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I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on how the Electro Voice EVX-155 measures up to the JBL 2226. Spec and output wise they are both very similar according to their manufacturer data and WINISD simulations. Overall it seems that the JBL 2226 wins by a nose when it comes to output and distortion characteristics; though I'm sure the EVX-155 is a good part too. The reason I ask is because both seem to be at the top of the heap for quality woofers. Wayne, I'm especially curious about your opinion here. I know you have very good reasons for choosing the parts you do for your different models. I know JBL has their Symmertical Field Geometry and Vented Gap Cooling as well as a shorting ring. EV uses something called HeatWick and a shorting ring as well. So why choose the JBL 2226; or I guess I should say why not the EVX-155? -Matt
The EV heatwick is something like my cooling plug. Lots of loudspeaker manufacturers are beginning to work on reducing thermal buildup in the pole piece from radiated heat. Motor core cooling plugs reduce thermal compression, stabilize electro-mechanical parameters over a greater operating range and make the speaker more robust. Properly sized shorting rings are very good at reducing distortion from midbass frequencies up. However, bear in mind that the shorting ring must be carefully sized and positioned to exactly counteract flux modulation by inducing the opposite and exactly equal force. This is not trivial, and so some shorting rings are better than others. That said, I have only casual experience with EV drivers. I have designed very few that used them. The ones I have worked with sounded good, but I still think I liked the JBL's better. Hard to say if that was "prejudicial" from long time preference or not.