lfh
05-08-2006, 03:19 PM
Reflecting the importance and popularity of the 2397 horn, I'm curious about its origin. It's clear that the concept can be traced back to Bob Smith's DSH (Distributed Source Horn) of the 50:s - but who within JBL designed this particular version? Who designed the 2328 and 2329 throats (also used on other horns)?
In the library (http://audioheritage.org/html/history/jbl-pro/1960s.htm) we find the following info:
"The attempt [at competing with Altec's VOTT] was the Cinetron system of 1969. It used direct radiator bass enclosures with a high frequency horn. It introduced the 2397 "Smith" horn that had very wide dispersion, even at high frequency extremes. After extensive development work, JBL sold exactly one installation. The VOTT standard was as impenetrable as ever."
What did the Cinetron look like? What bass driver, LF cabinet and x-over was used? Does JBL still have the blueprints, tech sheets - or even a prototype or production unit in the vault?
Why didn't the 2397 appear as a component (AFAICT) until the 1976 model year? Furthermore, it soon became popular in custom monitor designs, and it didn't take long until Westlake did an enhanced version of its own, but it never made it into a JBL studio monitor. Why?
Questions, questions...
Any and all info would be highly appreciated!
Fredrik
In the library (http://audioheritage.org/html/history/jbl-pro/1960s.htm) we find the following info:
"The attempt [at competing with Altec's VOTT] was the Cinetron system of 1969. It used direct radiator bass enclosures with a high frequency horn. It introduced the 2397 "Smith" horn that had very wide dispersion, even at high frequency extremes. After extensive development work, JBL sold exactly one installation. The VOTT standard was as impenetrable as ever."
What did the Cinetron look like? What bass driver, LF cabinet and x-over was used? Does JBL still have the blueprints, tech sheets - or even a prototype or production unit in the vault?
Why didn't the 2397 appear as a component (AFAICT) until the 1976 model year? Furthermore, it soon became popular in custom monitor designs, and it didn't take long until Westlake did an enhanced version of its own, but it never made it into a JBL studio monitor. Why?
Questions, questions...
Any and all info would be highly appreciated!
Fredrik