A standard speaker cable then connects to the second (extension) speaker via spring-loaded terminal connectors. “The 1 Series 104 monitors sounded excellent across the board, delivering nicely detailed highs and impressive low end for their size” —Guitar Player “Much more sophisticated … I start my tests lining them straight up against my three-way reference monitors that cost 15 times the price. For years, we’ve been saying you should spend four figures on decent studio monitors. These are rounded speakers, with curved sides and flat bottoms. 5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleasant speakers for both general listening and bedroom production. Streaming giant promises CD-quality streaming. Now, you can get decent monitors for less than 500 sheets. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The JBL One Series 104 is a compact powered reference monitor that’s designed with portability and convenience in mind. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Product description JBL 1 Series 104 Studio Monitors Pair is compact, full-range, powered reference monitors draw from seven decades of JBL professional engineering to deliver the … For once, I’m one step ahead of Pickford in the small studio-monitor stakes. I almost feel bad to criticise them as they most definitely fulfil that brief of delivering a best-in-class performance – certainly, you won’t find anything at this price point that gets close. Drawing on seven decades of JBL Professional engineering, the 104 … We dive in. Buy JBL 1 Series 104-BT Compact Powered Desktop Reference Monitors with Bluetooth (White Matte) featuring Acoustically Optimized for Desktops, For Referencing & Casual Listening, Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming Input, Coaxial Design for Smooth Response, 4.5" LF and 0.75" HF Drivers, 60W Class-D Power, 30W Per Speaker, Low Frequency Port for Extended Lows, Physical Inputs: 1… ‘Because it’s unfair,’ I hear you reply, but the clue is in the word ‘reference’, as I know these speakers well, so they will draw out the JBL truth in any comparisons. a best-in-class performance – certainly, you won’t find anything at this price point that gets close. The Series One 104s boast a coaxial design which means the HF driver is slap-bang in the middle of the LF one, with both then able to deliver their wares from the same axis and at the same time to the listener. The rear input options are 1/4” TRS jacks and a pair of RCAs. Overall: Introducing: The JBL One Series 104 is a compact, powered, desktop, reference monitor (or more accurately a pair of monitors, one active, one passive) of co-axial design with a 60 W amp delivering 30 W to each monitor. You will receive a verification email shortly. Color: Black, Input Connector: 1/4" TRS, Binding Post, RCA, … I’m going with Mr Pickford as a bit more cash gets you a bigger set of JBLs, arguably more suited towards the business end of monitoring, and even great as sole monitors. Given their compact size (about 10 inches tall) you might want to put them on a shelf or stand to get them up to ear height, but we did find the sweet spot pretty broad both vertically and horizontally. … JBL One Series 104 review: Verdict JBL clearly has the know-how to make great speakers – both large and small, spectacularly expensive and, in this case, surprisingly … The One Series is very competitively priced - something to note in light of the minor niggles we’ve mentioned - and overall we found the One Series 104 to be a surprisingly good little monitor. But as secondary monitors, most definitely, and if it was me buying monitors 20 years ago, then there’s no question. With version 11, it improves its linear recording tools without forgetting its experimental base. Ease of use. The rock, jazz, and electronic tracks I listened to were crisp, dynamic, … With the JBL 104 reference monitors, JBL … https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/jbl-one-series-104-monitors But his statement above came from reviewing a set of £388 JBLs 306P MKIIs. JBL Professional 1 Series 104-BT - monitor speakers - wireless overview and full product specs on CNET. The LA-based producer shows us how he makes chilled-out dance music with a collection of gorgeous synths and guitars. Even after decades in the studio, this rack-mounted beauty still boasts all manner of sound-sculpting potential. The 104 Reference Monitor’s innovative new coaxial driver design features a high-frequency driver aligned with a precisely contoured woofer cone to deliver accurate response, … So good are they that I couldn’t quite believe my ears, but they garnered great reviews all round. Read honest and unbiased product reviews … Read honest and unbiased product reviews … Detail is definitely there – something that is more evident when I move away from my own music mixes, onto my usual list of listening-test favourites. Only One way to find out…. Based on a master and slave configuration, not unlike typical computer speakers, the audio inputs, integrated power supply, notched volume control and onboard Class D amplification are all accommodated on the master unit. In contrast, the 1/8” Aux-in input on the front input overrides the rear connectors, and as you might expect, the 1/8” headphone jack cuts the audio to the speakers altogether. There’s little else in the way of controls (a good thing perhaps) with no EQ shelving around the back and just a headphone socket and volume rotary around the front of the Master speaker. However, you could easily invest in custom-angled stands from the likes of Iso Acoustics with the cash you’re saving – in fact, I’d recommend it, as they will give you both better speaker isolation from your desktop surface and a custom listening angle. So if you are strapped for cash or space, then I simply have to recommend them. I almost feel bad to criticise them as they most definitely fulfil that brief of delivering. I’ll let fellow MusicTech reviewer John Pickford take the credit for noting a recent seismic and historical shift in studio-monitor quality. Buyers' guides to all the best music gear, The 25 best VST/AU plugin synths in the world right now: all the best soft synths you need in your DAW, In pictures: 68 pro guitarists' pedalboards, The 20 hottest bassists in the world today, 10 classic sample libraries that changed music, 15 easy blues guitar chords every guitarist needs to know. JBL Professional 1 Series, 104 Compact Powered Desktop Reference Monitors (Sold as Pair), Black (JBL104): Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio So much so that we usually give him the really expensive monitors to review at his Invada Studios – the prime place to line them up against other just-as-expensive options. JBL PROFESSIONAL RELIABILITY Prior to becoming a production-ready design, the 104 Reference Monitors are subjected to JBL’s tough 100-hour power test, in which the speakers are required to play continuously at full output for 100 hours without failure. The range shines through, but some of these better-mixed tracks also start to reveal some inadequacies in the mids, with less impact on some string and pad sounds when I move from more acoustic to electronic dance material. Top Rated Gear: JBL 1 Series 104 2-Way Active Compact Desktop Reference Monitors with 4.5" Woofer, 60W RMS Power, Pair. Bass response is right up there, big, powerful and bouncy and reverbs – always a good test for detail – come through very clearly against some more complex parts of the mix. Create floor-filling sounds with these pocket-sized synths. They are also acoustically optimised for desktop use and feature enough inputs to plug signals in, from devices from both pro audio and entertainment arenas – game players being another key target audience for JBL. Bath What isn’t expected is that the difference between the two that I’ve just described, even over this part of the frequency range, is not as pronounced as the price suggests. Color: White style: Bluetooth Verified Purchase. JBL. Our one criticism about the sonics is that the highs can be overpowering, resulting in the emphasis of sibilance. This apparently offers a truer response and a wider sweet spot, although I’m not sure why I say ‘apparently’, as my experience with coaxials extends to both Genelec (expensive) and Pioneer (quite expensive) models, both of which certainly delivered some fantastic goods on both points with their coaxial setups. Using the effects Ducker feature, we can easily create more space within our mix, Learn how to edit velocity, pitch, pitch bend using Key Editor, In-Place Editor and more, It turns out that combining a filter with a delay opens the floodgates for experimentation. With no onboard compensation EQ, the only word of caution here is that if you need to position them very close to the wall or you’ll get additional low frequency build up, which could be misleading. Around the back you get both standard 1/4 inch (6.5mm) ‘pro’ inputs and 3.5mm inputs for ‘phones, laptops, and mp3 players. + This amount of quality for that amount of cash? JBL : Professional 1 Series 104 Powered Monitors Reviewed by Tom Fine I wanted some small-format speakers for monitoring a transfer chain I set up to digitize a medium-sized pile of old … In the case of JBL's One Series 104 Powered Reference Monitors, the answer is a (mostly) unqualified yes. And it’s both detail and honesty that JBL has clearly planned to deliver when designing these speakers, with a mission to ‘provide the most accurate sonic presentation of any monitors in their class’. Please refresh the page and try again. I’ve already had at least one ’how can they do it for that size?’ monitor moment with the IK iLoud Micros, a couple of years back. Sometimes you don’t need to spend the earth to get great software. Rear inputs are sensibly labelled Master and Extension, so you can position and connect the monitors whichever way round that suits, without causing too much confusion. Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020. With ears like his, he can also tell if four figure speakers really are worth the extra cash, for what can sometimes be just a fraction of a percent in terms of quality. The electronic-guitar band explain the DIY production of new album Glowing in the Dark, synth option panic and why they always keep everything set up. As to whether I’d solely monitor on these, that is the most difficult question. Overall then, the JBL One Series 104s stand up incredibly well, given price and size. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Overview - JBL 104 compact, full-range, powered reference monitors draw from seven decades of JBL Professional … They’re optimized for desktop placement, with neutral low-frequency performance. All rights reserved. The inability to adjust the desktop angle does seem like a missed opportunity, though, and doesn’t afford the positional flexibility I’d like. What’s more, though the low-frequency extension is inevitably constrained by driver size, the frequency balance is good at both low and medium volume levels, handy if you’re spending long periods in front of them. Made to deliver neutral, accurate sound in a small package, JBL 104 compact powered speakers are great for checking mixes or enjoying music on the go. I have both speakers set up with my Audient interface as main and aux outs and then set up two different mixes on the interface so that they can be easily switched between, making sure volume levels are suitably equal (and I do need to crank the JBLs up a little). The initial listening tests reveal the JBLs handling themselves well, scrapping like a young, ripped David against a slightly arrogant Goliath. Once again, with no onboard EQ you can’t tweak this to taste. This demanding test ensures the 104 … I’ve already had at least one ’how can they do it for that size?’ monitor moment with the IK iLoud Micros, a … With nine synth engines and built-in sampling capabilities, Korg's more affordable workstation goes deep. Those JBLs were pretty compact at 361 x 224 x 282mm, but these new Series One 104s are even smaller, so the question is: can they maintain the new ’cheap is good’ philosophy carved out by their (not that much) bigger brothers? © Created with an eye towards the needs of on-the-move content creators, One Series 104 monitors sport newly engineered JBL 4.5” coaxial drivers reportedly contoured using the same research that led to the waveguide found in M2, 7-Series, and 3-Series … Sound Quality. Put your hand around the back and you can feel the rear port doing plenty of work. The speaker tuning also delivers plenty of midrange, ideal for balancing critical lead instruments in a mix. The monitors are very well made and finished, and the moulded ABS cabinet incorporates a rubberised base, which is ideal for desktop positioning, keeping the monitors nice and stable. JBL One Series 104 monitors draw from seven decades of JBL Professional engineering to deliver an innovative new speaker, designed from the ground up. I am comparing three-way with two-way speakers, remember, and of vastly different prices, so this is to be expected. © 2021 MusicTech is a member of the media division of BandLab Technologies. Put your hand around the back and you can feel the rear port doing plenty of work, helping to deliver lots of punch from kick drums and bass sounds. With its clip-based workflow, Live found favour among electronic musicians. A stylish, compact monitor that delivers decent sonics, flexible connectivity and solid build all at a very attractive price. If you’re starting your first podcast or planning to upgrade, these microphones will help you speak volumes. Mr Pickford was right, monitoring history is being made, and we’re all the better off for it. Detail is definitely there – something that is more evident when I move away from my own music mixes, onto my usual list of listening-test favourites. JBL 104 compact, full-range, powered reference monitors are ideal for home recording enthusiasts, podcasters and video producers, as well as professionals seeking accurate portable reference monitors. Master the basics of FL Studio in our free new video tutorial series, GForce has put its “heart and soul” into its unique OB-E soft synth, Spotify will roll out lossless streaming this year, Review: Loopmasters Drums of the Wildlands, Show Off Your Studio: Obli makes early morning beats in his Beachwood Canyon crib, Django Django: “You don’t need to wait for a producer or label to help you”, Learn how Logic Pro’s Noise Gate can give your vocals room to breathe, Get familiar with Cubase’s various MIDI Editors, Learn how Ableton Live’s Filter Delay can create a mono-friendly Haas Effect, Best freeware of the month: February 2021, The best audio interfaces to buy in 2021: 10 best interfaces under $200, Best music-making apps in 2021: The best mobile synth apps, The best microphones to buy in 2021: 12 best podcasting mics, 4.5-inch (118 mm) contoured LF driver with integrated 7.5-inch (19 mm) soft-dome HF driver, Integrated 60-watt Class D power amplifier; 30 watts distributed to each speaker, Acoustically optimised for desktop placement, Master monitor includes electronics for the extension monitor, Front-panel volume control, headphone jack and speaker-mute feature. Specs Drivers: Coaxial 4.5-in contoured woofer with integrated 1-in soft dome tweeter Enclosure Type: Ported Rated Power: 60 watts class-D (2 x 30 watts) Connections: stereo RCA, ¼-inch … The 104's are similar to desktop monitors in that one acts as the power supply and control interface, and the other monitor, a passive satellite or extension (whose power is supplied by the other monitor). I have reference monitors that I know and love, so you’re probably asking the wrong person. The range shines through, but some of these better-mixed tracks also start to reveal some inadequacies in the mids, with less impact on some string and pad sounds when I move from more acoustic to electronic dance material. The JBL Professional One Series 104 Powered Monitors are a solid choice for nearly any use in any room when you are looking for great sound in small, stylish desktop … JBL … We found they worked pretty well about 12 inches forward of the rear wall. The 104 produces a surprising amount of welly considering the size. Mojaxx reviews JBL's compact and affordable 104 studio monitors. The days of cheap speakers being no good are over, but can you really get great cheap monitors that are tiny, too? Thank you for signing up to Musicradar. The speakers are set up with one as a Master unit – with the amplifier gubbins inside, so it’s heavier – which you connect to the other with a red/black wire. But his statement above came from reviewing a set of £388 JBLs 306P MKIIs. Well, why not? We’ve scoured the internet for our pick of the months best freeware synths, instruments, processors and effects. a young, ripped David against a slightly arrogant Goliath. I’ve either seriously overpaid for my reference speakers, or these JBLs are the bargains of the year. My first experience with good and smaller monitors and they actually seem a bit pricey now, but you can shop around for slightly better deals, and they really do pack a quality punch given their diminutive size. Nor is the bass as coloured or as emphasised as I expected it to be on speakers this size. So that experience, and John’s words on the 306Ps, have got me pretty excited about these new JBLs. Visit our corporate site. We show you how to start making beats in no time, Oberheim’s legendary 8-Voice synthesizer comes to your DAW for just £130. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for JBL Professional 1 Series, 104 Compact Powered Desktop Reference Monitors (sold as pair), Black (JBL104) at Amazon.com. Bang for buck. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for JBL Professional 1 Series, 104 Compact Powered Desktop Reference Monitors (Sold as Pair), Black (JBL104) at Amazon.com. The inability to adjust the desktop angle does seem like a missed opportunity, though, and doesn’t afford the positional flexibility I’d like. Features. that beats them. Mr Pickford was right, monitoring history is being made, and we’re all the better off for it. For once, I’m one step ahead of Pickford in the small studio-monitor stakes. And that simple, single sentence, of no more than 23 words, marked a momentous moment in both the history of studio monitoring and of, The initial listening tests reveal the JBLs handling themselves well, scrapping like. It features an oval pill-shaped enclosure with a coaxial 4.5” LF driver and integrated 0.75” tweeter positioned behind a black metal grille. As he says: ’the sub £500 market is thriving’. You must be joking, With ears like his, he can also tell if four figure speakers really are worth the extra cash, for what can sometimes be just a fraction of a percent in terms of quality. They are very well built, though, with a very solid enclosure, and rubber bases offering some isolation from vibration. Has the king of stompboxes successfully condensed its flagship multi-effects unit into a box that works for guitarists and tabletop electronic music makers? There’s a further media player input on the front via a stereo 1/8” jack, and below this a handy 1/8” headphone jack. Back in the day, speakers like this would require more colouration down below than an Etch A Sketch pad or at least a separate subwoofer, but JBL’s designers have done an excellent job delivering punch and tightness that only falls down slightly when I throw some of my ridiculously over-bassed (is that even an expression?) These are about as good as it gets for the price and, size wise, there’s simply nothing else out there. With the JBL One Series 104 reference monitors, we started with the mission to give content creators the ability to hear all the details for better results while mixing and editing. This collection of rhythmic patterns spans orchestral and foley percussion, but will it drive us wild? Las Vegas, NV (January 14, 2019)—JBL Professional has unveiled its new One Series 104 compact powered reference monitors. BA1 1UA. The newly released JBL One Series 104 reference monitors will handle this particular part of your recording studio setup and a whole lot more. Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. What are the best new features to get excited about? Make no mistake, these are … The sloped sides (from back to front) mean you can’t position them on their side, usually an option with coaxial monitors, and nor can you angle them on your desktop so that they point upwards, so you might need stands to get them at the correct listening height. That, you might think, was a reasonably throwaway statement, but Pickford knows his stuff – I mean really knows his stuff. But really, that truth is something that, initially anyway, I don’t want to hear. JBL 104 compact, full-range, powered reference monitors draw from seven decades of JBL Professional engineering to deliver the truest, most accurate sonic ... JBL One Series 104. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. JBL 104-BT compact reference monitors with Bluetooth, the newest models in the 1 Series line, draw from seven decades of JBL Professional engineering to deliver the truest, most accurate … These are about as good as it gets for the price and, size wise, there’s simply nothing else out there that beats them. Our advice used to be to pay £1,000 or more for decent monitors, but recently, John noted that: “Advances in transducer technology, cabinet design, and on-board amplifiers have improved the performance of more affordable monitors beyond all expectations”. JBL Professional 1 Series, 104 Compact Powered Desktop Reference Monitors (sold as pair), Black (JBL104) Visit the JBL Professional Store 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,056 ratings