Is the JBL 2206H ok for HIFI ?

[Niklas Nord]

Does anyone of you have any experience with the JBL 2206H ?
What kind of qualities does it have other than being a great
driver for midbass PA -systems ?

I have some JBL 2202 but i dont like the thing that they dont
make bass under 200hz very well.

Lets say, that i would like to use the 2206H from 120hz
and up to lets say 2000hz

would it make it work?

Any simulations on this would be great.

Is it not fair to say that the 2206H is a smal 2227H ?

[Niklas Nord]

:confused:

[Andreaspaulsen]

Personally I have never heard the 2206, however it is reputed as great sounding with very little power compression and distortion.
I should be really great in a ventet 35L cabinet according to www.quali-service.dk who (arne ludvigsen) is the local jbl expert (and authorized repairman).
But is using a 12" to 2000 Hz a bit pushing your luck far into cone breakup and beaming ?.


Cheers
andreas

[Niklas Nord]

Are he using the 2206 up to 2000hz ?
I think this would be possible, yes. But
i really would cross it some 1200hz.. :o

[Andreaspaulsen]

No i think he is crossing around 800 i think. I just thought you where going to cross at 2khz

[JBL Dog]

I would not recommend for hi-fi. A better choice would be 2202A/H or D131.

This message comes from JBL Dog :band:

[Niklas Nord]

Ok, ..BUT why is that? Why recommend 2202 instead fo 2206 ``?

[JBL Dog]

Originally posted by Niklas Nord
Ok, ..BUT why is that? Why recommend 2202 instead fo 2206 ``?

I've used all three drivers in various applications and feel the 2206H isn't the best choice for hi-fi. JBL uses the 2206H in high-powered sound reinforcement applications, LF for the most part. I have a D131 in a C38 Baron and it sounds great.

JMHO

Good Luck!

This message comes from JBL Dog :band:

[dgorshe]

I had the car audio version of the 2206. i used it in some L-100 boxes for a while, it didnt sound as good as the 123a that came in the speaker originally. this might have been caused by the difference in impeadance, the car audio one is 4 ohms, not 8. What i did find is that they are awesome for use in a powered sub set up. you can't get them to distort without getting it ear bleeding loud, they are a good speaker and i bet the 8ohm version would have sounded better in my set up.

[Mike Caldwell]

Hello
The JBL 2202 was designed to be used for a mid bass/mid range
driver and very good sounding in that application. The 2202
has been replaced with JBL 2020 mid bass/mid range speaker.
The 2206 is a high power low frequency 12 inch speaker and could easly be used as a hi fi low end speaker, I use 10 of them
in stage monitiors for my PA system.
JBL loads the 2206 in many of their SRX PA cabinets and most
people use them as a mid high cabinet in a multiway PA system.
I have always felt those cabinets would be better loaded with a
speaker such as the 2020 when used as mid high cabinet.
The 2020 has a 103db effenciency in the mid band and the 2206
only has has 95db.
However the 2206 is far more suited for low frequecy use.

Just my thoughts
Mike Caldwell

[mikebake]

Hey Mike Caldwell, I see you are on Ohio; have we met, or do I know you? Your name looks familiar. Do you have a sound reinforcement company or a band, perhaps?
MBB

[Hofmannhp]

Hi Niklas,

I just tried 2202H in two old Klipsch Heresy cabinets. Very dry and precise. After tuning the 45 liter cabinet with a reflex port 8cm diameter and 7cm lenght in the backside, the sound was very fine down to 50Hz. A lot better then the original Klipsch Heresy with the EV 12L Driver.

BTW: have you seen my thread in "market place" with two fine 4435?

regards
HP

[Hofmannhp]

to Mike Caldwell,

heard from Bo and Rob, that you deal with JBL parts.
Do you have 2343 horns for sale?

HP

[JBL Dog]

One of my favorite 12" JBL's of all time for hi-fi is a 2214H. It is used in the L100T and 4425 Studio Monitor.

This message comes from JBL Dog :band:

[Ralf]

I use the 2206 in my system.

Low-cut 200Hz, Hi-cut 1200Hz.

With the last upgrade (2204 to 2205) I screwed the 2205 with punched tape into the box, so I got an additional Opening. The result is a flatter process in the 1k section. It sounds sooo great, you don`t believe the mids come from a 2206...

