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JBL Synthesis “Bookshelves”

Hey Guys,

As a current owner of JBL Synthesis HDI-1600 (love them) I’m now seriously considering picking up a pair of the larger “bookshelves”. Problem is, I’m having a hard time parsing the differences between their offerings..

L100 - Best looking grilles, and available matching stands that are a no brainer and look great. Shares 12” driver with other models, but may have different mid/hi. No horn loading.
Can anybody advise which (if there’s a clear winner of the bunch) is the best between the L100, 4307, 4429 and 4319. Note that the only one that JBL deemed worthy of the term “Audiophile Sound” on their website was the 4319, which consequently got trashed in an AudioScienceReview write-up.
I started out being set on the L100, just wanna make sure I’m not making a mistake.
128x128dougeyjones
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,581 posts
 
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
dougeyjones's avatar
dougeyjones OP
163 posts
 
I’ll keep that in mind, bespoke metal working is a vanishing trade. 
jwlaff
39 posts
 
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.
dougeyjones's avatar
dougeyjones OP
163 posts
 
Do you have L100’s? If so, how do you like them? 
andyboom
7 posts
 
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
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