can do SO much better for your budget.
I'd visit some more places where you can audition equipment using your songs of choice. E.g. listen to the same sounds on different systems in order to compare more equally. Even though the space where you listen will make a difference, you'll start recognizing different classes of equipment/levels of sound reproduction pretty quickly.

The desired JBL's might be tagged as 'monitors', but their peaky response means that they definitely are not. If you'd already have the means to heavily compensate for their peaky mid/upper response they might be an interesting retro choice, but as they are I'd also recommend against them.

The amp I don't know.

The turntable might be worth it if it has a nice cartridge on it, current prices for items like this just make me weep. You should be able to find a nicer one for similar money.

 

[kmagnuss]

Depending on your room, 45 watts might be plenty. Most people have no idea how loud 10 watts really is, especially in a small room. Obviously it wouldn't cut it in a very large room, but 45 watts is no slouch. There's plenty of receivers out there with 15 watts or less that would suit most people's needs.
I'm a Marantz fanboy but I'd be all over that Pioneer if it were me... then keep on the lookout for a Marantz at a cheaper point that still scratches the "omg that looks amazing I gotta have it" itch.

 

[malden]

I'm new to the hifi scene, but I'm closing in on a setup that will cost me around $1350, consisting of:

—pair of JBL 4312a's in great condition ($800) ONE PICTURED BELOW
—Pioneer sx780 ($300)
—Technics SL-D202 turntable with updated parts where it matters. ($250)

Those are fair prices.

The Technics turntable will be better built than any current production turntable under $500

The Pioneer receiver, assuming it has at least been bench tested to make sure it is running as it was meant to, is not a bad deal. Just keep in mind that it will need servicing at some point. Servicing, at a minimum would cost a couple of hundred to replace out of spec components. If you have access to a technician who can do a full restoration, that will cost considerably more. This is true for any vintage receiver, regardless of brand. The Marantz you are considering, would only be worth the asking price if it has been fully restored.

The JBL speakers should not disappoint you. They will have a full, lively sound that will fill your living room. Don't get too hung up on whether or not they are "monitors" or have a "flat" frequency response, your room and how the speakers are positioned will have a bigger impact on the sound.

 

[markd51]

All depends. Just speaking of the speakers, think of them like a large mini-monitor stand mounted speaker. But with a 12" Bass Driver delivering the goods. LOL

The 4311-4312 would no doubt perform best in the home on some good quality stands.

Super common, you flip them over, Bass Driver on the bottom. Are/were these mirrored pairs? Meaning there's a left and a right?

 

[markd51]

Yep, the Marantz is a Quad, but doesn't mean it can't be used as a Stereo Receiver. Or, buy another pair of JBLs! LOL
I've been that route, brand new Marantz 4400, with 4 JBL L-65 Jubals.

Alice Cooper, "Sick Things" in quad was a real hoot!

 

[ggcrawley]

All depends. Just speaking of the speakers, think of them like a large mini-monitor stand mounted speaker. But with a 12" Bass Driver delivering the goods. LOL

The 4311-4312 would no doubt perform best in the home on some good quality stands.

Super common, you flip them over, Bass Driver on the bottom. Are/were these mirrored pairs? Meaning there's a left and a right?

I believe mirrored!