4301B questions:

[sdstarnes]

Just bought a set of factory sealed 4031B's and I have a few questions:
What is the least amount of watage needed to drive these speakers? Are these considered ineficient speakers @ 88db? Looking at a Naim 20 WPC nait 1. Providing the speakers were "stored in their factory sealed boxes in a clean, dry enviroment" as the seller maintains, is there anything I might need to do, or watch out for? Break in period?:confused:

Thanks!!

[SEAWOLF97]

dont be ultra surprised if the foam disintegrates shortly. I think being stored in the box wont save it ....12-15 years is the max IMHO

[boputnam]

Just bought a set of factory sealed 4031B's...Man you should go out and buy a lottery ticket - what a lucky streak you are on!! Lucky, lucky boy...


What is the least amount of wattage needed to drive these speakers? Are these considered inefficient speakers @ 88db? That is a little less efficient than today's standards, but you needent worry about it. I run mine with an old Pioneer SX-9100 - they sound fantastic...


dont be ultra surprised if the foam disintegrates shortly.Yea, I imagine those surrounds are shot. You should gently touch them with your fingers and see how robust / resiliant they are. You will likely need a resurround, at-the-least...

[sdstarnes]

Thanks! Will check it out.
What's a driver re-surround gonna' cost me?

[boputnam]

If you're handy, you may have to do it youself - Resurround Step-by-step.

A recone is preferable, however, if the kits can be had. When you get your cabinets and if the surrounds are tacky/decrepit you should seek a recone. You'll need to get the woofs out to determine the exact model number without damaging the beauty blue baffle. Come back with your report...

[pos]

Would a recone really be needed if the speaker was not used?
The foam might have rotten but why would the spider and other components have fatigued if not used?
Well, there is the foam on the vent of the magnet, just under the dust cap that might have rotten as well?...

[grumpy]

Driver won't matter... 116A, 116H take same cone kit C8R116A ... lists for $146 each
add some labor. Surround replacement? Easily less than $50/ea to have done.

You might get lucky in regard to the condition of your purchased 4301B's...
a nice UV/ozone-free space helps, storage-wise, but sooner or later the foam
-will- deteriorate. I personally wouldn't dick around with these and attempt a first-time DIY
re-surround job given the $$ spent and condition... when it's time, I'd suggest you
have them done professionally (recone, or foam surround replacement). There are folks
here that repair speakers professionally and can help you out. What you might need to
work out between the seller and yourself is your business. -grumpy

Drive? FWIW, the 4301BE (version with built in amp) was rated at 10W, so I'd sweat
the quality of the amp (especially reputation for mids, as this isn't exactly a wide bandwidth
speaker system) over watts if I had to make a judgement call.

[SEAWOLF97]

why would the spider and other components have fatigued if not used?.

cone looks good in the pix, foam just doesnt last , no matter whether its used on not...spider ?? s/b OK, but would rotate 180 to counter age sag.

[boputnam]

Driver won't matter... 116A, 116H take same cone kit C8R116A ... Not so fast there, cowboy - there are different issues of the H series (see attachment), so he needs to check, first. I've run into this, myself.


Would a recone really be needed if the speaker was not used?General rule around these parts is, if you can get the kit, a recone is always best - resurrounds should be reserved for those instances when you cannot get the OEM kit. To your question, if the cabinets have stood in the same position for a decade there may be asymetric sag to the spider. New is preferred...

[grumpy]

Yeeeh Hah! :) (good point)

...but if these are original, they are almost certainly 116H, might possibly be 116A for
an early 4301B run :dont-know ... but I doubt it.

The -2 and -3 are different beasts... (e.g., used in 4408/A) and do use different recone kits. :yes:
not even sure if they'd fit an L19/4301 woofer hole.

[boputnam]

Howdy, pard'...! :p

I truly don't know. I was alerted to this by Giskard, a few years ago. Certainly worth checking before any kits are orderd... :)

[JBL Dog]

Drive? FWIW, the 4301BE (version with built in amp) was rated at 10W, so I'd sweat
the quality of the amp (especially reputation for mids, as this isn't exactly a wide bandwidth
speaker system) over watts if I had to make a judgement call.

The energizer in a 4301BE is a JBL model 6001. Total power consumption is 15 watts. To give you an idea of how small the amp is, your typical single-play CD player draws 10 watts. It's an amazing little amp.

[sdstarnes]

Not that I doubted anyone, but I received my 4301's yesterday afternoon and you guys were right, the foam surrounds have deteriorated and will need to be redone.

Except for the foam surrounds issue, these speakers really are in new condition. Looking for the BEST person out there to perform the recone as I am trying to make it look as original as possible.
I wonder if because I purchased these from the original selling dealer in CA, and have a receipt and blank warranty cards, if I can file a warranty claim with JBL? Longshot?

Your help and advice are greatly appreciated.

Happy hoildays!

[boputnam]

Well, there are JBL authorized service centers in your area, but we here can vouch for our own "edgewound", in SoCal, which would require shipping. He does excellent work - this we know.

Send him a pm, why don't you... ;)

[Ian Mackenzie]

Can we have a bigger pic of the JBL "Blue Baffle" please.

[sdstarnes]

Can we have a bigger pic of the JBL "Blue Baffle" please.

Thanks for the lead..

[boputnam]

It sure is fun to see a spanking-new pair of 4301B's!! Nice...