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Don McRitchie
09-19-2007, 05:40 PM
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a reunion of sorts for last year's trip to Japan (http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12157)that was part of the Everest launch. A highlight of that trip was a side journey to the small Japanese city of Ichinoseki (http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12206), around 400km north of Tokyo. Our destination was the famous jazz bar "Basie" that is owned by jazz drummer Shoji Sugawari; better known to his fans as Swifty. In return for his hospitality, Swifty was invited to visit the US this September, and in particular, visit JBL's facilities at Northridge. Joining Swifty was his wife and daughter and he was escorted by Ken Yasuda (president of Harman Japan) and Koji Onodera (chief editor of Stereo Sound magazine). The first series of pictures were taken at our first meeting at Northridge. The image immediately below is of Swifty and Greg Timbers at the Northridge front entrance. The second picture was my revenge for being ribbed for acting like a sterotypical Japanese tourist in the number of pictures that I take. At least I'm usually draped with only one camera, unlike Koji below. The last three pictures were taken from a guided tour of Northridge's main manufacturing floor. The fourth picture has the group examining the disassembled drivers from the Everest.

Don McRitchie
09-19-2007, 05:44 PM
All of the next series of pictures were taken from the manufacturing room devoted to assembly of high-end JBL and Revel loudspeakers. The first image shows two Everest enclosures rolling down the line as drivers and networks are installed. The second picture shows the manufacturing standard examples of the various systems assembled in this facility. I was surprised to find actual assembled systems used to set the manufacturing standard as I assumed that a set of stored performance parameters would fully describe any standard. While such performance parameters are an integral part of quality control, Greg explained that they cannot be relied upon exclusively. There are too many environmental variables (temperature, humidity etc) that cannot be effectively modeled. Therefore, a physical standard that is exposed to the same environmental conditions as the production units remains necessary for comprehensive quality control.

The third photo shows a 1501AL driver being installed in one of the Everest enclosures. The fourth picture shows an S5800 and S4428 on the production line. The last picture shows a finished example of the just released S4600. This is a three way system utilizing an LE14 woofer, 175nd midrange driver and ultra high frequency driver.

Don McRitchie
09-19-2007, 05:54 PM
This next series of photos mainly regard an extended listening session of the S4600 and Everest. The S4600 is an amazing system that in Greg's words "sounds better than it has any right to" given its much smaller scale and I couldn't agree more. Still, it is not, and has no pretense, of being an Everest as illustrated by Swifty's rapt attention to this statement system in the second photo. The third photo shows left to right, Anthony, Greg Timbers, Koji Onodera and Ken Yasuda. In the fourth photo, Mark Gander joins us in the board room bearing gifts.

Don McRitchie
09-19-2007, 05:58 PM
Later that day, we were invited to Greg Timbers's home for a listening session of his custom built stereo and home theatre. This system is described in detail here (http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=9951). Suffice it to say that this ranks as the finest system I have heard in a home environment. For this visit, we were joined by Paul Bente, president of JBL. He is pictured at the back left in the fourth photo.

Don McRitchie
09-19-2007, 06:01 PM
That evening, Paul, his wife and son hosted us for dinner at an Italian restuarant in West Hollywood.

Don McRitchie
09-19-2007, 06:03 PM
The next day involved a visit to Ashcraft Designs, run by Dan Ashcraft who is responsible for the industrial design for the vast majority of JBL's high end systems for the past 20 years. In the first picture, Dan (standing far left) introduces us to his firm's associates. The second photo is in Dan's office. The third photo gives an overview of the main design office. This is new space for Dan's firm that has only occupied for two months. They are still working out the final remodeling which has resulted in a former warehouse becoming a visually striking workspace. The fourth photo illustrates a pair of JBL Ti10k speakers flanking a vintage pair of C38 Barons. The final picture illustrates the kitchen area of the office.

4313B
09-19-2007, 06:11 PM
Very nice!

Picture 3 in set 2 is pretty impressive! I've given up trying to mount 1500AL's while the enclosures are vertical...

Titanium Dome
09-19-2007, 06:26 PM
On the right side of the fourth picture in post #2 picture is an enclosure (K2 S5800 I think) with a piece of tape affixed with the letters "STD" on it. What does this mean? It's the second time I've seen this, the first being on the boxes my S2600s came in. Is this JBL speak for something?

-----------------------------

It's nice to see Greg Timbers has a "normal" room at home for his gear. (Even though the gear is not normal.)

