Jbl C44 Paragons Info Please Please
- Thread starter englissa
- Start date
I'm saying don't plug that Energizer (amplifier) in. It's vintage germanium, and virtually irrepairable except by experts.
Unless and until you know what you're doing, I would not even test the system at this point.
Document what you have, and we'll help you with that part.... :yes:
Unless and until you know what you're doing, I would not even test the system at this point.
Document what you have, and we'll help you with that part.... :yes:
hi, I suspect the issue with plugging them in right now is not really knowing whether, after 40-50 years, they will work properly or possibly cause damage. With a speaker system as potentially valuable as this one, it might really pay to learn a lot about the system, take inventory stock of the drivers and their condition (open the back panels, take pics and record model and serial numbers, dismount the woofers and check cones for condition and movement), before trying to power up the system.
Also, since your system may have the JBL energizer/equalizer in lieu or maybe in addition to stock crossovers (look for a 2-4 metal boxes with 6 to 8 wires routed to it/or its terminals and a round metal JBL knob), the wiring may be a little more complicated than the typical 3 way system.
Best to check the drivers using a known lower power amp just for checking purposes till the energizers can be checked out, maybe separately. I know, if the amp is there, there probably isn't another easy way to run the system, especially if there is no other crossover to properly route appropriate signals to the drivers.
BTW, the JBL literature says systems would be configured by 150-4C or LE15 Woofers, 375 mid drivers/horns, 075 bullet ring radiators and 4 dividing networks. Of course, with the energizer in there, there should be some differences. Come to think of it, these energizers would be usually two channel. IF they're in there, how many energizers are actually installed, 2, 3, or 4?
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/catalogs/1967-home/page04.jpg
Regards,
Bart
Also, since your system may have the JBL energizer/equalizer in lieu or maybe in addition to stock crossovers (look for a 2-4 metal boxes with 6 to 8 wires routed to it/or its terminals and a round metal JBL knob), the wiring may be a little more complicated than the typical 3 way system.
Best to check the drivers using a known lower power amp just for checking purposes till the energizers can be checked out, maybe separately. I know, if the amp is there, there probably isn't another easy way to run the system, especially if there is no other crossover to properly route appropriate signals to the drivers.
BTW, the JBL literature says systems would be configured by 150-4C or LE15 Woofers, 375 mid drivers/horns, 075 bullet ring radiators and 4 dividing networks. Of course, with the energizer in there, there should be some differences. Come to think of it, these energizers would be usually two channel. IF they're in there, how many energizers are actually installed, 2, 3, or 4?
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/catalogs/1967-home/page04.jpg
Regards,
Bart
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englissa
Active Member
Jbl Paragons
YEP sounds like a reall good idea,,Yes i would like to hear them but lets try and do things right, Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me . It truly amazes me how much knowledge you guys have, Get a listing of drivers and everything else that is there and YES I do appericate the help so far and what will come englissa
YEP sounds like a reall good idea,,Yes i would like to hear them but lets try and do things right, Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me . It truly amazes me how much knowledge you guys have, Get a listing of drivers and everything else that is there and YES I do appericate the help so far and what will come englissa
Keep it simple, make it fun
Hmm... Personally, I would cash them in quickly, take the money and run. Or are you mebbe planning to work a set of drawers into it for your clothing...?
I mean, even if you got it all going, how would you ever listen to it in your place? If you stand back and think it through, doesn't it sound to you like they're better off living in a large place in the country, where they could stretch their musical legs and startle young and old people alike?
Just a thought, I ain't the boss of you...
Hmm... Personally, I would cash them in quickly, take the money and run. Or are you mebbe planning to work a set of drawers into it for your clothing...?
I mean, even if you got it all going, how would you ever listen to it in your place? If you stand back and think it through, doesn't it sound to you like they're better off living in a large place in the country, where they could stretch their musical legs and startle young and old people alike?
Just a thought, I ain't the boss of you...
englissa
Active Member
Aage yes the thought has crossed my mine alot should I have bought them , this is still up in the air,I may part with them early but not before I hear them.
In a couple years I'm hoping to have a house built on my fathers farm, then I will have plenty of room but in the mean time storing them is going to be a problem unless I can find someone will to store/use them for till that time will be the problem i face , I could also ebay a lot of the junk I have now that was supposed to go there anyway to make room, no they wont sound the way they should then again what is the chance of comming across anouther one ???? englissa
In a couple years I'm hoping to have a house built on my fathers farm, then I will have plenty of room but in the mean time storing them is going to be a problem unless I can find someone will to store/use them for till that time will be the problem i face , I could also ebay a lot of the junk I have now that was supposed to go there anyway to make room, no they wont sound the way they should then again what is the chance of comming across anouther one ???? englissa
It's amazing what you can stack on and around it. My living room is 12x16 and I've got 2 La Scalas, 2 Pioneer CS-701As, 2 Fisher XP-60s along with some other speakers (subwoofers) and an 8ft long table and my wife still has room to get around in her wheelchair. . .kinda.
You heard the man. . .LOL. . .
No kidding though it is in your best interest. . .so to speak.
Where else can you have money in the bank entertain you like this can. It ain't going down in value that much is certain. Use it, tweak it, rub on it make her pretty, She'll reward you in the end and just think about having something that many people would kill to be in the same state with one and you got it in your living room listening to it enjoying it for what it was designed to do.
