JBL 4311 User manual

Smooth, powerful, wide-range response within a
compact enclosure.
Components: 300-mm (1Sin), long excursion, low
frequency loudspeaker; 130-mm (Sin) midrange
loudspeaker; 36mm (1.4-in) high frequency direct
radiator; matched frequency dividing network with
front panel controls for midrange and high fre-
quency output.
90’ dispersion allows vertical or horizontal place-
ment.
A product of JBL’s long experience and intimate
involvement with the recording industry, the 4311 is a
powerful, yet compact, monitor loudspeaker system. Its
wide-band reproduction at loudness levels required in
professional work make the 4311 ideally suited for con-
trol room installations, small studios, mixdown facilities,
broadcast monitors and portable playback systems.
Low Frequency Loudspeaker
Bass material is reproduced by a powerful, long excur-
sion, 300-mm (12-in) loudspeaker having a 76-mm
(3-in) diameter edgewound copper ribbon voice coil
operating in a magnetic field of 1 T (10,000 gauss). The
magnetic assembly, energized by an Alnico V magnet,
weighs 3 kg (6.5 lb); free air resonance is approximately
22 Hz. The surface of the cone is coated with an exclusive
damping formulation that provides the precise mass
and density necessary to optimize bass performance,
prevent spurious resonance and provide smooth per-
formance extending into the midrange region.
Midrange Transducer
Transition to the midrange unit is made at a crossover
frequency of 1.5 kHz. The 130-mm (5-in) transducer
provides clarity and freedom from audible distortion,
even at the high loudness levels encountered in profes-
sional applications. The transducer is energized by an
Alnico V magnet housed in a closed assembly having a
total weight of 1.25 kg (2.75 lb) and creating a magnetic
field of 1.65 T (16,500 gauss). The 22-mm (7/&in) diame-
ter copper voice coil drives a loo-mm (4-in) edge-
damped cone that operates as a true piston, providing
smooth frequency response and wide dispersion
throughout its operating range.
High Frequency Direct Radiator
Reproduction above 6 kHz is accomplished by a 36-mr
(1.4-in) direct radiator. Its 0.7.kg (1.6 lb) magnetic d
assembly and 16-mm (5/&in) diameter copper voice
coil drive a cone and center dome with controlled
linearity assured by an impregnated cloth termination.
The voice coil, suspended in a magnetic field of 1.5 T
(15,000 gauss), is unusually large in relation to cone size
for high efficiency and exceptional transient response.
The small cone diameter is responsible for wide, uniform
dispersion of high frequency energy; a ring of dense
foam surrounds the moving assembly to damp un-
wanted radiation and reflections.
Frequency Dividing Network
The frequency dividing network installed in the 4311 has
been designed and tested to achieve the smoothest pos-
sible transitions between component loudspeakers. All
network components are of the highest quality. Ca-
pacitors are non-inductive, non-polarized types with
high AC current capacity, built expressly for use in divid-
ing networks and individually tested for conformity to
rigid performance standards.
Enclosure
As with all JBL loudspeaker systems, the component
transducers, frequency dividing network and enclosure
are designed and tested to function as a single, inte-
grated unit. The enclosure is solidly constructed of d
19-mm (3/4-in) stock throughout with wood-welded
joints to prevent unwanted resonance. Internal padding
absorbs spurious reflections and standing waves. All
components mount directly to the baffle panel and are
removable from the front of the enclosure. Aducted port
provides proper acoustical loading of the low frequency
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Adjustable Response Contour
le frequency dividing network of the 4311 is provided
L? fthfront panel controls to allow separate regulation of
output in the 1.5 kHzto 6 kHz“presence” range and the
“brilliance” region above 6 kHz. Controls are continu-
ously variable from maximum to full off. With suitable
settings of the two controls, the frequency response con-
tour of the 4311 can be altered to compensate for almost
any acoustical environment, or to achieve the tonal bal-
ance desired. Control scales are clearly marked so that
special settings can be logged and easily reset when
needed.
