JBL S4700 Seems to be poorly made!

[AussieSteve]

I just recently paid $12000 for a pair of JBL S4700 speakers down here in Australia. A dream come true, YET when I opened the boxes and unpacked the speakers I found as I tried to screw on the isolation spikes, all BUT ONE screwed on smoothly! One of them required me using pliers to screw it down as the internal thread was not cut exactly!!! I felt sick to my stomach, I was enormously cautious and screwed it down without damage or scratches. However all I could think was that this would not occur on a $12000 (with a RRP of $20K!) pair of top tier speakers from many other hi end makers. It really saddened what began as probably the most exciting day I had experienced in years. Has anyone else had any problems from JBL's Synthesis range?

[Robh3606]

What did the dealer have to say?? Did you let them know you had an issue??

Rob

[AussieSteve]

What did the dealer have to say?? Did you let them know you had an issue??

Rob

Thanks Rob, no to be honest I didn't bother. That is the most practical way for sure, I was just relieved I got it on. I still feel though that hi end stuff "should" be right each and every time. QA is the benchmark of a good company I reckon.

[Mr. Widget]

QA is the benchmark of a good company I reckon.

I agree that QC is extremely important especially at this price point, but I have screwed on dozens of these feet on 1400 Arrays and Everests and have never had an issue... that said, I do have issues with the wood grain and finish of the K2-S9900 the S4700, and others that have that satin finish on the "Zebra Wood". The quality of the craftsmanship is fine, but I much prefer the finish on the otherwise goofy looking 1400 Arrays.


Widget

[AussieSteve]

Agreed to ALL, my issue is minor. The point I was making is that my other speakers in the $10-15K bracket ie Harbeth M40, Thiel 2,7, and B&W Diamonds are all hand made quality speakers with exemplary Quality Control procedures that test and match speakers prior to departure. I won't let a thread ruin my overall pleasure, I am just saddened that the unpacking experience for my first love JBL, was tarnished by it. I know we all share that feeling of excitement when unpacking our artwork. My worship of the God JBL continues unabated!

[1audiohack]

Has anyone else had any problems from JBL's Synthesis range?

Nope.

That's too bad for sure but I wouldn't judge the whole system on a thread insert. I'm sure it's hardware they just buy. That would be like loosing love for a great car that had a bad tire.

I hope you really enjoy them.

All the best and welcome to Lansing Heritage.

Barry.

[AussieSteve]

Nope.

That's too bad for sure but I wouldn't judge the whole system on a thread insert. I'm sure it's hardware they just buy. That would be like loosing love for a great car that had a bad tire.

I hope you really enjoy them.

All the best and welcome to Lansing Heritage.

Barry.

Thanks Barry, I am a JBL lover ever since I bought my first ProVIII monitors back in 1990. I am a JBL and Gibson guitar LOYAL CUSTOMER!!! I know there are equivalents, some better, but if my heart races with desire I know I'm hooked! (my wife thinks I'm loopy!) I now own JBL all through the house, ES Series in the lounge with HTI 6 in ceiling & walls, 4312's, Control 5's, Control One's, a new pair of 4307 monitors just over from Japan, S4700's and now saving to buy ALL off the Kenrick Sound stock. Oh my god! That place is JBL Heaven!!! Japan really appreciate JBL the way we do. It is bizarre though that Australia's JBL importers cannot get many of the models available in Japan. The cost of shipping and taxes really adds to the price. E-bay USA is where I found my 4307's. I really reckon JBL does itself out of business by not at least not OFFERING to sell to potential customers ALL they make, I'm not a businessman but I would allow anyone buy my products if they liked them.

[DingDing]

Had 4307 (here in Norway, bought retail) for a short while, but they proved to be too big for my desk :'( They were excellent though, and really good looking too.

Yeah, weird that it's so hard to get some of their models. If I were in the market for a new pair of JBL's today, I would want to listen to both M2 and 4348, but the latter is almost impossibru to find outside of Asia.

[AussieSteve]

Had 4307 (here in Norway, bought retail) for a short while, but they proved to be too big for my desk :'( They were excellent though, and really good looking too. Yeah, weird that it's so hard to get some of their models. If I were in the market for a new pair of JBL's today, I would want to listen to both M2 and 4348, but the latter is almost impossibru to find outside of Asia.

G'diay DingDong, I reckon if you like the M2, you would like the 4365 model. They are the largest monitor in the current line up, JBL Japan stock the full range. If you haven't already, check out Kenrick Sound website. They repair and sell classic JBL speakers from the earliest models. Their website is pure JBL Porn!!!

[DingDing]

G'diay DingDong, I reckon if you like the M2, you would like the 4365 model. They are the largest monitor in the current line up, JBL Japan stock the full range. If you haven't already, check out Kenrick Sound website. They repair and sell classic JBL speakers from the earliest models. Their website is pure JBL Porn!!!

Been drooling at Kenrick's youtube videos for the past year, haha. 4365 is available here, but not 4348. As far as I know, 4348 is the biggest current blue studio monitor JBL has on offer. Kenrick has had them in the past, but don't know about now.



It's 4 way and probably awesome!

[Dave_72]

I just recently paid $12000 for a pair of JBL S4700 speakers down here in Australia. A dream come true, YET when I opened the boxes and unpacked the speakers I found as I tried to screw on the isolation spikes, all BUT ONE screwed on smoothly! One of them required me using pliers to screw it down as the internal thread was not cut exactly!!! I felt sick to my stomach, I was enormously cautious and screwed it down without damage or scratches. However all I could think was that this would not occur on a $12000 (with a RRP of $20K!) pair of top tier speakers from many other hi end makers. It really saddened what began as probably the most exciting day I had experienced in years. Has anyone else had any problems from JBL's Synthesis range?

That sucks. My sympathies. The spikes on my pair of S4700s went on smoothly. So, no problems here. I hope you get that taken care of soon.