{"id":6356,"date":"2021-07-06T22:24:15","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T22:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1359518"},"modified":"2021-07-06T22:24:15","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T22:24:15","slug":"jbl-4309-review-these-retro-speakers-create-a-stunning-soundstage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=6356","title":{"rendered":"JBL 4309 Review: These retro speakers create a stunning soundstage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019ve tested a fair few JBL bookshelf speakers here at TNW. The JBL L82 Classic<\/a> paired a retro aesthetic with acoustics that emphasized an expansive soundstage, while the HDI-1600<\/a> was a more modern take on speaker design with a deep horn\/waveguide for focused, sharp imaging.<\/p>\n

Well, what if you want both a retro design and<\/em> a horn-type sound? JBL has a hi-fi speaker for you too: the $2,000 JBL 4309.<\/p>\n

Mercifully, unlike so many speakers appealing to retro aesthetics and nostalgia, the 4309 are still solid examples of modern acoustic design. While they aren\u2019t perfect, the speakers maintain JBL\u2018s neutral approach to speaker design with an impeccable spatial presentation.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve read my review of the JBL HDI-1600<\/a>, the 4309 sounds a lot<\/em> like it. I didn\u2019t get to hear the speakers side-by-side, but having heard them both against my longtime reference speaker \u2014 the Focal Chora 806<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s clear the speakers are more similar than different.<\/p>\n

This shouldn\u2019t be too surprising. The speakers share acoustic philosophies, use an identical tweeter (more specifically, a compression driver<\/a>), and implement similar waveguides<\/a> that shape the sound for optimal spatial presentation. They both offer 6.5-inch woofers too. But most notably, they measure<\/em> very similarly.<\/p>\n

If you happen to find yourself choosing between these two speakers, I\u2019d just choose whichever you think is prettiest. They are close enough in price (the HDI-1600 retails for $1,800) and performance I suspect they\u2019d be ranked similarly in a blind test. Only JBL, which conducts blind tests for its speakers, knows for sure which is \u2018better,\u2019 but the 4309 is<\/em> priced a little higher.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll let you know which one I<\/em> think sounds better later in this review. I know, I\u2019m such a tease.<\/p>\n

\"JBL