Hifi with the sound pressure of a PA...

[Niklas Nord]

Have you tried the 2202?
I cant imagine why the 2206 should be bad..
The response curve looks nice.
And the 2206 has more xmax and lover distorsion

[pantaNS]

I have 2206's in my system
and I can tell you that they work damn good as midbass
from 150 to 800Hz . . .
. . . simply one of th best speakers that JBL have ever made . . .

[Niklas Nord]

Thank you for your response..

[scott fitlin]

In a properly tuned ported enclosure you can get very good results with the 2206 in home Hi-Fi applications!

They can handle power very well, and give good midbass and bass response, but 800Hz is about the highest I would cross them over at!

If your looking for a home system that can be pushed hard, and still maintain low distortion the 2206 will be a good choice!

[boputnam]

Originally posted by mikebake
Hey Mike Caldwell ... Your name looks familiar. Lest we have lost our Links... ;)

Vintage Audio Sales (http://www.vintageaudiosales.com/)

[Artysan]

I would not recommend for hi-fi. A better choice would be 2202A/H or D131.

This message comes from JBL Dog :band:

I have used both drivers in high quality music playback systems and it is absolutely no contest. The 2206 might just be the best low-mid speaker ever made. I currently use them in a 4-way system to cover the range of 75-1200 Hz and they are simply faultless. Fast, flat, very even coverage across the entire range and output capability that is hard to believe.

[Mr. Widget]

I have used both drivers in high quality music playback systems and it is absolutely no contest. The 2206 might just be the best low-mid speaker ever made. I currently use them in a 4-way system to cover the range of 75-1200 Hz and they are simply faultless. Fast, flat, very even coverage across the entire range and output capability that is hard to believe.I've been out of the DIY game for quite a while, but I still have a pair of 2206s I plan to deploy under a pair of SAM1HFs. On paper the 2206 looks pretty darned hard to beat!

So, in your 4-way... ported or sealed? What volume are you using?


Widget

[badman]

I use 2206h as a rearfiring midbass in my bipoles- it's a great midwoof, and can even be run unfiltered if you want a "minimalist XO" type of speaker. The "don't run it above...." advice above mostly applies to people using it as a multiway woofer, if you plan to XO to a horn, you can run it much higher since some directionality is desireable.

[Champster]

Obviously there are a lot of varying opinions here, but in my new 4 way (DSP) system, my mileage is that the 2206 is fantastic from 75 to about 300 or 400 where, above that, I prefer using the 10" 2123. I am a nut for an articulate midrange. I listen extensively to vocal recordings and the 2206 when asked to go above about 400, sounds (to me) slower than the 2123. I think your use of the 2206 depends on your expectations. As you can see, may guys on here think it works just fine a lot higher than I do.

I have only had these cabinets a few weeks, but I can already tell that once I get the time to tune the PEQs, that this system has some real potential. You can see my Reference System (Linkwitz LX521) next to the JBL's. Also, this pic shows the TAD 4001 which was bested by my JBL 2446Be's.

Paul
63430

[Mr. Widget]

Obviously there are a lot of varying opinions here...You think? :D

I quite like the 2122 in the 4345... I know what you're getting at. It's been over a year since I posted on this thread and still haven't picked up a driver or test mic! :banghead:


Also, this pic shows the TAD 4001 which was bested by my JBL 2446Be...Interesting, can you elaborate? The TD-4001 is a significantly older design, perhaps the 2446's newer phase plug design gives it an edge?

I'd love to hear your assessment of the differences.


Widget

[Champster]

Interesting, can you elaborate? The TD-4001 is a significantly older design, perhaps the 2446's newer phase plug design gives it an edge?

I'd love to hear your assessment of the differences.Widget

Ok, you asked...

To first decide which CD I wanted to use (JBL 2446 Ti, JBL 2446 Be or TAD 4001 Be), I played a few recordings that a buddy and I recorded (I was his assistant) which included an organ at Balboa Park and some vocals and simple instrumentals recorded in his house. From a Compact Disc, I used them to play through my system which is a TEAC transport to a miniDSP 4x10Hd to a pair of ATI 1506 amps. All recordings are pure with no EQ or editing using a variety of high quality microphones.

