Altec 414 or JBL 2204?

[krzys]

I have a 414A in a multiamplified system going from 75 Hz to 800 (maybe 1000 Hz one day). This is a very nice woofer with good midbass and mids. But I'm wondering if the JBL with its bigger magnet could give me quicker attack, more slam in the 100-300 region and finaly more fun.
Maybe somebody had listen to both of them and can post his thoughts . Tom Brennan? Others ?
chirs

[Tom Brennan]

I've no experience with that JBL.

[krzys]

Thanks Tom, as an analogy to my question can you compare a 416 with some JBL 15" woofer? What are the general differences in the sound between Altec and Jbl woofers?
Chris

[Tom Brennan]

Chris----There are so many JBL woofers that one can't generalize. The JBL woofers I've had experience with are D-130s, LE-15Bs and 2226s. All sounded different yet all sounded good to me.

The LE 15B seems to be a somewhat despised woofer around here but I think it sounded quite good in a large sealed box. Very nice midrange and pretty good bass, solid with no boom.

I think one would be hard pressed to find a better sounding driver from 50-1200 hz than a 416 though. Altecs do something in the midrange and vocals that's magic to me. The JBLs I've heard seem to sound a little bit "deader" and less realistic to me, that's why I have Altecs and not JBLs. But there are several JBL models I'd be very happy with.