Diaphragms-2431 vs 2450-sl

[wrager]

Why is the 2431 phragm so expensive? It's over $100 more than the 2450-SL. I don't get it.

[pos]

No logic in there I am afraid...
Different manufacturer maybe :dont-know:
Those mylar surrounds are not the normal diaphragm types that JBL does in house.

[1audiohack]

I would guess a couple of things;

One being the number of steps in their manufacture. The addition of a surround of different material, and the ring/body of the 2431 is aluminum, not plastic.

Second the shear volume will drive down the cost. Remember the tooling for the 2450 diaphragm was largely created in 1946 for the Westrex T530A which became the 375 sometime in 193 and is subsequently used in the: 376, 2440. 2441, 2445, 2446, 2447, 2490, then carried over to the 2450, 2451, and 475Nd and 2452.

The 2431 came on the scene in late 2000?

That's my guess anyway.

Barry.

[wrager]

Excellent points pos/Barry! Is the 2431 considered an upgrade over the 2430? Then I saw this http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?3182-2430-and-2431-comparison but it doesn't answer the darn question.

[ivica]

I would guess a couple of things;

One being the number of steps in their manufacture. The addition of a surround of different material, and the ring/body of the 2431 is aluminum, not plastic.

Second the shear volume will drive down the cost. Remember the tooling for the 2450 diaphragm was largely created in 1946 for the Westrex T530A which became the 375 sometime in 193 and is subsequently used in the: 376, 2440. 2441, 2445, 2446, 2447, 2490, then carried over to the 2450, 2451, and 475Nd and 2452.

The 2431 came on the scene in late 2000?

That's my guess anyway.

Barry.

Hi 1audiohack,

We interesting explanation, but we can see that today most of the compression driver producer have used surround material made of polymers...
while using aluminum alloy (Al2O3, Mg, Ti, .....) for the dome, but JBL price is high-higher....

regards
ivica

[1audiohack]

Hi 1audiohack,

We interesting explanation, but we can see that today most of the compression driver producer have used surround material made of polymers...
while using aluminum alloy (Al2O3, Mg, Ti, .....) for the dome, but JBL price is high-higher....

regards
ivica

Hi ivica;

If we are comparing JBL products to JBL products then the cost difference due to added steps in the manufacturing process verses cost debate will hold. Once we get into comparing one manufacturers parts to those of another manufacturer there is no real frame of reference. It is possible and likely that due to the quantity and the length of time JBL has had to amortize the tooling costs into their spare parts like 4" diaphragms we are talking about and what they sell them for that they (JBL) enjoy a much higher profit margin on these parts than say Radian does on their replacement parts that fit JBL drivers. In my mind, they should.

So, how does an aftermarket manufacturer muscle in on this replacement parts market? It is especially hard when you are trying to get in under a titan company like JBL. One would never make any headway making a comparable part for a comparable price, there would be no reason for anyone to buy the aftermarket part. You either neeed to make it considerably less expensive, or make it much much better.

This is all conjecture and I have no business ties to JBL. I am however in light manufacturing and this is a game I play daily. We choose to make a much better product and market to a small more demanding segment of the market, and it is not always easy. Think TruExtent verses JBL verses Radian.

All the best,
Barry.