2440-2445 what difference

[gerard]

Hello Members

I would like to know what is the difference between the 2440 and 2445 I believe it use the same dia but how does it sound comparatly ? .

I did not find a thread on it , except the Diaphragm !

Gerard

[Maron Horonzakz]

The phase plug is the most important difference between the two drivers. 2446 & 2450 use the coherent wave phase plug. Plus the diamond pattern diaphram helps extend high frequency response. I dont have a cross section cut showing how the phase plug area is shaped. Perhaps JBL could supply a side cut drawing that was used in a very early ad.

[Alex Lancaster]

The main diff is that 2440/1 are Alnico, 2445 is Ferrite; the original diaphragms were: 2440 = Aluminum with half roll suspension; 2441 = Aluminum with diamond stud; 2445 = Titanium with diamond stud suspension; You may search the forums, and find lots of opinions.

[frank23]

....but all the diaphragms from the 2440/2441/2445 are mechanically and electrically interchangeble [given the same H/J impedance version]

I now have 2445 dia's in my 2440's

frank

[slxrti]

At one point in time I own both. The 2445 has extended high freq response compared to the 2440. On the wooden horn it was to bright, brittle and reproduced music with snarled. That’s why I sold them

The 2440 on the same horn was smoother but definitely needed high freq help.

slxrti

[gerard]

Thank you for your answers


Would you say 2440 or 2441 are about the best driver for wooden smith horn up to 10 khz ?

Gerard .

[spkrman57]

The JBL 2441 is the preferred model for his wooden midrange tractix horns.

He has also told me that there have been several versions of this model with differing phase plug parts/etc and he has a tech open up all the ones he gets.

Just my recollection from my phone calls with him. He cringes when I tell him I use the Great Plains 399 driver(1.4") because they are new, have aluminum diaphrams, and cost a fraction of what a 2441 goes for used, plus the time for a tech to take them apart and make sure they are identical for stereo use with the right parts.

So due to availability/cost they work for this poor audiophile!

Ron

[alskinner]

"Would you say 2440 or 2441 are about the best driver for wooden smith horn up to 10 khz ?"

I agree the 2441 is a fantastic driver for the Smith type horn. I was fortunate to find two NOS drivers perfectly matched. I use a Westlake clone of the Smith horn and have never looked back. The 2440 is good for about up to 8000 hz, But for 10k I would definitely go with the 2441. But like Ron said they are going up in price. I bought 2 sets of diaprhams just in case JBL decides to stop producing them.


Regards AL

[gerard]

Spkrman57 ,


what do you mean bu "gringes" do not know what it means !.


The great plain 399 ? is it an altec 399 , I did not found any info on it .

How would you compre for the smith Horn :

2441 and Great plain 399 ?

regards

Gerard

[spkrman57]

"Cringes" is like when you don't quite agree with a opinion that might be right, but not as good as another opinion you think is better.

Another words like when you drive a expensive sports car and someone wants you to take a right in their economy car and wants you to enjoy the ride the same as your sports car.

Great Plains/Iconic model 399 1.4" driver is close clone to Altec 288-8K, but will never be the same due to patent rights.

I hope this helped out!

Ron

[slxrti]

Thank you for your answers


Would you say 2440 or 2441 are about the best driver for wooden smith horn up to 10 khz ?

Gerard .

The wooden horn response will start to converge at ~7k causing voices to sizzle The 2441 could magnify this.

The 2440 on this horn is very smooth. But still not perfect

Slxrti

[alskinner]

Hi slxrti

"The wooden horn response will start to converge at ~7k causing voices to sizzle The 2441 could magnify this."

Just curious which wooden horn you are referring to? I haven't noticed it with the 2441 on a westlake clone of the Smith horn. I use an active crossover and have played with crossing from 6000 to 12K. Above 10K the driver does start running in trouble without a great deal of equalization.