4320 Build thread - Tinpan

[tinpan]

64181
Now you are probably looking at this crummy picture of a pair of 2215 drivers, but, this build is actually a lot farther along.

List of things I have located and am waiting for:
1 - pair 4320 cabinets - pretty sure I have a pair coming, just need to get my hot little hands in them
2- 4320 grills
2 - 2420 one inch horn drivers
2- 3110 2 way crossovers
1- 2420 horn I think this is part number 2307 that i need or maybe it's 2312

I think the only major component I'll need here is the short horn for the 2420 driver. I want to look at the part number on the one I'm picking up tomorrow so I can confirm what I need. I've seen a few part numbers and they look to be different horns

Anyway, I should have all the drivers tomorrow. After that I'll need to figure out what kind of hook up wire I'll need and probably the screws for installing the drivers. I've seen the bass drivers installed with screws with clamps and screws without clamps so I'll have a few questions on that.

I also promise to post better photos as I proceed. I actually do have a camera and I'll quit using my iPhone. Anyway, that's it for now

[hjames]

I believe you need another 2307 horn for the 4320 build ...
(The 2307 horn is a little over 7" long and is made for the 1200Hz crossover point)
(the 2312 horn is close to 12" long and can do the lower 900Hz crossover point of the L300/4333 systems)

When I got my 4320s in Philly, the cabinets had the 2307 (short horns) and the 2215 drivers.
I don't think the long 2312 horns will fit 4502WX cabinets without cabinet modification.

I'd say set them up as 2 ways first so you can get a sense of what those can do
before you decide to go 3 way.

Good luck.
And have fun!




1- 2420 horn I think this is part number 2307 that i need or maybe it's 2312

I think the only major component I'll need here is the short horn for the 2420 driver. I want to look at the part number on the one I'm picking up tomorrow so I can confirm what I need. I've seen a few part numbers and they look to be different horns

Anyway, I should have all the drivers tomorrow. After that I'll need to figure out what kind of hook up wire I'll need and probably the screws for installing the drivers. I've seen the bass drivers installed with screws with clamps and screws without clamps so I'll have a few questions on that.

I also promise to post better photos as I proceed. I actually do have a camera and I'll quit using my iPhone. Anyway, that's it for now

[grumpy]

Now I'll have to scratch my thinker... I thought the first 4333 was in the same cabinet
(4502) as the 4320 (vs the 4333A or B). Perhaps a different access panel/carrier was
required for the 2420/LE85 vs when installed as a two-way with the shorter horn :dont-know:
(back to the garage)

[grumpy]

Sorry... cab I have is 4503, so perhaps there are cabinet
differences such as the support for the mid. Looks like there
is 4" from the 2312 rear flange to the inside wall of the
mid driver access hole (so there's room for 2420 on a 2312
if one were determined):

64200

seems like the 2312 in the pic might have been Heather's
at one point (unless that was the 2311 pair) :D

[hjames]

Just adding links to the original factory brochure as a point of reference for your project:


http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/4320.pdf

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/specs/pro-speakers/1972-4320/page4.jpg

[tinpan]

Ok Great, now I know what I am looking for. I plan on keeping these 2 way. The L200's will be my experiment

64205

64206

This looks like the one I am looking for. Now to keep a watchful eye out for one.

[tinpan]

Had a great day yesterday. I got to have lunch with one of my favorite forum members and pick up a few pieces

64225
I picked up a pair of 2420 drivers and a 2307 horn that I needed

64226
See how nice they look

64227
64228
Serial numbers 8346 and 8342 tell me these probably can from the same cabinets

64229
Need find one more 2307 horn

So as far as the horn drivers I am pretty well set

[tinpan]

64230
I also got a chance to unpack my bass drivers. They are serial #'s 2180 and 1560

64231
This one looks to be in pretty good shape

64232
Looks like a screw driver went through this one at one point. I'll have to see if that's fixable or if I should replace the driver.

64233
I also got the network.

I'm pretty sure all of these drivers and network were operational in the same cabinets at one point.

Anyway, gotta run. More later

[tinpan]

Well...heck...let's try this again.

I had a blast yesterday playing around with my 4320 drivers and testing them. No pics but I did make a couple short videos.


http://youtu.be/OsBI5Te__Xk?list=PL3QxtvilYVbrbGZSTe_mhFaI8zN6Orz_ E
Here's one of the 2215 drivers and the 2420 with horn and 3110 network being tested. All I have to say is whoaaa...this is going to be nice. I really like the combination of compression horns and 15 inch bass drivers. This has some nice potential.


http://youtu.be/PRK8P8tkJjU?list=PL3QxtvilYVbrbGZSTe_mhFaI8zN6Orz_ E
Course I had to see what it sounded like in a cabinet. Since I have this L200 cabinet why not take it for a spin.


http://youtu.be/jVLefOMowDE?list=PL3QxtvilYVbrbGZSTe_mhFaI8zN6Orz_ E
I am really digging the sound, one of the benefits with a single speaker system is you get great imaging, lol. I'm using a Grampion mono tube amp from the early 1950's. It uses 6L6 tubes and I'm streaming flac files from my Sonos. I use this set up to play with speakers I drag home like the Karlson and mahogany corner horn you see in the background.

