What do you think about 2390 horn

[Coyote]

Hi Everybody,

One of my friends got a pair of 4530 loaded with 2225.

I want to buy a paire of 2390 Horn. Is it better than 2397?
Should he buy 2370/2380?

I hear 2397 a few time ago . I just remember that the sound was pleasant

any advice?

[boputnam]

Hey, Coyote - welcome.

While you're anxiously awaiting a reply, you might try the Search function. I know that Widget, and some others, have posted their various opinions and experiences on these, which you might find interesting.

"better" is quite subjective, and application specific, as well. After you Search maybe give some more info on what your application is - that is always helpful!

Also, realize that "fresh" diaphragms greatly influence sound quality, and can remove much "harshness" that might otherwise be mis-diagnosed with horn characteristics.

[Mr. Widget]

I agree with Bo. Horn choice is very subjective as well as application dependent. If possible you should try to borrow both horns and compare them. I like the 2397 but you may prefer the sharper sound of the 2390. You may even prefer the 2350 over both of these as it will allow you to cross over at 500Hz.

Widget

[Hofmannhp]

Hi Everybody,

One of my friends got a pair of 4530 loaded with 2225.

I want to buy a paire of 2390 Horn. Is it better than 2397?
Should he buy 2370/2380?

I hear 2397 a few time ago . I just remember that the sound was pleasant

any advice?

ok ....again...here's my thread from 06.22.2004

I will try to explain what my experiancies are.

The comparision is not perfect, cause I tested the systems not in standing beside each other (the project speakers are in my "living garage" and the 4435 in my living room).

2397/2328/2441:
tested with the project speakers (see early thread).
coupled at 900 Hz to 1. open end and 2. to 8kHz + 2402.
Wide dispersion and very smooth sound over the complete response also in the vertical plane, no horn sound, very honest human voice reality. Without 2402 and 8kHz lowpass there's the want for some eq for additional heights.

2397/2328/2441:
tested with the 4435 instead of the 2344, internal crossover without additional chokes, but with a little damping resistance.
coupled at 1kHz .
Wide dispersion and very smooth sound over the complete response also in the vertical plane, no horn sound, very honest human voice reality. I miss again a little heights, but with eq'ing it's perfect. I like it a little more then the 2344 with the right eq.
For my opinion the original set in the 4435 also needs a little push of 6dB for the UHF. (Widget I can now imagine how your "Westlake-like" cabs with the woodhorn sound.......great)

2397/2328/2327/2420:
tested with my project speakers.
smooth but some ups and down in the 1k to 4kHz section, good heights only in the axis spot. Again missing the 2405.


2309/2310/2441:
tested with the project speakers
Nearly as smooth as the 2397, but a little more mid sound (can easy be eq'ued) horizontal dispersion is fine, also as the vertical. Sameefficiency as the 2395 but needs also a 2402/2405.

2395/2441:
tested with the project speakers.
A little heavy mids between 800 and 1.5kHz but also smooth with a wide horizontal dispersion (no wonder with a 36" lens). a little more efficiency against the 2397 but a critical vertical dispersion with differencies between sit down and stand up. Also needs a 2402/2405. When using the 2402 +4dB eq for the heights is fine.

SHORT:
for living room, my vote is for the 2397/2441 + 2405. I like this a little more then the 2344/2427 as I wrote above. I think that also the original setup of the 4435 will get a little nearer to my taste with +6dB L-pad or an uhf driver.
For larger audits I like the 2309/2310 also as the 2395 (this looks so brutal nice) both carefully eq'ed and with 2405. Therefore I think about to add a switch in the crossovers for this driver and horn combos.

HP

[paragon]

Agree with HP,

I had the 2390 many years and changed into the 2397 years ago. Sold the 2390 . Now i bought a pair on ebay and compared one with the 2397.
For my ears the sound is very different. The 2397 is very smooth, without sharpness and horn sound. Today i doent like the sound of the 2390 anymore and will not use them for my HiFi (see HP). You hear the hornsound on the 2390 directly compared to the 2397. The 2397 is the JBL "HiFi-Horn". Driving it without cutting the high frequencies.

Eckhard

[Coyote]

Thanks to all !!

I will show this tread to my friend....

Personnaly, I have 2380/2445 horn and I love them.

here is system :

2404
2445/2380
2118
2225

and an Energy es18XL for the ultra low end (below 45 Hz)

Everithing (except the sub) is power by 4 Harman / Kardon citation 16 with electronics x-over....


JBL is the best to me .. I love this sound.....