JBL 4716A (circa 1992)
The JBL 4716A is a compact 2-way, 2-speaker bass reflex system from around 1992. It was originally priced at ¥200,000 per unit in Japan. It's a professional-grade wedge monitor, built for permanent installation in small to medium-sized clubs and discos, or for use as a stage monitor at concerts. The wedge-shaped enclosure suits the stage role. The cabinet sits at an angle and points up at the performer.
Not much documentation exists, and what there is shows a straightforward pro-audio speaker. A 25 cm cone woofer (model 2123H) handles the low end. The highs come from a compression driver with a pure titanium diaphragm (2416H), mated to a Biradial horn (2342) with a 2.5 cm throat. The horn's dispersion is wide - 100 degrees horizontal by 100 degrees vertical at -6 dB. That makes sense for a monitor that has to cover a moving performer.
The specs are what you'd expect from a professional JBL of this era: 8 ohms impedance, 300W pink noise input rating (IEC 268-5), 95 dB/2.83V/m sensitivity, and a maximum output of 125 dB. Frequency response is rated at 70 Hz to 19 kHz (-10 dB), with a crossover at 1.2 kHz. It has two Neutrik NL4MPR speakON connectors. It weighs 18 kg and measures 286 x 520 x 280 mm (W x H x D). A replacement diaphragm size of 44.4 mm is sometimes cited for the compression driver. The back panel reportedly carries only a painted "JBL" logo and older-style XLR terminals. That points to a no-frills build for working sound systems rather than home listening.
Surviving information on this model is thin, and the gaps are real: production years aren't confirmed beyond the "around 1992" price reference, no crossover schematic has surfaced, and there's no documented history of common failures or maintenance needs. It does show up in the used market — listings in Italy and Belgium describe it as a rare vintage 10" speaker — and replacement diaphragms are available on eBay, which suggests the 2416H driver is still serviceable. Beyond that, the 4716A remains a working-class pro monitor with a modest paper trail.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- JBL 075
- JBL 077
- JBL 120Ti
- JBL 124A
- JBL 124H
- Braun AUDIO-1 (1965)
- Braun AUDIO-250 (1965)
- Magnavox Component Systems (1972)
- Acoustic Research AR (1967-1976)
- Acoustic Research 11