Opinion on JBL 2345 with 2420

[barbodelic]

Dear AK'ers,

I am pretty new to this forum and in playing around with speakers.
I have two JBL 3677 at home connected to a Fisher X-101-C. I really love the sound but I want to upgrade the horns and I was eyeing the JBL 2345 to replace the default horns (JBL 2373).

Two options are on the table now:
1. Buy the 2345 horns and install the original drivers (JBL 2416-1) onto the new horns (€175)

2. There is another guy offering the same horns but with the JBL 2420 drivers (€400)

So my question is: is the step up from the 2416-1 to the 2420 drivers a big one? Or should I just save the money and go for the horn only option?
I know everything is subjective but maybe there are some people on here who have experience with both of them or how the 2420 sound.

Thanks in advice!

 

[Nyjblbob]

The 2420 is the Pro version also in 4320's,4333's
of the Le85 Large alnico 1" driver, as used in the L-200's and 300's
They came with excellent Aluminum diaphragms. Most of the hard driven 2420's, have had them changed.
The newer titanium phragms while more robust, can be a bit harsh up top.
Not really bad if crossed over Lower to Tweeters.
The go to Replacement
I swear by is the Radian. Best case scenario, is the 2420's you are looking at, Have the Red wax seals
still intact. and maybe they lived a quiet life in a home and the Aluminum phragms are still good .
I never cared for the 2345 horns in a house. 2344's are the best IMHO. 4430's and 4435's.use them.
I am unfamiliar with the 2373. if they are the small flat front horns I'm not thrilled with them.
Good luck

 

[malden]

...... 2344's are the best IMHO. 4430's and 4435's use them.....

Would 2425J drivers work with the 2344?

 

[Nyjblbob]

YES.
BUT the Advanced X-overs used in the 4400 series, with the dual pots,
would help smooth out the response curve.
of the 2344 horn, And mostly eliminate the Need for tweeters.
A Lot depends on the Woofers you have or plan to use.
A big issue with the 4430's and the bigger 4435's
due to the Large 15" heavy cones used forced the X-over point
down to 1,000 cps. Also the protection built into the X-overs
to protect the HF Horns diaphragms. They can take CLEAN 500 Watts
Ask me how I know
This also decreases the efficiency of the system.
The smaller 4425's and the Rare L200 t3's use 12" woofers
and their X-over point is I believe 1200 cps.
It is a trade off, better Bass, or cleaner mids, and higher efficiency.
But the need for Subs

 

[barbodelic]

Thanks for the answers guy. I couldn't decide in the end and just stayed with the ongoing system because of ringing issues of the JBL 2345. Now i stumbled across some nice Fostex H425 wooden horns which have a pretty low crossover point at about 420 Hz (surprise, surprise...) and could get my hands on the JBL 3110A Network which crosses over at 800 Hz. Do you think that the 2416 can take the lower crossover or would it get blown? Right now they are crossed over at 1.2kHz.

Best,
barbodelic

EDIT: Found out that the 2416 is specwise identical to the 2426 and the lowest recommended crossover point is 800 Hz.

 

[Nyjblbob]

Sure the bigger wood horns are rated to go lower, But that doesn't help the small 1" throat drivers,
that are not so smooth down to 800cps. I personally Like the 3110's. the 3110a's should be better
but are "not" better. The only thing is they are for pro use, and even at their lowest setting, there's 3
the Horns will be much louder than most of the better JBL 12"s and 15" woofers.
So an additional Resister or L- Pad would be needed to balance out the DB levels, and eliminate the shoutyness.
BTW I use similar 800 cps Xovers, in my big 3 way EN5 cabinets.
They use the Massive 26 lb LE376's which have Huge 4" VC's and diaphragms, along with the big 2" throats.
They have no problem going down to 800 cps, even 500 cps with big horns and Low Power.
If you still want to try the 3110's with the 1" throat horns and drivers, Try the Radian Brand aftermarket diaphragms.
the are more Robust and smoother than the fragile and NLA JBL Aluminum phragms,, and sound better than the Titanium JBL's

 

[barbodelic]

Thanks alot! After talking to a JBL Pro he definitely advised against going that low because the 2416 can only handle frequencies down to 1200 Hz.
So you would say I shouldn't upgrade the horn to a much bigger one because of the level differences between woofer and horn? I really think that the 2373 horn doesn't work as fine as this system could perform.

 

[Nyjblbob]

Horn size and shape is very subjective
large and some medium throw
horns don’t always work well in small
Rooms
Many need 15-20’ before they come together
And project a coherent mix with the Woofers
it’s probably why I like the 604’s
and even the Jbl 2344’s
So much for my small LR

 

[barbodelic]

My LR is pretty big for german circumstances, the listening distance is about 11 ft and the purpose of the system is not only in my LR. I use it for listening events I host so some serious pro power would be very welcome. Do you have any horn/CD suggestions? I'm open to exchanging the CD since the 2416 is the weakest part in the system. I really like radial designs but obviously open for all suggestions.

 

[Nyjblbob]

11’ is still kinda close
If you’re not alll in on Jbls
you could go over to the Klipsch forum
You should read the thread
On the DMAHL tweeters
Specifically with what claud
And I are discussing about the Elpitical
Horns and drivers made by
Faital Pro