I was wondering if anyone thought this a good driver to use for home hifi?
Its efficiency is rather high and so is its cost new from PE($839.00), though on ebay one can find it used for around $175. I can guess hard use though.
What do you think?
Its efficiency is rather high and so is its cost new from PE($839.00), though on ebay one can find it used for around $175. I can guess hard use though.
What do you think?
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never heard them myself, but here's a positive review in conjunction with some large diy horns.
The Paper Horn by Inlow Sound - The Paper Horn by Inlow Sound
The Paper Horn by Inlow Sound - The Paper Horn by Inlow Sound
Its a great driver. There are a ton of them on eBay etc for 125-175. Just make sure you get one with an OEM diaphragm. I cross as low as 500Hz and have no need for a tweeter (I use a CD horn which requires some EQing anyway). For the price, they (and the 2445s) are a great value.
I did use that very type of driver on a 2"Iwata-horn of own construction.
Scaryly efficient combo,it did work quite well on top of a k-horn.Never got
around to trying a Radian diaphragm,might be interesting though.
Kim
Scaryly efficient combo,it did work quite well on top of a k-horn.Never got
around to trying a Radian diaphragm,might be interesting though.
Kim
Yes, it is a great driver. It goes into breakup above 6 kHz, but it can go quite low on large horns. Here's another review:
[Review - DIY] Inlow Paper Mache Horns loudspeakers [English]
Buy second hand on ebay. These drivers are practically indestructible.
[Review - DIY] Inlow Paper Mache Horns loudspeakers [English]
Buy second hand on ebay. These drivers are practically indestructible.
I would prefer a 2445 over a 2446 because they redesigned the 2446 to have about 3 db more output around 12 khz comparatively (although this may just be due to the diaphragm design). Unfortunately, JBL sacrificed virtually all output above 17 khz to do so. In a 101 db/w/m system, the 2445 can be run out to a bit above 20khz such as I'm doing with my Basement Blasters. I found that the 2445 titanium diaphragm has its own unique sound which actually came out ok with the Basement Blasters.
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Top-end extension isn't everything. All 4" diaphragm drivers are going to be in breakup mode above 6-7 kHz. Not to mention the beaming, unless you are using a diffraction horn like the 2380. The large format drivers are not the best solution for the top end.
The phase plug in the 2446 is an improvement over the 2445, resulting in smoother response. Once you equalize both to a flat response, I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference.
The phase plug in the 2446 is an improvement over the 2445, resulting in smoother response. Once you equalize both to a flat response, I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference.
Certainly the 2446 is preferable for maximum SPL pro sound work where the last bit of sensitivity between 10-15 khz is much more important than response out to 20khz. The 2445 response step around 9khz that you may be referring to took a little xover work, but I was able to pretty much remove it.
I agree that a 2" driver is not the best solution for the top end. However I can say that making the 2445 go out to ~22khz (with some help from the xover) does make a difference to me in my home system. Many people that have used supertweeters to make up the difference above 10-15 khz have had problematic results from my perspective, because of delay and dispersion dissimilarities between it and the HF horn, and I am not aiming for 'perfection' with the Basement Blasters IAC, just a high end with tremendous dynamics and good extension from a single HF driver. I am using a B&C aluminum horn that is very similar to the 2380 with damping I added to its exterior flare, btw. I am not sure why B&C took it off the market since it has superior strength and heat dissipation capabilities compared to a 2380.
I agree that a 2" driver is not the best solution for the top end. However I can say that making the 2445 go out to ~22khz (with some help from the xover) does make a difference to me in my home system. Many people that have used supertweeters to make up the difference above 10-15 khz have had problematic results from my perspective, because of delay and dispersion dissimilarities between it and the HF horn, and I am not aiming for 'perfection' with the Basement Blasters IAC, just a high end with tremendous dynamics and good extension from a single HF driver. I am using a B&C aluminum horn that is very similar to the 2380 with damping I added to its exterior flare, btw. I am not sure why B&C took it off the market since it has superior strength and heat dissipation capabilities compared to a 2380.
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I use a Neo compression driver from China with titanium diaphragm similar to the JBL 2452, but bigger magnet mounted on a 2380 with 1.5 inch throat.
has excellent treble. I also have 2446 on 2380 2 inch throat, not sure which diaphragm but needs a boost from the crossover or a tweeter. Wonderful sound from both with 105Db bass horn.
Phil
has excellent treble. I also have 2446 on 2380 2 inch throat, not sure which diaphragm but needs a boost from the crossover or a tweeter. Wonderful sound from both with 105Db bass horn.
Phil
I have had a pair of TAD 4001's for a good while which I plan to soon put in an 'ultimate' SQ system, also a 2-way but not capable of quite as intense SPL's as the Basement Blasters. This is a driver that, thanks to its beryllium diaphragm, only breaks up at 16 Khz, which response peak that some have complained about I plan to take out with a mild notch filter. I am planning to cast oval concrete horns for them with perhaps a tractrix profile, but haven't got around to making the forms yet.
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Nice but...
The JBL 2446 is a very fine driver but the later 2447 is better, with no down-side.
Better pattern control and lower distortion.