I'll test the other woofer today, but it looks like I have 2 horn drivers working, 2 networks working and at least 1 bass driver working. I should get the cabinets this week so I am getting nearer with this system. The other 2215 driver has a hole in it and it looks like someone glued it together, we'll have to play with it and see how it sounds and go from there.

I still need 1 2407 horn. I found a pair of LE85's with H92 horns and lenses for sale for $600. I could get those and use one of the horns until a 2307 shows up,but I think that's pretty pricey. I don't think I'll be using LE85 drivers on the L200 build, but I could use the lenses for the 4320. Although, I guess by the time you deduct the cost of the lenses, $470 isn't too bad for a pair of LE85 horns and drivers, they are pretty nice.

I thought the 3110 network was interesting. I'm used to Lpads on Altec systems so I wasn't expecting these to click into 3 positions. I have another buddy encouraging me to learn him to build crossovers, maybe it's time to maybe look at doing that.

Anyway, gotta run..

[tinpan]

I didn't have as much time to play around in my garage today but I was able to test the other 2215 driver a little more


http://youtu.be/GXjTKXzWz5Q
It actually didn't sound too bad


http://youtu.be/AShebvioc6Q
You can see the hole in the cone. It looks like someone applied a little glue to it. If you look closely you can see holes in the surround. It's like that on both 2215's a couple small holes


http://youtu.be/OJFCKSig_no
Boy it sure does sound nice.

So I guess at a minimum I'll need to have someone install new surrounds. I guess I'll keep my eyes open for a single 2215 or should I look at re-coning the one driver or both. Could use some advice here.

[BMWCCA]

This ought to help pull the whole project together:

64292

[tinpan]

I am really glad you found those, you are right, I do want them.

[hjames]

This ought to help pull the whole project together:

64292

Wow - that is a very cool part of the project!

[tinpan]

http://youtu.be/_MKcPnJPqak
Notice anything different?

[hjames]

Notice anything different?

Wowser! Phil to the rescue!
You have even more toys to play with now ...

You've had Altecs and those other speakers in the past
Tell us what you think about these JBL pieces ...!!

[BMWCCA]

Fast work, too!

It was my pleasure to play a part in the project. Even if it was only because of my hoarding tendency!

I don't feel like I've thinned my herd at all since I never had the opportunity to take this project where I'd intended after something like eight years. I'm glad to see them put back into service and it is always fun to meet another LH member.

You may have inspired me to move some of my other speaker projects along! :bouncy:

[tinpan]

Ah yes, and I would really like to thank you two for hooking me up with these cabinets and all the drivers. It will be fun to see where I can go with these.

Comparisons to Altec and other stuff, I certainly will. So far the initial impression is whoa...that's a good whoaaa..

I buddy of mine ranked who builds my amps ranks the following speaker company;s like this:

1) JBL
2) Altec
3) Electrovoice
4) Klipsch

He has a pair of Altec A5's and got a pair of 4320's a year ago based on another buddy who also has a pair. He has been bugging me to pick up a pair of 4320's to try. I pretty much agree with his assessment, though I also like Lowther and that comes at him from left field. These rule on 300b tubes

As far as most accurate sound, I would have to say my Altecs probably own that spot right now. The Lowthers, well they too are very accurate and while I will say the Altecs are more detailed, the Lowthers are more warm...almost huggingly so. These also rule on 300b's

The only EV's i have are a pair of bass bins. They are a pair of Sentry IV's which are dual 12 inch drivers in a bass reflex cabinet.

Klipsch, well, they have their place, though a lot of people look down their nose at them. The ones I have tried didn't sound good on SET tubes, they seem to prefer push pull tubes like EL84's and KT 88's

So far I have a way to go with these 4320's but I love the sound of the 4320 horn....man it is nice. It has a really pleasing sound to it and nice details. I also like the 2215's which have a really nice mid bass sound, which I really like. I don't run subs on my tube systems. I've only tried the one speaker so far which has a hole in the bass driver and needs new surrounds, but it actually sounds very nice. I can't wait to find another 2307 horn or H91 horn so I can hook them both up and try them on a 300b setup.

I also must admit to drooling over the 4350's the Kenrick sound has on their website...uhmnnn 4331's look pretty good too...and uhmm...4343's...I digress

[tinpan]

The good news:


http://youtu.be/2Rqwq3R72JY
My H91 horn came in today and I now have a working pair of JBL 4320's wooohoooo....:rootn_tootn::rootn_tootn:. Very cool. Initial sound is actually pretty good. The thing I like about this is I was able to re-unite the original drivers with the cabinets. The cabs are actually in pretty good condition, the veneer is chipped in a few places but structure wise it's in pretty good shape. After I get done playing with them a little bit I'll take em apart and use proper wire to install the drivers again. I am definitely going to see about refinishing the cabinets too.



the bad news:


http://youtu.be/hoUXWIVv0Y0
My son clearly has other plans

Anyway, these have real potential