Trying to do something similar

[ironman0891]

Hi there I found this pic on flicker

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clark_tanaka/2312658112/

I love how simple his setup is !!!! Anyway I would like to do something similar to this, the thing I’m having trouble with, is the speakers. I tried emailing the owner of the pic but he has not responded, so I thought I would try and see if anybody here could help. I know the speakers are JBL Model 4301, those are pretty old speakers but I love the size !!! I have been trying to find a similar size modern speaker but I have had not much luck….. Found these

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...specifications

But I don’t know to much about speakers, would these be good for just a 2ch setup ? I would like a good set of speakers. I know some people might say get a pair of floor standing speakers but I really like the look of the big bookshelf type speakers on stands. Well sorry for the long post but thank you for any help that you could give.

[Big Daddy]

It looks like you are interested in bookshelf speakers. Avoid the speakers from B&H. They are made for Pro and DJ applications and are not suitable for home audio.

You can try auditioning popular brands at Best Buy or other stores. Alternatively, you can buy them from Amazon, New Egg, Vann's, Crutchfield, etc.

If you want a highly rated bookshelf speakers at very reasonable price, try PSB Alpha speakers.

https://dmc-electronics.com/Default.htm


The following speakers are factory direct speakers. Some are high-end speakers at low prices. The list is in alphabetical order.

Aperion Speakers:
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/...roducts,4.aspx

Ascend Acoustics:
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages.../spkrlist.html

Audio Engine, Powered Speakers:
http://www.audioengineusa.com/

AV123:
http://www.av123.com//index.php?page...hk=1&Itemid=37

Axiom:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/

Cadence:
http://www.cadencehometheaterspeaker...re/pc/home.asp

Crystal Audio (B&W alternative):
http://www.crystalaudiovideo.com/productcategory.aspx

Elemental Designs:
http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_42

Emotiva:
http://emotiva.com/speakers_feature2.shtm

Fluance:
http://www.fluance.com/

Funky Waves:
http://funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm

Home Theater Direct:
http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers

Hsu Speakers:
http://www.hsuresearch.com/speakers.html

NSM Audio:
http://www.nsmaudio.com/brochures/direct-sales.html
http://www.nsmaudio.com/brochures/clearance-sale.html

Orb Audio:
http://www.orbaudio.com/

Reel Acoustics:
http://www.reelacoustics.us.com/

SVS:
http://www.svsound.com/products.cfm

Tekton Design:
http://www.tektondesign.com/loudspeakers.htm

Theater Research:
http://www.trtheaterresearch.com/

The Speaker Company:
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/

Tyler Acoustics (Ultra High-End):
http://www.tyleracoustics.com/

Urban Fidelity Planets:
http://www.urbanfidelity.com/planets/

[ironman0891]

Thanks for all the links, I will check them out. Once I get some nice bookshelf speakers would I need a receiver or could I just use a nice blu-ray player ? Again thanks for your help

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ironman0891

Thanks for all the links, I will check them out. Once I get some nice bookshelf speakers would I need a receiver or could I just use a nice blu-ray player ? Again thanks for your help

You do need a receiver, a center speaker, two surround speakers, and a subwoofer to experience the full HD audio from blu-ray movies. You need power from the receiver to run the speakers.

It may be better and cheaper for you to buy a 5.1 package speaker deal and a separate receiver. As long as you have a subwoofer, the speakers can be smaller.

[ironman0891]

Why can't you use speakers from B&H in your home?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ironman0891

Why can't you use speakers from B&H in your home?

Pro and DJ speakers are made for noisy reception halls, disco establishments, and indoor/outdoor concerts. They require a lot of power and sound very loud. Some, but not all are powered and they do not necessarily use inputs that are more common at home. Their frequency responses are generally exaggerated. In addition, they tend to emphasize the low frequencies and do not sound as smooth and refined as home speakers. Furthermore, they are big, metallic, and ugly for home environment. If you look at the description for the speaker in the B&H link, you will notice that it says "Applications: Live Musical Performances."

You are free to buy them, but don't come back and complain that they sound like $hit in your home theater room.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ironman0891

Hi there I found this pic on flicker

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clark_tanaka/2312658112/

I love how simple his setup is !!!! Anyway I would like to do something similar to this, the thing I’m having trouble with, is the speakers. I tried emailing the owner of the pic but he has not responded, so I thought I would try and see if anybody here could help. I know the speakers are JBL Model 4301, those are pretty old speakers but I love the size !!! I have been trying to find a similar size modern speaker but I have had not much luck….. Found these

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...specifications

But I don’t know to much about speakers, would these be good for just a 2ch setup ? I would like a good set of speakers. I know some people might say get a pair of floor standing speakers but I really like the look of the big book self type speakers on stands. Well sorry for the long post but thank you for any help that you could give.

