My Christmas Wish: A JBL 15" 2245 -- What's yours?

[cgregory4]

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! (OR -- Whatever joyful salutation you desire!)

While I wait for the elusive 4345 cabinets to appear (somehow, some way), I'm convinced there must be a modified-vintage/modern JBL 15" design that can come close to the 2245.

I want to try a pair in my L300s. (Yes, I know there are internal volume, crossover, etc., etc., etc., considerations.)

I've read about the effortless detail of the 4345 bass. (I realize the 'whole enchilada' is a mythical design, but I'm focusing on the 2245 'sound'.)

I really don't want to know what won't work, or that it cannot be done.

Have you tried something with a modified or modern JBL 15" driver that came close?

That's all I want from Santa, i.e., From you!

Thanking you, in advance!

Now ...... what JBL miracle do you want under your tree?

Greg (The anti-'Grumpy' -- he makes more sense in 2 phrases than I can in 2 volumes! Of course, he also knows a bit (huge understatement, I know.) -- as compared to me. )

[Dave_72]

Everest's

[cgregory4]

First, your helpful suggestions for building an 'over-achiever' optimum 15 incher have been underwhelming. Thank you!

Also, your crazy Christmas giftings to yourselves show a lot of creativity. I'm especially intrigued with the order for 1" threaded ram's horns for compression drivers. You must think Kris has a lot of stroke!

New Business: 'Gordon W' made a post on AK that referred to his 'Franken-woofer' idea. Obviously I haven't a clue as to his intentions: 1) Will it blow the bricks off an outhouse? or 2) Would it be scary good?

He starts with a 2226. (I see a lot of diverse views about this speaker -- from simply horrible to exquisite.) However, 'Gordon W's 'Franken-woofer' would have a 2226 frame, a voice coil for a 2241, a 2235 cone and spider, and the 2226 dustcap and gaskets. He summed it up in his AK post as "a vented gap version of a 2235."

I happen to have two really nice 2226s that I conveniently trip over several times a day. A good start. So, has this been tried? Does it sound like something worth trying? I think I know someone who would do a great job on the 'build'. I am hardly in a position to push this JBL 15 inch curve with my own knowledge or ideas. SO ....... Help, suggestions, comments ..... please?

And, once more, best wishes for everyone for the holidays! I can't help it. I'm excited! I may not make it to Christmas 2015 -- truly. So I plan to enjoy the heck out of this year!

Take care,

Greg

PS -- Lacking any progress on this 15" binge, I think I'll ask the Mrs. for a couple 2435s under the tree.

[Doc Mark]

Hi, cg4,

I am not the expert that many are here at LH, but for me, the regular 2235H works wonderfully in my L300's! I gave them a bit of an EQ boost at 30HZ, and have been very happy with them. As for getting more, I would do what I'm doing, and get the 4645 cabinets, and mount some 2245's in them. Use them as a LF augmentation for your L300's, or go for a 4-way, modular system, such as I've been trying to get together. Those cabinets show up fairly regularly, and sometimes are bargain prices. Getting the 2245's will set you back some, but hey, if you want to enjoy this coming year, I'd say, go for it, if you can!!

Widget, and a few others, can probably tell you tons of information about using newer JBL 15" woofers to good effect in your L300's. Good luck with your project, and God Bless you and yours! Merry Christmas!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[JeffW]

2216Nd seems to be the 15" that might actually be theoretically possible to purchase since it's also used in Pro applications. The top of the food chain Home 15s are out of reach for all but a few, the JBL Grinch keeps a pretty tight rein on raw drivers these days.

As for frankendrivers from vintage 15s? Sure, why not!

[cgregory4]

Doc And Jeff! Thank you for the helpful responses! I knew I was talking into my 'tin can' transmitter, but I thought someone had cut the string to the receiving can!

Jeff, I'll be on the scout for that model modern woofer. Do you think the 'Franken-woofer' makes some sense -- from a 'Sum-of-the-parts' point of view?

Doc, I'm certainly not giving up on the 2235s. You are right -- it's a great driver. I recently acquired an Accuphase active 3-way equalizer with about 7 or 8 plugin crossover boards. I would like to 'play' with the L300s and the 4430s and learn some of the things you have mentioned -- first hand. Finally, I think you are right again -- my chances of having the 2245 sound is to get some 2245s in well-designed enclosures. Go figure. Then -- like you -- carefully integrate them into my system.

