Why you should not buy speakers such as JBL L100, 4312A, 4333A, Tandberg Studio, Yamaha NS-10M etc.

the title of this video should be "Why you should not buy speakers such as JBL L100, JBL 4312A, JBL 4333A, JBL 4350, Tandberg Studio Monitor, Yamaha NS-10M and many more for home use" because the title can only be 100 characters long

Hi-fi speakers VS studio monitors
There are many speakers what are made as studio monitors. Studio monitors are not intended to be used in a living room. I advice every person who have studio monitors in there living room to sell them and buy normal hifi speakers. The list of studio monitors is very long and many use them as normal speakers. There is absolutely no pleasure in the sound of a studio monitor, these speakers are precision measuring instruments. Even if you are happy with the sound of your studio monitors, you will be more happy if you spend that same amount on hi-fi speakers.

Some famous studio monitors, and often used as home speakers:
JBL L100
JBL 4350
JBL 4312A
JBL 4344
JBL 4345
JBL 4333A
Many more JBL Studio monitors
Tandberg Studio Monitor
Yamaha NS-10M
And all the other speakers made as studio monitors

A few comments on my video "Tandberg Studio Monitor VS Heco the statement on Tandberg TR 2080" from people who know what they are talking about:

-Jeremy Carroll
1 year ago
Ok.. A couple of things about these.
They are not HI FI speakers. They are full-range studio monitors. They are not meant to make for a pleasurable listening experience. They are designed to accurately reflect what is being put into them, unlike hi-fi speakers, which are designed to flatter the music. In other words, unlike hi-fi speakers, they are precision measuring instruments.
Also, they are designed to be soffit-mounted in the wall, not to be used floor standing.
I am a mastering engineer and I use these as my reference monitors in my studio. I would never listen to commercially released music on them as all they will do is highlight every tonal error, harshness and tonal imbalance in the music. This is what they are designed to do.
Comparing them with hi-fi speakers is like comparing a family hatchback with an off-road 4x4. They're not the same thing and you'll go very wrong if you try and confuse the two!
As regards the price, in order to get a set of reference studio monitors of a similar specification, you would be looking at a price of £8,000-£10,000.

-Laurentiu Dinca
1 year ago
Studio monitors are not made to sound pretty. They are made to separate the music, instruments, etc. That's why music studios use them over hifi speakers.

-perothing
1 year ago
These Tandbergs are not designed for Hi-Fi enjoyment. These are reference speakers and made for analysis, broadcast control-rooms and recording-studio's. There's no need to change anything since they do what they are supposed to do; sounding as accurate, neutral and flat as possible. In this big size you wont find a contemporary equivalent. As a musician I own a pair myself. Superb lows and high frequencies, and overall low distortion. At first I was disappointed with a lot of CD's until I found out these were badly mastered. They do sound terrible if the recording is meh! These are telling you the truth; garbage in, garbage out! I consider to sell them cause I downsized my recording setup.

-FullFledged2010
1 year ago (edited)
Studio monitors are not hifi speakers. They actually need to sound as flat and dry as possible for mixing. Thats also why they cost more than hifi speakers.
As weird as it sounds studio monitors are not for listening to music. I mean you could but thats not what they're made for.

[robertgray]

Studio monitors are what every audiophile should want. That’s the purpose of listening to music. It’s to get the authentic, exact and most authentic sound of the live performance.

[ARGAMAWOO]

Thank you for a very informative video and explaining the difference between studio monitors and general stereo speakers. I have heard a very similar explanation about studio monitors when I first got into Hifi back in the early 80s. The studio monitors job is to show all the sound during a production including all and any imperfections so the producers can catch it and correct it to the way he/she wants it before the track is final.

[garybarnett]

You can’t put any of these JBL’s in the same bracket as NS10’s. NS10’s sound terrible all the time, the JBL’s sound great. All of them. Yeah you probably shouldn’t really use them in your living room, they’re a bit shouty and you need to EQ as you go for sure, but let people have what they want. Nobody is buying these for the imaging or quality. It’s because they look cool and sound great.

