Some questions regarding 4312A monitors

[_Attila_]

I recently acquire my first JBL speakers. Because I thought they would be best suited for my needs, I went for a pair of 4312A's :D
First of all, they have what seems to be very low SN: 0425 and 0472. When removing the grill clothes, first surprise: they are not mirror imaged!:blink: As far as I know, my speakers have been sold as a pair back in the days. So this leads to my first question: have the 4312A been officially sold as not mirror imaged pair? Maybe the very first generation? The only information I have mention them as mirror imaged (1986 pro catalog and 4312A brochure). Would there be any reason for a studio or a mixing facility to go for a pair that is not mirror imaged? The speakers were hanging on the ceiling, I still have the bracket on them.

And what about the placement? I know they have been intended for studio, so would it be better to get them near (a) wall(s), or far away from it(them)?
What about speaker stands? When sitting on the floor, they are just way to low. And I really don't like the coupling with the wooden floor :D! What type of stands would you recommend for those? The stands I was using for my previous speakers are to tall and the 4312A's are too heavy for them.
The room they are sitting in is pretty small: roughly 3.6x3.8x2.5 meters (11.5'x12.8'x8.2') not rectangular but trapezoidal. For now they are sitting 2.1m (6.9') apart from each other and 2m (6.6') away from the listening position. One (left) is 2' away from the side and the back wall, the other (right) is 2' from the back wall and 1' from the side wall, if this helps.

[robertbartsch]

I have a pair of these and LOVE them!

I beleive the drivers are mounted the same in every box. I have mine on speaker stands so the bottoms of the boxes are about 2.5 feet off the ground. They are placed near the corners of my room (22 x 14 feet), they are pointed towards the room center and they are currently running off a Denon receiver w/ 120wpc.

Best placement for you will depend on your room.

Measures here in the USA are feet and inches only!

ENJOY!

[grumpy]

Both 4312, 4312A were at least available in mirror-imaged pairs, according to the literature.

A studio could have just installed whatever was around in a general playback area.

I'd try them sideways (mid and tweeter in a vertical line) with the tweeters slightly above
ear level (when seated), but only if a mirrored arrangement were available. Otherwise,
go vertical... same tweeter height, but perhaps sit back a bit more.

It was helpful for you to provide measurements in both unit systems.

[_Attila_]

Thanks for the answer so far!


Measures here in the USA are feet and inches only!
There are some readers from outside the USA, like me, for whom having the dimensions in meters makes live easier! :D


Both 4312, 4312A were at least available in mirror-imaged pairs, according to the literature.
Yes, but has someone ever seen literature with them available as non mirrored???


A studio could have just installed whatever was around in a general playback area.
They were installed this way directly buy the reseller! And over a mixing console! Just not sure if it was a studio they were in! I have to ask the seller!


I'd try them sideways (mid and tweeter in a vertical line) with the tweeters slightly above ear level (when seated), but only if a mirrored arrangement were available. Otherwise, go vertical... same tweeter height, but perhaps sit back a bit more.
This is good! I have them on both side of my desk, but want them to be set up for listening on my sofa, which is a couple of feet away from the desk, but them alignment!

Any recommendation as which stand to use? I don't mean a particular model, but design! The metal type with sand filled tubes? Or better a wood box the exact size of the speakers, filled with sand? Or maybe 2 wood box filled with sand with a gap between them? Or just something like the JBL stands (the small ones, giving the loudspeakers a 5° tilt)?

[Audiobeer]

What stands to use? I would say as long as the are up high enough to be near ear level it wouldn't matter. As long as they are solid. Just toe them in towards your listening position.