JBL 4332/4333 (1974–)
The JBL 4332 and 4333 are 3-way, 3-speaker bass-reflex monitor loudspeakers introduced in 1974. They followed the 2-way 4330 and 4331 in JBL's professional monitor line. Studio engineers had been asking for better sound quality, specifically better low-frequency response and higher maximum output, and these were the answer. The prevailing wisdom at the time said monitors were best kept to a 2-way configuration. The 4332/4333 broke that convention by adding a super tweeter.
The two models are essentially the same speaker in different configurations. The 4332 is a multi-amplifier model with no internal network. It needs an external electronic crossover (a divider 5231 or 5232) and a filter board 52-5123. The 4333 uses a conventional internal network. Both share the same drivers: a 38 cm cone woofer (2231A), a horn-loaded midrange that combines the 2420 driver with the 2312 exponential horn and 2308 acoustic lens, and a 2405 horn tweeter for the highs. The woofer was a big step up from the earlier LE15 series, with more vibrational mass, higher magnetic flux, and improved compliance and linearity. The midrange horn is 7 cm larger than the earlier 2307, which gave it a more natural connection with the woofer. The center pole piece of the 2420 driver is coated with pure silver. It acts as an impedance control ring and keeps the high-frequency response smooth.
The exterior design didn't change dramatically from the earlier 4320 and 4325, but the driver placement did. The woofer and horn are aligned in a straight line, and the bass-reflex port went from two ports to one. Directional characteristics are specified at 90° horizontal and 30° vertical at 16 kHz. Both gray and walnut finishes were offered (the WX suffix denotes walnut).
Specifications from period Japanese sources are consistent: frequency response 35 Hz to 20 kHz ±3 dB, impedance 8 ohms, sensitivity 93 dB (old JIS), crossover at 800 Hz and 8.5 kHz, and enclosure internal volume of 127 liters. The 4332 weighs 45 kg and the 4333 47 kg. External dimensions are 600 × 780 × 510 mm (W×H×D). Original Japanese pricing around 1975 was ¥513,000 for the 4332, ¥535,000 for the 4332WX, ¥559,000 for the 4333, and ¥581,000 for the 4333WX - per single unit.
Surviving documentation on the 4332/4333 is thin, and no period reviews have surfaced in the available record. The Japanese source audio-database.com (accessed via archived listings) has the most complete spec sheet, but corroboration beyond that is limited. The collector market shows these monitors are still sought after. Recent listings include a restored pair of 4333B at $7,500 and a pair of 4333A at $6,850, plus a "restomod" 4331B converted to 4333B configuration at $3,500. Owners of the later 4333A recommend a teardown, cleaning, and AlNiCo motor recharge for best performance. They also say amplifier matching matters - one owner reported poor results with a class D amp and better synergy with a refurbished McIntosh M-504.
Known Specifications
- Type: 3-way, 3-speaker, bass-reflex, bookshelf
- Woofer: 38 cm cone (2231A)
- Midrange: Horn type (2420 driver + 2312 horn + 2308 lens)
- Tweeter: Horn type (2405)
- Frequency response: 35 Hz – 20 kHz ±3 dB
- Crossover: 800 Hz, 8.5 kHz
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Sensitivity: 93 dB (old JIS)
- Dimensions: 600 × 780 × 510 mm (W×H×D)
- Weight: 4332 — 45 kg; 4333 — 47 kg
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