JBL Speaker Reconing

[DigitalDon]

I have a pair of JBL 4311 Studio Monitors I bought new many years ago. The woofers are all dried out (the tar actually ran down the speaker cabinet). I've been told these were the best thing going many years ago and would compare to monitors out there now if reconditioned. JBL sells a recone kit (about $120 each) but must be ordered and installed by an authorized service center. Total cost about $165 each. Has anyone had speakers reconed before? If so, where? Were the results worth the expense? Anyone used the 4311's in a studio environment? Thanks in advance.

 

[Wesley]

I'm having a pair done right now. Not the exact same model as yours. I think mine are are the D112. Anyhow, The have a white cone with a foam surround. If the cone isn't damaged, you can have the speakers refoamed. I'm paying $45 a piece for them.
-Wes

 

[mixmkr]

I have a pair of 4311's that just kick absolute booty. I treat them with kid gloves as they are original, but I am not afraid to touch the volume knob....and area where they excel. I have seen used pairs go for <$500 all over they place...if not substantially cheaper, and I'd take them over any nearfield in a heartbeat..including the Mackie 824's etc. Your recone estimate sounds a tad high, you might look around.

 

[drstawl]

I had a pair of Altec 12" Instrument speakers in my amp that I bought new in 1976. I had them reconed at O.C. Speaker using Altec original parts. ~$150 ea. including parts I think. They'll take more power than I've ever had to throw at them and sound just like they did when they were new. I had them in an old Bassman cabinet for a while and they were so efficient I could get them "call the cops" loud using a Sony walkman headphone out to drive them.

 

[DigitalDon]

Thanks for the info. Think I'll hang onto these until I can afford to have them reconed.