Thanks, Don. Hope there's more, plus some narrative.

4313B
09-19-2007, 06:34 PM
I think the answer is in set 2, picture 2?

Zilch
09-19-2007, 08:14 PM
There's something familiar in the next to last pic, but I JUST can't quite figure out what it is.... :D

4313B
09-19-2007, 08:19 PM
There's something familiar in the next to last pic, but I JUST can't quite figure out what it is.... :DThat's what a fairly clean, clutter free room looks like Zilch... it's been a really long time huh?

D'oh!

Zilch
09-19-2007, 08:31 PM
That's what a fairly clean, clutter free room looks like Zilch... it's been a really long time huh?

D'oh!HEY! We could do groundplane in there, maybe? :bouncy:

timc
09-19-2007, 11:08 PM
VERY nice pictures. Thanks Don.

Wich room is Greg Timber's?

Best regards Tim

JBL 4645
09-20-2007, 03:07 AM
Don

Thank you very much for the little picture show :applaud: that was most enlightening the smiles on there faces went from one end of the factory floor to the other LOL it was has if there had there noses up close to candy shop window, feasting there eyes on the wondrous JBL products.

Do you have any more pictures to come along oh yes please, Don that was exciting.

I like those JBL project arrays delicious. :p

That’s how I usually listen to my JBL control series most times Zen and peacefully listening to the soundtrack or music, Zen.:p

But I bet those K2 sound miraculous! :applaud:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=28372&stc=1&d=1190249593

doyall
09-20-2007, 08:09 AM
What was the event commemorating ... new ownership?

JBLnsince1959
09-20-2007, 09:03 AM
Hey Giskard or Don:

noticed that there was a white dog in the room behind GT's living room, but can only make out the hindquarters. What type of dog is it?

Oh yes, speakers look great too!!

what an honor to be a part of that...:applaud:

DavidF
09-20-2007, 09:25 AM
HEY! We could do groundplane in there, maybe? :bouncy:

I dunno, Zilch. The camera cut off the right side of the room. That could be some creeping storeroom isobar moving in from the adjoining space.

DavidF

Hold on, those are not end tables holding up those amps under wrap, are they?

Valentin
09-20-2007, 09:36 AM
Very nice thanks

Whats the speaker in front of the everest II
it le14 plus horizontal horn

is it the japans array 1400

whent tu japans site and its a new model the 4600
it has a new LE14-4

i wonder if the aray will also have this new driver

Valentin
09-20-2007, 10:01 AM
picture 4 os series 1 is impresive

some audio friends complin that JBL has bad qualty

if thy saw this picture they would pis themselfs

just look at the size of the pure magnet and its very fine parts

impresive

4313B
09-20-2007, 10:14 AM
some audio friends complin that JBL has bad qualty

if thy saw this picture they would pis themselfs

just look at the size of the pure magnet and its very fine parts

impresiveJBL should probably think about spinning off the lower end stuff to another brand name. There really is a noticable difference between the top and the bottom. It isn't the 60's anymore that's for sure. There's nothing the least bit embarrassing about a 1501AL.

timc
09-20-2007, 11:03 AM
I dont want to go to far ot, but why did JBL discontinue the "cheap" series wich gave great value for money? I mean like the Ti series. the last low cost product wich was true jbl (you may disagree with me on this) was the SVA series.....


Best regards Tim

timc
09-20-2007, 11:03 AM
JBL should probably think about spinning off the lower end stuff to another brand name. There really is a noticable difference between the top and the bottom. It isn't the 60's anymore that's for sure. There's nothing the least bit embarrassing about a 1501AL.


Thought they already did that.......Revel.........

4313B
09-20-2007, 11:50 AM
:no: Revel sounds like a line of retro style blenders in 50's color schemes. Utterly unimpressive brand name for loudspeakers.

timc
09-20-2007, 11:56 AM
hehe.

But jbl do make the drivers? Or am I misinnformed?

Best regards Tim

4313B
09-20-2007, 01:09 PM
Don can answer that far better than I can... alot of stuff is outsourced these days, oftentimes several times removed.

timc
09-20-2007, 01:12 PM
Btw....Revel makes me think of the military.....Walking up to terrible music veeeery early in the morning.:banghead:

JBL 4645
09-20-2007, 04:11 PM
Hey Giskard or Don:

noticed that there was a white dog in the room behind GT's living room, but can only make out the hindquarters. What type of dog is it?

Oh yes, speakers look great too!!

what an honor to be a part of that...:applaud:


I noticed Alien Aliens Amadeus Airplane in the DVD collection good choice of bass and sub bass on Aliens. :applaud:

edgewound
09-20-2007, 04:41 PM
JBL should probably think about spinning off the lower end stuff to another brand name. There really is a noticable difference between the top and the bottom. It isn't the 60's anymore that's for sure. There's nothing the least bit embarrassing about a 1501AL.

That idea sounds awfully familiar.

As long as the current MBA braintrust is in the Harman Consumer Marketing dept...that won't happen. They should look to Porsche and Ferrari on how to market premium brands, because they dropped the ball in the US long ago.

They will continue to kill off a legendary American audio brand. GT's other efforts need to be showcased at home...with some management supported effort.

Those photos are intriguing. A very exclusive look inside. Thanks for those, Don.

Revel (Revell) is the name of a styrene model car company.

Don McRitchie
09-20-2007, 07:07 PM
I've managed to add a bit of a narrative to the original photo essay. I'll shortly try and address all of the subsequent questions in this thread.

BMWCCA
09-20-2007, 08:05 PM
$4,200 for the S4600; is that each or a pair? Tell me again: Why isn't that model sold in the USA? I think I'd like it.

edgewound
09-20-2007, 08:42 PM
$4,200 for the S4600; is that each or a pair? Tell me again: Why isn't that model sold in the USA? I think I'd like it.

標準価格¥460,000(税込¥483,000)/1本

From Babelfish:
Standard price XXYEN 460,000 (including tax XXYEN 483,000)/1

So...it must be each.

Also....the woofer is an LE14H-4

Mr. Widget
09-20-2007, 10:39 PM
I've managed to add a bit of a narrative to the original photo essay. I'll shortly try and address all of the subsequent questions in this thread.Thanks Don... I was wondering what the hell I was looking at. :)

S4600... looks interesting. Can you shed any more light on it?


Widget

timc
09-20-2007, 11:54 PM
The 4600 uses the same HF driver as the Array1000, 175nd-3. The UHF is different, named 138Nd. It does not appear to incorporate a SonoGlass horn.

I read a report about them from a show in Sweden. They were compared to the K2 S5800. With price difference in mind the reporter was positively surprised at their performance.

Best regards Tim

Edit: And whats the deal about them 4428 beeing manufactured in the USA? When it is so, why can't we just head there and grab a pair before they ship them to Japan? :( (You might have guessed that i want one)

ozata
09-21-2007, 12:32 AM
Which are the models manufactured in this factory ??

JBL 4645
09-21-2007, 02:14 AM
I've managed to add a bit of a narrative to the original photo essay. I'll shortly try and address all of the subsequent questions in this thread.

Don

That would be nice but I think a picture speaks a thousand words.:D

4313B
09-21-2007, 08:11 AM
Don

That would be nice but I think a picture speaks a thousand words.:DYeah but which words? Press 1 for English and 2 for Spanish.

Don McRitchie
09-21-2007, 08:16 AM
Most of the questions in this thread appear to be covered by the narrative that I recently added. There are a few that weren't that are addressed below.


On the right side of the fourth picture in post #2 picture is an enclosure (K2 S5800 I think) with a piece of tape affixed with the letters "STD" on it. What does this mean?

I'm pretty sure that the "STD" refers to the fact that this system is a manufacturing standard example that is explained in more detail above. I'll let you in on a little secret - much of the activity that was going on in this room was likely scheduled for the benefit of the visiting guests. Production on the two Everests was exactly timed to match our tour and no other examples were behind them. The S5800 and 4428 appeared to have been put out for display and were not under assembly at the time. The brand new S4600 was also coincidentally rolling off the line at the exact moment of our arrival with no procession of mass production behind it.


Hey Giskard or Don:

noticed that there was a white dog in the room behind GT's living room, but can only make out the hindquarters. What type of dog is it?

It's a super friendly female white lab that Greg rescued from a shelter. He has another dog that is quite shy and refused to make an appearance while we were there.


hehe.

But jbl do make the (Revel) drivers? Or am I misinnformed?

