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Thread: Lpad Quality ? ( L-Pad )

  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Lpad Quality ? ( L-Pad )

    Hi All,

    I haven't purchased Lpads this century ( & not even back in the 1990s' ) .

    - So, now I find out that they are generally made with a plastic body-core instead of the older ceramic body variety ( at least the 100 watt type from Solen ).

    - Is the plastic body-core type acceptable ?

    - Does anyone make & sell the older ceramic type ?

    - or are they all this newer plastic type construction ?

    - What about JBL ? ( what do they presently offer )



    (OK, I'm hopelessly behind the times )

    EDIT What about this unit from "Parts Express" ?
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  2. #2
    Senior Member spkrman57's Avatar
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    I have used L-pads from Parts Express with good results.

    I will admit I only use the 50 watt and 100 watt models as they hold up well, don't seem to be noisy. I have had no problems or failures on these.

    I use them mostly for horn and tweeter use where only a few watts are used, but feel the higher wattage units give good performance.

    I too balked when a few years ago I received some units with plastic bodies instead of the ceramic bodies. But I believe(my opinion only) that this is a special plastic that should hold up to use in a hot condition without melting(at least within realistic usage).

    So they get my vote, not to mention they are only around $10.00 each which is cheaper than they used to be.

    Just my 2 cents worth!

    Ron

  3. #3
    jkc
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    My local electronics shop sells L pads that look the ones in the photo.

    I rejected them when I did an impedance plot, the impedance varied over the attenuation range more than I was happy with.

    From memory up to almost 2 ohms with significant effect on freq plot.


    So I made step attenuators in 2 dB increments with 5 steps the centre being theoretically correct.


    Worked out cheaper to.

    I was using high order 24 dB crossovers which are very impedance sensitive, a lower order crossover would not care so much.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Uncle Paul's Avatar
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    Anybody have experience with Fostex L-Pads? Can't tell from the pix if they are ceramic or plastic. They are spendy - wonder if they are worth the extra cost?

    http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...mp/pdf/att.pdf
    "Zobel is as zobel does"

  5. #5
    majick47
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    L Pads

    Not exactly thrilled with the quality of the PE L pads either, would be interested in finding some ceramic or new old stock original/old style JBL L pads.

  6. #6
    Senior Member B&KMan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by majick47
    Not exactly thrilled with the quality of the PE L pads either, would be interested in finding some ceramic or new old stock original/old style JBL L pads.

    Hello great member...

    well see pict of
    ---- original L-Pad JBL

    ----and 3 part L-Pad

    check th equality of metal and the number of turn of wired resistance in small ring of JBL (2 x more than 3 part.)


    maybe the JBL is better , noble metal but really rust, tarnish and dirt...

    any is pict of step attenuator by rotary switch and resistance ???

    Attached Images Attached Images   

  7. #7
    pelly3s
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    try looking at madisound, they tend to have higher quality parts than parts express.

  8. #8
    majick47
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    L Pads

    Thanks Pelly3S for the info re Madisound possibly having better L pads than PE, I'll check it out and greetings to a fellow MA board member.

  9. #9
    pelly3s
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    there arent too many jbl guys out this way its nice to see another one

  10. #10
    CraigStrat
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    Parts Express L-Pads - 4343 Replacement

    Hi,

    Parts Express only has 16 ohm L-Pads with a 3/8" shaft. I have a pair of 4343's in oiled walnut. Isn't a 3/8" shaft too short to get through the baffle? Is there a workaround for this? (Replacing the shaft?)

    4343's require: (2) 16 ohm L-Pads, (1) 8 ohm L-pad
    per cabinet... Is this correct?

    Parts Express L-Pads, specifically the 50watt models were recommended to me.
    Does anyone have any input on the 50w vs. 100w models?

    Thanks,
    Craig

  11. #11
    Senior Member Guido's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by B&KMan
    Hello great member...

    well see pict of
    ---- original L-Pad JBL

    ----and 3 part L-Pad

    check th equality of metal and the number of turn of wired resistance in small ring of JBL (2 x more than 3 part.)


    maybe the JBL is better , noble metal but really rust, tarnish and dirt...

    any is pict of step attenuator by rotary switch and resistance ???

    B&K Man
    Are you sure your pics show 2 L-Pad with the same resistance? Not one 8 and one 16 ohm?

  12. #12
    Senior Member Guido's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CraigStrat
    Hi,

    Parts Express only has 16 ohm L-Pads with a 3/8" shaft. I have a pair of 4343's in oiled walnut. Isn't a 3/8" shaft too short to get through the baffle? Is there a workaround for this? (Replacing the shaft?)

    4343's require: (2) 16 ohm L-Pads, (1) 8 ohm L-pad
    per cabinet... Is this correct?

    Parts Express L-Pads, specifically the 50watt models were recommended to me.
    Does anyone have any input on the 50w vs. 100w models?

    Thanks,
    Craig
    I had the same prob. The PE L-Pads does not fit! Buy them from JBL. Price should be app. 25 USD

  13. #13
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    I've been using the 100 watt ones sold by Parts Express (but purchased locally) with no problems and they have not been noisey (yet?).

  14. #14
    Senior Member edgewound's Avatar
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    You could try www.solen.ca. Yes...they are in Canada.

    They sell some good stuff.
    Edgewound...JBL Pro Authorized...since 1988
    Upland Loudspeaker Service, Upland, CA

  15. #15
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    O.K., I'll ask again: Who's got a source for shaft extensions?

    All's I've got is expensive servo stuff....

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