Which Components Should I Use?
Hi Guys,
I have been accumulating some JBL components over the years to maybe one day build a JBL (the best!) speaker system. I have done a bit of testing and think I have the correct combination but I do not have the Knowledge or experience with these components and speaker building as some of you guys do. I figured before I go ahead with my project I would list what components I have for you guys to see and see if you agree or not with what I plan on doing. I will list number of components and their model number,here goes:
Drivers:
2-2404H (ferrite? the newer magnet design)
3-2405 16 ohm (J?) Alnico
1-2405H ferrite (need diaphragm)
1-2426J
1-2425H
4-2425J (two of them have a 2327 attached)
2-2470 16 ohm Alnico (with 183-309's attached)
1-2445J (need diaphragm)
2-2482 16 ohm Alnico (with phenolic diaphragms)
2-2118J
2-2012H
2-2226J
2-2225H
Horns:
1-2370
5-2370A
2-2386
2-2380A
1-2397 (with 2328 attached)
1-2309
1-231? last number is missing Accoustic Lens (is big and attached to 2309)
Crossovers:
4-3110A
Miss.
1-Kitchen Sink (wave guide):applaud:
The components I have decided to use per side (well up to this point) is:
1-2405
1-2425 with 2370A
1-2012
1-2226
These speakers will be used with a domestic home theater receiver, these speakers will be the front left and right. I was thinking (if at all possbile) to split the signal coming out of the receiver (for eg. to the left speaker), take one side of the split signal and with resistors bring it down to line level, plug it into a Peavey IA 10/4 Interface Amplifier (I am using one now for my subs) then into an electronic Xover then into a power amp to power the 2226's. The other side of the split signal will power the other three components. I am reading up on how to make Xovers, I have made some simple ones in the past no more than second order, I'm new to this and my knowledge of electronics is not that great. I have the 3110A's but they cross over at 800Hz so I figured I could not use them?
I also plan on building a center channel using the 2397 with either the 2445 (with new diaphragm, alum, titanuim or other?) or maybe a 2482 with the phenolic, I hear they were designed for voice or midrange and there is a lot of that content in a HT center channel? Along with the horn maybe the 2118s with a 2405?
So there you have it, do you think I am on the right track?
Kevin.
Which Components Should I Use?
Thanks for the input Scotty! I am trying to keep it simple, when I first came on this forum with my crazy ideas (Drew Daniels type of system) I was full of piss and vinegar to make this super powerful, blow you away system (one of my buddies is nuts over heavy rock bands from the 80's so I guess I wanted to impress him), but after doing some testing of the drivers together, I realized that "less is more" (got that from a man of experience on this forum). So I down sized my vision to reality and what really works. That's a good plan to sell what I don't use but I am a bit of a pack rat and figure somewhere down the line I might want to build another speaker or two so I will most likely hang onto them. (pass them onto my grand kids,ha!)
The 2235 you mention, I guess with it's number it came out after the 2226? What model was the four way system that JBL came out with that is similar to my design? Was it the 4344 monitor?
Kevin.
P.S. Thanks for filling in the last digit of the lens.:)
What Components Should I Use?
Hi Rob, thanks for the reply. I think I will have to attempt to work out a passive crossover network, at least give it a try. I do have a Behringer DSP unit, had it for years not even opened yet! Thing is, with a domestic system it is RCA jacks and the pro stuff is XLR so it's a real pain. I had a couple JBL 12" mid-woofers and ended up giving them to my "buddy" along with a couple 2370A's but I kept the JBL 2425's for myself and installed a couple of Eminence drivers instead, he was happy with the sound he got.
This system will be 99.9% home theater, so the center channel rules. The reason I really almost have to use the 2012's is that these are the only units I bought brand new and paid FULL price for, two for $700.00, all the rest of the drivers and horns I got on ebay or cheap from guys I know. Did you see my other question on which driver to use on a HT center channel?
Thanks Rob,
Kevin.
Which Components Should I Use?
Well Rob I hear what you're saying, I know I will be going out on a limb but I really have my heart set on a four way system and I know if I don't give it a go I know I won't be happy, so I guess I am the type that has to learn from my mistakes. The Tannoy thing was a pretty good sounding system but it was the bad grounding noises that made me pack it in. I am now a little leary of a set up of power amps and an active crossover, it could have also been a defect in the power amps I was useing, it's a long story.
Baron030 has given me hope that maybe I can make the drivers I have work. Now that I think of it, I do have three power amps I could use, I knew I had the one older Yorkville 3000 but I have a Bryston 4B-ST along with a cheaper Kenwood amp somewhere in the back of the closet:blink:. Baron030 seems pretty familiar with the 2012 and has even developed a passive EQ circuit for it. Baron if you are reading this, that picture of your speakers under your name when you post, what drivers and horns are those? That looks like exactly what I want to build, I have a couple of 2380a horns here I prefered to use over the 2370a's.
Kevin
Which Components Should I Use?
Thanks Baron, I will check it out!
Well Rob to be honest with you I'm not much of an electronics guy, but I try hard. The way I have been testing my speakers in the past is with a good old fashioned (modified) Radio Shack SPL meter and a CD with many freq. test tones, from about 10Hz to 20kHz and a pen and paper. After so many tests, I transfer the data to graph paper to give me an idea of the drivers freq. response. (is that 'old school' or what?)
On my last post I mentioned I might try to go all active, well except for the VHF but not a hundred percent sure. I figured I could use Baron's EQ and all would be fine, I would give it a listen and if it sounds good, hey I'm happy but I guess a measurement test would be good too but I think you electronic's guy's are more into that and I guess I don't blame you (my son is in university for Engineering, I can relate) but I give a lot of credit to my ears. I have this older model Behringer DSP 8024 unit ( new in box, not even opened), I think it has the capabilities to measure my system, I bought a mic. to go with it, it has "room correction" features.
I think at the moment before I go any further, the first step would be to see if I can get the output signal from my HT receiver down to line level and see if I can get it to work with my Rane electronic Xover and amps, if not, it's passive all the way, could be scary! (and frustrating :banghead: )
Kev.