Born in 1977, this wasn’t just a speaker, The JBL 4311B Monitor Reference is a 3-way bookshelf monitor introduced in the late 1970s, originally designed for nearfield studio use but widely adopted in home hi-fi systems. It uses a 12-inch woofer, a midrange driver, and a tweeter, giving it a full and balanced sound. The bass is punchy, the mids are clear and forward (great for vocals), and the highs can be slightly bright, but you can adjust them using the front controls.
The walnut cabinet. The iconic white woofer. The tactile switches on the front, simple, mechanical and honest.
Overall, the 4311B is best seen as a vintage speaker with strong character, ideal for music listening, especially if you enjoy classic audio gear or vinyl.
|
Feature |
Specification |
|
Type |
3-way bookshelf/studio monitor |
|
Woofer |
12-inch paper cone |
|
Midrange |
5-inch paper cone |
|
Tweeter |
1.4-inch cone |
|
Frequency Response |
~45 Hz – 15 kHz |
|
Sensitivity |
~91–93 dB |
|
Impedance |
8 ohms |
|
Power Handling |
~50–75W RMS |
|
Crossover |
3-way passive, with front L-pad controls for mid & high |
|
Porting |
Front-ported |
|
Recommended Use |
Nearfield monitoring, home hi-fi |
|
Cabinet Material |
Wood veneer (typically walnut finish) |
|
Release Year |
1977 |