New World vs Old World JBL: JBL 4307 or 4311b

[pixelated]

As part of my long-simmering desire to recreate (surpass? lol) the sound system my father had when I was growing up in the 80s, I’ve narrowed down my amp choices to the Yamaha CA-2000/2010 and McIntosh MC240. I would love to include an element of a British audio icon in this eventual project in the name of respecting audiophile internationalism - so the McIntosh may get replaced by a British or European equivalent at some point. At this moment, I‘m seeking expert speaker opinion, namely in the Lansing-JBL spectrum and heritage.

As I'm sure many others here are in similar positions of having to please my significant other by a) casually slipping in an expensive purchase in the middle of COVID-19 and b) the need to soothe her critical visual / design eye, I’ve narrowed my choices down to these: JBL 4307 or 4311B. Both fit the size, budget, aesthetic and - assuming - sound quality I’m looking for. Our playlists rotate between soul, jazz, funk, hip hop, Berlin house (I married a German Love Parade devotee) with a smattering of classical in between. We are by no means audiophiles, though in my youth I completed a diploma in sound engineering at SAE and had a brief career as a club DJ (hence the SL-1210 LTD) and are very much music-plays-almost-constantly family.

At first these may seem contradictory choices, (and forgive my rather lacklustre knowledge - corrections welcome if I’m inaccurate) one is a vintage product using the best of accumulated technology and know-how up until the late 1970s while the other is essentially a ‘reissue’ of a classic 10’ JBL control monitor adapted for home usage (not sure of its exact lineage).
The reason is: I’m simply open to both - vintage all the way or vintage amp(s) and modern speakers. Ideally, these speakers would be made in the country of original design - though my understanding is most JBL stuff is now made in China.

I can get both at pretty decent prices. A brand new set of 4307s will set me back around $1,300 whereas I can find a pair of reconditioned 4311B WX in like new condition for about $1,700. I’m happy to look on the ‘Bay or here but I’m based in Hong Kong so shipping can be prohibitive to sellers.

Question would be: which would make the most sense in terms of what’s been laid out above and for the long term - something to hand down to my son one day.

*side note: to complicate things further I can get a pair of like new reconditioned Rogers LS3/5A for roughly $1,600 - but these do not have quite the same aesthetic as the blue / black JBLs. Same goes with the Klipsch Heresy line.

 

[donprice]

I would lean towards the 4307...it may look like a 40 year old design but the drivers are new designs and offer better performance. Certainly not a reissue like classic guitars where they really do try to turn back the clock on the components. Although I would try to find a way to justify moving up to the 4429 if the plan is to keep them >20 years.

Many of the JBL Pro products are now made in Mexico...no clue about the models discussed.

Good luck with the hunt!

 

[twiiii]

4307 for sure. More advanced drivers and a much better tweeter. You might want to audition the new ported Hersey that is much more efficient so you don't need so much power.

 

[pixelated]

Thanks for the suggestions, I could go either way at this point but the argument for the 4307 (the 4429s are sadly out of my budget) is clearer.

 

[seabisquit2]

Would love to hear more input into this discussion. I currently own 4 pair of 4311b’s for the simple reason, I owned a pair in high school and still have them. I have been fascinated with the look and sound since the first day I got them- (birthday gift from parents 1978’).
I have often thought of recapping the xovers but was afraid of not liking the new sound. I have read dozens of reviews of this path, although they were all good, I still can’t get passed the thought that, (I am sure Lansing went through all the options to get the best sound out of these boxes.) and to me, it worked.
Still very curious as to what out there, comparable to price range, is better?
Currently driving with Arcam AVR20. Recently ordered the Marantz 8015, waiting on its arrival!

Rick

 

[Nyjblbob]

Seeing as you have 2 pair,
Why not just recap one pair?
Even just one,
So you can a/b it in mono with the balance control
Then after you realize the additional material you were missing, you can do the other pair