JBL S412PBE Single Floorstanding Speaker (Beech)

by JBL

Product Details

Product Manual [262kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 16 x 43 inches ; 87 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 105 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B00002NDTK
• Item model number: S412PBE
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,854 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The stately S412PBE floorstanding loudspeaker is the flagship model in JBL's Studio series (available in black as well as beech). JBL arms this four-way, full-range speaker with a 12-inch, 200-watt powered woofer and dedicated LFE (Low Frequency Effects) input. This LFE input obviates the need for a separate subwoofer for home theater or music listening, especially with programs recorded in 5.1-channel surround formats, such as Dolby Digital and DTS. Remember, though--you'll need to plug the speaker into an AC outlet to appreciate the onboard amplification.

The S412PBE also features a stunning 92 dB sensitivity for uncommonly loud, dynamic performance with almost any amplifier. Use two for stereo or up to five for multichannel applications (though center-channel placement would almost preclude the use of a television).

Much of what you're paying for here is the powered-woofer component, which alone is worth its weight in bass-chuffing DVDs. However, the S412PBE also boasts myriad design benefits, including PolyPlas speaker cones, an Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) waveguide, a Linear Field Proximity (LPF) bezel, Straight-line Signal Path (SSP) crossover networks, and a FreeFlow flared bass port.

PolyPlas, a polymer-coated cellulose fiber, adds rigidity and damping to a cone without unduly increasing its mass. This cone, together with a durable rubber surround (the part of the cone that attaches to the rest of the speaker), enables the speaker to deliver high sound levels without breakup or distortion--and the S412PBE can play stunningly loud and distortion-free. If you're listening loud enough to distort this speaker, you should probably be more worried for your hearing than your stereo.

The S412PBE's driver complement consists of three PolyPlas-cone drivers (with diameters of 12, 6, and 4 inches) and a 1-inch pure-titanium tweeter. All are magnetically shielded to prevent image distortion when you place them near a TV.

The pure-titanium tweeter uses JBL's patented EOS waveguide to focus the sonic image and reduce time-delay artifacts. The EOS waveguide also increases the tweeter's dynamic range and its output at lower frequencies, which improves the transition between the high frequencies and the midrange. The LFP (Linear Field Proximity) bezel, which houses both the tweeter and the 4-inch midrange driver, smoothes out that transition even further. By minimizing the distance between these critical sound sources, JBL sidesteps the phase problems that result from sounds meeting your ears with different arrival times.

JBL's custom-designed drivers allow it to use simple, Straight-line Signal Path (SSP) crossover networks with quality electrical components. These networks further smooth the speaker's frequency and power response while minimizing processing that could otherwise degrade your audio signal. JBL built the S412PBE's woofers into cast-aluminum frames, which--because of their solidity--reduce distortion and increase power-handling capability over stamped steel frames.

On the inside, the drivers' oversized Kapton voice coils and HeatScape motor structures preserve performance accuracy during extended listening, prolong driver life, and reduce power compression through their responsiveness. Finally, JBL's FreeFlow flared bass port releases bass energy from behind the 12-inch woofer through a vent that precisely matches the size and configuration of the driver and speaker cabinet.

The sound on this speaker is clear, detailed, and punchy. If you like to play your music and movies loud, this is the speaker for you. It sounds good at low levels, but we found that it sounded better the louder we cranked it--especially when we fed the speaker a low-frequency (subwoofer) output from our amplifier. For best results you'll want to listen no closer than 10 feet, on average; close listening tips the S412PBE's frequency balance too far to the bright side for our tastes.

When it's positioned well, the S412PBE packs one heck of a wallop. The onboard amplifier deepens the bass response to an impressive 32 Hz, producing the cinematic low frequencies while freeing your surround receiver or amplifier from the intense demands of dynamic bass reproduction. The bass may not be quite as tight or well defined as in good sealed-enclosure speakers, but at this price we're not complaining.

If your space and budget allow, the JBL S412PBE makes a stunning addition to any home theater or stereo system.

Pros:

• Clear, powerful sound
• Natural frequency balance
• Plays very loud without distortion
• Great bass response

Cons:

• Bass not as tight as good sealed-enclosure speakers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New JBL are incredible, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: JBL S412P Single Floorstanding Speaker (Black) (Electronics)

These new floorstand speakers by JBL are incredible. They are well worth the money if you can afford to upgrade from the N-series that JBL makes. You will be glad that you did. They have to be some of the best speakers on the market today. The quality is unbelievable and clarity is awesome. Great Product

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Electronic Media Afficianado, July 27, 2000

By 

Anthony Hosey (Duluth, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JBL S412P Single Floorstanding Speaker (Black) (Electronics)

After 14 years of listening to everyhting through my Bose 501's, I was more than ready to make the leap to a higher end speaker. For the price, I found these wholesale, by the way, the JBL 412P's have given me everything I wanted out of a high-end speaker and more. The clarity is exquisite. Although these babies will blow out your ear drums, you rarely feel the need to crank them to get the feel of the music. They sound just as good at low as they do at loud volumes. As for the Bass, let's just say that Whales, Elephants and Submarine Acoustic technicians would be impressed, if you know what I mean! I highly recommend the JBL 412P's. Good Listening

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm glad I spent the money!, March 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: JBL S412P Single Floorstanding Speaker (Black) (Electronics)

I debated for weeks over whether I really needed new speakers (I'm a practical person with a limited budget) but I decided to splurge and buy these. All I can say is...WOW! I'm really glad I spent the money. I have never heard music or movie soundtracks sound better. I'm listening to each and every CD I own all over again and enjoying every minute of it. This is one of the clearest speakers I have ever heard and the sound is magnificent....smooth, rich and well-defined. If you're thinking of buying these, go for it...you will not be disappointed.

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