eBay 4425's - Opinions Please

[Andyoz]

Hi,

I am in the Uk and a set of 4425's have appeared on eBay (finishing in 8 hours). These don't come up that often in the UK and I am interested in them for a second system in the study.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7412134212&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I have been in contact with the seller and he seems decent enough and I have no reason to doubt the speaker history he states in the ad.

Can anyone here see anything in the detailed pictures he shows that I should be worried about. He doesn't know the build date but stated that he thinks 1995-1999 (?) - is there a way to check if he gives me the Serial No's.

Also, the foam surrounds look in good condition - any opinions from what the pictures show.

Any help much appreciated

Andy

[johnaec]

They look like a great deal to me!

John

[Andyoz]

Thanks, I was really hoping somebody was going to talk me OUT of buying them as my wife will kill me...no really !!!

Is is possible that these could have been made around 1995-1999 as the owner has proposed - when did they actually stop making these?

[remusr]

They seem like a good deal to me but I've never heard them. I have 4430's and 4435's so the upper end should be similar - very smooth & musical but NOT real extended. The age seems ok, JBL Pros says they were last made in 2000. 2214 woof and 2416 comp driver. Boxes & grilles look good.

[remusr]

Andy - johncelliot is the seller, has a current thread in the Marketplace forum.

[Andyoz]

Excellent, so at worst they may be about 10 years old.

The owner has stated that the drivers are original (never had a new surround/recone job) so that may also be indicative that they are not from the dark ages (i.e. the 80's).

Bugger it, I'll have a punt later. I am still interested if getting the Serial No's would allow some 44** series expert to give me an idea of build date?

Thanks for the help.

[mech986]

Hi, look here on JBL Professional's web site for information - this is the system reference chart for the Studio Monitor series which includes the 43xx and 44xx models:

http://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/Systems%20Reference%20Charts/Studio%20Monitor%20Series.pdf

Page 5 lists the 4425 as last being made in 2000. Even though the speakers may be 6-12 years old, I would expect to have the foam surrounds replaced soon. Any heat, smoke, smog or other environmental situation can cause the foams to deteriorate. You may want to factor that into the total purchase price.

Were they in a studio environment?

Regards,

Bart

[Andyoz]

Thanks Bart,

Do you now of any threads talking about how to get the surrounds replaced for people based in the UK?

It's seems there are many options in the States. I assume there must be numerous options here as there are plenty of 2214H's floating around the UK.

Actually, I just remembered our company deals with a big sound system supplier in Ireland - he would know.

Andy

[mech986]

Hi,

Here's a link from JBL Pro regarding their international service sites for the UK:

http://www.harmanprouk.com/

http://www.harmanprouk.com/pages/contact/contact.aspx

The contact page has information on Service contacts. I'm sure they can refer you to an authorized repair/service center. Although reconing is the official JBL recommendation, I suspect these centers will have access to the correct foams to do a resurround on your request or could refer you to someone who can. Do remember to ask that the surrounds be replaced on the back of the cone. Some folks here in the US don't always remember.

Good Luck, I suspect the price may get up there in a hurry.

Regards,

Bart
In reasonably Sunny Los Angeles, California
JBL NUT, Yahoo! LS3/5a newsgroup moderator and KEF/LS3/5a enthusiast also

[mech986]

:shock: :spchless: £620.00 was the ending bid, Wow!!!

Congrats to johncelliot though on the sale. So Andy, did you go that high?

I've got a pair here in California, now what would be the cost of putting them in two seats on a flight to Heathrow?

Regards,

Bart

[Andyoz]

No, too rich for me - my upper limit was £450.

What size are the boxes, shipping to UK would be around £170 but then there's the whole Customs thing to think about...

[Andyoz]

If you thought £620 was high, look what this pair of 4425's in Germany just went for!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7616324017&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Nearly £700!!!

Seriously, has anyone in the UK ever got a set of 4425's successfully sent over from the US as Euro prices are bloody nuts.

[Zilch]

Build your own:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7110

Note:

Fraud is moving down to lower $$$:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-4425-STUDIO-MONITOR-SPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ9520279013QQcategoryZ88744QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

[Tweak48]

I paid not much more than that for a NEW pair of 4425's in 2001. $1750 including freight.

Absolutely wonderful speakers. The kind of speakers you could keep for a lifetime.