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Aussie Pete
12-06-2005, 05:37 PM
I may have the opportunity to purchase a set of near mint condition 4315B's, I would be interested in hearing from anyone that has had any listening experiences with them likes/dislikes etc .... thanks

johnaec
12-06-2005, 05:47 PM
I really like my 4315A's (all alnico). Generally, I prefer the newer ferrite stuff, but this is what came up when it did... I've actually specially eyed 4315's ever since they first came out - it just seemed like such a great combination to me. But I've never owned any of the larger models with midrange horns, so this is about as much as I can say concerning comparison.

John

Aussie Pete
12-06-2005, 07:48 PM
I really like my 4315A's (all alnico). Generally, I prefer the newer ferrite stuff, but this is what came up when it did... I've actually specially eyed 4315's ever since they first came out - it just seemed like such a great combination to me. But I've never owned any of the larger models with midrange horns, so this is about as much as I can say concerning comparison.

John
Thanks for the input John, I've used bi-radials (4430) since about 1986 and now 4435's but never really had the oportunity to listen to the earlier monitor series, in particular I would be very keen to listen and compare the cones vs the compression driver/horn combo, I do remember reading some time ago that the attack or transient rise on the 8" mid was exceptional and the highs from the slot very crisp, I'm not unhappy with the 4435 bi-radial .... just curious to compare ..... thanks again for your input

4313B
12-07-2005, 06:37 AM
I'm looking for a good pair of 112H's or 2108H's. :D
Wouldn't mind getting 2203H's either.

I've owned 4315's and 4430's. You're going to have to listen to the 4315's and see what you think.

Michael Smith
12-07-2005, 07:35 PM
Hi Aussie Pete
I brought a pair of these brand spanking new,initially I was happy I suppose just flushed with my new purchase.
However after running them in I had hoped the bass would have improved but it didn't,that was the only thing I didn't like about them they lacked bottom end.
To cut a long story short I sold them and purchased 4430 and ended up a much happier camper.
Regards
Michael

Ian Mackenzie
12-08-2005, 06:00 AM
Showing my age here but I recall auditioning the 4315's at Encel's first showroom in Bridge Road Richmond around 1978-79.

I liked the 4315's but I liked the 4333 a lot better..cleaner and more dynamic and effortless. (But then again those Luxman amps might have been a limiting factor).

I later heard the 4343's at Encel's and not long after bought a pair of 2420s, 2307's and 2308 from them (a different salesman!), a pair of 2121's from Sound City (Vasey Stokes), a pair of 2405s from Dyna Sound and a pair of 2231A's from David Gronow at Zephyr Product. That ended up being a far more satisfactory system imho. I suppose if I had heard the 4430's back then my life might have taken a different course.

Back to your question if you are used to the 4430-35 you will need a massive power amp on the 4315's before you will even approach their dynamics ( a big ME might be interesting....Michael sold plenty of those).

4313B
12-08-2005, 07:05 AM
However after running them in I had hoped the bass would have improved but it didn't,that was the only thing I didn't like about them they lacked bottom end.Yes, that driver was simply too powerful, way too much motor resulting in a Qts of 0.14. It required boundary reinforcement to sound proper in that system. The goal was to get the same VLF from the 4315 as the larger 15-inch based monitors. It sounded fantastic in the studio with proper EQ.

The 12-inch 124/2203 works very well as a subwoofer in a 2.8 cu ft volume tuned to 30 Hz. When used up to 400 Hz or 800 Hz in component systems like the 4315 or S21 it does better in smaller volumes (rather than the stock 3.0 cu ft) and the decrease in VLF has to be accepted. Run down to ~ 40 Hz instead of ~ 30 Hz it exhibits stunning transient character.

PIEPEI
12-09-2005, 11:50 AM
I have a pair of 4315B's which I bought new. (I'm old) I am using a Carver ECS-U(Electronic Speaker Control System)with it. Also a M-400t. The manual says: "Careful adjustment of BASS "Q" can help create a more natural, ample low end without exaggerating non-linearities in the speakers bass response. It seems to work well, and has for years. The amp seems to be a good match for the speakers in all respects.

