Differences & similarities of L100, 43XX, and L112s?

[midlife]

I will be making a purchase choice between; L96s, L100s, 43XXs, and L112s. What are the similarities and differences of the speakers? Is there a more desireable choice here and why? :)

[hjames]

I will be making a purchase choice between; L96s, L100s, 43XXs, and L112s. What are the similarities and differences of the speakers? Is there a more desireable choice here and why? :)

You'll have to be more specific -
You are asking about a huge number of speakers with greatly differing sounds? cones or horns?
my 4320s were a lot different than the 4310/4311/4312/4313A,
which are different than the 4333s and 4315s,
and they are different than the 4341/4343/4345 systems, etc ...

What speakers have you heard that you like?

[midlife]

I know this is a pretty wide ranging question, would like some general feedback on the speakers. I will be making a purchase among these speakers soon. The only JBLs I have spent alot of time with was a pair of DC300 driven Summits. Lost those and my system in the Katrina flood. So I am rebuilding from scratch. I do not have to have speakers that sound most like the Summits, (however the Summits never failed to truly impress), just trying to make a somewhat informed decision with the help of those who are more familiar than me. Will most likely go back to a DC300 amp, in speakers, I like a balanced wide dynamic range that reproduces music much the way it was recorded. And ofcourse looking for a speaker that has a satisfying listening experience. And also ofcourse soundstage and clarity is appreciated.:bouncy:

[hjames]

I know this is a pretty wide ranging question, would like some general feedback on the speakers. I will be making a purchase among these speakers soon. The only JBLs I have spent alot of time with was a pair of DC300 driven Summits. Lost those and my system in the Katrina flood. So I am rebuilding from scratch. I do not have to have speakers that sound most like the Summits, just trying to make a somewhat informed decision with the help of those who are more familiar than me. :bouncy:

Again, pin down WHICH 43xx speakers you are talking about.

Unless you are budgetting $2k PLUS for the speaker side of your new system, the big 4 ways are probably out of your budget (4341/4343/4345 systems).

The 4333 speakers are close to your L300s and are quite enjoyable -

the 4315 is smaller, and has no horn, it plays better if you have a good sub to go with it, but its still nice without.

The L100 speakers are like the originators of the series 4310/4311/4312/4313A. I know thats a REALLY coarse description, but think of the 431x as an evolution from the L100 - getting better and more refined as they went along ...

The L100s are considered a lot of fun as rock'n'roll speakers go, good speakers to own if you have multiple sets of speakers, but probably not the ones to have with varied tastes in music. They won't make the most of your waltz or orchestral albums, for instance.

[midlife]

The 43's I was looking at are 4312s. My budget is about $400 a pair, I would spend a little higher if an upgrade is available for a reasonable price. Any feedback on L96 vs L100 vs 4312 vs L112. thanks.

[BMWCCA]

I will be making a purchase among these speakers soon.Part of the problem is you've started about seven threads on this or related topics. You get answers then you bump the threads, then start another one. You may be spreading your questions too thin, IMHO.

To recap from what you've posted, your interest in 43xx is in 12" three-ways. You've expressed your desire to not spend what L300s cost today and to have something smaller. That keeps you in the 4311/L100 range about which you've also recently posted questions in another thread.

I'll suggest again you broaden your scope to include 4412 and 4410 series, or maybe even as modern as the L80T or L100T. You've already stated an interest in the L112 so certainly you should be looking at the 4411 or the later series monitors, too. All are good bargains without that baggage of being "legendary" that drives up prices on inferior JBL models.

And what would a post about speakers from me be without a mention of the L5/L7. But we've been there done that. I had an extended listening session with the L80T, L96, and L7 last night. I could pretty much be happy with the L7 in any situation but the L96 is very easy to listen to, and seems much more balanced than the L80T. The L96 really needs some help in the bottom end at low listening levels though. I should A-B them with the 4412As and L5s. I might try that later today.

I'll stay out of it now and see if you can get some new opinions. Are you looking for real opinions or just consensual validation? ;)

[hjames]

The 43's I was looking at are 4312s. My budget is about $400 a pair, I would spend a little higher if an upgrade is available for a reasonable price. Any feedback on L96 vs L100 vs 4312 vs L112. thanks.

So, if I'm getting this correct, there are 4 specific pairs of speakers for sale down your way and you want to know which to buy?

Who knows? Which do YOU like - take some CDs of the music you like - go have a listen and be ready to buy the ones you like when you hear them.

None of them will be your L300s - but you already know that.

[midlife]

BMWCCA; Real opinnions would be most useful, since I only have experience with the one pair of 300s. Can't afford to go that route again. Your questions and suggestions give me more info, and I appreciate that. Do comment any time.

[duaneage]

i'm partial to the 4411. I made a set of clones. I admire the crossover network, the combination of the excellent 128H woofer with that 5-9 midrange. Only a few systems used this midrange too. They are bit dry and flat sounding but I like that about them. Also apparently the only studio monitor that the midrange can be voiced forward or laid back.

I also have L20T and L100T systems. Good quality at a great price, these are fine systems and parts are easier (cheaper too) to get.

The 4312 is a great system and one I would vote for too.


The stuff from the early to mid 70's is starting to suffer from old age and parts price inflation. I also thing the later systems of the 80's had superior drivers, better crossover networks, and nicer cabinets.

If I was >rebuilding< I would opt to build my own system from loose drivers. Maybe not vintage JBL, because the prices are so high.