To begin with, I used just the 2123 and the CD. One channel at a time switching back and forth a hundred times. In the miniDSP, I only adjusted the time delay without any PEQ adjustments and finally settled on a 900hz 24db/oct crossover point. I limited the lower frequency to 300 and the upper to 10000. Then I used my ears to compare what I was hearing to my memory of the original recordings. This may be the weakest link...

The winner was the JBL 2446 Be. The TAD was just slightly more veiled as if it were playing through a towel and the 2446 Ti was slightly more artificial or harsh sounding. Both of the Be diaphragms were very natural sounding but the Truextent was just a little bit more alive. I used a Db meter to keep each combination to about 90db.

As you can see in the picture, the Linkwitz LX521s are sitting alongside the JBLs. I compared the 2123 and JBL Be to the 8" and 4" in the LX521s. They play from 122 to 7000 and use a 1khz 6db/octave crossover. I liked different things from each, but I really liked the dynamic impact that the JBLs offered. The LX521 was beautiful sounding too and is a really well executed, refined design. I'm not ready to compare one to the other quite yet as I haven't had time to fine tune the JBLs yet. At the end of the day, I'm still dealing with drivers that are 20 or so years older than the LX drivers, so the power of time is against the JBLs.

I hate trying to describe the sound of a speaker. It makes me feel like a reviewer and that I'm not. But you asked Mr Widget.

How did I do?

[Mr. Widget]

I hate trying to describe the sound of a speaker. It makes me feel like a reviewer and that I'm not. But you asked Mr Widget.

How did I do?Joe Jackson said that talking about music is like dancing about architecture. I'm not sure what that makes talking about speakers, but it certainly is a difficult task to make it meaningful... I think you did well. :D

Thanks!


Widget

[JeffW]

Interesting, can you elaborate? The TD-4001 is a significantly older design, perhaps the 2446's newer phase plug design gives it an edge?



Was the TD-4001 new? Maybe the Be phragm in the 2446 had less time on it than the Be phragm in the 4001.

[Champster]

Was the TD-4001 new? Maybe the Be phragm in the 2446 had less time on it than the Be phragm in the 4001.


Good point. Not sure that matters unless it was abused, but I know the truextents are new and don't know the age or past use of the 4001.

[Bill Shenefelt]

I am trying to build a strong dialogue supporting center channel for my home theater setup. I will be using the JBL 2206 for the bass (fully supplemented by a SVS 13 sub coming thru at somewhere between 60 and 100 cps). I have no room for a decent size box or larger diameter driver where it needs to be located. I am using the Nelson Pass JBL L-300 crossover network since I am using that on my right and left front L-300s in homebuilt cabinets. I also have a JBL 2461 compression driver which has a phenolic impregnated linen diaphragm which supposedly is a little better in the 600 cps realm than the le 85. Either compression driver is going to be on a JBL 2345 horn I got from a nephew. All I am after is decent power and clear dialogue from this center channel. I have no room for a bigger center unit without trashing my TV stand.
Using the l-300s without a center channel has one "voice" which is far different from adding a klipsch reference 64 II I bought for the center channel based on touted reviews. May be good but nothing like the l-300's. I'm not sure which one provides clearer more distinct dialogue. I am hoping I can improve on what I have with this new variant.

I thought this might be eligible for a thread on the 2206 H for hi fi. Any comments on this speaker makeup for my intended use?

[Mr. Widget]

I thought this might be eligible for a thread on the 2206 H for hi fi. Any comments on this speaker makeup for my intended use?I know you've posted variants of this question elsewhere, but I haven't followed the results. That said, yes the 2206 will perform well as a mid bass driver in a compact enclosure.

I think that if you can get another LE85/2420 and 077/2405 driver you can make this work. You'll need to develop your own low pass section for the 2206, but you can use the rest of the Nelson Pass L-300 network and should get just what you need.


Widget

[Hans Bleeker]

I use the 2206 in between a 2235 and a 2352 horn, tried 2202's brand new and old, and the 2020, although those units have their own strenghts, nothing blends in as well as the 2206 in my application. I filter 24dB Bessel (active) I dont know why but somehow the 2202 has something anoying, most Obvious when I watch TV on the vocals, the 2206 just isn´t there, there´s only sound :)
I cross at 250hz and 1K , at 800Hz it´s just not falling into place as it does at 1K , probably better directivity match at that frequency, but ofc thats will be totaly depending on horn used. As far as the low crossover, its extremely well behaved at 100Hz crossover to the 2235 but I like the little more fat sound I get when crossed at 250, although tv vocals sound cleaner at 100hz crossover.

