JBL 4312SE Owner's Manual

Contents

2INTRODUCTIONThank you for purchasing the JBL® 4312SE 3-Way Studio Monitor.For more than 70 years, JBL has been providing audio equipment for concert halls, recording studios andmovie theaters around the world and has become the trusted choice of leading recording artists and soundengineers. The 4312SE honors that legacy with the iconic 12-inch (300mm) 3-way configuration that datesback to 1968 with the original Model 4310 Control Monitor. Utilizing a compact monitor-type footprint, the4312SE features advanced JBL transducers including the FE1200-8 Aqua-plas-coated Pure Pulp conewoofer, the 105H-1 Polymer-coated Pure Pulp cone midrange, and the 054ALMg-1 Aluminum/MagnesiumAlloy tweeter. Special 70th Anniversary badges are affixed to the loudspeaker and a unique 70th Anniversarycertificate is included with the serial numbers of the individual loudspeakers and signatures of the systemengineer and factory assembly technician. Following in the footsteps of the storied JBL anniversary monitorslike the 4312 MkII and Century Gold, the 4312SE is sure to become a legend among JBL fans.PACKAGE CONTENTSJBL 4312SE loudspeakers are sold in mirror-image matched pairs with consecutive serial numbers. The outercarton serves to protect two internal cartons each containing a single loudspeaker with a removable grille.PLACEMENT AND POSITIONINGCAUTION: The 4312SE weighs 55.5 lb. (25.2 kg) each. Before placing the speaker on a shelf orplatform, be sure that it is sturdy enough to support the speaker’s weight.Before deciding where to place your speakers, survey your room and think about placement, using theillustration below as a guide.• Avoid placing the speakers near power amplifiers, min 20 inches(50cm)6-8 feet(1.8-2.4m)40° – 60°Listening Positionheatregisters or other objects that generate large amounts ofheat.• Do not place the speakers in very humid or dusty places.• Do not place the speakers in direct sunlight or where theywill be exposed to other strong light.• For best results, place the speakers 6–8 feet (1.8-2.4m)apart. If you place the speakers farther apart than this,angle them toward the listening position.• The speakers will produce the most accurate stereosoundstage when the angle between the listener and thespeakers is between 40 and 60 degrees.• Position each speaker so that its tweeter is approximatelyat ear level.• Generally, bass output will increase as the speaker is moved closer to a wall or corner. For best performance,we recommend that you place the speakers at least 20 inches (50cm) away from the side walls.LEFT AND RIGHT PLACEMENTThe JBL 4312SE is sold as mirror-image pair of loudspeakers with one having the tweeter on the left side andthe other having the tweeter on the right side, yet neither one is marked or defined as a “LEFT” or “RIGHT”channel loudspeaker. Which one should be used for the left channel and which one should be used for the rightchannel will depend on a combination of factors including the listening distance from the speakers, the width ofthe room, acoustic reflectivity of the room, and horizontal versus vertical positioning of the loudspeaker.It is typically best to position the loudspeakers to create a triangle of three equal sides when measuring thedistances between the tweeters in each speaker and the distance from the listener to each tweeter. In smallerrooms or instances where the listening position is relatively close to the loudspeakers, this will usually result inthe tweeters being positioned to the inside of the listening triangle. This positioning can also be desirable in amore acoustically reflective room or when the speakers are placed on a shelf or close to a side wall.