I'm a DIY'er (sub's) After trying out tons of speakers I just ordered 3 JBL 3677s. They use a 15" driver (2035HPL) which is very similar to the 2226. The bass and dynamics are oustanding in the theater room.
My only probelm is the horn sounds a little scratchy. I have no probelm swapping the horn (JBL 2373) or the CD (2416-1h). I've heard the Selinium D220Ti with an HM17-25 horn and it sounded smoother.
My question is, is it the horn or driver causing the harshness? Is hte 2416h a good driver? If I change the top end should I go with Selinium or B&C for the CD and also what would be a nice smooth horn to fit the 1.2k xover I have in the 3677?
I know I have a lot of quesitons but I know many here (Wayne ) have heard tons of horns.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18782 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
That 2416 driver is pretty smooth sounding but the 2373 horn gives it a bit of an edge. Swap the horn and I think you'll be happier.
The JBL 2370 was one of the first CD horns I used. While I liked its coverage, I never really liked its spitty sounding harshness. I moved to a Peavey CH-3 pretty quickly and ran it for several years. It's a much smoother sounding horn. Now I run the Eminence H290, because it provides uniform coverage throughout the 90x40 pattern and is very smooth sounding. Its small size is convenient too, making it fit easier on relatively small baffles and also allowing tight CTC spacing, which gives a better forward lobe. Its size a pretty good tradeoff between pattern control (where larger is better) and potential for tight source placement (where smaller is better).
Thanks a lot Wayne, Your success with the 4pi really pushed me to get the 3677 as it share a lot of similarities. I'll try out the horns and I'm sure I'll make most of my $$ back selling the 2373s on Ebay.
Have you even heard or played around with the 2416h-1 CD? How does it compare to the B&C you like so much?
Wayne Parham Messages: 18782 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
The JBL 2426 (similar to the 2416) was my premium compression driver for many years. I really liked its smoothness, and the rolloff was pretty much a straight diagonal line, easy to EQ in the crossover. The only trouble is the top end doesn't reach very high. That's where the DE250 has it beat. It's just as smooth, and reaches higher into the top octave. Doesn't cost as much either.
OK, sounds great. I just wanted to make sure the 2416h's are capable of nice smooth sound...I think the 2426 is a newer design. I also have some Selinium d220Tt's on hand. I may give them a try as they extend higher (and did sound good with no harshness) but the JBL's costing so much more I'd expect them to be a lot smoother. I didn't really think the horn it self could make it this raspy sounding...I guess I was wrong.
I'm using these in a Dedicated Home theater and I got tired of being diappointed with consumer stuff. the JBLs 15"ers really put out great sound with great vocals, I just have to tame these horns.
If you think the DE250 is a smoother CD(I know it reaches higher) than the 2416, I could use the Selinum CD's temporarily with the new horns (that you suggested) and sell the 2416's and get the DE250 with the $$.
I want the smoothest best sound I can get..I really don't want any harshness at all.
So I guess I'm asking...If you were me, what would you do?
Wayne Parham Messages: 18782 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the Selenium drivers. I tried them several years ago and didn't care for them. They're a little bit bright for my tastes. They've no doubt made progress since then, and I've seen lots of people report good things from them. But the response curves still show that tell-tale breakup up high.
For me, I use the Eminence PSD2002 as a budget driver. It has some of the same "extension" via breakup, but just not as much as the Selenium D220Ti. Both have a little more sizzle and tizz, but I prefer the Eminence in this price range. It sounds better to me.
Either way, I see both the PSD2002 and the D220Ti as decent budget drivers, but wouldn't want to use them in a higher end speaker. For the best sound, I'd stick with the JBL drivers you already have. Keep the Seleniums for an econo build.
I actually swapped out the JBL drivers for the Seleniums last night. They sounded way less harsh but yea a little bright...the higher extension is noticable and sounds kinda nice. They don't have as much weight or heft sound wise as the JBLs...I can tell the horn is having a negative effect though..the smaller horn I used to use with the seleniums sounded much smoother.
I think I'm gonna order the new horns and give the JBLs another try...if I don't like them I'll sell all six drivers (JBLs and Seleniums) and get the B&Cs.
Hey Wayne, I'm guessing the Eminence H290s with the screw on horn is exactly the same as the bolt on version....am I assuming correctly? It's also a little cheaper too.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18782 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
It's supposed to be, and while I think that's a safe assumption, I've never measured one. It's a new part. I have always used the original bolt-on mount horn.
Hmmmm... well my JBLs and Selenium drivers are all screw on. If I get the bolt on I have to get adapters too. As you said they should be the same so I'll be ordering the screw ons.
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) have heard tons of horns.
