Why did JBL make a 4355 with two 15"s rather than an 18" like in the smaller 4345?

[Champster]

Anyone have a guess as to why? The 4345 has an 18" 2245 and a smaller (1") compression driver/(10") midrange combo, and the 4355 has two 15" (2235, I believe) and a larger (2") compression driver/12" midrange combo.

Why would they diverge from the 18" to two 15's?

My guess is that the 4345 is more of a home speaker and the 4355 was designed for a much larger venue where subwoofer output isn't nearly as important as in the home. But that is just a guess...

If I'm right, would the 4345 be the largest home speaker JBL made?

What is your opinion?

[Lee in Montreal]

Smaller 15" woofers can reach higher to meet the horn.
The 18" 2245 peaks at 200Hz (thick and heavy cone).

[speakerdave]

The original version--4350A--pre-existed the 18" woofer, yes?

[Champster]

Smaller 15" woofers can reach higher to meet the horn.
The 18" 2245 peaks at 200Hz (thick and heavy cone).

Maybe I'm missing your point, Lee. In the 4355, the 15"s don't need to go as high to match up with a 12" midrange versus the 4345's 18" matching up with the 10". In both speakers, JBL used the 15's and 18" up to 290hz.

[Champster]

The original version--4350A--pre-existed the 18" woofer.

Ah ha. Now we're on to something Dave. Is there a later version of the 4350 with a 2" compression driver, a 12" midrange and an 18" woofer?

[BMWCCA]

The 4345 makes a great home speaker. Ask me how I know!

But the design and component choices for the 4355 allow it to play louder and take more power. The 2245 18-inch woofer has the similar motor as its 15-inch brothers, it just pushes more air. Some will tell you a single eighteen can push more air than two fifteens but the 4355 will play louder (6dB according to the literature) and handle 50% more power. According to the specs they will also reach to 28Hz versus the 4345s 32Hz.

[Champster]

The 4345 makes a great home speaker. Ask me how I know!

But the design and component choices for the 4355 allow it to play louder and take more power. The 2245 18-inch woofer has the similar motor as its 15-inch brothers, it just pushes more air. Some will tell you a single eighteen can push more air than two fifteens but the 4355 will play louder (6dB according to the literature) and handle 50% more power. According to the specs they will also reach to 28Hz versus the 4345s 32Hz.

Excellent points! Did you buy your 4345's or did you DIY them?

[JeffW]

Wasn't the 4345 a studio monitor rather than a home speaker? I know folks use them in homes, but I thought the literature suggested studio monitor.

[Champster]

Wasn't the 4345 a studio monitor rather than a home speaker? I know folks use them in homes, but I thought the literature suggested studio monitor.

Yes, Jeff. Both the 4345 and 4355 were billed as Studio Monitors.

[ivica]

The 4345 makes a great home speaker. Ask me how I know!

But the design and component choices for the 4355 allow it to play louder and take more power. The 2245 18-inch woofer has the similar motor as its 15-inch brothers, it just pushes more air. Some will tell you a single eighteen can push more air than two fifteens but the 4355 will play louder (6dB according to the literature) and handle 50% more power. According to the specs they will also reach to 28Hz versus the 4345s 32Hz.

Hi,

I "only" wonder why JBL did not use 4" compression driver (2441) and not used 2202 in the 4345 box. I think that would be a good combination too.

Regards
Ivica

[Ian Mackenzie]

In most studios, the monitors were installed over head and the driver layout works with dual 15s.

You cant do that with a 18 inch system and that box is really awkward.

Only a few hundred 4345s were made, it was the back sheep in the family and not a commercial success.

I have compared the 4345 to the 4350 and both have certain advantages.

The 4345 has more linearity in the bass but requires careful setting up due to the huge woofer coupling to the floor.

The 4350/4355 will scream louder and take more abuse but does not image as well as the 4345.

The Widget made a really nice 4355 I heard in SF some 10 years ago and I think he even tired a Westlake horn atop of it.

To my ears it was quite impressive.

[BMWCCA]

Excellent points! Did you buy your 4345's or did you DIY them?

Mine were Kenrick cabinets built by Rick, populated with new-stock and fresh re-cone drivers by Dave (norealtalent here) of KatzAss audio who built the bi-amp-only CC crossovers from the schematics posted here, and purchased from NewZenith of this site maybe five-years ago now. I supplied only the amps and active crossover—and just listen! That's my only DIY talent.

[ngccglp]

Hi Champster,

may I know the reason for your question? I had 4350A and now own 4345. Perhaps I could be of service.

cheers.

[Lee in Montreal]

Maybe I'm missing your point, Lee. In the 4355, the 15"s don't need to go as high to match up with a 12" midrange versus the 4345's 18" matching up with the 10". In both speakers, JBL used the 15's and 18" up to 290hz.

Sorry. I misread the initial post and saw "4430" (my dyslexic moment of the week) and got confused ;-)

[Champster]

Hi Champster,

may I know the reason for your question? I had 4350A and now own 4345. Perhaps I could be of service.

cheers.

I'm building a system the will look a lot like a K2 S9900 when done, but the DSP driven drivers will be a 2245, 2206, 2446 (TruExtent) & 2405. I have reasons for these choices, but to stick to the point I'll omit that unless someone is interested in the logic. So obviously, this driver compliment more resembles the older boxes but I can't find a JBL production box that resembles my choice of drivers. My choice seems to meld the 4345 and 4355 with the best of both boxes and of course the active crossover will be lightyears ahead of the old passive versions.

Frankly I was looking for a name for my speakers, but it appears that they are a unique combination...