LE175 Question

[pmakres1]

Hi folks,

I'm considering upgrading the stock LE5-9 midrange driver in my L220's to the LE175 driver with the 1217-1290 horns. My question regards the impedance
of the LE175. The various offerings on eBay show some units stamped as 8 ohms, others as 16 ohms. One offering shows the unit stamped as 8-16 ohms. My JBL components
catalog says the LE175 is 8 ohms. I'm reluctant to put a unit that says 16 ohms on it in my L220. Can somebody clear this up? Should I be concerned at all?

It's been a while since I've been on here, but I know you guys can help.

Thanks!!

Pete

[Earl K]

Hey Pete,

You can safely ignore the impedance labeling from JBL , ( assuming the diaphragms are still original ) they all have the same impedance .

:)

EDIT:

Here's the impedance curve of a 2410 ( pro equivalent to the le175 ).

FWIW, the foilcal on the driver says 16 ohms ( & yes, one can find 16ohms a few places on that curve ).

http://www.audioheritage.org/photopost/data//500/2410_vs_5a540_impedance.png

[pmakres1]

Hey Pete,

You can safely ignore the impedance labeling from JBL , ( assuming the diaphragms are still original ) they all have the same impedance .

:)

EDIT:

Here's the impedance curve of a 2410 ( pro equivalent to the le175 ).

FWIW, the foilcal on the driver says 16 ohms ( & yes, one can find 16ohms a couple of places on that curve ).

http://www.audioheritage.org/photopost/data//500/2410_vs_5a540_impedance.png

Thanks! I had a feeling this may not be an issue. I've made an offer on a pair, we'll see what happens. They have the original wax seals, so...

[pmakres1]

Update: Seller accepted my offer, so we're off to the races!

Looking forward to the project.... :bouncy:

[toddalin]

Hi folks,

I'm considering upgrading the stock LE5-9 midrange driver in my L220's to the LE175 driver with the 1217-1290 horns. My question regards the impedance
of the LE175. The various offerings on eBay show some units stamped as 8 ohms, others as 16 ohms. One offering shows the unit stamped as 8-16 ohms. My JBL components
catalog says the LE175 is 8 ohms. I'm reluctant to put a unit that says 16 ohms on it in my L220. Can somebody clear this up? Should I be concerned at all?

It's been a while since I've been on here, but I know you guys can help.

Thanks!!

Pete

So, where are you going to set the crossover points? The LE175 "wants" >1,200 Hz leaving a nice gap to the woofer if using the stock crossover.

[pmakres1]

So, where are you going to set the crossover points? The LE175 "wants" >1,200 Hz leaving a nice gap to the woofer if using the stock crossover.

I'm not sure where you get the 1200 Hz? According to JBL literature, the LE175 is intended for use at frequencies over 500 Hz. The L220 crooses over at 800 Hz and 5000 Hz.

The LE85 is also intended for use over 500 Hz. This driver has been used by quite a few L220 owners who performed the horn mod; I believe the LE85 was used in the L300, which also crosses over at 800 Hz.

[pmakres1]

So, where are you going to set the crossover points? The LE175 "wants" >1,200 Hz leaving a nice gap to the woofer if using the stock crossover.

I'm not sure where you get the 1200 Hz? According to JBL literature, the LE175 is intended for use at frequencies over 500 Hz. The L220 crosses over at 800 Hz and 5000 Hz.

The LE85 is also intended for use over 500 Hz, according to JBL. This driver has been used by quite a few L220 owners who performed the horn mod. I believe the LE85 was used in the L300, which also crosses over at 800 Hz.

My L220 crossovers were re-capped a few years ago, but no values or other mods done, so it would still be considered to be "stock" for this discussion.

[toddalin]

I'm not sure where you get the 1200 Hz? According to JBL literature, the LE175 is intended for use at frequencies over 500 Hz. The L220 crosses over at 800 Hz and 5000 Hz.

The LE85 is also intended for use over 500 Hz, according to JBL. This driver has been used by quite a few L220 owners who performed the horn mod. I believe the LE85 was used in the L300, which also crosses over at 800 Hz.

My L220 crossovers were re-capped a few years ago, but no values or other mods done, so it would still be considered to be "stock" for this discussion.

Just because the LE175 can be used down to 500 Hz in a home setting without damage, doesn't mean that it should be, nor that it will be happy doing it. Even if the driver is capable, the horn is too short.

A longer horn goes lower. The L300 horn is 10-3/4" long and hardly makes it to 800 Hz. The small potato masher is only 6-3/4" long. Take it from there.

Also, remember that JBL crossed this combination over at 1,200 Hz using the 130A woofer.