Experience or opinion on JBL 2451 driver

Hi all, I know that this is not exactly vintage, but would appreciate constructive opinion nevertheless... Does anyone here have experience of using the 2451 driver? I am told that this is the best current available JBL and could potentially be used in a 2 ways system - yet the response graphs on the specs suggests that this is a little far off, the linear response area being more limited. Any opinion as to the validity of spending that much more money on 2451 vs something like 2445/2402 combo would be greatly appreciated!

Unfortunately I do not have any experience with that driver, but my experience with other drivers including the JBL 435Be and a couple of TADs all three with Beryllium diaphragms and all three considered to be candidates for a successful two-way lead me to believe that you will likely still want to add a tweeter.

Let me suggest the 2441 and 2405. I have mentioned them a few thousand times and it is a really nice sounding combo, that said I would add that the horn you use will affect the sound as much as the driver you choose so an audition prior to purchase is always a good idea.

Widget

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Originally Posted by scorpio

I know that this is not exactly vintage, but would appreciate constructive opinion nevertheless... Does anyone here have experience of using the 2451 driver [in two-way]?

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Forum member sebackman has tried exactly that. Use Advanced Search to find the threads he has posted about 2451 in his own application. For example,

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Originally Posted by sebackman

The sound is very neutral as can be expected with a flat curve. I do find the 2451/2332 combination being very revealing and detailed. Among the best I have heard to date.

The tweeter makes a big difference. It’s a bit funny because the measurements is not that different when comparing only driver with driver/tweeter below 18k. But the combinations do sound very different. The three-way setup is much more pleasing to listen to. The music is more present in the room. -Don’t really understand why. The measures rather similar and the XO is above 10k when using three-way setup. http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/i...s/rolleyes.gif

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Note that his center remains MTM two-way with 2451, tho:

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ead.php?t=3774

Lots of members are working in quest of successful two-ways. It's not just the driver, but also the horn, EQ, and crossover. As sebackman points out, even if it looks good in tests, the proof is in the listening. Always have a couple of UHF drivers as backup. :p

Join in a two-way fray here, if you like:

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ead.php?t=3838

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Always have a couple of UHF drivers as backup.

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- Great advice ! Zilch . Well put . :yes:

- I also like your reference to the experiences of "sebackman" .

- Oh,,, & yes I concur with Mr. Widgets' recommendations .

:cheers:

Thanks for your advice. I understand that each element of the chain has an impact, hence the difficulty in providing hard and fast advice, I am mostly trying to find the most sensible upgrade path from my current 1" 2-ways to something with a little more fill in the low medium and satisfactory high.

The guy I deal with suggested a few options besides the 2451, mostly a 2445 with Ti diaphragm combined with 2402, or a 2445 with Al diaphragm (from 2440) combined with a 2405, the last one being the best of the two but also the most expensive. I'll probably go for a 2441 or 2445 solution to start with as I built my horns with the option to use them with 1 or 2" drivers but not 1.5", I would have to build a new adapter for that. Too many options, oh dear....:blink: