Zonker92
All shiny and chrome
OK, thanks for that catch. So that makes 105dB at full power (doubling the power adds 3 dB, assuming no dynamic compression). I'll correct my post above.
JBL 4435 vs JBL 4343B
- Thread starter lakegville
- Start date
-
- Tags
- jbl
OK, thanks for that catch. So that makes 105dB at full power (doubling the power adds 3 dB, assuming no dynamic compression). I'll correct my post above.
Zonker92
All shiny and chrome
I lucked into my 4343b's. I think I'm going to stick with them. I can't even imagine hitting these with 75 watts.
They are such cool speakers. I agree, 75 watts would be nuts. I can handle 20 watts on my 4435s for only a few minutes.
What some fail to realize here is not just how high the frequency of each speaker goes, but how linear it is within that range. I have modified L300s and I had 4430s and played them side by side for years listening for hours to/for minute differences.
The 2405 not only extends higher (and this may not make a difference), but on axis is more linear in the 8-15 kHz range without the titanium harshness. This results in better articulation and most definitely better, more accurate, cymbols.
OTOH, the 4430s easily have better imaging, most likely due to the time alignment, the way the crossover is set so that both the horn and woofer offer the same degree of coverage at the crossover point, and CD horn. They are also a bit "tubbier."
By their very design a slant plate assembly will not image as well as a CD horn can. The slant plate works by delaying the signal over a "parabolic" curve to create spread. But your ear then hears both the undelayed and delayed signals leading to a "smear."
With the L300s, you listen to a track and point to an area and say, "The sax it over there." With the 4430s you point to a spot and say, The sax is right there.
Ultimately, I prefer the L300s and sold the 4430s.
The 2405 not only extends higher (and this may not make a difference), but on axis is more linear in the 8-15 kHz range without the titanium harshness. This results in better articulation and most definitely better, more accurate, cymbols.
OTOH, the 4430s easily have better imaging, most likely due to the time alignment, the way the crossover is set so that both the horn and woofer offer the same degree of coverage at the crossover point, and CD horn. They are also a bit "tubbier."
By their very design a slant plate assembly will not image as well as a CD horn can. The slant plate works by delaying the signal over a "parabolic" curve to create spread. But your ear then hears both the undelayed and delayed signals leading to a "smear."
With the L300s, you listen to a track and point to an area and say, "The sax it over there." With the 4430s you point to a spot and say, The sax is right there.
Ultimately, I prefer the L300s and sold the 4430s.
Last edited:
Zonker92
All shiny and chrome
Did you look at page 4 here?
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/443035.pdf Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the 4430/35 on-axis (0-degree) responses look ruler flat to me, and off-axis looks pretty flat, too; at 60 degrees (30 per side) the biggest dip is 5 dB.
As to the 4430s, I played my 4435s against my 4430s and to my great surprise, the difference was dramatic. Not only was the bass much more solid (they made the 4430s sound almost thin), but the midrange seemed much fuller, too. I am now skeptical that a single 15" will be able satisfy me down the road.
The original 4430s and 4435s did not have Ti diaphragms (2425/26 horn drivers); they had AL (2421 drivers). The AL is sought-after but the surrounds tend to exhibit fatigue failure. I put Radian diaphragms in my 4435 (2425) drivers; they have AL domes with Mylar surrounds for longevity; best of both worlds. Very smooth sounding.
(Not to take away from the L300s; I have always yearned for them almost painfully.)
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/443035.pdf Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the 4430/35 on-axis (0-degree) responses look ruler flat to me, and off-axis looks pretty flat, too; at 60 degrees (30 per side) the biggest dip is 5 dB.
As to the 4430s, I played my 4435s against my 4430s and to my great surprise, the difference was dramatic. Not only was the bass much more solid (they made the 4430s sound almost thin), but the midrange seemed much fuller, too. I am now skeptical that a single 15" will be able satisfy me down the road.
The original 4430s and 4435s did not have Ti diaphragms (2425/26 horn drivers); they had AL (2421 drivers). The AL is sought-after but the surrounds tend to exhibit fatigue failure. I put Radian diaphragms in my 4435 (2425) drivers; they have AL domes with Mylar surrounds for longevity; best of both worlds. Very smooth sounding.
(Not to take away from the L300s; I have always yearned for them almost painfully.)
Last edited:
You are looking at the wrong figures. If you are looking at Figure 4, note that is says, "normallized to on-axis," meaning that they take the on-axis as flat, and look at changes from there.
Look at Figures 7, 8, 13, etc. See the dip at ~8kHz? That' where cymbols and intelligability reside. The 075 also has this dip, but a bit higher, as do all ring/slot radiators to some extent. But the 2405/077 has the least dip.
I have no doubts that the 4435 is better than the 4430 with deeper/less tubby bass and a better midrange. The 2234 without the ring weight makes for a lighter cone than the 2235 that can better follow the action. If I had my L300s reconed, I would also have the weight left out and just let the sub fill in.
But you are still dealing with the same tweeter and it's limitations.
Look at Figures 7, 8, 13, etc. See the dip at ~8kHz? That' where cymbols and intelligability reside. The 075 also has this dip, but a bit higher, as do all ring/slot radiators to some extent. But the 2405/077 has the least dip.
I have no doubts that the 4435 is better than the 4430 with deeper/less tubby bass and a better midrange. The 2234 without the ring weight makes for a lighter cone than the 2235 that can better follow the action. If I had my L300s reconed, I would also have the weight left out and just let the sub fill in.
But you are still dealing with the same tweeter and it's limitations.
Brad Muller
Super Member
I recently found an SX-980 that I had repaired and paired it with the JBL 4343b's. I about pissed me pants!!!