I will admit the pricing has become stupid but they look amazing.

[christophereiden]

I just purchased a beautiful set of 4312A's and do agree with you to a point. After a bunch of research and correct placement in the room. They sound amazing. If you just place them on a hardwood floor facing toward you, they really don't sound that good as a normal "Designed for Home Speaker" would. My comparison speakers were JBL-L36's.

[HoosierRooster]

You're entitled to your own opinion but it does not mean that you are right

[stinkenstine]

So I must re-comment on this discussion. First off I love your content. I’ve learned from you and made purchases based on your reviews and go back to some of your videos however, I think that you’re off about the JBL-L100’s. I have some Ohm Walsh’s, some Vandersteen’s & some cantons. I love them all however when it comes to Rock like Ozzy, Dio, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Metallica and so on, the JBL’s out perform all of my other speakers hands down! I’m using a Toshiba 7100 & it powers well. I bow to your better knowledge on most things and the beautiful equipment that you review however you listen to jazz and pop or newer softer music and that’s where all other speakers and mine really shine. The JBL’s are not balanced to me when it comes to Jazz but when it comes to classic rock & even a lot of other new types of rock the JBL’s are in a class of their own and can’t be touched. I love your content and page and will not unsubscribe but, you’re not entirely right. Play some Boston on the JBL L-100’s then tell me what time it is!? They are the intended classic rock speakers from the 70’s and hold their own. For more refined jazz and pop then I agree, they don’t shine. I’m mainly a rock guy so, they will never leave my home! Peace!

[addevries]

A studio monitor is made to hear whether the recording is good or not in a recording studio. So you must be able to hear every iniquity well so that you can correct it. So a speaker with a warm bass and a velvety high is totally unsuitable for that. So studio monitors don't sound nice at all, that's not their intention either. So what vintage stereo says is correct.

[jr]

I have the L100's (old), and I LOVE them at low to mid volumes. They have a deeper mid/voice, and are clear as a bell.
I've got 15" Pioneer's for louder listening, but they lack highs at lower volumes,
and that's when I add my old EPIcures to the mix.
I've had many sets, and most have come from garage sales or thrift stores for very little money.
Did have the L100 tweeters serviced

[SurnaturalM]

NS-10 were used for reference to know how the music would sound with bad speakers. I hope you know this.
L-100, you have to put your room in consequence as they need to be on stand. Room treatment is important. Any speakers can be a studio monitor. I've started working as a electronic technician at the studio morin heights, where many artists recorded their albums, such as Rush, the police, bon jovi, I've seen many kinds of monitor being used.

My wife had no says in whatever I bought or put in the living room because I'm the one paying the bills, and everything is in my name. If she don't like it, she can leave. I need more my sound system than her.

[filmcapacitor]

Well, if HiFi still means "High Fidelity" you would want an honest speaker, wouldn't you? From a design perspective, a studio monitor is just a loudspeaker like any other. Built for a very flat frequency response and good detail retrieval, but so are most modern HiFi speakers. If you don't like flat frequency response, that is a legitimate preference, but there a tons of consumer speakers that try to achieve that, which you would have to avoid too. The main reason I wouldn't advise to buy a studio monitor for the home is aesthetics, but you usually get a meticulously designed speaker that can take a beating. You only get what you put in, though. If you want lush and pretty sound out of every recording, a studio monitor isn't your friend, but a modern HiFi speaker won't be either. The L100 and the NS10 (which is a baaad speaker to my ears) are both consumer speakers, btw.

