Weighing in on a few issues, L220 and B460

[pmakres1]

Hi all,
I have just joined the site today and I am enjoying all of the discussions I have read so far. I'm a longtime JBL fan (My first JBL's were a pair of L100's). I have 4 systems in my home, and all except one use JBL speakers (and subs) exclusively. Tomorrow (March 18) marks the 23rd anniversary of my 1982 purchase of a pair of L220 Oracles. Mine are the "A" version, with the LE14H Low frequency drivers. I had the LE14's reconed in 2002. Also in 2002 I realized at long last my dream of adding a B460 Subwoofer to my main system to compliment the L220's. I felt that no other subwoofer would be as ideal a companion to the L220's. What a great combo! The trio produces tremendously warm, deep bass, great midrange, and beautifully sweet highs due to the L220's 076 Elliptical horn tweeter. I've read some interesting comments on the B460; one stated that the amplifier used with it is important to its performance. This is definitely true. I started out using a Hafler DH-500 (bridged) with decent results. Last year I upgraded the amp to a McIntosh MC252, (used in bridged mode) with superb results. (My L220 mains are driven by a McIntosh MC300 Amplifier). One member said his B460 sounded like a truck driving by outside. Sounds like he may have had some acoustical problems (or an amplifier that had poor control) muddying up the performance. I can assure you that, with proper room treatments and a quality amplifier with adequate power, the B460 will provide deep, effortless performance that few subwoofers can hold a candle to. I won my B460 in an eBay auction, ending my 18 year quest for this great sub, and I then built the system center that I had designed quite a long while prior to finally finding the sub. And yes, I gladly paid the shipping charges to have the B460 shipped to me here in Florida from Utah! (one member suggested that nobody would pay to ship this "obsolete beast" anywhere). Beast? Yes! Obsolete? No way! As most (if not all) of us JBL fans know, these early eighties JBL products are timeless.
Best regards to all,

Peter Makres :)

[Earl K]

Nice , Very Nice !

- yep, the B460 is a very handsome addition :D

- I also like your use of acoustic foam, ( I'm assuming that's what I see ).

:cheers:

[mikebake]

Dude, what planet did you drop in from? Where have you been? Nice setup, and welcome.:)

IOW, a fully-formed JBL-ophile drops in with a nicely done rig, and all without the help of this forum?! Looks great! You're THERE, man!:applaud:

p.s. I spy the throne, don't act like it ain't there..............

[johnaec]

Absolutely beautiful system! 'Amazing to even see the audio treatment on the walls! And JBL/McIntosh has always been a combination to die for...

John

[Steve Gonzales]

Welcome to the LHS!. Yes Sir, you've got some dreamy stuff there. Thank you for posting pictures. Love it!


:applaud:

[pmakres1]

Hi Earl and Mike,
Thanks very much...I had visited the site in the past but didn't spend too much time in the forum section. Earl, you are correct, that is acoustic foam, which I do recommend highly. I designed and built these panels myself. I started using foam in 1992, but it was a tedious task, essentially pasting the foam squares (I was using 12" charcoal grey squares at that time) to the walls. So, when the time came that the faom was deteriorating and in need of replacement, I decided to build the panels so they could be easily removed from the walls when it came time to replace the foam. I also took it one step further-on the back side of the panels I have a layer of rubber/foam composite material to help block sound transmission through the walls. ( I live in an attached villa with neighbors on each side) The foam, and the "TF Sorb" used on the back side was purchased from Technifoam, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. They have a good selection of styles, sizes and colors. I can provide you wityh an address if you like. The last time I looked, they did not have a website, though they may now.

Thanks again guys, I'll be visting and writing-and I look forward to hearing from you!

Best Regards,

Peter :)

[OFD]

Welcome Sir! As soon as I stop crying and get up off my knees, I'll reassure myself that envy isn't all that bad a thing. You've done an amazing job, especially for one with side by side neighbors.

:applaud:

[John]

Sure why not drop some info for the foam shop in the twin cities:applaud:

[pmakres1]

Hi John,
I just took a look and I am pleased to report that the foam company that I have used (Tecnifoam) does have a website now.

Visit:

http://www.tecnifoam.com

Their address is: TECNIFOAM
7145 Boone Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55428
Phone (763) 537-7000 Fax (763) 535-1169

The contact person that I have dealt with is Tammy Ochs / Acoustical Products.

Best regards,

Peter :)

Note: On the original post there was a spelling error in the web address. This has now been corrected-Peter

[John]

Cool I roll thru that area once a month at least, will drop in and check it out. Was thinking about some acoustic foam for a while but these guys are in my stomping grounds, very nice.:applaud:

[John]

Can't seem to link to the site with that link???

[Zilch]

Be sure to get the fireproof version, please....

[John]

Especially when I am spinning a great white CD:flamer: :flamed:

[jblnut]

That's one sweet room ! I love the Mac gear....


jblnut

[Don Mascali]

Welcome!

Thanks for the pics, it's a beautiful system. Obviously well thought out.

[pmakres1]

John,
My apologies on that web address. The address does not have the "h" in the spelling. When I did the search on Google I spelled it "Technifoam" and it returned the closest thing to it, and I didn't notice. Try this link:

http://www.tecnifoam.com

My thanks to all on the nice comments on my system...I have some cool upgrades in my plans but I'm not working at the moment so they'll have to wait..this fun stuff costs $$$!!

Best regards to all,

Peter :)

[John]

Thanks that works much better.:applaud:

[mrbluster]

Hi Peter, Your set-up is an inspiration. A couple of questions regarding the addition of the B460. How are you crossing over to the mains? Are you using a Bx63 or something else? I see you have your Sub in the middle. Do you think this is best, and critical to proper integration?

Glad to have your aboard.

Mrbluster

[pmakres1]

Thanks very much...yes I am using the BX63 unit to cross over my B460. You'll see it in the 1st photo, in the lower left side (upper shelf) of the equipment center, sitting on top of the SAE 5000 Impulse Noise reduction system. The only drawback that I have seen to the BX63 is that is pretty much rules out my connecting the MAC amplifiers in a fully balanced (XLR connector) configuration. But I am very sure (beyond ALL doubt) that the advantage gained by having the B460 FAR outweighs this issue. Some JBL'ers have picked on the little AC-adaptor style power supply that the BX63 uses. I was a bit surprised by this myself when I got mine. I'm not sure why JBL chose not to put it all in one package. (noise isolation?) But once again, the incredible performance and headroom improvement gained through the use of the B460 overrides this puzzling aspect.

As for the placement of the B460, it may not be critical to place the sub centrally between the mains, but I believe it is desirable to centrally locate it, if possible. I designed my system center with this in mind, and in listening to the system, I wouldn't want to have it any other way.

Thanks again and best regards,

Peter :)