JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System – The new JBL Consumer Studio Monitor Series

The new JBL 4305P active speaker system establishes the new JBL Consumer Studio Monitor Series and presents itself as a powerful, flexible, yet comparatively compact solution.

JBL 4305P, Harman Luxury Audio presents for the first time active loudspeaker systems of the JBL Synthesis brand, which, in the form of so-called studio monitors, are not aimed at users in the pro audio segment, but rather at hi-fi enthusiasts. The wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. thus establishes the new JBL Consumer Studio Monitor Series.

The new JBL 4305P is designed as an active bookshelf speaker system that not only offers flexible streaming functionality, but also a wide range of interfaces.

The new JBL Consumer Studio Monitor Series

The decision of Harman Luxury Audio to create a new product line for the consumer segment with the new JBL Consumer Studio Monitor Series is actually obvious, after all, the solutions of the “big” JBL Studio Monitor Series have already been able to inspire not only users in the professional segment.

With the new model series, however, and this is particularly exciting, the focus is on features that have long determined the world of consumer electronics in general, and that is, of course, first and foremost streaming.

Focus on streaming

The new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System is primarily designed for streaming, whereby all relevant options are supported, leaving the user the choice of which solution to actually use.

The JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System can be connected to the network either via a network interface using a cable or via WiFi.

In the network, the integrated streaming engine of the active speaker systems allows music streaming via UPnP and Google Chromecast as well as via Apple AirPlay 2. These two technologies of the IT giants Google and Apple also ensure that the new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System can be integrated as part of the respective Smart Home platforms, i.e. Google Home and Apple HomeKit. This in turn also allows you to take control via voice control – Google Assistant or Apple Siri – although this requires a corresponding smart speaker in the same network, which is mentioned for the sake of completeness.

It is particularly exciting that the new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System is also Roon-ready, meaning that the active speaker systems can be controlled directly via Roon from Roon Labs LLC.

Digital and analogue interfaces

The new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System is designed to be a complete hi-fi system on its own, so it is also equipped with numerous interfaces for the integration of various sources.

For example, there is a USB port for connection to a PC or Mac and asynchronous data transfer, and an optical S/PDIF interface. A 3.5 mm analogue input is also available. For analogue signals, a combination of XLR and 1/4 inch TRS phono connectors is also available, whereby the input sensitivity can be adjusted via a switch for use with balanced or unbalanced signals. The manufacturer refers to this as a so-called prosumer-quality connection, which is also intended to appeal to users with a home studio for music, video and podcast productions. Many a hi-fi enthusiast will also appreciate the possibilities of a balanced input.

Bluetooth is also available

If you want to use smartphones or tablets or portable hi-res audio players as a source without connecting them to the network, you can do this with the new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System via Bluetooth.

By the way, not to forget, the D/A converter integrated in the JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System supports audio signals with a resolution of up to 24 bit and 192 kHz. Data encoded in lossy MQA are also supported by the JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System.

Cable or no cable?

The new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System consists of a primary and a secondary speaker, with the user free to choose which one reproduces the left and right channels. This offers flexibility in placement.

This flexibility is further supported by the fact that the two loudspeaker systems can be connected by cable, but this is not mandatory; connection without cable is also possible. However, the signal transmission is then “only” 24 bit and 96 kHz, whereas the Digital Link cable included in the scope of delivery with a length of two metres allows 24 bit and 192 kHz.

The primary loudspeaker of the system has all connections and all controls can be found here, i.e. control of volume, mute and input selection as well as the button for Bluetooth pairing.

Here you will also find, not to forget to mention, a separate output to bring an additional subwoofer into play.

Powerful performance and patented JBL transducer technology

As with the larger models in the JBL Studio Monitor Series, the JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System uses JBL’s patented transducer technologies to ensure exceptional acoustic performance. A 2410H-2 1-inch compression driver is mated to a high-definition imaging horn for crystal-clear highs and lifelike dynamic capabilities, as the manufacturer describes it.

A 5.25-inch cast-frame woofer with fibre composite cone operates in a bass-reflex configuration with two forward-facing, specially tuned ports. Each of the transducers is driven by a Class D internal amplifier that delivers 25 watts to each compression driver and 125 watts to each woofer, for a total system output of 300 watts RMS. As is usual with an active loudspeaker system, the developers were able to optimally match the electronics and drivers here to guarantee a particularly outstanding result.

The cabinet of the JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System is made of 3/4 inch MDF and is optimally braced on the inside at the relevant points to guarantee a stable construction to avoid sound-damaging vibrations and resonances.

The design, unsurprisingly I suppose, presents itself in the style of the company’s previous speaker systems in the pro audio segment with a real wood veneer finish.

“The 4305P Studio Monitor has everything you need for a completely self-contained, high-performance audio system. Despite its compact enclosure, it delivers amazing sound that you simply have to hear.”

Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, Harman Luxury Audio

Pricing and availability

Users can choose between two versions of the new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System. On the one hand, there is a version with a natural walnut tone and a blue grille, and on the other hand, there is a version in black with a black grille.

According to the manufacturer, the new JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System should be available in specialist shops in the course of the first quarter of 2022. However, the company has not yet named a price at the presentation during CES 2022 in Las Vegas.

Getting to the point

Harman Luxury Audio is breaking new ground with its new JBL Synthesis active speaker system, the JBL 4305P Studio Monitor System, as it establishes the JBL Consumer Studio Monitor Series. Equipped with the advantages of its “big siblings” from the Pro Audio segment, this is an active speaker system with a focus on streaming that functions as the central component of a hi-fi chain in the most compact form. For this purpose, it is equipped for all relevant streaming platforms and is also equipped with analogue and digital inputs.