Legendary JBL 4343 Studio Monitors, Restored and Spectacular, See Video

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Now ready for a new lucky owner!

The 4343 has been our in-house vintage reference speaker for some time.

These are one of the most sought after monitors ever made, only to be outdone by the overly massive JBL model 4350.

We sold an exact set last year and we were holding on to this pair. However we just sourced another pair in need of restoration so we have to make room.

This is a very capable speaker still relevant compared to what is being produced today. It provides a full, warm, accurate, and rich sound like no other vintage speaker we have heard.

Restored and looking gorgeous with new surrounds, light refinishing, cleaning of all controls, and thorough testing in our listening room.

These will ship via freight securely packaged and strapped to a shipping pallet within the lower 48 US States for a flat $1,100. We also ship worldwide so contact us if you're outside of this area and would like a quote. Local courier services also available.

Service Notes:
• All midrange drivers and woofers had their surrounds professionally replaced.
• Lens velcro was replaced on both the speaker and lens surfaces.
• Light cosmetic repair performed to tops of wood surfaces.

Cosmetic Notes:
• Wood surfaces show moderate to significant wear including some deep scratches and damaged corners as shown in our photos.
• One lens has a couple of chips.
• Control plates show some wear and deformation. Controls are not centered in plates but function normally.
• Woofer cones show some light blemishes but nothing penetrates the cone surface. One blemish was carefully treated with glue.
• The JBL "4343" badges were relocated from the grills to the internal blue surface by the previous owner.

Please watch our video for complete details on these speakers:

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Good

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Kimber Kable - Bi-Wire Speaker Cables - Best

More from JBL:

The 4343 represents an extension of the research and development effort that produced the 4350 Studio Monitor JBL's top system, which uses dual low frequency drivers. This new monitor accurately reproduces the full range of fundamentals and overtones in music at sound pressure levels approximating those of an original performance.

The exceptionally smooth wide-band reproduction clarity, transient response and low distortion of the 4343 results from total integration of the components that make up the four-way system so that each transducer reproduces only that portion of the audio spectrum for which it is specifically designed Deliberately restricting the operating bandwidth of the individual drivers results in maximization of each unit's transient response.

Another benefit of bandwidth limitation is that each driver operates only in the region of the audio spectrum through which it exhibits controlled sound distribution, thus a dispersion pattern for the complete system is achieved which is ideal for studio use. The passive frequency dividing network supplied with the 4343 controls the acoustic output of all the individual transducers, and may be switched for bi-amplification.

Features
• Accurate smooth reproduction from 35 to 20,000 Hz, ±3dB
• 44 dB SPL at 30 feet with a 1-milliwat input
• 101 dB SPL at 10 feet at one-half rated power input
• Mountable in vertical or horizontal orientation
• Components:
15" low frequency loudspeaker, 10" midrange loudspeaker, High frequency compression driver with horn/lens assembly and ultra-high frequency transducer
• Balance controls located behind the removable grille
• Rear mounted switch for bi-amplification or full passive crossover
• Oiled walnut or textured gray enclosure

Ultra-High Frequency Transducer
Overtones above 9000 Hz are reproduced by a compression driver and diffraction horn specifically designed for reproduction and dispersion of energy at the extreme high end of the audio spectrum. The compression driver consist of a 3-1/4 pound magnetic assembly energized by an Alnico V magnet. The 1,75 inch edgewound aluminum ribbon voice coil, suspended within a field having a flux density of 16,500 gauss is affixed to a heat resistant support bonded to a ring diaphragm pneumatically formed of .0022 inch thick aluminum foil. Output from the diaphragm is directed through the integral diffraction horn, which produces the unit's wide high frequency dispersion pattern.

High Frequency Compression Driver
The high frequency compression driver provides smooth, accurate response and is capable of delivering the high power output levels required in monitor applications. The closed magnetic assembly is energized by an Alnico V magnet, weighs 10 pounds and achieves a flux density of 19,000 gauss in the voice coil gap. A ring of pure silver deposited on the circumference of the pole piece maintains uniform impedance through the highest frequencies, extending the bandwidth of the driver. The diaphragm, pneumatically formed of .002-inch thick aluminum foil stock is driven by a 1,75-inch edgewound aluminum ribbon voice coil. The wavefront emerging from the diaphragm is directed through the concentric channels of a phasing plug prior to distribution by the horn/lens assembly.

Horn/Lens Assembly
Output from the high frequency compression driver is distributed through a controlled pattern by the horn/lens assembly. The horn is formed of a rigid casting to eliminate spurious resonance. The exponential taper rate of the horn controls the expansion of the wavefront providing proper acoustic loading of the driver diaphragm and determines the vertical dispersion pattern of the assembly. The acoustic lens functions in a manner analogous to a divergent optical lens. Its 11 plates set at a precise angle to the enclosure baffle panel, provide controlled propagation of high frequency acoustic energy in the horizontal plane.

