My new 4341's have arrived...

Just wanted to share some pics of my brand new 4341's... yes, I'm in love with twin 34-year-olds.

These just arrived today and I am pleased with the fact that they were not damaged at all in shipment. Wow, was it ever a lot of work getting them up the long flight of stairs at the back of my house... it took me, my son and his friend everything we had to carry them up the stairs.

I had expected that my McIntosh MC2255 was going to be enough to power these but although they sound very sweet I'm already thinking I will need more power.

MF

Wow, they look gorgeous! Congrats!

You can get US made wood lenses from member Foamtrends - its a good look

(don't have foilcals on mine yet ...)
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/a...1&d=1249070946
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ad.php?t=25864

always love to see pictures of such beauties.
thanks for sharing!

:)

cheers,
mikey

Great! Are you going to use the lenses on the horns?

The original lenses have been misplaced, so yes, I am going to use lenses but I need to acquire some first... and thanks hjames, I like the look of your wood ones.

When I unpacked them from their crates yesterday I was surprised at their original condition, which is surprisingly good. The grills are another story, they show their age and I so I'll probably have them redone. I'll look through the forum to see what advice there is on having grills re-conditioned. Oh yeah, and I will oil the cabinets which are looking dry in a few spots.

Wow, beauty! Especially considering the age, they're lovely. You reminded me of when I had to pick up and install my 4345's, what a job! It took weeks for my body to recuperate.:(

Are you finding your room a little too lively sounding? It looks like a great space.

Re. amp power, go the biamp route if you possibly can. It makes a world of difference.

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Originally Posted by MickeyFinn

The original lenses have been misplaced, so yes, I am going to use lenses but I need to acquire some first... and thanks hjames, I like the look of your wood ones.

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Heather's lenses look great, and I am a fan of the wooden version even if mine from Kenrick look proportionately smaller then those from FoamTrends. I'll assume that's the effect of having them juxtaposed to the 18" woofer!

If you don't want wood, the repro plastic originals from Kenrick look to be near-perfect replicas for not a lot of money. They are regulars on Ebay: http://ebayitem.com/250476720373

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MickeyFinn

The original lenses have been misplaced, so yes, I am going to use lenses but I need to acquire some first... and thanks hjames, I like the look of your wood ones.

When I unpacked them from their crates yesterday I was surprised at their original condition, which is surprisingly good. The grills are another story, they show their age and I so I'll probably have them redone. I'll look through the forum to see what advice there is on having grills re-conditioned. Oh yeah, and I will oil the cabinets which are looking dry in a few spots.

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Mine came from a recording studio in PA and I've replaced various drivers to get them back into spec.
They didn't come with grills, and I haven't dropped coin for new foilcals,
but I'll second the recommends for biamping. Just opens the bass right up, even in my little room!

Keep the McIntosh MC2255 for the high split and get something with more oomph for the woofers.

Hey, BMWCC and Heather,

I've always thought there was a difference in size between the two wooden lenses you guys have. Is that true, and if so, did you get them from different sources? I'd be interested to know the skinny on this, if you don't mind sharing it. Thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

P.S. Both sets of lenses look outstanding, by the way!! :applaud:

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Originally Posted by Doc Mark

Hey, BMWCC and Heather,
I've always thought there was a difference in size between the two wooden lenses you guys have.

Every Good Wish,
Doc

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Mine came from Foamtrends and look to be identical in size to the original plastic ones. Phil's came from Kenrick, and look to be the same size, although the upper 4 slats on his pair are cropped on the edges.

You can find out more in this thread -
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ad.php?t=25864

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/a...1&d=1249070930


http://www.jbl43.net/img/4345-14-5s.jpg

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Originally Posted by MickeyFinn

I had expected that my McIntosh MC2255 was going to be enough to power these but although they sound very sweet I'm already thinking I will need more power.MF

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Are you talking about the 255 wpc version of the MC2255 or some other version? I can't imagine that that much power would not be enough, with plenty of headroom.

I've powered the 4341's with as little as a Marantz 2275. Granted, there is little headroom there, but still enough to blow the walls down. Maybe you should have your MAC tested. Just a thought!

I've used the MC2255 to power the low end of 4355's with excellent results. A well maintained 2255 will likely bench near 300 WPC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saeman

Are you talking about the 255 wpc version of the MC2255 or some other version? I can't imagine that that much power would not be enough, with plenty of headroom.

I've powered the 4341's with as little as a Marantz 2275. Granted, there is little headroom there, but still enough to blow the walls down. Maybe you should have your MAC tested. Just a thought!

I've used the MC2255 to power the low end of 4355's with excellent results. A well maintained 2255 will likely bench near 300 WPC.

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Saeman, yes, I'm using the 250 watts per channel McIntosh MC2255 and don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful amp that provides enough power to make yer' ears bleed but my comment is more along the lines of achieving the perfect balance. I've got this feeling that more power would "open-up" the 4341's and allow them to really show their stuff.

I've been using that same MC2255 amp (and a matching McIntosh C33 pre-amp) to power my L-65 Jubals. With that set-up the Mac literally "owns" the Jubals. On more than one occasion I've had people who aren't even remotely interested in audio comment on the "beautiful sound."

That said, I have my system set up in a terrible room because I have no choice as I rent and I'm not about to try to change the acoustics of someone's house that I don't own. One wall of my living room is a tacky marble fireplace. Yeah, that's right a nice wall of shiny stone to bounce sound off of.

BTW: Under the subject of "vintage audio porn," here's how I managed to come to own the most exquisitely preserved McIntosh MC2255 and matching C33 pre-amp... An ad appeared in the Vancouver Craig's List saying "older nice condition stereo for sale" on a lark I phoned to see what it was... the guy who answered explains that he builds luxury homes (and I mean real luxury homes: as in $10 million construction cost) and that a client from Australia is rebuilding his Whistler ski chalet and this stereo from the late 70's or early 80's has been built-into-the-wall of the living room since it was originally purchased... and the owner has only spent a couple weeks each year at the chalet... so the builder is "salvaging" the stereo and the brand of the stereo is McIntosh... sold! The amp and pre-amp had literally never seen daylight and were so shiny and clean you would have thought they were brand new.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hjames

Mine came from Foamtrends and look to be identical in size to the original plastic ones. Phil's came from Kenrick, and look to be the same size, although the upper 4 slats on his pair are cropped on the edges.

You can find out more in this thread -
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ad.php?t=25864




http://www.jbl43.net/img/4345-14-5s.jpg

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hjames, thanks and yes, I love the look of the wood lenses. JBL did such a nice job with the wood cabinets on these speakers so it only seems right to complement them with those sweet wood lenses.

Hey, Heather,

Many thanks, for the answers to my question. They both look wonderful! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

What kind of walnut is that ? Doesn't look like Black Walnut, Is it Clario Walnut or some lighter color Walnut ? Thinking of Making a pair. Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hjames

Wow, they look gorgeous! Congrats!

You can get US made wood lenses from member Foamtrends - its a good look

(don't have foilcals on mine yet ...)
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/a...1&d=1249070946
http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ad.php?t=25864

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