Would they work for 2 channel audio? In a nutshell...Yes! I've owned the JBL 4311B's and 4311WX's these are studio monitors (many of the music during the 70's was mixed on these speakers). They belong to the 43xx family of true studio monitors and have decent resale value. They have what is known in audiophile land as the "California sound" or Boom and Sizzle. They can be very "in your face" - which can be an advantage when it comes down to HT. JBL also makes some of the best custom HT gear in its Synthesis line. Placement and your personal musical taste will be the dictating factor. These however are great classics!
Here's another person using the same speakers - driving them with McIntosh amplification (The L100's to the side of the picture are consumer version of my old 4311b's ) http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...d.php?p=257129

[prerich]

Ironman .... to clarify - I didn't look at the link for the BH Fenders (bass guitar yes -speakers no) - those are a no, I was just too happy to see the 4301's!!!! Your 4301's are better than any speaker that B&H is carrying - when I said are they good for 2 channel - I meant the 4301's - Big Daddy is right about the B&H models. What you should do is look at audiogon or the vintage pages on ebay. I'm a lover of old gear - especially older speakers - a lot of you better speakers rarely change their designs. IMHO If a speaker changes design every year - its either 1 of 2 things - either the speaker was messed up to begin with - or the company can't keep a designer.

[ironman0891]

Ironman .... to clarify - I didn't look at the link for the BH Fenders (bass guitar yes -speakers no) - those are a no, I was just too happy to see the 4301's!!!! Your 4301's are better than any speaker that B&H is carrying - when I said are they good for 2 channel - I meant the 4301's - Big Daddy is right about the B&H models. What you should do is look at audiogon or the vintage pages on ebay. I'm a lover of old gear - especially older speakers - a lot of you better speakers rarely change their designs. IMHO If a speaker changes design every year - its either 1 of 2 things - either the speaker was messed up to begin with - or the company can't keep a designer

I'm going to go for a nice 2 channel set up Do you know if these are sold in the States ?

http://www.harman-japan.co.jp/produc...ome/4312d.html

And I will for sure look at the vintage pages on ebay Thanks for your help

[ironman0891]

I just found these on ebay....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

are these any good???

[ironman0891]

and these too ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ironman0891

I just found these on ebay....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

are these any good???

Wonderful ! As I have stated - I owned the 4311b's and WX's. They will mate up well with your 4301's. Your other find was good as well (but it doesn't seem that he has a not DOA promise in his ad - that's a minus for me - They look like they are in fine condition though).

[Steve]

OP I'm curious why you're only interested in bookshelf speakers. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but why not just put a pair of nice towers out to the sides of your setup?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by fireman325

OP I'm curious why you're only interested in bookshelf speakers. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but why not just put a pair of nice towers out to the sides of your setup?

The speakers that the OP is considering might as well be towers. These are extremely large "bookshelves" the only bookshelf that they would fit on would be a studio shelf if you get my drift.

[ironman0891]

Wonderful ! As I have stated - I owned the 4311b's and WX's. They will mate up well with your 4301's. Your other find was good as well (but it doesn't seem that he has a not DOA promise in his ad - that's a minus for me - They look like they are in fine condition though).

Out of 4311b, 4310wx, and 4312 which would be best ? and what did you mean by that he has a not DOA promise in his ad ?

OP I'm curious why you're only interested in bookshelf speakers. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but why not just put a pair of nice towers out to the sides of your setup?

I just want something different, not that many people will have a setup like this and I really just like the look a lot !!!

[Texitura]

The Pioneer HPM series have a good reputation too.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by prerich

The speakers that the OP is considering might as well be towers. These are extremely large "bookshelves" the only bookshelf that they would fit on would be a studio shelf if you get my drift.

Yeah it was the size of them that made me wonder why only bookshelves. He might as well be looking towers IMO. I'm not trying to tell him what to do though. He should certainly get whatever he wants.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by fireman325

Yeah it was the size of them that made me wonder why only bookshelves. He might as well be looking towers IMO. I'm not trying to tell him what to do though. He should certainly get whatever he wants.

That's 10-4 good buddy I can understand the OP wanting to be a little different - it's a little like adding a spice to the mix. I've been the odd man out on this site for quite a while - even when I was using Klipsch - I was still the odd man because I used the older Heritage models (Three Heresy speakers in the front).
Ironman: My preference was the 4311b's albeit they are all virtually the same speaker - dial them in right and they can sing.
Texitura: Funny you would mention the HPM's by Pioneer - they were made to compete directly against the JBL's and the Yamaha NS-1000 series.