Ken Andrew
12-14-2005, 06:31 AM
If you live in Melbourne (Aust) send me a PM to listen to mine. These are not as "home friendly" as the later 44 series. Buy only if asking price < $1500 AUD. Most of the flaws can be fixed with a good equaliser (I can't be bothered) and/or a big (dead) room. The review below may help.

"Summary:
The 4315 differs from 4312 in being a 4-way with the 077 slot radiator for highest treble. The 4315 has extended bass, extended treble, and a smoother mid-range (although still not flat) than the 4312. The 4315 was the biggest monitor without a mid-range horn so absolutely no honkyness. However, the extended treble is not balanced because woofer is only 12 inch. JBL kept moving the port(s) around to improve the bass. Mine has two ports at the bottom. Suitable for anyone who wants to hear any and every change to their system, and source material. Guaranteed to create years of wasted time trying to get rid of the harsh transistor sound. Classical music, except for Wagner, is unlistenable. The flaws however add life and vitality to Popular rock n'roll music. I still listen to my 4315 daily after 25 years. I had hoped that when my hearing deterioriated with age the speakers would sound better but it hasn't happened.
Strengths:
Very wide dispersion of sound - you can sit as close as 1 metre. I don't notice any colouration - female vocalists are very clear. Amazing dynamics - 70 WRMS is loud, 200 W RMS is max. Indestructable drivers, with tight and fast sound. Excellent source material sounds excellent - anything else burns your ears.

Weaknesses:
The bass rolloff is obvious and steep - unsuitable for organ music.
The extended treble is unlistenable - needs a dead room to kill the reverberant sound. Very Poor imaging - the 077 tweeter exaggarates recording artefacts, hiss, and noise. The two treble adjustment pots are useless and have peaks and nulls as they are turned. The foam speaker surrounds disintegrate every 10 years."

4313B
12-14-2005, 06:43 AM
.:applaud:

Ken Andrew
12-14-2005, 10:50 PM
The 4315 ain't as bad as I have painted them to be. Its just that familarity causes you to concentrate on the failings instead of the qualities. I have used these speakers for 30 years so they must be doing something right.

There are tweaks and fixes in the Technical Forum for all the faults (except bass rolloff).

The bass is, of course, of quite superior quality for a bass reflex, its just that you can never get enough, and that typical owners will want to push the speakers to the lowest frequencies at the highest volumes.

More comments:
1. I think the 4315 is the largest JBL boxes that a typical adult can carry.
2. The 4315 cannot match the SPL of boxes with 15" drivers and horns.
3. I believe them superior to any affordable speaker made in the Orient.
4. I think the 44xx series would be more suitable for home theatre than the 4315.
5. The most obvious 4315 quality is that it brings typically compressed pop music to life.

Ian Mackenzie
12-15-2005, 12:01 AM
Ken,

I recall you asking me when my 4345's were going up for sale (not).

Now I know why!

Ian

4313B
12-15-2005, 04:49 AM
. :applaud:

4313B
12-15-2005, 04:58 AM
I will address this quickly -


However, the extended treble is not balanced because woofer is only 12 inch. JBL kept moving the port(s) around to improve the bass. Mine has two ports at the bottom.
The bass is, of course, of quite superior quality for a bass reflex, its just that you can never get enough, and that typical owners will want to push the speakers to the lowest frequencies at the highest volumes.The design goal was to maintain the bandwidth of the larger 15-inch based monitors. The 124/2203 really was a 136/2231 in a 12-inch frame. That means less moving mass with the same motor so something was going to change. The result was that the 124/2203 covering the same bandwidth would have a shelved response. This could be, and was, fixed pretty well with EQ.

I prefer to cross the 124/2203 over much lower when used in larger boxes tuned as low as the 4315. I also prefer to run the 124/2203 in much smaller boxes tuned ~ 10 Hz higher when used with the other components in systems like the S21 and 4315. I logged significant R & D time back then with the 124/2203 and 136/2231. :p I even had a pair of custom 136/2231 based "4315's".

Guido
12-15-2005, 02:48 PM
My double 2203H based sub provide an earthquake bass. I DO use EQ.
See here:
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=3826&highlight=2203H