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Vintage JBL 4312A vs modern Wharfedale Linton Heritage

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pieterv1

New Member
I currently own a pair of JBL 4312A's, driven by a Quad 405-2, fully restored and with a few upgrades.

A friend of mine is looking for a pair of vintage JBL's for a new listening bar/coffee place, right around the corner. I'm thinking about selling my pair and get the Wharfedale's instead. He's going to pay me the cost of my new speakers, incl the (mandatory) stands. You could say I'm making a bit of profit since I got my JBL's for only €550 and can basically swap them for a pair which costs around €1200 new.

Given there's around a 35 year difference in technology, is it safe to say that the Wharfedale's will theoretically sound better?

Sometimes I do find the JBL's a bit too vintage sounding - boxy with a bit of a high-mid peak and the true highs a bit undefined. The crossovers have been recapped & L pads replaced. Their overal sound character seems to work well with certain types of music (rock, hip-hop, funk & disco), but I suppose the Wharfedale's will have a more precise, universal character + a bit more punch?

Oh and I do find the Wharfedale's very pretty as well
 
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"Better" is subjective. The JBLs have a lot of good things with it i.e. woofer, while the Wharfedale are a more modern take on a vintage design.

I've heard the JBLs and the original l100. Not for me. But, I haven't heard the Wharfedale. However, understanding the components of the Wharfedale, I think it would suit my taste better.

I would certainly do the trade.
 
I will add that IMHO the JBL faults are what make it a good bookstore/ coffee shop speaker in that the accentuated midrange provides a better voice intelligibility in this environment.
 
In the meanwhile I've switched to the Wharfedale's and haven't looked back since. They are phenomenal speakers! :)

Imaging is great & very 3D. Sound is brighter & more defined overall, without getting fatiguing to the ears. The bottom end has more body to it as well.

Very happy!
 
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