• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

JBL C40 clone find

nickdinatale

nickdinatale

Active Member
The other day I was looking at New England classified listings and came across a photo of the back of a JBL crossover with hand build cabinets that were quite far away in Vermont. I messaged the seller for more info, but they didn't really know much aside from the model of the crossover (N2400). Given the model of the crossover and the shape of the cabinets, I was hoping on C40 clones, but still wasn't sure what was inside. It was a 2:30 drive, but I decided to take the chance and do it. After about 6 hours of driving, I got them home and opened them up.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8049.jpg
    IMG_8049.jpg
    99.7 KB · Views: 64
  • 57653562955__80279D0D-1C3E-4FA1-998B-3DC51E270094.JPG
    57653562955__80279D0D-1C3E-4FA1-998B-3DC51E270094.JPG
    72.7 KB · Views: 71
Register to hide this ad
Johnny_Law said:
Awesome! I'm from Vermont originally - what part of the state did they come from?
Click to expand...
Newbury! It was quite a trek, but a very pleasant drive at the very least. It was even snowing a bit here and there. On the way up I went 93 into Lincoln, NH, then took Rt. 112 to 116, then crossed over the Connecticut into VT. Took 91 home.
 
Great excuse for a nice drive. I have to ask - if they are DIY, perhaps they were built as a pair, and perhaps they were built in a mirrored configuration??? I have 3 C40 cabinets and they're all the same orientation. :(
 
Johnny_Law said:
Great excuse for a nice drive. I have to ask - if they are DIY, perhaps they were built as a pair, and perhaps they were built in a mirrored configuration??? I have 3 C40 cabinets and they're all the same orientation. :(
Click to expand...
Yes, they're mirrored I'm pretty sure! What drivers are you running in your C40's?
 
nickdinatale said:
Yes, they're mirrored I'm pretty sure! What drivers are you running in your C40's?
Click to expand...

Looks like same as yours - 030 loads. Mine aren't quite up and running yet though, two of the cabinets sustained major shipping damage on the way to me, and are waiting for me to repair them. So I'll be interested to read any listening impressions you have!
 
Johnny_Law said:
Looks like same as yours - 030 loads. Mine aren't quite up and running yet though, two of the cabinets sustained major shipping damage on the way to me, and are waiting for me to repair them. So I'll be interested to read any listening impressions you have!
Click to expand...
I will fill you in once I get them set up! Unfortunately I have to clear some space before I can move them in. That's too bad that they were damaged though. How did it happen?

I also have a single C34 with an 001 load. I've been listening to that for a bit over a week now and I really like it, but it's definitely lacking at the top end. I'm really considering trying to run a three way system if I pick up one more LE175, but then I'll have to rig up some sort of custom crossover. Lots of decisions to make.
 
Johnny_Law said:
Looks like same as yours - 030 loads. Mine aren't quite up and running yet though, two of the cabinets sustained major shipping damage on the way to me, and are waiting for me to repair them. So I'll be interested to read any listening impressions you have!
Click to expand...

So, here's an update - they sound fantastic! I still have a lot of work to do to them, but I'm already impressed. Turns out they're NOT a stereo pair, which is strange considering it seems like the owner had a mono setup, then built the second speaker for stereo. Because of this, the drivers are mismatched - one being an older, 16ohm set of drivers, and the other being a newer 8ohm pair. I'll probably switch one pair out at some point to get them all matched up. I think I'm also interested in potentially swapping the D130 for 130A's for the added bass response, and adding a 175/Potato masher to have better control across all frequencies.

Like I said, I'm very impressed and very much in love with them already. Just ordered new caps for a crossover rebuild which should be here later this week. The bullet tweeter can be a bit harsh, but it's really not too bad at all. The low end isn't the most capable, but for the most part it's good enough for me. I expect it to tighten up a lot with a recap. The thing I love the most is the DETAIL. I'm already hearing things I've never heard before and I don't even have to crank the volume.

Here's a picture of one of them in my listening space:

IMG_8217.jpg
 
nickdinatale said:
So, here's an update - they sound fantastic!
Click to expand...

Great! Looks great too! Mine are the 16ohm D130s as well. Interesting about the 001 to 030 load comparison, especially since the 001 was 17% more expensive new. (I'll be curious to compare mine to my 2-way L200B and 3-way L300s.) Will continue to rely on you to forge the path, and look forward to the crossover rebuild results.

They are the right era, as stereo emerged, maybe a lot of sets are mismatched for that reason exactly. The first one of mine I acquired was in a garage where it had been sitting since the owner switched from mono to stereo in the 60's.

... and nice Klipschorn! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom