JBL Synthesis “Bookshelves”

Try the reissued JBL L100. From all reports, you won't be disappointed.

I wouldn't worry about what AudioScienceReview says. They, themselves, have been trashed by other sites. Trust your own ears.

I have the 4319 monitors and love them. Are they perfect? Heck no. No speaker is as they are all compromises. What they are, are very musical and convincing. Given great components upstream, they let you forget about everything and just enjoy the music.

A former recording engineer who now runs Hi Fidelity (a Polish site) loved them as he used to record using JBLs. It's hard to find reviews of them but there are a few out there.

The best thing is, you can get a pair for $2500 from musicdirect.com which is a steal considering I paid $4K for them about 2 years ago. Now that the L100 is out, they've been regelated down in the line up and may be on the way out.

I'd love to hear the L100 monitors to see if they'd be worth it over the 4319 but that's for another day.

All the best,Nonoise

dougey,

Lots of opinions out here, everybody's got one. You say you've narrowed it down to three. My suggestion would be to look up dealers in your area (state) that can demo all three JBL models. Then walk, drive or fly there to hear them. Trust your ears! You mentioned that you were impressed by the looks of the L100s ("Best looking grilles"), so if that matters then take that into consideration. You'll probably be living with your choice for a long time.

I wouldn't worry about what AudioScienceReview says. They, themselves, have been trashed by other sites

i thought they were unbiased and reputable?

@nonoise & tony, thanks for the feedback. 
All of the models have come down quite a bit price wise from their original MSRP, so they’re all in striking distance. The comment about the grilles was just because I happen to love that famous blue shade that they use, and the matching stands that get them both off the floor, and tilted slightly back, seem to only be available on for the L100. Of course I could get other stands, but nothing is ever quite like factory designed accessories. 
I’ll try to make it to a local dealer to listen to at least the 4319 and 4429 before I make a decision. 

Hey Doug,

If you do get the chance to check them out and decide to get something, you might want to check out these stands from deercreekaudio.com.
https://deercreekaudio.com/p/custom-stands

I’ve read where the quality of the JBL stands is questionable (cracks and rust). Back when I got the Deer Creek Audio stands there were only about 4 versions and the price was around $350 or so. I noticed that they’re now about $17 more but they now can make them for just about any speaker you can think of. They’ve definitely expanded the line up.

The workmanship is second to none as they’re made by a local artisan who works in metal sculptures. Good luck in your search.

All the best,
Nonoise

I’ll keep that in mind, bespoke metal working is a vanishing trade. 

The one bad review of the stands that I've seen was on Andrew Robinsons site.  I question where the stands had been before he got them.  I have a pair with the stands and there is no rust or cracks in them.  But then I take care of my equipment.

Do you have L100’s? If so, how do you like them? 

JBL L100 Classics have great higher frequencies. However the bass is very flat and doesn’t go too deep, poor for modern music. Old School, Country, Rock and more vocal tracks sound good but if you wanna play anything with deeper bass lines you’ll be disappointed with the L100 Classic in my opinion. Even when you push to higher volume levels it brings out the bass a bit more but there is still a lot lacking. My JBL L830 bookshelf speakers have nicer, deeper bass and are 10% of the cost of L100’s. I’m considering the HDI 3800 series instead of L100 Classics. Deceiving with that 12” woofer. I’m keen to hear these 3800’s, perhaps this weekend. https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/jbl-hdi-3800