All explained in a JBL tech. note on "Optimised aperture drivers", on their web-site.
They are about the same list price so take the 2447 if you buy new.
Obviously, second hand depends on what you can find but I recommend the 1.5" throat drivers, they are not too hard to find. 2450SL or 2451 are even better.
I expect the 2452 is also excellent and have one in my workshop ready to be compared to my 2447s but I can't comment yet. Ditto 2453.
Best wishes
David
The JBL 2446 is a very fine driver but the later 2447 is better, with no down-side.
Better pattern control and lower distortion.
All explained in a JBL tech. note on "Optimised aperture drivers", on their web-site.
They are about the same list price so take the 2447 if you buy new.
Obviously, second hand depends on what you can find but I recommend the 1.5" throat drivers, they are not too hard to find. 2450SL or 2451 are even better.
I expect the 2452 is also excellent and have one in my workshop ready to be compared to my 2447s but I can't comment yet. Ditto 2453.
Best wishes
David
Hi everyone,
I hear that the 2447 is the 'snout-less' version of the 2446. In that case, shouldn't it be possible to convert a 2446 to a 2447 (by chopping off the front portion & some rework) for use with the newer JBL horns like 2332 and 2352 ?
I am asking this because only the 2446 (but not the 2447) is available at my place.
Thanks in advance.
I hear that the 2447 is the 'snout-less' version of the 2446. In that case, shouldn't it be possible to convert a 2446 to a 2447 (by chopping off the front portion & some rework) for use with the newer JBL horns like 2332 and 2352 ?
I am asking this because only the 2446 (but not the 2447) is available at my place.
Thanks in advance.
JBL 2446/2447 Be
For superior results, just buy some 2446 or 2447 carcasses and install new Be, Truextent diaphragms [1] in them. You will pay a premium for used, but working drivers that are most likely over-due for diaphragm replacement. The 'tack' recommended here will cost less and deliver performance better the new.
Regards,
WHG
[1]http://materion.com/Products/Beryllium/BerylliumAcoustics/TruextentBeXDiaphragm.aspx
For superior results, just buy some 2446 or 2447 carcasses and install new Be, Truextent diaphragms [1] in them. You will pay a premium for used, but working drivers that are most likely over-due for diaphragm replacement. The 'tack' recommended here will cost less and deliver performance better the new.
Regards,
WHG
[1]http://materion.com/Products/Beryllium/BerylliumAcoustics/TruextentBeXDiaphragm.aspx
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I don't think this would be easy for a 2446 because the front is a solid piece.
That would require some serious machine-tool work or a complete replacement with a 2447 part.
It is the later 2" drivers like the 2450 that can be converted to 1.5" by removal of a "snout" that can be unbolted.
Best wishes
David
What about P Audio PA-D99 ? Isn't that a copy of JBL 2446 ? The casing looks cheaper than JBL, so would it be easier to cut, if PA-99 originally has a 1.5" exit ?
If this were possible then its a cheap 1.5" for 1/3 price of JBL.
If this were possible then its a cheap 1.5" for 1/3 price of JBL.
I have JBL Neo 2452's and Chinese copies both sound excellent, also Chinese made Cd's for $US70.00 all 1.5inch. Have not had the Chinese ones tested yet, but sound good, if anything the Chinese copies of the 2452 1.5 inch give better hi frequencies than the 2446, but maybe it depends on the Diaphragm.
Phil
Phil
It looks like a close copy of the 2446 and would probably be as hard to cut, or worse.
Cheaper does not mean softer😉 Often the reverse, cheap cast aluminium has hard dross inclusions, the cheapest cast iron is always hard, it costs money to make it malleable.
A 2446 or clone is a bad start if you want 1.5". I second the idea that cheap Chinese is probably hard to beat for value.
Best wishes
David
If contemplating P-Audio, buy the BM-D740 (1.4" exit).
Klipsch uses this driver (the 2" BM-D750 version) in one of their top systems.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Klipsch uses this driver (the 2" BM-D750 version) in one of their top systems.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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Yes, question same here, psuedo-JBL links please.
Something like this one?
http://skytoneaudio.en.made-in-chin...a-Jbl-2452h-Style-4-Hf-Neodymium-Tweeter.html
"Klipsch uses this driver (the 2" BM-D750 version) in one of their top systems."
I think you mean their K-69 driver (on 402 horn), can that cross as low as JBLs? I have BM-D750 on a 2380, it isn't loud or anything, just normal. I think the motor is also small. Will those do as well as the 2446/47? I think these BM series drivers are more like the 243x and PA-D99 meant to mimic the 2446.
Something like this one?
http://skytoneaudio.en.made-in-chin...a-Jbl-2452h-Style-4-Hf-Neodymium-Tweeter.html
"Klipsch uses this driver (the 2" BM-D750 version) in one of their top systems."
I think you mean their K-69 driver (on 402 horn), can that cross as low as JBLs? I have BM-D750 on a 2380, it isn't loud or anything, just normal. I think the motor is also small. Will those do as well as the 2446/47? I think these BM series drivers are more like the 243x and PA-D99 meant to mimic the 2446.
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