JBL 1400Nd (Introduced 1995)
The JBL 1400Nd is a 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker introduced in 1995 as part of JBL's "Nd" series, which also included the 1000Nd and 800Nd. It was positioned as a high-output, compact floorstander for both home theater and music use. The drivers show it: a 14" woofer for the low end, a 5" midrange, and a 1" tweeter, all in a bass-reflex (ported) enclosure finished in black ash vinyl.
This one was built to play loud and clean. JBL rated it at 89 dB sensitivity (2.83V/1m) with an 8-ohm impedance, and recommended amplifiers from 10 to 250 watts. Frequency response is stated as 28 Hz to 35 kHz, with crossover points at 850 Hz and 3.5 kHz. The 14" woofer is the headline feature. It's an unusual size for a consumer floorstander, and it explains the deep bass extension and high output.
Period coverage of the 1400Nd is thin. An Audio reader letter from April 1995 (p.20) noted that JBL rarely introduced a new driver series without it being worth writing about, and suggested the magazine should cover the 1400Nd driver in more technical depth. It's a passing mention, but it confirms the model was on enthusiasts' radar at launch. The same issue's review equipment notes (p.50) mention the 1400Nd driver being used in a 5-cubic-foot ported enclosure per channel. Beyond that, the record is mostly anecdotal. A period review called the 1400Nd "a fantastic speaker that does everything well," with a big, open soundstage, deep bass, and crystal-clear highs, while owner comments note that they're "built like tanks." The one recurring criticism is that the bass can get boomy in small rooms, a plausible tradeoff for a 14" driver in a compact cabinet.
Several things aren't documented. Only the 1995 introduction is confirmed, so production years, original price, dimensions, and weight are all missing from the record. Current market pricing and common failure points are also undocumented. The speaker seems to have been built in relatively modest numbers and has never drawn the collector attention of JBL's studio monitor line.
- System: 3-way floorstanding, bass-reflex (ported)
- Drivers: 14" LF, 5" MF, 1" HF
- Frequency response: 28 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Sensitivity: 89 dB (2.83V/1m)
- Recommended power: 10 – 250 W
- Crossovers: 850 Hz / 3.5 kHz
- Finish: Black ash vinyl
- Series: "Nd" (with 1000Nd and 800Nd)
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