The amps are a different story. . . You got some good advise there. Don't touch them until you are certain you know what will happen once you plug them in. I would bet that some of the JBL gurus here and other places would help you more than you might think.
Please pardon my soapbox but just my opinion. Never really sunk in until I read your entire thread. You need to go buy a lottery ticket now.
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englissa
Active Member
YES guys I hear you,I will make room for them and your right unless I smoke the amps in them the value will be there, I dont know why but for some reasom I not dancing around like a little kid on xmas day over these's, I'm sure things will change once their up and running in in my living room. Gonna check them out and get better pics and list of drivers, need to see in i can find the outher set of feet or I'llbe making new ones at work (machinest type I am ) so that i can get them back on their feet so to speak, Will report back late tonight englissa
Not to belabor the point but even if you flip this guy, and I doubt anyone here would or could blame you, you will be amazed at how much you learn by using it and how helpful it is if and when that time comes.
I just stole a pair of La Scalas with absolutely nothing on my mind but selling them for a quick profit. Once home I had to see how they worked. That combined with reading everything I could find started to change my mind. like you though I just couldn't get behind them. Fortunately for me I did.
I know my La Scalas are money in the bank that will increase with everything I do to them. The funny part though is the longer I fool with them the more excited I get. Now I am going to do whatever I can to keep them. At least for the foreseeable future.
I know the money's there if I get cross ways and need to unload them. They are not going down in value. Right now though I hope that day doesn't come.
I just stole a pair of La Scalas with absolutely nothing on my mind but selling them for a quick profit. Once home I had to see how they worked. That combined with reading everything I could find started to change my mind. like you though I just couldn't get behind them. Fortunately for me I did.
I know my La Scalas are money in the bank that will increase with everything I do to them. The funny part though is the longer I fool with them the more excited I get. Now I am going to do whatever I can to keep them. At least for the foreseeable future.
I know the money's there if I get cross ways and need to unload them. They are not going down in value. Right now though I hope that day doesn't come.
englissa
Active Member
Yes I belive my inital reaction was to flip'em but what is the chance of comming across them again even at the price that i paid (some of the first readers know what I paid before I edit my post ) once I get rid of a bunch of stuff (yep packrat ) I will be fine, This is the breaking point for my messy house and what could be better than to drag in hopefully some of the best sounding around, yes i know there are better .
Just to let you know from a lady friend of mine that I have a commient this afternoon so I wont be able to go and checkout the paragons like I had plan, There at my friends that lives 20 miles from me so their just not around the cornor englissa
Just to let you know from a lady friend of mine that I have a commient this afternoon so I wont be able to go and checkout the paragons like I had plan, There at my friends that lives 20 miles from me so their just not around the cornor englissa
Rybeam
Super Member
I have always wanted a Paragon, saw one in the early '80's while doing pest control in the rich old part of town, so cool.
I have been going through what you and Gyusher have over a pair of Pioneer HPM-100's. Bought to turn, than the rude sounding bastards started growing on me !
I have been going through what you and Gyusher have over a pair of Pioneer HPM-100's. Bought to turn, than the rude sounding bastards started growing on me !
englissa
Active Member
Paragon
Rydeam Picked up a pair of hpm 100 for a 100 bux and was more excited guess i could bring them home and hook them up right away and the both fit into the back of my truck with cap, The paragon was transported right side, curved board and had to get help unloading them, dam things gotta weigh 150-200 lbs per side then go back and with the help of two outhers load the outher half, this may be part of the reason that the excitement is not what it should be, the dam thing is huge, plus all of you saying what a great deal I got is REALLY helping out, YES I can afford it but when your CHEAP its hard to shell out that kind of money for something untested but I beleive I'm beginning to warm up to them, When i make enought room and can work on them home things I'm sure will change, till then I better start listing thing for sale and get rid of some junk englissa
Rydeam Picked up a pair of hpm 100 for a 100 bux and was more excited guess i could bring them home and hook them up right away and the both fit into the back of my truck with cap, The paragon was transported right side, curved board and had to get help unloading them, dam things gotta weigh 150-200 lbs per side then go back and with the help of two outhers load the outher half, this may be part of the reason that the excitement is not what it should be, the dam thing is huge, plus all of you saying what a great deal I got is REALLY helping out, YES I can afford it but when your CHEAP its hard to shell out that kind of money for something untested but I beleive I'm beginning to warm up to them, When i make enought room and can work on them home things I'm sure will change, till then I better start listing thing for sale and get rid of some junk englissa
englissa
Active Member
paragon
Well I'm glad that outhers have gone through this, IF I was to flip the paragon, working to bring it up in a orderly fashing and checking it out good would be a reallg good selling point for it, someone on ebay has a repro manual on it and I think I'll get it, hell what's a couple more dollars ? You know you are really a great bunch of guys
englissa
Well I'm glad that outhers have gone through this, IF I was to flip the paragon, working to bring it up in a orderly fashing and checking it out good would be a reallg good selling point for it, someone on ebay has a repro manual on it and I think I'll get it, hell what's a couple more dollars ? You know you are really a great bunch of guys
englissa