Performance Characteristics
The accompanying graph and specifications were
compiled from measurements made under standard
laboratory test conditions. The loudspeaker system was
mounted flush in the center of a large, flat baffle m an
anechoic environment. a calibrated condenser micro-
phone was suspended at a known distance from the
sound source, sufficiently far to be safely out of the near
field; and all electronic equipment was checked and
calibrated before tests were run.
The on-axis frequency response of a typical 4311 does
not vary more than *3 dB from 45 Hzto 15kHz.Due to the
wide-angle characteristics of the midrange and high
frequency units and their physical orientation. response
measured up to 45’ off axis, horizontally or vertically,
I, ,es not deviate more than 6 dB from on-axis response t 2 kHznor more than 10 dB at 8 kHz.The 431l’s lack of
distortion is equally outstanding. Distortion is inaudible
even at high power levels and at very low frequencies,
as shown in the photo at right.
While specifications indicate that the 4311 has impres-
sive performance characteristics. they cannot convey
the full impact of an extended listening evaluation
Clean, crisp, wide-range performance, even at very
loud levels, powerful bass fundamentals without dou-
bling and lifelike voice projection are qualities found in
few loudspeaker systems, regardless of size or price.
When heard from a monitor occupying less than 71litres
(2.5 ft’), the effect is little less than awesome.
35-Hz Output
This unretouched photo shows the acoustic output of the system when driven by a
50-W sme wave sIgnal at 35 Hz A laboratory microphone was used to pick up the
sound from the 4311 The slgnal from the mlcrophone was connected directly to an
oscilloscope and the trace photographed
SustaIned performance at this lntensay would not be encountered during normal
use A50-W s~newave represents afar mored~fficuli lob for the loudspeakerthan ,ts
rated capacity of 75 W program material particularly I” the very low frequency
range Even so It can be seen that the 4311 produces an almost perfect sine wave
(Note Below 50 Hz most loudspeaker systems produce substantial dIstortion with
an Input of only a few watts )
c

Specifications
JBL continually engages in research related to product rnprovement. New
mater&, production methods and design refinements are introduced into
Power Capacity’ 75 W continuous program
existing products without notice as a routine expression of that philosophy For
this reason. any current JBL product may differ in ?.cnnerespect from its
Crossover Frequencies 1.5 and 6 kHz
publIshed description but will always equal or exceed the original design
specifications unless otherwise stated. >
Nominal lmpedence an
High Frequency Drspersron 90” honzontal and vertrcal
Frequency Response 45 Hz 15 kHz ?3 dB
Sensitivity* 91 dB, 1 W,1 m (3.3 ft)
42 dB, 1 mW, 30 ft (9.1 m)
DIstortron
r/zPower, 95 dB
SPL/B m (IO ft).
Srngle Frequency
Less than 1% thrrd harmonrc
generatron from 100 Hz to 15 kHz
Finish Textured gray or oiled walnut
Grille
Dtmensrons
Black fabrrc
597 mm x 362 mm x 296 mm deep
23% In x 14% In x 11x/4In deep
Net Weiqht 19 ka 42 lb
Shrpprng Werght 22 kg 49 lb
‘Continuous program power IS defined as 3 dB greater than continuous we
wave power (RMS) It IS a conservatwe expression of a loudspeaker system’s
ability to handle normal speech and muw program material
‘Measured with input swept from 500 Hz to 2 5 kHr with controls set for flattest
response Unlike many ‘theater type’ loudspeaker systems that exhlb!t
sensltlwty peaks in the mldrange, the JBL Control Mcnxtor provtdes substantially
the same senswty through the full range of audible frequenctes Measured
sensltlvlty below 500 Hz or above 2 5 kHz may be cowderably greater than that
of other systems with higher sens~t~wty ratings
Professional Division
James B.Lansing Sound,Inc..
8500Balboa Boulevard,
Northridge, California 91329USA
d
PPB4311/5-78 PrInted I” u S A