Revel has their own engineering section within Northridge, but they often use the engineering resources from Harman Consumer. Jerry Moro, the transducer engineer for most high end JBL drivers, has designed a number of sub drivers that have been shared by Revel and JBL. However, many of the drivers used in Revel systems have been designed by their own staff.

ozata
09-21-2007, 08:28 AM
I'm pretty sure that the "STD" refers to the fact that this system is a manufacturing standard example that is explained in more detail above. I'll let you in on a little secret - much of the activity that was going on in this room was likely scheduled for the benefit of the visiting guests. Production on the two Everests was exactly timed to match our tour and no other examples were behind them. The S5800 and 4428 appeared to have been put out for display and were not under assembly at the time. The brand new S4600 was also coincidentally rolling off the line at the exact moment of our arrival with no procession of mass production behind it.




you want to say that it is right a demonstration or right a small order?

Don McRitchie
09-21-2007, 09:01 AM
I'm pretty sure that it was a demonstration for the benefit of the Japanese guests. Orders on all of these products are small so that this production line is usually focussed on one product at a time. That's why it was unusual to see a number of models on the line.

Don

Earl K
09-21-2007, 09:13 AM
Don, thanks for the photo essay tour ! I always enjoy these insights .

- Assuming the system auditions at Greg Timbers home were done with the tweeters disconnected , are you able to paraphrase & then share with us, the impressions of the Japanese guests ?

best regards <> Earl K :)

ozata
09-21-2007, 09:13 AM
It is like same surprising!! for the whole world.:blink:

I thought that it worked all the time with all the top-of-the-range models.

JBLnsince1959
09-21-2007, 12:12 PM
It's a super friendly female white lab that Greg rescued from a shelter. He has another dog that is quite shy and refused to make an appearance while we were there.



Thanks Don...much appreciated...

Glad to see the dog is from a shelter...more people need to do that type of thing..

glen
09-21-2007, 11:32 PM
I'm pretty sure that it was a demonstration for the benefit of the Japanese guests. Orders on all of these products are small so that this production line is usually focussed on one product at a time. That's why it was unusual to see a number of models on the line.

Don
Maybe not so unusual?

The time I visited JBL that smaller assembly line had no one working on it but hosted a variety of models: gorgeous K2-S9800s, a pair of blue-faced 4313s and I believe a pair of the big Revel cabs.
It looked much more like custom hand assembly than even a minimal production run.

They obviously weren't setting up any demo for my benefit.

Thanks for sharing your stories and all the great pictures Don!

timc
09-21-2007, 11:51 PM
I'm pretty sure that it was a demonstration for the benefit of the Japanese guests. Orders on all of these products are small so that this production line is usually focussed on one product at a time. That's why it was unusual to see a number of models on the line.

Don


So what?! We got to see em didn't we? :applaud::applaud:

Great pics. Keep em comming.

Tim

speakerdave
09-22-2007, 09:07 AM
Very nice!

Picture 3 in set 2 is pretty impressive! I've given up trying to mount 1500AL's while the enclosures are vertical...

Probably a good idea, but in that cabinet the first when is easy;he can set the motor in the hole and then reach through the other one and two-hand it into place. The second one is harder, but with that recessed mounting surface I think I know how he does it, though I wouldn't try it myself.

David

edgewound
09-22-2007, 12:11 PM
Probably a good idea, but in that cabinet the first when is easy;he can set the motor in the hole and then reach through the other one and two-hand it into place. The second one is harder, but with that recessed mounting surface I think I know how he does it, though I wouldn't try it myself.

David

Maybe has a crane of some sort....like an engine crane.

speakerdave
09-22-2007, 12:32 PM
Maybe has a crane of some sort....like an engine crane.

Yeah. A jig might be made for it. Or, there's always, "Hey, Al, gimmie a hand here."

David

Titanium Dome
09-22-2007, 12:47 PM
I'm pleased to see that no one is mentioning or griping about the fact that GT's home set up doesn't feature veneered, wood-grained cabinets. They are nicely finished black cabinets, period.

IMO, it's a good look. :yes: It's what's inside that counts.

Titanium Dome
09-22-2007, 12:59 PM
In this shot, what is the enclosure in front of the SK2-1000?

boputnam
09-22-2007, 03:58 PM
Hey Don...

It seems the rears have the 045Be UHF's connected, but the fronts' do not.

cf:

First picture is the LRear stack, and the connection wire to the 045Be can be seen snaking up the horn.

Second picture is the rear of the LFront, and the 045Be looks unconnected.

Idea what's going on...?

MJC
09-22-2007, 04:08 PM
One question I've had, what are the dimensions of GT's HT room, that houses all those stacks?
I wonder if my room would be big enough for such a system.

ChopsMX5
09-23-2007, 12:19 PM
Hey Don...

