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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
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tonykay
1,301 posts
 
Try the reissued JBL L100. From all reports, you won't be disappointed.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,883 posts
 
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
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tonykay
1,301 posts
 
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.
kenjit
1,771 posts
 
I wouldn't worry about what AudioScienceReview says. They, themselves, have been trashed by other sites
i thought they were unbiased and reputable?
dougeyjones's avatar
dougeyjones OP
163 posts
 
@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. 
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