JBL 4343 rebuild and configuration project

[Fangio]

This thread is dedicated to the respectful rebuild and configuration of two JBL 4343 Four-Way Studio Monitors from the scratch, in different evolution steps. Their startup could be just as subwoofer cabs, they will become 2-ways by adding horns and crossovers, and so on – 3-ways by adding UHF drivers, and end up as 4-ways again, once the rare midranges pop up. The steps may vary from this roadmap, depending on the components that come across my way. A way to go from the start, or a follow-up action could be even to improve them very carefully to 4344s using original components within the JBL specifications, like some others have done it before. Due to the rarity of these monitors and the increasing value of their components on the market (which makes them harder affordable within a reasonable budget), this attempt is declared as longtime project. The goal is to get to know all aspects of a full restoration project, with existing 4-way cabinets as basis that leave all options open.

Please don't expect news every day, week or month. Searching before asking, and try not to ask all questions again that have been discussed at this forum before is obligatory from my side. Comments on all aspects, questions, technological help or hints to find missing parts are most welcome.

[Fangio]

I bought this pair of empty cabinets on ebay in january 2006, for 170€. This is what i have, and its not much:

- utility cabinets in light grey, obviously.
Condition is ok over all, and they have black (and removable) baffles. I have to admit that i prefer that (blue is definitive not my favorite color ) They would benefit from some walnut re-veneering though, a job that could be done any time. My advantage is that i would not need to refurbish old veneer, and could apply a grain of my choice. (A great example is what Rolf did here: http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ead.php?t=8777)

- grilles in black, fortunately.
They are almost perfect, no holes tears etc, not faded, plain black. Looking at them from the inner side, they are built impressively complex, and worth the money alone. No call for action, except to find some badges again (hard enough).

- 2308 lenses.
No call for action.

- all screws for the woofers, and midranges.

What i don't have: original 2121, 2231, 2307, 2405, 2420 drivers, 3143 crossovers. And i know these are not to find over night.

[Fangio]

I had several pair of these duplicated from my originals. I had them made without serial #'s. Anyone interested can pm me.

Hey Dave, thank you for your offer. Your foilcals look fantastic. I've read a bit about their reproduction in these threads:
http://audioheritage.csdco.com/vbul...read.php?t=2373
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...?t=4543&page=2

You'll get a pm.
Something to my background, i'm a prepress pro, since the 80s. Although its easy to ask others if they have some foilcals left: printing in ANY way is something that i'm more skilled in, and it will be a nice challenge to see if i can't do that too, with the ole G4 at home and some Adobe stuff.

The good news is that you can make these "upgraded" 4343s by putting in 2235H woofers, 2122H mids, 2421 compression drivers and 2405 slots. With building or slightly modifying a 3143 crossover, you'll have some "killer" studio monitors. You should consider bi-amping these.

Keep us posted!

Tom

Tom, thanks a lot, i know. When i see the market for the original 4343 alnico assembly, i feel they are a bit overpriced nowadays. So this is a main decision before i start hunting drivers, and i'm still going through the pros and contras in older threads. I guess it could turn out like you suggest, but additional opinions are welcome. In fact, these cabs used to be 4343B's until last year, so they were loaded with xxxxH (ferrit) drivers before, right?

Congratulations on your nice find and welcome to my addiction. An original 3143 crossover would probably be the hardest thing to find. But if you're interested in upgrading the drivers to 4344 spec, as suggested by Tom Loizeaux above, you'll want to make yourself some upgraded crossovers also. Much has been written about this in the ongoing "4343 to 4344 Upgrade" thread.

porschedpm, thanks too. Great, so many owners/experts here I regret that i didn't bid consequently on the original 3143 crossovers from the same guy, to be honest, i thought 120€ could be enough. They ended at 204, though. Next time i'm better prepared, they are indeed extremely rare. Is that a common value in the US, too? I will consider having them rebuild also, know a collector in Bremen who offered me that.. probably more have done that here too.

[frank23]

good luck rebuilding the 4343's. It is still very sad [especially for Fangio] that these speakers of which Fangio bought the cabinets were still complete in december 2005 in Ebay auction 7568749119 and that the buyer butchered them, leaving the parts to be rebuilt by those who care, but only with lots and lots of effort. Such a waste!

below a picture of the actual speaker of which the cabinets are now owned by Fangio. They sold for 1.310 euro...

Fangio, why don't you send the buyer of the crossovers from this speaker a message asking them for how much he'd sell them back to you? He bought them for 204 euro in auction 7577458631 on ebay.

[Rolf]

With regards to the people that originally built the 4343 you are in your full right to use whatever components you choose. Have I got your post questions wrong?

You say that you perfer the black baffles, and I uderstand you mean the front grills. That's good.

The thread you refer to, about my kind of way to veneer the speakers I can highly recommend. If you want any more info, pm me.

As Tom stated, the 2235H is a great improvment. The differnce from the 2121H (in my 4343's) to the 2122H, as Tom reccommend, I am not sure. Ask them who has heard both the difference. Same goes with difference from 2420 to 2421. The 2405 is the same, and with improovment of the network things should "Rock ". Of corce you MUST be-amp. That is what really makes things sound better.

If I understand you right, you do not have a nerwork. Ask Guido to make some for you. Soon I will do the same.

At the end I say that I am not a very "tecknical guy", just use my ears and locical know-how. Hope my answer help you.

Rolf

[Fangio]

With regards to the people that originally built the 4343 you are in your full right to use whatever components you choose. Have I got your post questions wrong?

No.
As you and Tom said some drivers are generally regarded as an improvement, i.e 2235Hs to 2231Hs. OTOH the difference from 2121H to 2122H seems to be more controversial.

You say that you perfer the black baffles, and I uderstand you mean the front grills.

I meant the utility cabs have both in black. Combined with walnut that would (will) make a perfect combination to me.

The thread you refer to, about my kind of way to veneer the speakers I can highly recommend. If you want any more info, pm me.

Thanks. I'm looking around for a source of the kits described in this thread.

If I understand you right, you do not have a nerwork. Ask Guido to make some for you. Soon I will do the same.

At the end I say that I am not a very "tecknical guy", just use my ears and locical know-how. Hope my answer help you.

Rolf

Yes it did. To get the woofers and networks has priority 1.

Just to make that clear i'm not in a hurry at all. My intention for near future is to use the cabs as experimental playground, for mounting and checking out several drivers that may come along. Hearing them as 4343s again is kind of a long-term objective.