Loudspeakers

Where you sit may prove vital in getting the very best from JBL's 4349. Avoid the temptation to 'look' directly into the throat of the horn for there's a substantial –14dB notch at the ~1.4kHz crossover [dashed trace, Graph 1]. The midrange output is better integrated at a distance, but the most uniform forward response, and reduced exposure to the horn resonances [see waterfall, Graph 2], is achieved listening between the horn and woofer [Graph 1] even though the response errors are still high at ±4.2dB and ±4.5dB (but a far 'flatter' ±0.9dB from 2kHz-10kHz). The HF trim operates above 2kHz and the UHF above 4kHz, the compound effect of the +1dB and –1dB settings illustrated by the two grey responses [Graph 1]. The influence of the snugfitting bass grille is not substantive [blue trace] while the 300mm pulp-cone woofer delivers reliably low distortion bass (just 0.2%/90dB SPL/1m) whether exposed or hidden. The reflex alignment is slighty 'peaky' [green shaded area, Graph 1] with a steep roll-off below 100Hz, augmented by ports tuned to 35Hz, yielding a diffraction-corrected –6dB extension of 45Hz (re. 200Hz).

With that mid/treble horn on show there's hope of high sensitivity and JBL's 4349 does not disappoint, achieving 89dB/1kHz/1m and 90dB from 500-8kHz, despite the switchback in response. JBL's nominal 8ohm impedance is accurate, the 4349 presenting a very 'easy' minimum of 7.5ohm/118Hz, well away from the highest (though not especially 'high') phase angles of +47°/371Hz and –49°/74Hz. There's a 6ohm dip at an ultrasonic 30kHz, but this will not be troublesome – so the 4349 is an easy enough load for triode tube aficionados! PM