Thanks again, brothers!

Greg

[JeffW]

Jeff, I'll be on the scout for that model modern woofer. Do you think the 'Franken-woofer' makes some sense -- from a 'Sum-of-the-parts' point of view?

Couldn't say, but Gordon is a pretty sharp fellow. If I had my druthers, it'd be for something that was readily available as a unit. If you had to scrounge a used voice coil here, a different cone there every time you wanted a driver, it might get tedious. I don't have a lick of experience with any 15" JBL drivers.

I guess my Christmas wish would to be able to purchase drivers from JBL, but Santa Clause ain't real.

[martin2395]

but Santa Clause ain't real.

Oh you've got to be kidding me, so where did all those Matchbox cars and LEGO sets under the christmas tree came from!? My whole life was a lie!



Jokes aside, I'd LOVE either a pair of 1500AL's or a pair of Beryllium BeX4016 dia's. A bucket of original JBL grey and black paint would work miracles too

[1audiohack]

I don't have my Frraunkundtsteen 15 fully figured but it would start with a 2227 basket and motor assembly (13MM thick top plate), a 2242 coil, a 2226 cone and likely a 2234/5 spider. Its the surround I don't know what to do about.

Barry.

[edgewound]

I happen to have the 2245 motors (NOS OEM) and a couple of 15" frames (2225/2235/E130/E140 style).

I could conjure up a super "2236H" Frankenwoofer for fun.

[subwoof]

The 136HS ( synthesis ) is made up from:

2220H frame ( deeper gap + travel depth than 2225/35 )
2241H voice coil
2226 Paper cone/surround
And is black Aquaplassed on the back.

Now sitting in my shop is a pile of mint 2225's from a pair of theater installs and in the storage loft are 24+ various 433X and L200 cabinets without woofers ( the 4341's have the originals )

My original plan was to take the 2225's and:

Remove dustcap, replace foam filter with cloth.
Glue one ring of square copper wire around the outside of the former
(Mass / gauge TBD and NOT NOT inside like the 2235 ! )
Install larger 2226 dustcap.
Remove 2 roll surround.
Install butyl rubber surround ( AKA automotive WGTI )
Ink / WR treat the cone assembly.

So I believe I will end up with a frankenwoofer that is usable for these projects
and it can be repeated with future arrivals if needed.

no foam to rot, no cone assembly to remove so it can be a "kitchen table" project
for those without access / experience in full blown rebuilding.

sub

[edgewound]

The 136HS ( synthesis ) is made up from:

2220H frame ( deeper gap + travel depth than 2225/35 )
2241H voice coil
2226 Paper cone/surround
And is black Aquaplassed on the back.

Now sitting in my shop is a pile of mint 2225's from a pair of theater installs and in the storage loft are 24+ various 433X and L200 cabinets without woofers ( the 4341's have the originals )

My original plan was to take the 2225's and:

Remove dustcap, replace foam filter with cloth.
Glue one ring of square copper wire around the outside of the former
(Mass / gauge TBD and NOT NOT inside like the 2235 ! )
Install larger 2226 dustcap.
Remove 2 roll surround.
Install butyl rubber surround ( AKA automotive WGTI )
Ink / WR treat the cone assembly.

So I believe I will end up with a frankenwoofer that is usable for these projects
and it can be repeated with future arrivals if needed.

no foam to rot, no cone assembly to remove so it can be a "kitchen table" project
for those without access / experience in full blown rebuilding.

sub

That's alotta stuff!

The 136HS is a 2245H motor (3/4" thick magnet disc and .35" top plate), standard SFG style 15" frame, 2245H voice coil, 2226 aquaplas'd cone and 2226 spider.

The 2220H magnet is 5/8" thick, .35" top plate...and the 2241 voice coil won't fit the gap, but you already knew that. Musta been a typo.

[cgregory4]

Edge,

I owe you a call anyway, so I'll do just that in the next couple days. I have two (2) 2226Js in terrific shape. They have the 3 vents on the rear, and the coating on the back of the cone.

I'l also send two (2) 2235s that need refoaming, but ones I would sacrifice to the experimental effort, if needed!

Thank you for working with me on this.

Greg

[JeffW]

Merry Christmas!

[audiomagnate]

Five 4429's, four 4365's, three LSR708i's, two D67000's and a Hartsfield in the cor-ner.