Midrange Loudspeaker
The smooth performance and instantaneous transient response of the 10-inch midrange loudspeaker is largely responsible for the outstanding instrumental clarity, vocal definition and dimensional accuracy of the system. Its closed magnetic assembly weighing 6-1/2 pounds, concentrates all the energy of an Alnico V magnet in the voice coil gap. The 3-inch edgewound copper ribbon voice coil is suspended within a powerful magnetic field having a flux density of 10,000 gauss. The integrally stiffened cone is terminated with an exclusive JBL ring compliance that allows long excursion while maintaining linear travel.

Low Frequency Loudspeaker
The 15-inch low frequency loudspeaker is mounted in a ported enclosure having an internal volume of 5,5 cubic feet. The driver features extreme, solid low frequency reproduction with smooth response well past its crossover frequency. The unit is energized by a 13-pound magnetic assembly concentrates a magnetic field having a flux density of 12,000 gauss in the voice coil is hand wound on a heat resistant support. The support is affixed to a rigid cone having optimum mass density and rigidity for exceptional transient response and maximum efficiency with the bandwidth of the driver.

Frequency Dividing Network
The 4343 is provided with a high level, passive frequency dividing network for the three transitions of the system. The network is fitted with a rear-mounted switch and separate input terminals for bi-amplification. The circuitry has been designed with consideration for the various performance characteristics of the drivers and their location on the enclosure baffle panel. The network has been designed for continuous high power application; capacitors are non-inductive ,non-polarized types with high AC current capacity and special inductors are used to minimize power losses within the network. Each inductor is calibrated on a sensitive electronic bridge and its value set precisely.

A special circuit card providing the precise crossover characteristics for bi-amplification of the 4343 is available for use in the JBL 5233 or 5234 Electronic Frequency Dividing Network. Conventional electronic networks can be used, but they may not have the exact frequency and filter slope characteristics required for optimum performance of the system.

Enclosure
In keeping with current trends in studio design that encourage creativity, JBL studio monitor enclosures feature contemporary styling and are offered in two finishes, each with a complementary grille color. The enclosure, however, contributes much more than striking appearance. The low frequency loudspeaker is housed in a chamber having an internal volume of 5,5 cubic feet. The midrange loudspeaker is enclosed in a separate, isolated sub-chamber having an internal volume of 0,5 cubic feet.

The internal volume of the acoustic chambers and physical configuration of the ducted ports are carefully calibrated to properly load the low frequency and midrange loudspeakers for optimum bass response and to control cone excursion, thus minimizing distortion and maximizing power handling capacity of the drivers. To eliminate resonance, the enclosure is constructed of dense 3/4-inch and 1-inch stock with a 15-ply baffle panel; all joints are carefully interlocked and glued, the back side, top and bottom panels are lined with acoustic damping material and are each stiffened by multiple braces glued and screwed to the panel and to the adjacent surfaces of the enclosure.

The baffle section which supports the midrange, high frequency and ultra-high frequency transducers may be rotated 90° left or right for horizontal system installations.

Specifications
Maximum Power Input

Bi-amplification:
Below 300 Hz:
75 watts continuous sine wave
Above 300 Hz:
75 watts continuous sine wave

Single Amplification:
75 watts continuous sine wave

Power Output:
101 dB SPL Measured at 3,0 m (10 ft) in a room volume of 57 m³ (2000 cu ft) with half rated power input

Nominal Impedance:
8 ohms

Frequency Response:
35 to 20,000 Hz, ±3 dB

Sensitivity:
93 dB SPL measured at 1m (3,3 ft) with 1-watt input averaged from 100 to 1000 Hz;
44 dB SPl measured at 9,1m (30 ft) with 1-milliwatt input averaged from 100 to 1000 Hz

Polar Response:
No less than -3 dB at 60° horizontal and 30° vertical to 16 kHz

Distortion:
1/2 Power, 99 dB SPL/3,0m : 1% or less third harmonic generation from 35 to 800 hz

Single Frequency:
2% or less third harmonic generation above 800 Hz

Crossover Frequencies:
300, 1250 and 9500 Hz

Finish:
Textured gray or oiled walnut

Grille:
Black fabric with the gray finish
Dark blue fabric with walnut

Enclosure Volume - EACH Speaker:
Low Frequency Chamber: 156 litres (5,5 cu ft)
Midrange Chamber: 14 litres (0,5 cu ft)
Enclosure Dimension: 1050 x 635 x 435 mm (41-3/8 x 25 x 17-1/2 inch)

Net Weight - EACH Speaker:
175 lb (79 kg)

The SkyFi Testing Process for Speakers:

Our speaker evaluation process starts with a visual inspection of all drivers. We are looking for damaged or deteriorating woofer surrounds, dented tweeter domes, and cone damage. We also inspect the speaker connection points for loose or broken connectors.

After the initial visual inspection we connect the speakers to a reference amplifier with our preferred test tracks. With the speakers placed with proper distance we listen to each driver to make sure that they are producing the intended frequencies with no signs of distortion or rattle. During listening tests with test tracks we check for proper stereo imaging and bass response at various listening levels. If there are any audible signs of issues, the speakers are taken to the bench where we perform a frequency sweep to isolate the issue so that it can be resolved by component repair or replacement.