#N track studio 8 review full#

Both also furnish IEC power-cable jacks, and master-power rockers.īack to the main unit: besides the corresponding Link port, there’s a second Ethernet jack for wired network connection, and optical and USB-B digital inputs, balanced-line analog-stereo inputs (XLR), and a single unbalanced stereo line Aux input on 1/8th-inch mini-stereo jack.

#N track studio 8 review full#

The main unit is flanked by a full complement of inputs and controls, while the secondary unit only has a Digital Link port in the form of a CAT5/6 Ethernet jack. I left the woofer grilles off for full visual effect, as I expect most others would as well the tweeters, deeply recessed in their rectangular horns where they should be safe from anything short of deliberate malice, are left naked by design.Īround back each monitor reveals a small vertical heatsink serving the amps within. It’s a no-nonsense mid-century-modern-ish look, and I liked it. Visually, likely by design, the 4329P’s recall the classic JBL’s late-20th century studio monitors, from whom they’re surely descended: naked horn/tweeter, and a blue woofer-baffle board behind a dark fabric grille. 300 watts of built-in amplification is apportioned 50/250w to tweeter and woofer. The 4329P-JBL’s naming system has been resolutely numeric since about forever-is a hefty powered two way: 8-inch woofer, and a patented horn-loaded 1-inch annular ring diaphragm (with phase plug) compression-driver tweeter. This is mostly a matter of convenience/organization, since the proprietary-streaming apps I’ve encountered simply aggregate your streaming services on a single page or two, using each’s wireless “casting” ability as usual, much as an aggregating app like Flipboard or Apple News combines news feeds. Thus, whether you choose to stream via Wi-Fi (via either the Apple AirPlay or Chromecast protocols), Bluetooth, or wired-Ethernet, you’ll be responsible for your own connections and setup. Unlike several competitors including the two mentioned above, JBL’s 4329P is strictly a Bring-Your-Own-Streaming solution: there’s no proprietary, streaming-quarterback app, such as KEF’s Connect or BluSound’s BluOS. And now, JBL’s 4329P Studio Monitor system. At least, that’s the theory behind such impressive examples as KEF’s LS60 and Klipsch’s The Nines. Unpack, set up, log into your network, and be an instant audiophile.

The trend I’m talking about is “just-press-play” speakers, stream-ready active speakers that embody everything you need for serious, high-resolution-audio listening except the music. But JBL’s earliest incarnation goes back to the 1930’s.) (Yes, I know that JBL and Klipsch were both founded in 1946. How do you know when an audio trend is more than just a bandwagon? When America’s oldest hi-fi brand climbs on board.