JBL 4311 speakers

[mixmkr]

sorry about a "wrong" forum...but I couldn't find the "speaker" forum, and I thought this the best place for Harvey to potentially see this thread.

Harvey...my question ..I have a pair of 4311's, that I have had for years now (and I know you have some "intimate" experience with them )... I also have a pair of URIE 813 time aligns(and my NS10's are long gone) and of course the Auratones. I actually prefer the 4311's (actually 4311 WX-A ..ser no. 70097)over many speakers I have used/owned, BUT, have just recently started to fall out of favor with them. I bought a bunch of Sony 7506 headphones awhile back, and have been using them for A LOT of listening, and I am now getting the perspective that the JBL's are just not "putting it out". I realize that the hyped frequencies in the headphones are the cause of this, but it seems like the speakers are becoming "brand new" to me again, and I am having to learn them all over again it seems. Do I burn the headphones...buy a NEW set of 'something' to replace and update the 4311's? I'd sure like your opinions on these speakers on how they relate to speakers nowadays, and just your overall thoughts on this scenario.

oh...to keep this post "mic related"....I enjoy reading your microphone comments. Keep 'em coming

Chris

 

[mixmkr]

I just wanted to bump this in hopes of catching Harvey's eye. thanks...and sorry again for the wrong forum....kinda

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Sorry, I DID miss it the first time around.

The 4311 was the update of the 4310, and it introduced their first titanium tweeter to the recording industry. It was terrible, and we all hated it. They actually pulled the tweeter and went back to the paper tweeter and renamed the unit as the JBL 4311B.

The 12" speaker works much better in about 4 cubic feet, which is what it was originally designed for. The JBL D123 was the basis for that 12" speaker, and it was designed by Bill Burton, one of my mentors, while I was at JBL. Later, Ed May (my other mentor at JBL) modified it slightly for use in the original 4310. In private discussions, he confided that he also hated the titanium tweeter.

 

[mixmkr]

thanks for the info...

the tweeter in my speakers appears to be paper also...with a big foam circular piece surrounding it.

I was wondering how you thought they compared to more 'modern' speakers. ..and aren't you using a pair now also? I suppose soffit mounting them might improve the bass response too.

also...are you able to date these speakers given the serial number?

thanks,
Chris

 

[ctguy1955]

4311wx

73-74.....paid 800 for the set while stationed in Germany. Mid range and tweeters are blown and they have sat for 20 plus years with no use. Cabs and woofs are great, the cloth holder for front is broken in many spots and its the velcro that is holding the covers in place. Should I just find LE25 and LE5-2 speakers on ebay and fix
this up to sell them? Spend 200 to get 400? Not sure what to do.

Thanks

JBL should have warranted these a lot better for the 800 I paid back then! When I wrote to them, they said "sorry".