JBL 2231 genuine or knockoff?

[martin2395]

Can someone point me to whether these cones are genuine or knockoff? I'm almost certain one is an aftermarket one:
- Almost no glue on the ends of the voice coil wire, the wire itself still viisble
- No JBL part number, just a '2235h' written in white on the cone and a small stamped number
- The dustcap texture is different to what I'm used to
- Dustcap seems to have been glued in 1 go with the VC wires (I remember the C8R2235 you had to glue to the dustcap separately, after centering the cone)

Possibly knockoff: https://ibb.co/WvPPCR3 and the back of the cone: https://ibb.co/q5L0LcN I think this one is real (couldn't see the back though): https://ibb.co/sjbh15W

Also I've been told the C8R2235 is no longer being made, is that true???

[martin2395]

Also - is there 'any' aftermarket recone these days that corresponds 100% to JBL specs? They still don't seem to include mass rings though.

[Mr. Widget]

Unfortunately JBL no longer supports legacy products. The old warranty from the '70s is no longer in force. I guess they are acknowledging they are no longer interested in producing fine loudspeakers.

"Moreover, because we believe that a fine loudspeaker, like a fine musical instrument, should never wear out, we will repair any JBL transducer free of charge without time limitation if factory inspection discloses evidence of an original manufacturing defect."

Regarding formatting, see this info posted by Earl K: https://www.audioheritage.org/vbulle...l=1#post442784


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[martin2395]

Test 1
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Is it still OK after editing 1..2...3

Ok, this is much better! Changing the editor to standard fixed it. Going back to the recones, so are we currently OOL or are there any recones that match the specs? I've had aftermarket reconed 2235's and they sounded so bad I ripped them out immediately, sold the baskets and bought a pair of 35's with genuine cones.
The worst thing is that aftermarket recones seem to have a purple hue to them?

[DerekTheGreat]

Unfortunately JBL no longer supports legacy products. The old warranty from the '70s is no longer in force. I guess they are acknowledging they are no longer interested in producing fine loudspeakers.

"Moreover, because we believe that a fine loudspeaker, like a fine musical instrument, should never wear out, we will repair any JBL transducer free of charge without time limitation if factory inspection discloses evidence of an original manufacturing defect."...

Widget

Wow, now that's a warranty! Although I suppose they gave themselves some leeway with "manufacturing defect."

...The worst thing is that aftermarket recones seem to have a purple hue to them?

This. I don't know why they're doing that and then calling them "factory replacements." Better yet when they're selling cones with no Aquaplas on 'em. That purple doesn't always show very well in pictures, but let me tell you, it shows up great in your living room.

[martin2395]

The one from SS is clearly purple: https://www.simplyspeakers.com/jbl-r...-JBL2235H.html
If I remember correctly, genuine were like greyish or brownish when they got older.

Here the seller claims they have genuine kits installed but both the marking and color look off? https://www.2dehands.be/v/audio-tv-e...5h-speaker-set

[speakerdave]

Apparently there is still an occasional batch of 2235 cone kits coming out of JBL Mexico, and Speaker Exchange recently indicated availability. The do not sell them, so you would need to look into European supply.If you go aftermarket, the best option may be to check US eBay for kits from Upland Speaker Repair.

[martin2395]

I called the EU dealer this afternoon and they're going to check in with JBL if there is anything left but they mostly sell complete spare parts and I really doubt they still make or sell the 2235.
I told them that if JBL is going to advise the 1500AL as a replacement, it's going to end up a 'tiny' bit too expensive....

[speakerdave]

If they make available the variant in the DD67000, I'll buy.

[martin2395]

Going back to the first post, what do you guys think about these cones?

[toddalin]

Personally, I think they look factory OEM. The glue job is too good for some cheap aftermarket job.

[Earl K]

A relevant thread for you to read:Genuine JBL 2235??

A genuine 2235 cone will have the 50320 number stamped on it somewhere.

[martin2395]

What about the outer surround glue overspray that's missing and missing JBL partnr sticker?
They also only have a small "2235" written at the back of the cone by hand and the "5" seems to be rotated 90 deg which looks like it was written AFTER the cone was installed and the 5 came under one of the ribs on the chassis.

I'm also very concerned about the lack of black glue on the tinsel leads. Last time I had 100% knockoff 2235H in hand it looked exactly like that and the units I heard simply didn't sound right, missing the bottom end and really hollow...In comparison, on the 2235H posted in the other thread you can see the VC wire ends being nicely covered with black glue: https://www.audioheritage.org/vbulle...7&d=1631100827
And on the genuine recone you also see the glue overspray and it says C8R2235 with much bigger letters too: https://reconingspeakers.com/product...35-recone-kit/ and the tinsel leads are nicely covered in black goop.

Now compare with the unit I saw: https://ibb.co/WvPPCR3 there is barely any black glue on the tinsel leads.

This is also a nice genuine example: https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/...images/551865/ thick covered leads and you can see different glue on the dustcap, because they don't come with dustcap preinstalled and this looks to be the case on the units I linked in my first post - there is no difference in glueing of the dustcap and the tinsel leads, looks to have been done in one go.
Also another original pair, well covered leads: https://www.hifido.co.jp/sold/17-132...-00.html?LNG=E

[Earl K]

Yes, black glue covering the tinsel leads is a must // but the picture you keep referring to ( of a possible purchase item ) is taken from such a bad angle that it's impossible to tell if the glue is there or not ( or if it's just lost into pixelated sloppiness ).

Ask the seller to provide another, straight-on picture of that cone ( is the obvious next step ).

[martin2395]

I saw them in person and there is almost no glue on the tinsel wires, there is 'something' but it's not much, certainly not as much as I'm used to seeing JBL "15's come with, where the tinsel wires are completely covered and not visible. Didn't make anymore photo's sorry.
On the one I've shown you can see the actual wire, just a bit covered with glue.