4301b for studio monitor?

[locke8]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. A while back I used to work at a comedy club and in the back storage room they had some old speakers that they didn't use anymore. The owner decided to let me have them, as he was trying to make some extra space in the storage room. So I now have a pair of JBL 4301b's and one JBL 4313b. I know very little of these speakers besides from what I have gathered from this forum today, and they seem to be good speakers.

It looks like the one of the 4301's needs to be refoamed, and none of them have grills. Otherwise, I think the speakers are in ok condition, I'm no expert though.

I have a small home studio and I want to use the speakers for near-field monitors. Should I use the pair of 4301's or find another 4313 and use a pair of those? Which speakers are better suited for near-field studio monitors?

Here are some pics of the speakers.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h72/l0cke82/43011.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h72/l0cke82/43011close.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h72/l0cke82/43012.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h72/l0cke82/4313.jpg

I noticed that the 4301's have different pieces surrounding the woofer where it is screwed in, what's that about?

Also, should any other refurbishing be done besides refoaming?

Any thoughts are welcome.

Thanks!

[Zilch]

You need to remove both 4301B woofers and see what model numbers they are (marked on back). Should be 116H, which would properly have inverted domes.

They both look wrong. I doubt that's even JBL in #1. Ask at the club if they still have the original driver in a box there somewhere.

I'd say 4313B's your better choice, but it's gonna be tough finding a mate for it.... :(

[mech986]

Hi, lost my first post so here's another try.

I agree with Zilch, 4301-1 looks like a non JBL woofer, thin stamped frame and doesn't fill the entire cutout. 4301-2 kinda looks correct framewise with a thick cast and machined frame. However, the inverted center cap is now non-inverted dome and the surrounds were, commonly but incorrectly, placed on the front side instead of the back side of the cone.

Definitely pull both drivers to see what they are. Pics would be great and they should be identified as JBL 116H drivers. They do come up on Ebay fairly often so getting a good pair from what you have or off Ebay should not be hard or difficult. Just be sure they are working well and resurrounded correctly.

The Tweeters and baffles look good from the photos. You should check the crossovers and consider replacing and bypassing the crossover caps if you are checking inside that far. Also, a DeOxit cleaning of the terminals and the L-pad tweeter control will be useful. Making grille frames isn't too difficult and Zilch can supply the correct cloth. Grilles even come up on ebay too.

the 4313 looks fine assuming it is working well. Would be worth the call to the owner again to check if he ever had the pair and then search hi and low for it, never know where it ended up.

Both will work well for nearfield but the 4313 will need a bit more room to really sound right. Of course, it is likely to be more broadly refined and smooth because of its 3 way design and larger cabinet. Both however will be great additions to your system/studio.

Regards,

Bart

[locke8]

Thanks a lot for the replies. Looks like you guys were right. The first 4301 ended up being a realistic radioshack (!) driver, and the second one seems to be a jbl 116h.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h72/l0cke82/43012driver.jpg

Looks like I'll have to find a jbl driver on ebay. Is that worth looking into?

And I suppose I should also have the one I have refoamed?

If I can find a driver, I think I'll use the 4301's for studio monitors because it's a pretty small space. As for the other 4313, I will call, but I doubt anyone has a clue to it's whereabouts. If I can find another 4313, I'll use those for home stereo. I don't suppose I'll have much luck finding just one though....

Thanks again

[Zilch]

And I suppose I should also have the one I have refoamed?Yup, and ask them to put on the proper inverted dome, as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-116H-8-Woofer-Fresh-Recone-W-War-NR-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ7420488949QQihZ016QQcategoryZ470 95QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm looking for a pair of 116H's, too, but I'm passing on the $93 ones.... :p

There's another one in an eBay Store, but it was reconed with the wrong kit, apparently (H-1, looks like).

http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-116H-8-woofer-Fresh-Recone_W0QQitemZ7384913583QQihZ016QQcategoryZ47095 QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[mech986]

While you're at it, consider getting those splices in the woofer wiring covered - resplice with some shrink wrap or find some that will fit over the fast-on clips and shrink down over the splice - don't want a short across the wire or the cast frame.

Also, because there is notable damage at the cabinet's mounting points on the JBL 116H containing cabinet, and likely the same for the other cab since the mounting circle was inside the other, you should consider a filler repair to strengthen the baffle. Its particle board and can flake and crack. I'd suggest using a good wood putty to fill in the area and create a flat mounting surface. I can't recall if the 4301 used T-nuts to secure the drivers. If not, you may consider rotating the drivers to new fresh mounting points with wood screws. Otherwise, reuse, if possible the machine screws with the t-nuts if serviceable.

Regards,

Bart

[locke8]

thanks for all the input guys

[majick47]

locke8 seeing that you have two 4301b speakers they would be my choice once you get the woofers squared away. I have mine in a nearfield setup wall mounted in a small room and I'm very pleased with their performance and for their size/design they sound very impressive. You could sell the 4313 to cover the cost of the 116h woofers.

[alfred3085]

What about the tweeter from the 4301 ? I have the same tweeter in my 4312 and they work only until 15000Hz, the 4313 have the 066 tweeter and the went over 20000Hz. Isn't it more resonable to sell the 4301 and buy a second 4313 ?
Is the woofer from the 4313 original ? I wonder about the big dustcab < hmm>:o: :o: