JBL 128h and 128h-1 recone question

[The New Guy]

I believe the JBL 128h and 128H-1 are the same speaker with the exception of color.
If so the JBL recone kits would be exchangeable.
The oem kit for the 128h runs $225 while the oem kit for the 128h-1 is only $120.
I want to use JBL (not aftermarket) parts.
I do not care about the color, only the fit and performance.
Thanks in advance

and... if anyone knows where to get an oem kit for less, please let me know.

JBL 150a, NAD amp, PhaseLinear pre

[grumpy]

Oem? Grab either while you can. Unless things have changed (and sometimes they do) those are NLA.
white aquaplas on the front vs gray on the cone's backside.

[The New Guy]

Oem? Grab either while you can. Unless things have changed (and sometimes they do) those are NLA.
white aquaplas on the front vs gray on the cone's backside.

I found a company with 4 of the white cones (in a kit) and they say they can order the black cones.
But Grumpy, do you know if the two are physically identical except for color?

[grumpy]

yep: white aquaplas on the front vs gray on the cone's backside (128H vs 128H-1)

should say C8R128H or H-1 on a JBL box, and kit completely assembled other than the dust cap

[The New Guy]

Are there others out there in need of these kits?
I'll link the source. (once I have mine in hand)

[BMWCCA]

Are there others out there in need of these kits?
I'll link the source. (once I have mine in hand)

Ask him to show you a picture of the original box! :skeptical:

[grumpy]

Are there others out there in need of these kits?

I would expect so.

[BMWCCA]

What's the date, as in how old are the surrounds? :dont-know:

[mech986]

I found a company with 4 of the white cones (in a kit) and they say they can order the black cones.
But Grumpy, do you know if the two are physically identical except for color?

I would be wary of the less expensive ones, especially if they are not completely assembled as OEM JBL recone kits are fully assembled except for gluing on the center dust cap. If it doesn't come in a JBL OEM box, and have a JBL number or sticker on it, it will be an aftermarket part or kit.

what is the exact wording of the listing or description of the parts (kit)?

[The New Guy]

I have spoken to the seller twice.
They are an authorized JBL repair facility.
The cones are JBL, fully assembled except for the dust cap.
The difference in price is: 128h kit vs 128h-1 kit (white aquaplas vs black/gray)

My original question was if there was any difference in the two speakers other than color.

[The New Guy]

What's the date, as in how old are the surrounds? :dont-know:

No idea on the date, I'll ask.
The shop rep said they have 4 of the 128h (white aquaplas) recone kits; and they suspect they are among last in existence.
They put me on hold and checked to make sure they could order the 128h-1 kits (black/gray); they seemed surprised at the price and availability.

[BMWCCA]

If they're an authorized JBL repair station they must not have gotten the memo that the cone kits aren't available for sale to the consumer.

Or they're just doing you a favor. But, to answer the question, other than color and Aquaplas location, there shouldn't be any difference in sound as long as they're replaced in pairs. The 128H-1 is the JBL-recommended replacement driver for the 128H.

[grumpy]

JBL could have done another -1 cone-kit run. If so, they'd be from south of Southern California.

[The New Guy]

If they're an authorized JBL repair station they must not have gotten the memo that the cone kits aren't available for sale to the consumer.

Or they're just doing you a favor. But, to answer the question, other than color and Aquaplas location, there shouldn't be any difference in sound as long as they're replaced in pairs. The 128H-1 is the JBL-recommended replacement driver for the 128H.

Or they may just want to clear out the dusty inventory...
Thanks for the confirmation on fit

[brutal]

If they're an authorized JBL repair station they must not have gotten the memo that the cone kits aren't available for sale to the consumer.

Or they're just doing you a favor. But, to answer the question, other than color and Aquaplas location, there shouldn't be any difference in sound as long as they're replaced in pairs. The 128H-1 is the JBL-recommended replacement driver for the 128H.

I purchased a recone kit for my B460 (2245H) from a local authorized shop after winning an ebay auction for a pair of drivers and doing a local pickup. Hell, they even had to order it in for me. All depends upon your relationship and how well you can develop that. By representing a little knowledge of repair capabilities and judicious use of implied discretion, one can often become "authorized" at some level. :D

FWIW, If I had a line on a pair of C8R128H, I would snap them up. I had my original pair of L112 redone many many years ago and after I began doing surround replacements myself years later, realized the dirty buggers used H-1 kits and painted them white. :banghead: