JBL's 4349 Studio Monitor shares plenty aesthetically with its 4000 series siblings and similarly promises to deliver studio-quality audio to your domestic listening area.

Priced at £7,000 for a pair, the JBL 4349 two-way monitor's secret weapon is its D2415K dual compression driver that consists of a pair of 1.5-inch polymer annular diaphragms coupled with the company's High-Definition Imaging (HDI) horn. JBL states that this will improve high-frequency extension while reducing distortion.

Taking care of things below and handing off at 1.7kHz is a 12-inch pure-pulp woofer that features a 3-inch, long-throw voice coil. Dual opposing spider dampers are said to minimise distortion here. You can tweak the sound via 'High-frequency' and 'Ultra High-frequency' attenuator controls set just below the horn.

The result is a stated 91db sensitivity (2.83V/1m) and 32Hz–25kHz (-6dB) frequency response. JBL advises a maximum of 200 Watts RMS for these 8 Ohm speakers.

The drivers are set into 1-inch thick cabinets that measure 737 x 445 x 343mm (HxWxD) and sport a brace of front-firing, flared reflex ports. Satin finish options are “furniture-grade” wood veneers in Walnut or Black Walnut with blue and black cloth grilles respectively. Yes, JBL still calls them 'bookshelf loudspeakers'.

Around the back of the 36.6kg loudspeakers are two sets of gold-plated terminals handing you the option of single or bi-wiring.

The perfect partner for the JBL 4349 is the JS-120 floor stands. These sit the monitors at an optimal angle for improved imaging, as well as keeping them stable. 

The new JBL 4349 Studio Monitor speakers go on sale in September for £7,000 for a pair, with the optional stands costing £325 per pair.

For more information, check out JBL Synthesis.