Old camp JBL4311wxa Versus new Yamaha HS80M

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mixmkr
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2014/02/18 22:10:58 (permalink)

Old camp JBL4311wxa Versus new Yamaha HS80M

So... I've been using the 4311 for 30++ years now.. and my little Auratones... still back in the dinosaur age of studio monitors, I guess. However, I picked up a pair of these Yamaha HS8 active speakers.
They made my JBLs sound "broken". 
The Yamahas are fuller, more bass response, move even sounding, display the stereo field much better, no where as fatiguing... what else is there?
The only "win" for the JBL is they look nicer with the walnut cab. Otherwise, I'm about ready to get rid of them and get the newer LSR version...or sumpin'.
These little low cost Yamahas put the old skewl masters to shame.
Do I need to have someone "experienced" evaluate my 4311 or just bury them? The diff was night and day too... not subtle.
I had always doubted the capabiity of an 8" woofer over my 12" JBL...but they blow the old 2212 JBL woofs away.  When my wife made a positive Yamaha comment from the OTHER room, that was too much!
The Yammies were to "supplement" at a lower volume, but I can't listen to my ole buddies anymore ;-(    It's sad and happy, all rolled into one.  Only because I basically bought them almost new and have spent sooooo many years with them.
post edited by mixmkr - 2014/03/12 16:14:14

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    Jeff Evans
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    Re: Old camp JBL4311wxa Versus new Yamaha HS8 2014/02/18 22:53:35 (permalink)
    Throw them away bro! Modern monitors literally blow all that junk away and have for some time.  Actually no, sell on ebay to some poor unsuspecting person who is craving some vintage Hi Fi speakers. You will probably get a small fortune for them!!
     
    Keep your Auratones though, they are WAY excellent and often are much better than most speakers for mixing on. (checking mixes I mean, combined with some modern actives you have got the perfect combo)
    post edited by Jeff Evans - 2014/02/18 22:54:53

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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re: Old camp JBL4311wxa Versus new Yamaha HS8 2014/02/19 07:27:43 (permalink)
    Those JBLs were designed before the Thiele Small parameters were published.
     
    The woofers happen to be very nicely made out of the finest materials and they can produce an articulate and reserved bass sound that is special and worth appreciating.
     
    The 30 year old crossovers could probably use some new capacitors.
     
    Don't throw them away, get them in the hands of someone who can appreciate them. A set of cabinets made with respect for what we now know about speaker parameters, a fresh tweeter, and a fresh cross over could be the perfect match for the motors in those woofers.
     
    Years from now you may realize that "fuller, more bass response" equates to hyped bass response.
     
    There are no perfect speakers, just speakers you enjoy listening too and speakers you do not.
     
    I think the most practical improvement that has occurred in the past 30 years of multi driver speaker design is that imaging has improved.
     
    I hope you enjoy your new Yamahas.


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    mixmkr
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    Re: Old camp JBL4311wxa Versus new Yamaha HS8 2014/02/19 13:17:42 (permalink)
    Well....doing a classical "no-no" I'm sure...but I ran some EQ before the JBL power amp, to match things up a little better, and I was able to make them sound "bigger and bad-er"..actually than the Yamahas... but the stereo imaging wasn't as good, but still fine.  It's easy to fool my ears, I suppose and I totally understand your statement of "years from now...etc".  Excellent point, Mike.
    The JBL are old buddies for sure, so at the worst they'll become stereo speakers in my living room or similar.  But I may see about getting a better 31 band EQ so I can introduce some phase distortion, and totally confuse my monitoring setup!!
     
    I guess I'm just saying that I was shocked how good these low cost Yamahas actually turned out to be.  I listened to the same source material thru some Focal TwinB's.... however not able to quickly A/B them... and I'm not sure the Focals were $3500 better sounding than the Yamahas. ...for whatever that's worth. 
     
    I think I'll pick up the JBL308 that are getting good reviews as well...or maybe just the smaller JBL305 (5 inch), that is touted to steal from their $20K pair of new monitors... as they are almost in the "impulse" purchase price point, and even less costly than the Yamaha HS80M.  Sweetwater is selling the 2nd speaker at half price...so under $300 for a pair.
    post edited by mixmkr - 2014/03/12 16:15:19

    some tunes: --->        www.masonharwoodproject.bandcamp.com 
    StudioCat i7 4770k 3.5gHz, 16 RAM,  Sonar Platinum, CD Arch 5.2, Steinberg UR-44
    videos--->https://www.youtube.com/user/mixmkr
     
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