69811

[Earl K]

Here's a good starter thread for those wondering about maybe matching-up their new big Heils to a 2206 mid-bass.

:)


<<<< dont know why but somehow the 2202 has something anoying, >>>>

PS; I too have always found something annoying about the sound of the 2202 ( fwiw ).

[Mr. Widget]

PS; I too have always found something annoying about the sound of the 2202 ( fwiw ).+1

I wanted to like it, but I am also not a fan.


Widget

[1audiohack]

Haha the 2202’s were the first thing to go from my 4350’s.

They won’t have any value by the time we are done here.

Barry.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Jbl 2020

The 2020H has been designed with a combination of flat power response with rising on-axis response, and an optimization of the critical interplay between efficiency, sensitivity, power handling and low dynamic power compression.

https://www.jblpro.com/ProductAttachments/2020H_SpecSheet.pdf

It’s not a diy friendly driver.

[Earl K]

Okay,

Just some housekeeping for wayward readers looking for info on the 2206H, here's a nice thread on the use of the 2206H for HiFi reasons.

( Click the pic for the thread link ) ;

829408294182942 (http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?34265-Jbl-Array&p=347566&highlight=2206h#post347566)


:)

[Earl K]

Here's a portion of JBL's EDS info for the 2206 ( taken from the transducer Library > then rotated & straightened ).

82943

I'm wondering if anyone can confirm ( with measurements of their own 2206's ) if the response is truly this linear between 1-2K.

A near-field measurement ( an inch or two away from the cone > with the woofer mounted in a box ) would suffice.

Thanks :)

[engineerjoe]

Hmmm. I'm using JBL 12" for mids in my PA. They were 2206s and now they are being replaced by 2262 for light weight.
I wonder how the curve is for the 2262?
I have JBL 2258s on subs, and now 2453s on horns.
I scored a couple of JBL AM7212/64 boxes too and upgraded the horn drivers inside. I'll use the stock drivers in monitors.
This newer light weight stuff amazes me. I know, it's not the heritage stuff. They are now getting pretty old so to me, they are.

[Earl K]

Hmmm. I'm using JBL 12" for mids in my PA. They were 2206s and now they are being replaced by 2262 for light weight.
I wonder how the curve is for the 2262?
I have JBL 2258s on subs, and now 2453s on horns.
I scored a couple of JBL AM7212/64 boxes too and upgraded the horn drivers inside. I'll use the stock drivers in monitors.
This newer light weight stuff amazes me. I know, it's not the heritage stuff. They are now getting pretty old so to me, they are.


One can compare the curves of each as found in Transducer Section (http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?59-Transducer-Information)

The curve of the 2206 is flatter but that might just be due to the use of 2 different smoothing filters ( applied to the raw data ).

Worth noting is that the 2262h curve was made in an 8 cu' ( sealed ) box while the 2206h curve was captured in a 10 cu' box.
- That helps explain the slight difference in LF response ( below 200hz ) seen.

Here's an FR comparison for you ( taken from JBL's own published graphs ).
- As mentioned, the differences are most likely in the type of ( un-specified ) smoothing applied to the data.

The 2262h "should" be the better driver ( as it's JBL's policy to engineer real improvements to their generation-lasting products ).

89316

:)

[Riley Casey]

I like listening to the 2206s as hifi drivers more than the 2262 equipped boxes but that said I've also got almost a hundred 2262 drivers across multiple speaker systems and I have never had to open any of the recone kits I bought almost twenty years ago. They are mighty reliable speakers.



Hmmm. I'm using JBL 12" for mids in my PA. They were 2206s and now they are being replaced by 2262 for light weight.
I wonder how the curve is for the 2262?
I have JBL 2258s on subs, and now 2453s on horns.
I scored a couple of JBL AM7212/64 boxes too and upgraded the horn drivers inside. I'll use the stock drivers in monitors.
This newer light weight stuff amazes me. I know, it's not the heritage stuff. They are now getting pretty old so to me, they are.