C50 Olympus horn lens

[FORASAM]

I have just acquired a pair of C50 Olympus S8 in very good conditions. Unfortunately horn lenses seem to be missing.
Could anybody help me to understand what lens were used and eventually what could I use instead?
many thanks
Marco

[Challenger604]

I have just acquired a pair of C50 Olympus S8 in very good conditions. Unfortunately horn lenses seem to be missing.
Could anybody help me to understand what lens were used and eventually what could I use instead?
many thanks
Marco

Hi,
Basically, lenses are used to spray horizontally the high's. Without, it is too directional. Also, smooth it up.
I prefer with lens... To make it short!

You can find brand new lenses here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-2308-L91-Style-KENRICK-SOUND-brand-new-Lenses-/251338533919?hash=item3a84f1ac1f:m:mF_wbicGiJ5BHUD olABKqDQ

Or for C50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-JBL-Horn-Lenses-Screw-on-type-for-Olympus-C50-very-clean-Scarce-/221815246758?hash=item33a5380fa6:g:~L4AAOSwu4BVlEq S

Have fun!
C

[mech986]

The lenses used in the C50 are the slant acoustical lenses, made from flat cut slats of plastic but fastened to a wooden beam with slant cuts in it. They are L91 by number. They are usually flat or matte black in color. they are held by screws at the top and bottom of the supports.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NvAAAOSwpDdVbJVf/s-l400.jpghttp://lab.sekaimon.com/img/fetch/i/231066817869

There are later version of the L91 made in molded plastic mounted in a molded style meant to stack on top of each other. They are usually a slightly glossy black. They attach by velcro glued onto the plastic support segment on the back to the baffle.

http://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/1059291-jbl-l91-lens-pair.jpg
http://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/1059292-jbl-l91-lens-pair.jpg

[mech986]

However, there is no functional difference between the two, just cosmetics, attachment, and of course period correctness.

[FORASAM]

However, there is no functional difference between the two, just cosmetics, attachment, and of course period correctness.

Guys thanks this is very useful!
I have the velcro version.
Coincidentally, I will be in Tokyo next week so I may go to that shop directly.
These speakers have great sound!
marco

[mech986]

Guys thanks this is very useful!
I have the velcro version.
Coincidentally, I will be in Tokyo next week so I may go to that shop directly.
These speakers have great sound!
marco

Great, congratulations.

Have fun in Tokyo, you can have a lot of fun looking around at all the electronics shops. Check out Kenrick Sound
President: Kenji Hosoi
KENRICK SOUND CO.,LTD.
LakeHill Nagahara #106, 4-2-6
Kami-ikedai
Ohtaku, Tokyo
145-0064
Japan

http://jbl43.com/?mode=f3

or http://kenricksound.com/

[FORASAM]

Mech986,

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually went there and acquired the lenses.
It is quite an amazing place specialised in refurbishing/tuning /old jbl speakers. Kenji the owner was quite nice to show me around. I had a chance to listen to a pair of jbl (do not remember exact name) tuned that had a fantastic sound. I attaching few 706437064470645pictures.
Apparently the "refurbishment" of a speaker is almost a rebuild
- change of cross over
- upgrade of woofer to D130
- change of tweeter components
- re wiring etc
The result is spectacular but... a bit expensive
What do you think? I wanted to do some refurbishment like woofers, capacitors, wiring but this is almost a brand new speaker

[Challenger604]

Mech986,

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually went there and acquired the lenses.
It is quite an amazing place specialised in refurbishing/tuning /old jbl speakers. Kenji the owner was quite nice to show me around. I had a chance to listen to a pair of jbl (do not remember exact name) tuned that had a fantastic sound. I attaching few 706437064470645pictures.
Apparently the "refurbishment" of a speaker is almost a rebuild
- change of cross over
- upgrade of woofer to D130
- change of tweeter components
- re wiring etc
The result is spectacular but... a bit expensive
What do you think? I wanted to do some refurbishment like woofers, capacitors, wiring but this is almost a brand new speaker

Lucky you!!!

[mech986]

Forasam, thank you for all the nice pictures. They do very nice work, and in some case, build them even better than they were from the factory. Those gloss rosewood 4315's are drool worthy!!

Did you get the black reproduction units, or did you spring for the nice wooden versions that they custom make?

As for their work, and its value, there's obviously many many people in the far east who love JBL gear, and having something unique and finely finished is very appealing, especially if you have the money to purchase it, and the ears (hopefully) to appreciate it.

I envy you for being able to travel and see stuff like this, it is always so interesting to have your world expand so far. Hope you make it over to America someday too! Some day I hope to be able to travel to Europe, particularly Italy and Germany (love italian bicycles and Ferraris, and German Porsches).