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pos
07-05-2007, 09:28 AM
Hello all

For those who have experience with both, how do 2342 and 2344 horns compare. I realize that the 2344 is much bigger and goes lower, but when used above 1.2khz are there any benefit of using a 2344 instead of a 2342 ?

JBL published some polar diagrams for the 2344 but I found nothing for the 2342. I can only compare the "beamwidth vs frequencies" diagrams in 4430 and 4425 spec sheets, and they seem quite similar in this regard.

Any thoughts?

Robh3606
07-05-2007, 09:47 AM
Here's a picture. Take a look at the differences in the slot width. That to me implies that the 2344 is going to maintain the HF coverage to a higher frequency. If you look at the brochures it's hard to say for sure what's going on. The 2344 throat is quite curvaceous where the 2342 is almost a straight side.


http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/specs/pro-speakers/1985-4425.htm


Rob:)

pos
07-06-2007, 07:03 AM
Yes, these little diagrams does not tell a lot.
But look at this montage of beamwidth and directivity diagrams from 4430 and 4425 brochures. The 2342 seems to maintain a better coverage than the 2344 in the HF and at the crossover point.
But the 2344 looks indead more flat and "controlled" in the 1.5hz-10khz range, with very similar vertical and horizontal beamwidth.

pos
07-06-2007, 07:28 AM
Here are Zilch tests:
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=111627&postcount=6

This comparison tells a different story than diagrams found in the brochures.
The 2344 is a clear winner here.

Robh3606
07-06-2007, 07:59 AM
This comparison tells a different story than diagrams found in the brochures. The 2344 is a clear winner here.

Both horns were not measured using the best matched crossover compensation. You can't really tell what the deal is with those graphs.

Rob:)

Zilch
07-06-2007, 12:12 PM
I'd suggest my findings were consistent with Rob's analysis of the throat geometries. 2342 did not exhibit the same level of control (horizontal) in the VHF as 2344.

As with any of this work, verify with your own testing before concluding anything as definitive.... :yes:

soundboy
07-06-2007, 03:11 PM
One of the complaints I heard back in the day from pro sound company guys, is that the biradials with the slot sound fine until you pour the juice to them, then they sounded muddled. For live or high levels,the standard JBL horns sounded clearer and cleaner. Therefore...
I am wondering if the 2342 might have better clarity at high levels, because it isn't tapering the slot from the 1 inch throat to the 5/8 inch slot of the 2344. Zilch, can you measure that distortion differences? It is interesting that the 4425 shows actually better di at 16K than the 4430, considering the 4430's narrower slot. Hmmmmn.
Regardless, my old 2344's I had with TAD 2001's sounded fabulous....like a 1" dome tweeter on steroids.:barf:

1audiohack
05-01-2008, 07:22 PM
Does anyone have a spec sheet on the 2342?

A 2123 looks so small under a 2344, so I bought a new 2342 from Edge to compare to my 2344's, (haven't yet) but I can't find a spec sheet for one.

Please help if you can.
Thanks.

m8o
05-03-2009, 02:00 PM
Does anyone have a spec sheet on the 2342?
...
Please help if you can. I thought I'd give this thread its "annual bump" :p instead of starting a new one, as this thread's topic so perfectly covers many of my questions as well.

Intro:
I just bought a couple of real old 2342s for a surround project for I think a great price (that I think will clean-up well), not realizing the 4828 & 4825 used a 2344, or the difference in size & slot until now; having rushed to buy instead of waiting for some complete (& clean) 4825/8's to show-up. So I started wondering if the 2344 isn't what I would have wanted. ...But, my project is a corner wedge speaker with limited back dimensions to match the soffits (sic), so I 'think' the 2342's compactness will be the right choice there. (again, this is a perfect thread!)

...So...
a +1 to what 1audiohack asked. Any polar response for this horn? as I'll be building these into an architectural installation as very near field overhead side surrounds and I need to calculate the exact angle I should face them to best match levels for people on the far left and right of the couch. I was going to use some extra Smith horns I have vertically, but figured these would give me much less restriction for even coverage as people/I move forward & back on the couch. I guess I can leave these out of the box & make the mount adjustable... maybe will.

My own questions to add to the original conversation...
I'm curious of which driver folks would recommend for the 2342 horn...? 2420, 2421, 2450, other? ( I will most definitely be using a pair of 2404's with them.) I'm leaning towards the 2420/1 but is there something in the 2450's throat that lends itself better to these biradials? And,

And, How much of a baffle do these need if any?

Hoping this 'necro-thread' is read by some informed folks willing to lend their informed opinions. ;) I've been away a long long time from this board as my audio hobby has taken a backseat to my photography hobby and moreso work. But with spring comes a renewed vigor and hopefully progress in putting to work all the components I've acquired to date.

pos
05-03-2009, 02:54 PM
I'm curious of which driver folks would recommend for the 2342 horn...? 2420, 2421, 2450, other? ( I will most definitely be using a pair of 2404's with them.) I'm leaning towards the 2420/1 but is there something in the 2450's throat that lends itself better to these biradials?
You need a driver with a 1" threaded exit.
The 2426 would fit, with its bolt adapter removed.
The 2416 was the one used in the 4425.
I think that Zilch tested some 2407H on these horns and reported very good results.

m8o
05-03-2009, 03:15 PM
ah, I thought it was the 2417H that was needed (of that series), but it's the 2407H.
I'll look for all of those.
thanx very much,
-steve