JBL 4343/4343WX (1976)
The JBL 4343 is a 4-way, 4-speaker bass-reflex studio monitor introduced to Japan in 1976. It belongs to JBL's professional 43XX series. It's big and heavy at 635 × 1,051 × 435 mm and 79 kg, and it was the top of JBL's monitor design at the time. The 4343 grew out of the development work that produced the flagship 4350, JBL's top system with dual low-frequency drivers.
The driver list is long. A 38 cm cone woofer (2231A) handles the low band. A 25 cm cone (2121) covers the mid-low range. The midrange is a horn type built from the 2308 acoustic lens, 2307 exponential horn and 2420 compression driver. A 2405 horn-type ring radiator takes the super-high band. Crossover points are 300 Hz, 1.25 kHz and 9.5 kHz. Rated frequency response is 35 Hz to 20 kHz ±3 dB, with 93 dB output sound pressure level (New JIS). Impedance is 8 ohms, and allowable input is 75W RMS.
There are two visual variants. The 4343 has a gray finish and black grille. The 4343WX has a walnut finish and blue grille. Around 1978 the 4343WX was priced at ¥580,000 per unit, slightly above the 4343's ¥560,000. The tweeter position can be switched left/right, and the baffle plate (minus the woofer) can be rotated 90° for horizontal use.
The 4343 can be multi-amped. A rear switch allows 2-channel bi-amp drive at 300 Hz in addition to the built-in network drive. That needs the separate 5234 channel divider (¥120,000) and 52-5140 filter boards (¥5,000). The 4343B that followed made bi-amping standard, and the "B" designation refers to that. The 4343 is the original all-Alnico magnet version.
Period documentation on reception is thin. Forum discussion suggests these were used in mastering many classic rock albums, and one dealer reportedly recommended 75 watts of tube power for best results - an unverified claim. A re-foam repair kit exists for the midrange, and foam surround degradation is cited as the most common issue. A full restoration service listing for the 4343/4343WX appeared on Yahoo! Auctions Japan at ¥500,000.
- Type: 4-way, 4-speaker, bass-reflex bookshelf-type monitor
- Frequency response: 35 Hz – 20 kHz ±3 dB
- Crossover: 300 Hz / 1.25 kHz / 9.5 kHz
- Impedance: 8 Ω · Sensitivity: 93 dB (New JIS)
- Dimensions: 635 × 1,051 × 435 mm · Weight: 79 kg
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