15" JBL 2205C Anybody worked with these?

Walter Killam · From: Nebraska, USA

Hi Y'all

I have an opportunity to purchse a pair of 15" JBL 2205C speakers (raw frame). I have one loaded into a loudspeaker enclosure, and it doesn't sound bad (not really great either). I think the main problem is that these appear to have been reconed and spec out as a 32 ohm speaker. While this would be handy if I was building a BIG Speaker Array, I'm thinking that these are going to require more work than they are worth to get them functioning in a single 15 + horn cab.

The Questions:

1 - Does anyone have an opinion about the JBL 2205C 32ohm?
2 - is there any way to change the impedence on a single speaker without reconing?
3 - would it be worth reconing speakers of this calibre?
4 - Any additional thoughts on this subject?

Thanks,
Walter
_________________
Mostly junque with a few knick-knacks that I really can't do without!

Brett Lanier · From: Hermitage, TN

I've never heard of that speaker. I'd have to guess that it is more for PA use, given the 32 ohms. For steel, you'll want a guitar/full range speaker.

I've found that the K-130's get much less attention on ebay than the D-130f's. And to me, the K's seem more practical to a steel player because of their higher power rating. I got one on ebay in mint condition for 117 bucks. Also got an alnico weber california near new for $75. There are great deals on used speakers out there, just wait for the exact thing you're looking for. You'll probably spend less and get a better sound than reconing the 2205c's

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

The JBL 2205 is (was) the sound reinforcement equivalent of the D140F, a low-frequency driver with a heavy, ribbed cone structure. It could be reconed with a 130 series cone for steel and work quite nicely but otherwise does not have the upper range most folks desire for a steel guitar.

I am going to be tied up with NBA playoffs for a couple of days but will post detailed specs when I come up for air....

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

JBL 2205C specs:
Nominal Diameter -- 15"
Highest Recommended Crossover Frequency -- 800 Hz
Free Air Resonance -- 20 Hz
Voice Coil -- 4 in. Diameter Copper (the same as the K and E series 15" speakers)
Power Capacity -- 150 watts "Continuous Program" (roughly the same as the D140F, the D130F rating being a bit less. The K140 is listed at a more demanding 150 watts RMS and the K130 at 125 watts RMS. The E140 is listed at 400 watts "program" power and the E130 at 300 watts, due primarily to changes in the surround and the voice coil gap)
Frequency Range -- 30-2k Hz (both the K140 with its stiffened surround and the E140 with its ceramic magnet and wider voice coil gap are listed at 40-2500 Hz. The K130 is listed at 50-8k Hz and the E130 with the newer magnet structure lists at 50-6k Hz)

I can't think of a reason to use 32 ohm speakers in the modern world. My suggestion would be to take them to one of the better speaker reconers and get them reconed as a 4 or 8 ohm K130, THEN you will have a very fine 150 watt pedal steel guitar speaker

Walter Killam · From: Nebraska, USA

Thanks for the Specs, given the characteristics of the speakers I assumed they were not intended as instrument speakers, and what I need are 15" 8ohm PA drivers, unfortunately, when I run the numbers, it just doesn't make sense to try and use the JBL's in my application. By the time I buy the frames & have them reconed, I'll be well over the price of a pair of Eminence speakers with similar characteristics.
_________________
Mostly junque with a few knick-knacks that I really can't do without!

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

ah yes, but the eminence speakers will not give you anything like the performance of the JBL's, either in regards to longevity, efficiency, frequency response or clarity of sound. That's why we buy JBL in the first place.

One other thing to bear in mind, IF you are planning to use these for a sound system rather than a guitar speaker and IF you intend to biamp or triamp said system, then using these 32 ohm speakers with a high quality amplifier that can deliver adequate power at that load will deliver an astounding damping factor, with the tightest lows you have ever heard.

FYI, the damping factor represents the ratio between an amplifier's output impedance and the load impedance that it faces, the higher the load impedance the greater the damping factor, which reflects the ability of the amp to control the excursion of the speaker, eliminating (or in the case of a low damping factor, allowing) the tendency of the speaker to rebound from transients or resonate independently of the original signal sent to it, thus introducing distortion and unwanted artifacts. This is why an 8 ohm load sounds "tighter" than a 4 ohm or 2 ohm load with a given amplifier, while the lower load impedance, albeit somewhat louder, tends to sound "sloppy" in comparison.

Just a thought from an old sound guy....

How much does your friend want for the 32 ohm 2205's? Although the fact that these are 32 ohm speakers (you have measured them, right?) would tend to indicate that they are not recones but originals, which is a good thing, I would suggest that you point out to him the unconventional nature of the 32 ohm voice coil and try to get a better price, then go spend the money on a great amp to drive them with.

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