[BMWCCA]

If I was >rebuilding< I would opt to build my own system from loose drivers. Maybe not vintage JBL, because the prices are so high.Good advice, but I have yet to see a pair of 128H-1's sell for less than what a complete 4412A system can easily be bought. Often the drivers sell for more than the entire system, that's why there's so much parting of vintage JBLs. I've seen a parted pair of JBL L7s bring over $1000 in parts but the highest price I've seen for a complete L7 pair was $650 locally a month or two ago. They more often go for half that, if not less.

Nothing wrong with starting with a complete system and them re-boxing it later if that's your thing.

[pierce]

I see a few offhand remarks here that are backwards from my understanding.

the 4311 predated the L100, the L100 was a consumer version of the 4311 studio monitor.

and, IIRC, the 4412 both pre- and post-dated the L100T (4412 was made from like circa 1984 until well into the 1990s as the revised 4412A, while the L100T was made circa 85-87, and the L100T3 88 to 89 or so), it used the exact same components as the L100T(3) but in a smaller cabinet.

many have said here and elsewhere that the 4412 cabinet is just too small for the woofer, and the bass is somewhat forced. IMHO, the L100T and -T3 cabinet, at about 3 cubic feet, is far more suitable for the 2214H woofer, never mind a lot better looking in a home environment.

any 1980's 4412(a)/L100T(3) will likely need its woofer foam surrounds replaced, or have already been done. you're almost better off finding one with toasted surrounds so you can do it or get it done yourself so you know its done 'right'...

[4313B]

I see a few offhand remarks here that are backwards from my understanding.

the 4311 predated the L100, the L100 was a consumer version of the 4311 studio monitor.

L100/4310 (http://www.audioheritage.org/html/profiles/jbl/l100.htm)


many have said here and elsewhere that the 4412 cabinet is just too small for the woofer, and the bass is somewhat forced.The volume for the 4412A woofer is fine, it was also used in the 4411, L112, L150, L150A and 120Ti.

The 2214H was used in the L100T, L100t3, XPL200, XPL200A, 4425.

[pierce]

L100/4310 (http://www.audioheritage.org/html/profiles/jbl/l100.htm)

The volume for the 4412A woofer is fine, it was also used in the 4411, L112, L150, L150A and 120Ti.

The 2214H was used in the L100T, L100t3, XPL200, XPL200A, 4425.

oops, yeah, I meant to say L100 = 4310 ... or wait, wasn't the 4311 a 4310 with the raised front for the mid/tweet dropped, which is essentially what a L100 is, give or take? Oh its all too confusing. :banghead:

I got the impression all the 12" 44xx speakers used the 2214H, but now I can't find the source for that neural indentation.

my comment re the cabinet size was that the same cabinet was used for the 10" 4410 and the 12" 4412A

The L112 and L150 pictures I've seen show a white-face woofer that does look similar, but has lower flux spec (1.05 T instead of 1.2T for the 2214H), and geez, the woofer on the 4412 looks -exactly- like the 2214h. I think this whiteface 12" is a 128H http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=10645

and, geez, now I can't find the specsheet I saw for the 2214H that says it was 1.2T (12000 gauss).

but, I dunno, I just found a typo in a PDF of a JBL 2003 pro catalog that said some 4893A flying subwoofer with dual 14" was a pair of 2214h (and the pictures look more like the LE14H as found in the 240Ti...)

[4313B]

Well I guess my years and years of intimate JBL experience wasn't completely for naught? :dont-know

I hate to yammer on yet again about all the similarities and differences and prefer to just try and correct glaring misinformation. Although I have to admit that I'm pretty bored with doing that too. Oh well, it happens I guess.

And yes, JBL literature is full of typos and flat out misinformation. I think everyone meant well though.

[mike]

Of the speakers you mentioned I would say that the L96 and L112 would be the most similiar to your L300's. In my opinion they would exhibit a lot of the characteristics of the L300 but in a smaller package.They are also fairly easy to find and a good value.
Mike

[BMWCCA]

Of the speakers you mentioned I would say that the L96 and L112 would be the most similiar to your L300's. In my opinion they would exhibit a lot of the characteristics of the L300 but in a smaller package.They are also fairly easy to find and a good value.
MikeNo question the L96 and L112 are fine bookshelf speakers. Anyone reading the archives on this site would feel confident making that assessment even without hearing them!

If you're attempting to get back to the OP's original question (which then got split and asked in several different forms), as the owner of L96, L112, and L150A, I can assure you that the closest you're going to get to an L300 in a non-horn system from JBL is the L7, or the XPL200a. If you begin to consider "good value" as was the original intent of the OP, then there's really no question that either of these two floor-standers will outshine their bookshelf predecessors. But, I've said all this before. Just consider it an update for those just joining this circus.

[mike]

No question the L96 and L112 are fine bookshelf speakers. Anyone reading the archives on this site would feel confident making that assessment even without hearing them!

If you're attempting to get back to the OP's original question (which then got split and asked in several different forms), as the owner of L96, L112, and L150A, I can assure you that the closest you're going to get to an L300 in a non-horn system from JBL is the L7, or the XPL200a. If you begin to consider "good value" as was the original intent of the OP, then there's really no question that either of these two floor-standers will outshine their bookshelf predecessors. But, I've said all this before. Just consider it an update for those just joining this circus.

I was trying to get back to the original question which did not make any mention of the L7 or XPL200a but did ask about the L96 and L112. I'm sure you have a good point, but I also think that if someone wanted something L300-like they wouldn't want to get something that was too much newer as it would be from a different school of design.

Mike