[JCKCPA]

I am a musician. JBL Control 5s were my first studio speakers. I put JBL E320 speakers in my Guitar Amplifiers. Now I have JBL 4312s with some very high-end amplifiers. They do not sound perfect most likely because of the positioning of the and dialing in the amp etc. But I will get the positioning right and the room right. Would I switch to a home-end speaker? Probably not. Especially the Control 5s. They are so easy to get the mid to highs so nice. Why would I not switch? Because I want to use what the pros used. For some reason, I can feel the engineering and history in that equipment. There is a certain punch or kick in the pants I will miss if I switch. I like to have a lot of power at my disposal even if I don't use it. So I agree. For most people, these are not the best speakers. But for me. They are part of my treasures. And I am still searching, on a quest, for the best sound. There is no pleasing:)

[alexandersiebert]

I have a pair of JBL L100 Century. They sound quite good. Specially nice and precise bass and cristal clear mids. These are my first "expensive" speakers. Would really like to try some horn speakers like tannoy or zingali.

[hermesortega]

I respectfully disagreed! I have 3 systems:
Electrostatic (martin logans)
Horns ( JBL monitors)
Conventional box speakers ( Von Scheikerts)
Monitor speakers are normally for small treated rooms and they sound amazing!!
If you put it in regular untreated living room they will sound lifeless!
There is not one perfect speaker. My Martin logan and my Von Scheikerts are almost perfect but🎧

My Vintage JBL monitors are my favorite 🤩 go figure 🔫

So monitors are fantastic for small room!!

Cheers!

[cristianburton]

Hi, This time I disagree with you. I have 4311B (in original factory condition) for Home use, they sound amazing. For amplification I use Marantz 2226B, 2220B and 2215. The matching with these receivers is perfect. With rock, soul and Jazz. I also have ESS PS5 spekers both are very efficient spekers over 91db. Both sound amazing, the JBL are more accurate and reveal poor quality recording this is their true proffesional use. With vintage Marantz and good quality sound sources they are perfect. I have they for +10 years and I will never sell them. I recomend JBL 4311B and ESS PS5 paired with Marantz from 70’s for the best true American sound experience. Regards Cristian

[JP-rfpx]

I have two sets of speakers in my room. JBL 4313s and Acoustic Research AR3a's. This covers both sides! If I want accurate and want to know what the engineer heard when he did the final mix I have the JBLs. If I want to listen to a classical concert recording (particularly a live on-location recording) I use the ARs! Both need, and are supplemented by a pair of Subwoofers with 18 Gauss woofers in 12 cu ft vented boxes.

[stinkenstine]

I love my L-100’s! When they decided to make these speakers for home use, is it confirmed that the engineers used different crossovers than the crossovers used in the studio series? I don’t know but I’m curious if you know. Is there anything else in the construction that would make them sound way different? I know there are better speakers out there & these fetch a pretty penny for the looks & nostalgia as well however mine were given to me by a graphic design company going out of business after 48 years & had to be out fast. I wouldn’t spend today’s price for these so I lucked out. I think they sound great & they look incredible.

[Liklysuspect]

