JBL

4312G Ghost Edition 3-Way Studio Monitors

£2,999 RRP

JBL's new 4312G studio monitor is the latest addition to the company's respected professional audio range. The 4312 series has garnered several decades of acclaim for its performance, and found its way into numerous recording studios and audiophile systems alike. Can this newest generation honour the heritage of its predecessors, and meet the expectations associated with such a distinguished lineage?

Founded by James Bullough Lansing in 1946, JBL has consistently pushed the boundaries of loudspeaker design. The 4312G loudspeaker is part of a long-standing series that originated with the 4310 Studio Monitor in the late nineteen sixties. Over time, the 4310 family evolved into the 4311 and numerous 4312 iterations, spanning more than six decades. In the eighties, when the professional market transitioned to compression driver-based models, modern versions of the 4312 family were designed for consumer use.

UP CLOSE

As a successor to the limited-production 4312SE, launched in 2016 to commemorate JBL's seventieth anniversary, the 4312G emerges as the most recent generation in the series. Featured here as the 'Ghost Edition' with a striking white finish, the 4312G embodies an advanced version of the classic 4312 3-way speaker platform. In its present iteration, the tweeter combines a 1-inch magnesium-aluminium alloy dome with an acoustic lens and round waveguide to improve integration with the midrange. The 5.25-inch midrange driver uses a polymer-coated pure pulp cone and a robust ferrite motor structure.

The 12-inch woofer features a large ferrite motor structure, cast frame and white pure pulp cone. In previous iterations of the 4312, it was not limited to the upper end and extended considerably into the midrange. However, in more recent versions, such as the SE and G, the woofer is focused on low frequencies, providing a potent bass response in conjunction with the front-firing tuned port. Crossover points in the three-way design are at 640Hz and 5kHz, respectively.

With a rated power handling of up to 200 watts, the 4312G can handle demanding audio content and deliver consistent performance even at high listening levels. With a nominal 6 ohm impedance and 90dB sensitivity, this speaker is relatively easy to drive. While the frequency response is rated down to 44Hz, which may not reach as low as some competing products, the front-firing port and bass reflex design provide greater flexibility in terms of placement compared to some alternative products. For speaker connectivity, the rear of the cabinet features five-way binding posts.

A signature feature of the 4312 family is the front-panel attenuator controls, which originated with the pioneering 4310 and L100 models. These let users adjust the high- and mid-frequency levels to suit various speaker placements and room environments. The centre default position is with the marks on the knobs pointing towards the number five. These dials function as a shelf filter within a frequency band, allowing for fine adjustments to tonality while still maintaining the intended voicing of the target frequency response curve.

JBL says that the unusual white finish was created in response to global dealer requests for a more visually distinctive product. It significantly transforms the speaker's appearance, allowing it to complement a wider variety of interior décor styles and environments compared to the standard black version. With dimensions of 597x362x305mm and a weight of 24kg per side, the speaker does not conform to the typical footprint of either a bookshelf or a floorstanding speaker. The enclosure is constructed from high-density MDF.

Every pair has distinctive mirror-image driver placement on the baffle, enhancing positioning versatility. They can be arranged vertically or horizontally, with tweeters placed inboard or outboard, providing listeners with ample flexibility in placement. Outside of a near-field configuration, in a larger room, the degree of toe-in will depend on factors such as listening distance and the spacing between the loudspeakers. For vertical positioning akin to traditional loudspeakers, JBL offers an optional floor stand called the JS-120, which is specifically designed for the 4312G. This elevates the speaker off the floor and also tilts it back at an approximate seven-degree angle.

To evaluate the JBL 4312Gs in my setup, I streamed hi-res audio from Qobuz using Roon, which was processed through my MSB Premier DAC. The speakers were driven by a Copland CTA407 tube integrated amplifier, with an alternate solid-state setup using a Classè CA5300 power amplifier.

THE LISTENING

In my home, the JBL 4312G demonstrated a warm, natural sound that evokes the classic era of audio engineering. It has a monitor-like nature that is highly detailed and provides impressive dynamics that suit listeners who like their music fast and expressive. It's particularly pleasing with guitar and vocal-driven music. While not bass-shy, it does require ample power to produce the kind of gobs of bass that some may crave. Visually, this JBL has a vintage aesthetic that harkens back to a bygone age of audio equipment, adding extra charm to any listening experience.

