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Thread: Is newer better : 4430 vs 1400 Array

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  1. #1
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    Is newer better : 4430 vs 1400 Array

    I am just about to buy a pair of 4430s to renovate. They look pretty good but clearly its hard to tell much until they are opened up. My friends say I am crazy and will end up spending time and money when I should just buy a new pair of 1400 Arrays which they say will way better and worry free.

    Anyone care to venture an opinion particularly in respect to how much "better" the 1400s might be.

    I will try to hear the 1400 if I think I might go that way but it does require a fairly significant plane trip to be able to do so.

    Mike Anderson.

  2. #2
    Senior Member richluvsound's Avatar
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    If you want fun project... then 4430 is it . If you want worry free amazing sound ,the 1400's . Its a no brainer to try and compare technologies with 30 years of world class R&D between them .......

    The older JBL's are a lot of fun if you have the skills to experiment with new networks and components , but also $$$$$$$$ .
    You also need to consider the front end hardware ?

    Personally, I'd go for the 1400's out of the two !

    Rich

  3. #3
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    I have never hear the 4430's. However I do have a pair of S/2600's. I perfer the 1400's by a wide margin. The S/2600's are a two way horn loaded speaker that won the COTY award in Japan in 1994, I think. Our friend TD has a pair-I am not speaking for him, of course, but at one time I thought he perferred the S/2600's over the 4430.

    My S/2600's sounded quite well with my McIntosh MC402 amp/C46 preamp combo. Dynamic as hell. I cheated a little and have Tannoy ST50's(supertweeter-it does work). But, when I got a fine deal on some Arrays I noticed the amp had a bit of an 'issue' with the bass-a tad 'wobbly'. So I bought new amps.


    I do not have the skill set required as suggested regarding modifications, however, I suspect the same(to a degree) could be done to the 1400 Arrray's but, who would want to? Personally, if you have a refined amp with plenty of current and want a 'refined sound'-get the Arrays. They may not be as 'dynamic' as the 4430's but I would assume they SOUND a lot better. But, I am still learning so take MY advice with a grain of salt.
    Careful man, there's a beverage here!

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ando View Post
    Anyone care to venture an opinion particularly in respect to how much "better" the 1400s might be.
    Having owned 4430's since they were first introduced I can tell you that the 1400 Array is better on every count for home use despite the fact that they both use the same low frequency transducer technology. And the 1400 Array horn and compression drivers are significantly better than the 2344/242x combo. The 4430 started it all but it sure didn't end there.

  5. #5
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    Three Scales of Comparison

    Using the 4430 as a baseline:

    4430=100
    S/2600=125
    1400 Array=140

    Using the 4430 HF as a baseline:

    4430=100
    S/2600=139
    1400 Array=160

    Using the 4430 LF as a baseline:

    4430=100
    S/2600=116
    1400 Array=128

    The top comparison is not an average of the bottom two. It's a composite, subjective opinion on the integration of the whole package.

    The 4430 is a studio monitor and a true two-way. The S/2600 is a premium consumer speaker with an ear toward the East, and a true two-way. The 1400 Array is a three-way with overall better drivers, networks, and cabinet design.

    I tend to like the Everest-style horns on the S/2600 better than a lot of folks who, unlike Tom and myself, have not lived with them for a while, and I like the implementation of the 12" ME120HS (S/2600) better than the 15" 2235H (4430), but the 14" LE14H-3 (1400) is my favorite of the three.
    Out.

  6. #6
    Administrator Mr. Widget's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Titanium Dome View Post
    Using the 4430 as a baseline:

    4430=100
    S/2600=125
    1400 Array=140

    Using the 4430 HF as a baseline:

    4430=100
    S/2600=139
    1400 Array=160

    Using the 4430 LF as a baseline:

    4430=100
    S/2600=116
    1400 Array=128
    Using numbers makes it sound all scientific, but ...

    Subjectively, I can say that I wouldn't mind a pair of 4430s for a second system, but I couldn't live with them as my primary system. I absolutely could live with the 1400 Arrays as my primary speakers. Of course this is purely subjective and is based on MY OWN requirements.


    Widget

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Widget View Post
    Using numbers makes it sound all scientific, but ...

    Widget
    Like I wrote...

    It's a composite, subjective opinion on the integration of the whole package.


    Isn't it kind of early for you?
    Out.

  8. #8
    Administrator Mr. Widget's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Titanium Dome View Post
    Like I wrote...



    Isn't it kind of early for you?
    True... hey, don't take it personally.

    I just thought you were being quite precise about something that is rather arbitrary.


    Widget

  9. #9
    Senior Member 1audiohack's Avatar
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    I personally have no animosity towards the 2235H
    Nor have I. One chooses his compromises to suit his taste and I have always prefered something like a 2220 augmented with a sub or two.

    These 1400 Arrays are the first speakers that I have not felt the absolute need for subs. There are two 1500 Array subs parked next to my 1400's and I don't yet have them integrated in to the point I would claim them an absolute improvement. Most of the time they are out of the loop and off.

    I don't usually talk about who, what, where but a couple of weeks ago I drove up to see Widget and hear the Everest's, after a while we slid a pair of 1400 Arrays next to them and just swapped the wires and what a shock it was that the 1400's could even compare. Everest's they are not, great speakers they certainly are.

    This would be as good a time as any to publicly thank you Widget, that opportunity was greatly appreciated!
    If we knew what the hell we were doing, we wouldn't call it research would we.

  10. #10
    Senior Member 1audiohack's Avatar
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    Not exactly 4430's but, I have 4435's in my office and 1400 Arrays at home. The arrays are the favored pair, easily.

    This may be social suicide here but I have never been crazy about the 2234-2235's. The LE 14-3? Wow I'll tell ya wow!
    If we knew what the hell we were doing, we wouldn't call it research would we.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1audiohack

    This may be social suicide here but I have never been crazy about the 2234-2235's. The LE 14-3? Wow I'll tell ya wow!
    Usually what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but in this case, you're welcome to expose your preference. After all, I agree!
    Out.

  12. #12
    Administrator Mr. Widget's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1audiohack View Post
    This may be social suicide here but I have never been crazy about the 2234-2235's. The LE 14-3? Wow I'll tell ya wow!
    Agreed 100%

    That LE14H-3 is a phenomenal woofer!

    Widget

  13. #13
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    I am happy that technological progress and the art of speaker making is advancing. Unfortunately, it'll take me some years before I can catch up, especially with the prices of the new gear.

    What part/s of the LE14 make it that much better?

  14. #14
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    What makes the H-3 that much better than the H-1 ??

    Quote Originally Posted by 4313B View Post
    I never asked what happened to the LE14H-2.
    (heard that all the H-2's were used up in the Aquarius 3 production run )
    Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles

  15. #15
    Senior Member audiomagnate's Avatar
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    Just my 2 cents, but I think the 1400 is the most realistic speaker I've ever heard, and I've wasted all of my youth and much of my middle age chasing down the perfect speaker. If you're looking for "real" the 1400s are the way to go, in my humble opinion.

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