As a retired studio sound engineer and working as an rf engineer in broadcast as well, I must say that you pretty much hit the nail on the head, You did a very good job trying to help out the new young folks out there with some directivity. Pro studio monitors such as JBL, NS10 etc were designed in an anechoic chamber for surgical deviance... Agree to disagree. At post production, it can be so tedious mixing down 1, 2, 3 or more songs for long periods of time. What happens is that if in deed the engineer does not have a direct gain or level or say a clear volume without getting flower ear and sound fatigue in a balanced flat environment, then the mixes will get worse and worse when it is suppose to get better. The only way to truly get a pleasant theatrical nature sound from a studio monitor is to set up a room with perfect or near perfect room acoustics and that will cost the consumer a hell of a lot of money... Way more than ones vintage monitors would cost including modern. Stick with this guys advice as he is trying to save you money and direct you to a loud speaker designed for average living rooms. Today in my opinion, Consumer speakers sound like a train wreck but there are some decent loud hifi speakers out there for a pretty good price. Harmon Kardons AVR series receiver are a big bang for the buck. They run in H class. and deliver higher current than your typical class ab push pull amplifiers. the SNR (Signal-To- Noise Ratio) are higher and give a real root mean sq2. If one can find a pair of Cerwin Vega AL-1000s, That's a good start or a pair of vintage Boston Acoustics or any of the consumer H.K. (Harmon Kardon) and is also JBL and has been for over 60 years. Great bang for the buck. Engineers had loud speakers and Power amplifiers figured out by the 70s are is near impossible to beat even these days... BUT., They did not have a very good Gain structure back in the day. One was lucky to obtain a true and at best 75 dB SNR in any medium, like a cassette play back or reel to reel or turn table... But they knew how to build great speakers and Amplifiers. My lord. in 1973 the best $3000 Cassette player is 75 to 78dB SNR and today one can go to any thrift store and for 6 bucks purchase a dvd player that does 98 to 103 dB SNR. Use old school loud speakers and amplifiers with modern medium with real good A to D to A converters and now you really have something. I can not tell one what to purchase. Your sound system should please you and only YOU, However Its nice to direct people in the right direction... For myself and I am speaking for myself., I also agree 100 per cent with this guy. I do NOT like BOSE... Extremely Highs and extremely lows, it must be BOSE. Remember BOSE stands for, Buy Other Sound Equipment. I do Not care for DC coupled amplifiers. I have built, worked and designed many sound rooms and studios but for my personal home hifi system I built years ago this is what I enjoy AND with very little room acoustics like the average persons front room. My equipment... A modified pair of vintage JBL L-222 Discos 1978 all alnico drivers except the le14H and not the A's I do not care for the Alnico woofers. The throw is too short and can crash and jump the motor if not carful... I prefer the ceramic H instead in the LF driver only. All caps changed out to Jansen NOT Jenson and the crossover LCR network had some modifications and did some slight modifications to the l94 lens. My amplifiers are a Pair of McIntosh 1968 MC-2100s bridged in mono block and tap to 8 ohms. These Amplifiers are transformer balanced output. I replaced the power supply filter capacitors with higher voltage Mallery and all electrolytic caps. I also changed out all the germanium output device with Japan NEC devices. That was a damn chore because these MAC amps run in class B and that means, NO BIAS CONTROLL SETTING. The Gamma has to be exactly matched to obtain the correct bias... So I had to purchase 200 devices at 3 or 4 bucks each and then I had to match, I think if I can Remember 16 devices and the rest of them I sold to a friend thank goodness but well worth it because on my HP dual trace... Each amplifier out put true RMS 516 watts into an 8 ohm load 94dB A Weighed. Before CLIP!! I still now and then turn some plastic with my good old Technics 1300 from the 70s suspended from the ceiling but when listening every now and then I use an old radio shack cd player with extremely high SNR and a pair of ADA converters that put me there. My preamp is a Vacuum tube Counterpoint with Telafunkin spyro. Very clean getter! To me, Its as good as it gets but I wouldn't want to mix down on that system. I can prove to you readers out there that this dear kind honest person that made this video is correct. Try mixing down on a pair of headphones then play your recording back on any speaker and it will sound like total SH&%... Look forward to a flurry of denials and listen to the old guys that have been playing this game for a long long time and the beating wont be so bad. Best wishes to you all. Sincerely., Dave Mallett USA de N7UWQ 73, Dark side of the moon...

[mixinginthebox]

I'm not sure if you know this but the NS10 were originally bookshelf speakers, they weren't always used in the studio. it's true not the best speakers in the world, if your mix sounds good it will translate really well. And they're definitely not flat, they have a bump in the mid-range which can be fatiguing to the ear after a while . Good video by the way.

[peterofenback]

The NS-10 became a reference for a bad speaker. Studio engineers used them to test, if their mixes would sound acceptable on mediocre loudspeakers which most people have at their home. The best recordings do not sell well if they only sound good on high end equipments.

[sailorkap]

L 100 is not a studio monitor..my friend.