Lay Lady Lay by Bob Dylan is a timeless classic that showcases a unique fusion of folk, country, and rock elements in its production. The track boasts a rich assortment of instruments, such as the prominent pedal steel guitar, acoustic guitar, and piano. When played through the 4312G, these come together to produce a warm and inviting atmosphere. The speaker's precise sound reproduction emphasises Dylan's characteristic raspy vocals, enabling them to resonate clearly and intimately among the instruments. With the Copland integrated powering the 4312G in a near-field configuration, the unembellished nature of the song's production was engaging and appealing.

On a deeper tip, Darkside's Golden Arrow is a fine example of modern electronic composition. The track opens with drone patterns and frequency-modulated synths, leading to a rounded synthetic bass and sampled percussion. This allows the JBL to showcase its exceptional detail retrieval and expansive soundstage. As the track evolves, each element of the music occupies its own precise space. The vocals and insistent guitar riff highlight the speakers' robust and precise sound reproduction capabilities. Tinkering with the midrange attenuator allowed a deeper and more pleasing sound to be coaxed out.

Dance Yrself Clean from LCD Soundsystem is an innovative track that displays a creative approach to audio production and mixing. The unique production approach showcases a masterful use of contrasts between the quiet verses and the energetic, synth-heavy chorus, with James Murphy's distinctive vocals cutting through the mix. This expert blending of electronic and indie rock elements is rendered with glee by the 4312G, resulting in a sonic experience that's captivating, dynamic and unforgettable. Compared to more traditional hi-fi bookshelf speakers, there is a definitive sense of clarity and an absence of confusion in this dense mix. The tension in the minimalistic arrangement of subdued synths and a steady, muffled beat builds, ultimately exploded into a vibrant, dance-inducing chorus that showcases the speaker's impressive performance capabilities.

The sheer clarity of the JBL 4312G gives witness to the perfect balance of acoustic and electronic production elements in Beck's Heart is a Drum. It reveals the distinct though subdued vocals that blend seamlessly with the layered instrumentation to produce a dreamy, immersive soundscape. Less fatiguing than many a ruler-flat monitor, this speaker's accurate sound reproduction reveals the production's intricate details, such as the delicate percussion section and ambient synths. Powered by a solid-state amplifier with more power on tap, the 4312G revelled in the bass-heavy content. The combination of acoustic and electronic components, combined with Beck's emotive vocals, produced an absorbing and unforgettable sonic adventure.

Lana Del Rey's Video Games is an evocative and ethereal piece demonstrating a distinctive fusion of audio production methods. The track skilfully melds orchestral components, like lush strings and harp, with contemporary electronic beats and samples. When played through the 4312G, the sultry, reverb-heavy vocals are conveyed in a meticulously layered manner, establishing an intimate ambience that imparts a nostalgic and cinematic essence to the song. This JBL excels in constructing a detail-rich soundscape and presenting it on a grand scale. If you have experience with other common passive monitors, such as the Yamaha NS10 or Event 20/20, you are likely to appreciate the ease with which these speakers deliver great sound without fiddly positioning and adjustment, or being picky about amplification.

Featuring a mix of live and sampled elements, with lush strings, chiming guitars, and electronic percussion blending seamlessly, Holes by Mercury Rev proved a real eye-opener through my pair of 4312Gs. The song's nuanced textures are exposed, with each element shining through in perfect clarity, capturing the haunting, otherworldly quality of the song. Acoustic guitars and drums here sound lush and open when compared to bookshelf speakers like my bedroom system Paradigm Signature S2s. The soundstage is not quite as enveloping in a large room as a set of full-size floorstanding loudspeakers could be, but the 4312G still has nothing to be embarrassed about.

CONCLUSION

The JBL 4312G excels at revealing the dynamics and imaging of recordings, making it a great choice for discerning listeners who appreciate intricate details in their music. This pleasant sound signature is especially noticeable when it comes to guitar or vocal-driven music, offering an inviting and engaging listening experience. Although the 4312G comes at a premium, this cost is justified by the decades of refinements integrated into their design. This new loudspeaker really captures the essence of the music, staying true to the original recording while delivering an enjoyable and non-fatiguing sound.

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