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JBL 4408 vs. Beovox S45.2

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octopus_luke

New Member
Hello!

I am looking to ditch my modern active set up and move back to vintage-ish equipment.

Currently exploring what new primary speakers for my 12x12 room, and these two models lead contenders right now. Someone is selling the 4408s in great condition for around $280 (no stands), and the Beovox are available quite often for around $150 here in Denmark.

The new speakers will be matched with a Technics SL-10 and a Hitachi HA-330 that I picked up for around $40 a few months back.

While I’ve been collecting vinyl for some 15 years, I’m still a bit of a novice audiophile so would appreciate all the advice I can get.

Thanks!
 
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I have had both and until recently a nice set of 4408's, the originals with the tweeter attenuator and oak looking wood cabinets.

Both are great speakers and the phillips tweeter in the S45.2 is smoother than the titanium dome in the 4408 IMHO. That siad though, give the JBL's some power and they come alive. Better bass and get much louder and stay composed. Being studio monitors they will point out any flaws in the chain or the recording. The S45.2's I found are more forgiving.
If you are playing music at saner levels the B&O have a nice midrange the JBL lacks so you might keep that in mind. Only reason I sold either pair was to try something different and make some space. Really miss the 4408's though. Just make sure the surrounds are good on the JBL's or have been replaced recently. The S45.2 is subject to magnet shift on the woofers so just something to keep in mind.

Good luck. Post some pics when you get either or both. :biggrin:
 
I would take a pair of Beovox S45-2 over any 8" 2-way by JBL or anyone else. The B&O have a full lively sound. I kind of regret selling mine but I have way too many speakers.

Beovox S45-2 Passive Loudspeakers

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Fairlane said:
I have had both and until recently a nice set of 4408's, the originals with the tweeter attenuator and oak looking wood cabinets.

Both are great speakers and the phillips tweeter in the S45.2 is smoother than the titanium dome in the 4408 IMHO. That siad though, give the JBL's some power and they come alive. Better bass and get much louder and stay composed. Being studio monitors they will point out any flaws in the chain or the recording. The S45.2's I found are more forgiving.
If you are playing music at saner levels the B&O have a nice midrange the JBL lacks so you might keep that in mind. Only reason I sold either pair was to try something different and make some space. Really miss the 4408's though. Just make sure the surrounds are good on the JBL's or have been replaced recently. The S45.2 is subject to magnet shift on the woofers so just something to keep in mind.

Good luck. Post some pics when you get either or both. :biggrin:
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Thanks for such a thorough reply! I should have highlighted that I’m an apartment dweller, so hitting max volumes isn’t highly realistic. For that reason – and that they are effectively half the price – I’m probably leaning towards the s45.2s
 
That's a good decision, you can't go wrong here. Plus they look really retro. Big bonus if they have the original B&O stands.
 
B&O speakers tend to roll off early the bass so if you have two nice corners to place them near that would be my choice. You can also move them lower to the floor or higher to toward the ceiling to get even more bass out put.
 
Hi folks. Thanks for the input!

A pair of JBL 4410s have just popped up in my area (around $400 without stands). I was wondering if that would be a significant upgrade or whether the group here still would lean towards the far smaller s45.2s?
 
I have M45's and they are perfect for my 12 x 13 room; with the stands, you can dial in the tweeter right at ear level.
 
The Beovox are nice little speakers. But the JBL's will do everything better if you listen at volume.

I love critically listening to Art Tatum or Wes Montgomery or Mozart but occasionally its time to crank up Priest or Zepplin, The Who and thats where the JBL's had the edge.
They can do both and you have tone controls on the 4410's.

Again, just my two cents worth.

If the S45-2's crossed my path again at the right price I would pick them, they are very nice speaker with great WAF.
 
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