JBL LSR4326P - What JBL Used to Be

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by spwath, May 20, 2019.

  1. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    So, I got these a while ago on craigslist for $60 (!!!!!).
    Looking at them, and using them, and looking at modern JBL monitors, it makes me wonder what went wrong.
    Seems like the closes speakers to compare them to in features and price range are the 705P and the 708P, though they are both more expensive, at $1000 for 705P and $2000 for 708P (and $700 MSRP for LSR4326P).

    Comparing specs, the 6.25" LSR4326P at 28lbs are much heavier than the 5" 12.5 lb 705P, and still a bit heavier than the 8" 25lb 708P. Weight may not directly indicate anything, but that's that, for whatever its worth.

    A lot of the weight may come from the large toroidal transformer inside the LSR4326P, needed for the class A/B amplification. Im assuming the 705P and 708P would not have this, with their class D amplification.

    The LSR4326P and the 705/708P have wood cabinets with reinforced mounting points, but the LSR4326P also has magnetic shielding, for use near other electronics.

    Now, onto ease of use. Both have similar IO, with 2 digital and 1 analog input, but the difference comes with the controls. All of the 4326P's controls are front mounted, for ease of use. What you are doing with controls is indicated by lights on the front. The controls can change volume, EQ, preset, solo mode, on/off, input, and start calibration. The 705P and 708P have front volume control, but all other controls are on the back, with a little screen on the back as well. Screen seems like a good idea, but would have been better on the front...

    Now, onto my actual experience. I have never used the 705p or 708p, so I can not comment on them, only the LSR4326P. I like them. Very easy to use, I like the front controls. Sound good, a bit more treble then I like sometimes, but with the built in EQ I can turn it down. I can also control with remote.
    Measurements:
    LSR4326P.jpg

    Measured about 3 ft away with minidsp umik-1, in my imperfect room, with rear port somewhat close to wall.
    Very flat, I blame most bumps on the room.
    This is the setup, I measured the right speaker.
    [​IMG]


    Time to open them up, see whats inside
    [​IMG]
    Decently thick wood, soft stuff on sides. Plastic front bezel does have stuff added to it, somewhat like Dynamat. That is good to see, not just a light plastic front.
    Big transformer on bottom there, on top of the metal reinforced plate for mounting the speaker. Looks like some real engineering when into this.

    Amplifier part
    [​IMG]

    Unique double flared port, flared at both ends for whatever reason. Whole back plate is metal, nice big heatsink for the class A/B heat (not that much heat, but more than class D).

    Overall these look and sound like a well designed product, without cutting corners like many other product do. I hope JBL can create something like this again.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2019
  2. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    When I saw this thread title, I expected to see this:
    [​IMG]
     
  3. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I wish.
    I do have some JBL Aquarius 1 S105 from around the same time I am working on restoring though.
     
  4. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    When I see that grill cover all I can think about is poking it!
    Would love to hear those some day
     
  5. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Man, I haven’t seen a pair of those in ages. Can’t remember how they sounded. Must have been at least passable. I usually remember most of the shitty speakers of the distant past.
     
  6. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    Horrible color.

    Freshman year, my roommate had these, and I had "The Large Advent" speakers. We agreed to disagree ;)

    He did agree with me that my 70wpc Sherwood receiver was a much better device than the (Pioneer I think) cheap cr@p 14wpc receiver he had. At first he was like 'It makes my speakers plenty loud enough'. Then we hooked my receiver up and suddenly he was 'Wow, listen to that bass.' I think we wore out both our copies of DSTOM that year :)
     
  7. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    I thnk we would call them 'fun V-shaped' now. My Advents were 'referency'. But when you cranked the volume, it was no contest -- to my ears |\/|

    JBLs were bassy as all ... but the highs could get pretty strident, and the bass tended to eat the mid-range. Advents were much more refined. I spent a long time deciding between Advent and AR.
     
  8. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    As far as JBL is concerned these would definitely qualify as modern, and based on my time with them aren't very deserving of the 4XXX series designation.

    The lights are fun and the DSP functions are cool (definitely grab the RMC mic off eBay if it didn't come with your pair), but for all their tech they were some of the the least transparent monitors I've ever owned (including the much cheaper LSR305) and were frustrating to mix on. The midrange in particular sounded compressed and congested (like the speakers had a cold), not sure if it was poor AD/DA or amplification but it wasn't a helpful effect.

    Decent enough for casual listening, and a good deal at 60 bucks, but not a very good monitor in my experience.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    When I hear JBL 43***, this is what I think:

    JBL 4345
    [​IMG]

    JBL4343
    [​IMG]
     
  10. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I think the lsr beginning part is the difference though, and you cant compare just the number.
    I would really like some of those 4*** though.
    Right now I have my lsr4326p, and my sr4725a (modded with altec 811b horns).
    Though I would like to get some of these sr4732 that are in this Craigslist listing at a good price, whenever I get the money for them. https://buffalo.craigslist.org/msg/d/buffalo-jbl-sr-series-pa-speakers-for/6867243034.html
    Need to hear those butt horns...
     

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