JBL 2123h mid - horn loaded or direct radiator

[Kwikas]

I've got a couple of JBL 2123h drivers that I'd like to use in mid range horns. They would slot in between a JBL 2226h L/F and a 1" HF CD/horn.

I could use them as direct radiators in a 3 way set up but ideally would like to get some directivity and pattern control as I intend to use them as 'wides' in my HT.....although I'm just not sure how important pattern control is for wides.

Anyway, I have looked around the internet and about the only thing I can find is this:

http://www.volvotret.../dl-section.htmhttp://www.volvotret.../dl-section.htm

.....it's the 10" scaled down Lascala mid horn.

Problem is, I'm not sure whether the 2123h is suitable for this build as I can't see any specific drivers mentioned.

Does anyone have any ideas on whether I should/need to horn load these mids for my wides and if so, is the design I linked OK for this?

My L/C/R all use horn loaded mids.....(not 2123h's though)

Thanks

 

[POOH]

If you are referring to the folded lascala "w bin" horn in the link for 10" drivers it is a very poor choice for midrange. I doubt the JBL 2123 would have more then a 300 to 500 cycle bandwith in it. If you want to use the 2123 to mate with a 1" driver you need to use a straight horn like the "Tractrix Midrange Horn" at the same site. Problem is it will only be good from around 400 cycles to around 1K

 

[LineSource]

General comparison between front horn loaded vs. ported box for a 10" midbass.


The JBL 2012H is the next generation 10" midbass after the 2123. JBL published a tech paper on the 2012H, and the figures in this paper show the frequency response of a JBL designed front horn, and a JBL designed ported box. This data might help you select a future research direction.

The lower SPL of the bass shelf in a ported box can be leveled/equalized by either low frequency room gain, or putting a high resistance inductor in series with the speaker as part of the Xover network to pull down the upper frequency SPL to same level as the lower frequency bass shelf.

 

[Kwikas]

POOH and LineSource..........many thanks to both of you.

 

[Brett]

Direct radiator. They go loud enough, clean enough for small venue PA (pub) supported by a 2226 below and a good horn and WG above.

 

[pos]

some inspiration and arguments for direct radiating use: DREW DANIELS' HIGH-EFFICIENCY LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
and specifically: 2. HORNS AND MIDS

 

[Kwikas]

Tks pos. Very informative and makes me wonder whether I shouldn't try the direct radiator approach first and see what it's like. Building a horn is a much bigger job......