HIFI JBL2206 and Compression build

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dbowen

Member
Joined 2011
#1
I have been mulling a build with JBL 2206 drivers (probably 1/channel) and a very high quality compression driver for the top end. I have recently lost my dang mind, and too too great of an advantage on a good deal on some 2206 drivers (6 of them!!!). I will am inclined to go sealed with them, active crossovers, EQ to about 60-90Hz, picking up with probably 18" below them that I will decide details on later. My inquiry for now is the approximately 800 Hz and up territory. I am very intrigued by the N314X driver. Does the community have any thoughts about this?
 
#3
Any opinions regarding driver/horn choices in general? I would like the horn width to be <= 16". The intended listening space is in the 24'X24' range. I would consider Be expense for drivers. JBL with Truextent for example, but if that buys me only the last 5-10% performance, I would consider lower cost options (hence the N314X interest).
To be honest, I have never had the privilege of listening to a Be driver. That is why I am pinging the community. I am also one of the types who really appreciate a clean/crisp top end (even a bit treble emphasized), as well as high transient SPL capability.
Any commentary on the overall approach is appreciated.


Thanks.

P.S.:
I am a subscriber to 'Voice Coil', and have studied Vance's tests of the N314X drivers, as well as several others, with particular interest to cumulative spectral decay plots.
 
#4
Well to my ears the Faital HF1440 is superb in the 1.4" driver department. That on a nice tractrix WG can do some magical stuff. Short of the JBL M2 driver, I don't know of anything else I'd consider. The JBL 2206 is a really nice LF driver, probably one of my favorite older design drivers and still can compete with newer offerings. It would be perfect to combine with a 1.4" CD. The Eminence driver has a stiff diaphragm that stays pistonic pretty far up top and sort of has that Be sound. Most 3" Ti drivers break up in the audible band and give that sizzle up top, which I don't prefer. Thats why I like tge HF1440, being a ring radiator with a polymer diaphragm and not breaking up so audibly.

I have to sincerely say the BMS4540 is probably the best 1" driver I've heard that has true hifi type top end extension. That on the old QSC WG is likely the best CD sound I recall that really could trick most people who dont like the CD/WG sound - I was one of them and it opened my mind. A 1" driver of course means you need a really good LF driver that plays cleanly past 1.5k
 
#5
You can mate a 2206 with a 1" CD and a large-ish waveguide. The above mentioned old QSC waveguide would be a good choice (if you can find them). You would want to cross around 1.2kHz to match directivity with the 2206. There are lots of 1" CDs that can manage that in home settings.

I don't see any advantage to going to a 1.4" CD for home use if you want to mate it with a 2206. The directivity matching criteria will still make you cross over somewhere around 1kHz which many 1" CDs are easily capable of. As an added benefit the 1" CD will generally have a better top end than any 1.4" CD.
 
#6
I agree. A 1" driver will work in a limited output home environment not being pushed too hard too low. A JBL 2407 or BMS4540 with the QSC WG is the magic combo. I can't praise this setup enough - its that good. The smaller Faital tractrix WGs are also very nice with those drivers having a somewhat compatible exit angle from the driver and providing flat top end that needs little eq listening closer on axis (not being a CD profile WG).

Don't discount the HF10AK or the B&C DE250 (if you like a more mellow top end). Theres also the Celestion CDX1-1750.
 
#7
dbowen said:
I have been mulling a build with JBL 2206 drivers (probably 1/channel) and a very high quality compression driver for the top end. I have recently lost my dang mind, and too too great of an advantage on a good deal on some 2206 drivers (6 of them!!!). I will am inclined to go sealed with them, active crossovers, EQ to about 60-90Hz, picking up with probably 18" below them that I will decide details on later. My inquiry for now is the approximately 800 Hz and up territory. I am very intrigued by the N314X driver. Does the community have any thoughts about this?
Click to expand...
Did you complete this build? I just finished up a similar build using JBL 2431 on this horn https://reconingspeakers.com/products-page/jbl-horn-lens-5006815-stx825/. I had 2431s from a scrap out job. It's a very good sounding combo. Easy crossover, flat smooth FR and very low distortion across the FR. Crossed to an AE TD15S at about 100hz.
 
#9
hweb said:
You can mate a 2206 with a 1" CD and a large-ish waveguide. The above mentioned old QSC waveguide would be a good choice (if you can find them). You would want to cross around 1.2kHz to match directivity with the 2206. There are lots of 1" CDs that can manage that in home settings.

I don't see any advantage to going to a 1.4" CD for home use if you want to mate it with a 2206. The directivity matching criteria will still make you cross over somewhere around 1kHz which many 1" CDs are easily capable of. As an added benefit the 1" CD will generally have a better top end than any 1.4" CD.
Click to expand...
I use the JBL 2431 and it goes to crap at 15Khz but sounds better than domes that are smooth past 20Khz. The newst 1.4s do better above 15K. The 2431 adds a punch that I haven't heard in a 1. It's a compromise. YMMV
 
#10
Pi Speakers has 4 pi (standard box) and 7 pi (cornerhorn) models that can be built with the 2226. It's one of the designers favorite drivers.

Ask on the forum and he'll email you plans for free. The only thing you'd likely need to get from him is the horn as he's designed the crossover specifically for that horn.

Both models are fine sounding.
 
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