3-4 dB dip at crossover region: what should I listen for to hear it?


I haven’t posted here for about 10 years but thought I’d jump back in to ask about my new JBL 4349s. According to measurements on ASR and even JBLs own graphs, the 4349s have a 3-4 dB dip in the crossover region at about the 1.5 kHz mark. What should I listen for to hear this? I understand that music in this range will be quieter, but I’m not hearing any suckout compared to my Omegas or other speakers Ive had in my system. I’ve played some clarinet and violin concertos, two instruments that spend a lot of time in this frequency range, but I can’t hear an obvious difference. Am I listening for the wrong thing? I’d like to be able to hear this deficiency for leaning purposes if nothing else, so any pointers are appreciated.

 

Many thanks!

rischa

 

 

As I said, dips in the upper midrange are characteristic of the breed when using horns.

JBL 4348:

4345:

 

4355:

 

4333 (L300 pro equivelent) I have a pair of L200 modified to L300 specs and the dips drive me crazy. I don’t even listen to them anymore since I created the Mermans.

4313: 12" 4-way with no horn:

"I’ll also note that the JBLs in the video were the 4367s, the model above mine. According to Erin at Erin’s Audio Corner, the 4367s measure and sound great. Erin is also one of the guys on the ASR 4349 thread who thought the 4349s measured terribly (I like Erin and subscribe to his Patreon)."

Do they really? I hear slight the depression and Stereophile certainly found it:

422JBLfig3

422JBLfig4

In home measurement:

422JBLfig7

@toddalin, thanks for posting the graphs. Is this generally what's behind the "horn coloration" I've heard mentioned? 

@rischa 

It won't be dramatic, but female voices will be a little darker. Same for violins. Contrary to opinion 3-4 dB is quite a lot. You may not notice anything wrong as is. You would have to compare it with a corrected speaker. Digital preamps with room control and EQ allow you do make comparisons like this.