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JBL Speaker Project

Parts List

It's all in the thread except for Zilch's custom designed xover which is modeled after the one in the 4430 with attenuation for high and mid frequencies. Here are the main components:

Waveguides: JBL PT-F95HF

Compression Drivers: JBL 2452H-SL

Woofers: LE14-H3

Let us know if you make a pair. :thmbsp:
 
H=29"
W=22"
D=18.5"

The interior dimensions are smaller as there is a recessed baffle and false bottom. They are standard Barzilay cabinets.
 
Wow. Just saw this thread bobbing back up years after it was started! These speakers are cool, and I'm very interested in trying to make a duplicate of what you've done (I'm in no hurry, it will take some time to get things lined up).

Anyhow, I'm just curious what you and Zilch did for bracing and sealing the cabinet. Did you just place bracing in the corners of the cabinet? Any center-braces?

And the x-overs. I know you said they're modded after 4425's. But, that also leaves a lot of room to wonder what real final configuration wound up being. Any chance someone made a schematic with values?
 
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Thank you. The xovers are modeled after 4430's. I have a parts list and a layout somewhere. The cabinets are not properly braced but it's on my to do list. If you want to duplicate these start looking for the JBL 2452H-SL compression drivers first.
 
Get them on Ebay

There is a guy in LA that was selling a pair or two every month, I got mine for ~ $600/pair. The SL version is essential for our use (ultra high sound quality)
Steve
 
Duffinator,

I just read your whole thread. I am really inspired to modify my Barzilays similarly. My Barzilay cabs have some Trusonic 150FR's in them.

I am going for a retro/mid century motif also and I was thinking of adding those exact same Ikea legs to the underside of my cabinets. The legs would match my bookshelf/console perfectly. My question is, did you add the legs for purely aesthetic reasons or for sonic reasons? Or a little of both? (your jbl legs are REALLY sweet)

-Brian

oh.. here is my thread in case you are interested
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=284207
 
brwells said:
Duffinator,

I just read your whole thread. I am really inspired to modify my Barzilays similarly. My Barzilay cabs have some Trusonic 150FR's in them.

I am going for a retro/mid century motif also and I was thinking of adding those exact same Ikea legs to the underside of my cabinets. The legs would match my bookshelf/console perfectly. My question is, did you add the legs for purely aesthetic reasons or for sonic reasons? Or a little of both? (your jbl legs are REALLY sweet)

-Brian

oh.. here is my thread in case you are interested
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=284207
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Thanks. I posted the answers in your thread. Good luck with your project.
 
buglemfar said:
Love em!!! I found some Barzilay's last weekend with LE14a's in them and am inspired by your work. Beautiful! :music:
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Thank you. Check the econo waveguide thread in DIY for lots of suggestions on what to match up with the LE14A's. When setup properly the LE14A's are capable of deep bass in those cabinets. Good luck with your project.
 
Thanks to AK member Bhamm I've finally started the upgrade process. Yesterday we cut new from baffles moving the woofer up 3/4" to get the CD and woof closer together. I've decided not to flush mount the woof, waveguide , and ports. New rear panels were cut that are thicker. I will add a large shelf brace that will tie the sides, front, rear and top of the cabinet together. While I'm not going to use Dynamat I will add battens in strategic places. The bottom has a 2x4 brace screwed to it for the legs and I'll add another cross member in the middle. The flared ports are on order. Additionally I'll try and source black hex head screws for the WF and bolts for the woofers. I'm still planning on adding weight to the leg frame but am undetermined how I'm going to do it. I may use a PVC tube filled with lead shot or I may use diving weights. I think the lead shot might vibrate so that's probably not a good idea.

Duffinator said:
Planned upgrades are:

Flared ports from PE.

Flush mount the woof, waveguide, and ports.

Dynamat on the walls.

Internal bracing.

Added weight underneath the rear of the cabinet.
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There's a 5/8" lip on the front of my Barzilay cabinets so any gain from flush mounting would probably be negated by the lip. (similar to PE knockdown cabinets) If I was building new cabinets not only would they be flush mounted the front profile would be as narrow as possible and I'd use rounded corners on the cabinets. Maybe one of these days I'll have the tools and skills to build proper cabinets like yours.
 
Have you considered using 5/8" material to get yourself a nice flush front? combine that with the original baffle thickness and you'll probably have all the sturdiness you'll need. :)
 
dnewma04 said:
Have you considered using 5/8" material to get yourself a nice flush front? combine that with the original baffle thickness and you'll probably have all the sturdiness you'll need. :)
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I have. Aesthetics and convenience are about the only good reason to use these cabinets and both of those bring compromises. One of these days I'll build proper cabinets to match the quality of the components I'm using. :thmbsp:
 
No Flared Ports

After receiving the specs from PSP on the exterior flare diameter they are too large and won't fit on my front baffles. I could put them on the rear but my speakers are close to the wall so I want the ports on the front. I'll mount the ports from the rear and use a rounder bit on the front side of the baffle. Or maybe I could mount them on the bottom? :scratch2:

Well that saved me about $60 so free beer at my house this weekend! :D
 
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I continue to work on the update of my speakers with most of the little details complete and I'm in the middle of sanding and oiling the cabinets. I've decided to spend the savings from the port flares on Dynamat to line the inside walls of the cabinets. I'm also thinking about adding approximately 20 lbs. of weight to each speaker. Any thoughts on adding weight?


Here's a link to the May 2010 Stereophile review of the JBL Synthesis 1400 Array BG speakers that use the latest version of the woofers that I'm using.
 
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