It seems the rears have the 045Be UHF's connected, but the fronts' do not.

cf:

First picture is the LRear stack, and the connection wire to the 045Be can be seen snaking up the horn.

Second picture is the rear of the LFront, and the 045Be looks unconnected.

Idea what's going on...?


I noticed that as well and was also wondering why the 045Be was disconnected. :blink:

I also noticed that Greg has an excellent DVD collection (at least in that one shot), most of which I too have. :D

4313B
09-23-2007, 12:44 PM
I noticed that as well and was also wondering why the 045Be was disconnected. :blink:I've gone over it too many times now. I feel like a broken record.

Hoerninger
09-23-2007, 12:46 PM
Second picture is the rear of the LFront, and the 045Be looks unconnected.

Idea what's going on...?
Wasn't it Giskard who mentioned recently here somewhere that Greg Timbers has the 045Be off and let the big horn/driver combo do the whole job?
____________
Peter

ChopsMX5
09-23-2007, 12:57 PM
I've gone over it too many times now. I feel like a broken record.

Oh well.

And just when exactly did I specifically ask for you to explain it to me?! :thnkfast:

Besides, it was a general inquiry to the general public here on the forum, aka - not directed to you. :banghead:

edgewound
09-23-2007, 01:21 PM
Wow...I sense tension in the room.

I'll settle this once and for all.

The reason GT disconnected the 045Be's...

...His dogs asked them to. They're the only ones who can hear 'em.

timc
09-23-2007, 01:26 PM
The reason GT disconnected the 045Be's...

...His dogs asked them to. They're the only ones who can hear 'em.


Priceless :applaud:

4313B
09-23-2007, 02:08 PM
Wasn't it Giskard who mentioned recently here somewhere that Greg Timbers has the 045Be off and let the big horn/driver combo do the whole job?
____________
Peter

Wow...I sense tension in the room.To be fair I have noticed the information scattered here and there and it should be consolidated. I'll update the other thread Don referenced when I have time. I just don't have a whole lot of time to devote to blocks of text right now. I'll probably cover the newest plans as well. I still owe Don a formal article on G.T.'s system.

The reason GT disconnected the 045Be's...

...His dogs asked them to. They're the only ones who can hear 'em.:rotfl:

boputnam
09-24-2007, 02:47 AM
I've gone over it too many times now. I feel like a broken record.No, it's my fault - I have been increasingly intermittent here and missed it. I noticed other's comments about it, but could not find an answer (i.e., why the rears are connected but the fronts are not...).

Answerless , I will drop it. Don't really need to care anyway.
Bye... :wave:

speakerdave
09-24-2007, 07:34 AM
. . . . It seems the rears have the 045Be UHF's connected, but the fronts' do not . . . .
"Seems" may be the key word here. We don't actually see the connection, just the wire (left?) in place.

This system predates the new Everest and G.T.s experimentally using them without the supertweeters.

David

Hoerninger
09-29-2007, 09:33 AM
Very nice!

Picture 3 in set 2 is pretty impressive! I've given up trying to mount 1500AL's while the enclosures are vertical...
Found here:
http://manuals.harman.com/JBL/HOM/Do%20It%20Yourself%20Guides/EverestDD66000%20TrbshtGuide.pdf

Replacement or service of the LF driver requires access through the woofer
opening, following these steps.
NOTE: IT IS RECOMMENDED TWO PERSONS BE INVOLVED IN DD66000
DISASSEMBLY
1. Lay the loudspeaker down, on its back (drivers facing up), on a padded surface.
2. Remove the grille; Grille removal is described in the owner's manual.
3. Remove the (8) Phillips woofer screws holding each woofer; remove the trim rings.
4. The woofer is best extracted by inserting two 1/4 x 20 (3'' or longer) threaded
machine screws into opposite sides of the woofer screw openings. Thread the
bolts into the woofer openings by hand, then pull upwards, lifting the woofer
from the counterbore. Then while one person supports the woofer, another
can remove both connecting wires from the terminals. Set the woofer(s) aside;
do not set it on the front baffle as it may damage the leather cover.
...
NOTES UPON REASSEMBLY
. Remember to observe correct polarity when reattaching all driver wires.
. Any cable ties that have been cut will need to be replaced
. One woofer screw, on each woofer, on the extreme right/left sides of the
woofer hole is slightly shorter than the others; assure this screw is replaced
only into its proper hole (#39 in exploded view)
___________
Peter