Why O Why .... Big Speakers

Snade

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Several years ago I saw Powerman at Bob’s party (Robie on AK) and he told me about a new build - he found Altec Valencia cabinets (empty, no drivers) on CraigsList and thought they would make a good platform to build speakers with JBL components that could be better than Valencia speakers.

Powerman (Dave) lives in the NW suburbs of Chicago and has an extensive collection of custom build JBL speakers and a big collection of JBL drivers and components and a lot of power amps. He's been collecting JBL drivers for many years, many from old movie theaters and nightclubs in the Chicago area and the midwest that were torn down many years ago.

So in Powerman’s words, this is what this Altec / JBL custom build is about.

"The Valencia cabinets that I refinished and cut a new top baffle board for were tuned to 40hz.

The components used are JBL 2225H a 15" woofer. I like it better than the 2226 which has a bigger rising response in the midrange. woofers are 8 ohms. The horns are very thick cast JBL 2345 much better than the Altec's and have proper loading to 800 hz and below.

The midrange / high freq. is a JBL 2426J. All components use original JBL diaphragms no aftermarkets. The crossover used are JBL 3110A rated for 300 watts with high frequency equalization for extended high frequency 8 ohm low and 16 ohm high. Also had to use a 16 ohm 50 watt Lpad to bring the horns down some more. Very efficient at 111db for the horns, the crossovers only give you a 10db pad. The woofers are 97 db so you dial down 4 db on the horns to match.

The system is 97db/1/watt and max input of 300 watts with 121db output. They work well with 5 watts and scary loud at full input. And new JBL black grille cloth. Weight about 128pds each. Dave"

20230318_104657-1.jpgJBL_valencia_1_web.jpg20200222_124339.jpgTwo_JBL.jpgView_Above.jpg
 
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I have this dream to open a photography gallery (with local artists) in rented space here in Florida with concrete floors and midcentury modern furniture (loft space vibe) and a vintage stereo with these speakers and a tube amp playing 60's live jazz albums.

Step one is these speakers. :)
That is a fantastic dream. I don't even think my melatonin/magnesium/5-htp sleep remedy would elicit such a wonderful dream.
 
I have this dream to open a photography gallery (with local artists) in rented space here in Florida with concrete floors and midcentury modern furniture (loft space vibe) and a vintage stereo with these speakers and a tube amp playing 60's live jazz albums.

Step one is these speakers. :)
I really, really like that dream. We've gone for a similar vibe (such as we could manage) in my wife's art supply shop, the Beatnik. Dig up some recordings of Beat poets doing readings (with jazz in the background) while you're at it. There are a few super ones out there.
 
Paul Klipsch said, in so many words, that he'd make small loudspeakers when they figured out a way to miniaturize a 16 Hz sound wave.

:smoke

[edit: 16 Hz being the fundamental frequency of a 32 foot pipe organ pipe, the wavelength of which being ca. 70 feet. Y'all LS50s, have fun ;) ]
 
Welcome and great looking speakers, they look original/intentional. Looking to do something similar with like horns....
 
I was wondering if Snade was planning on placing the speakers on stands?
I know most Altec and JBL horn users have them placed on the floor.
IMHO they would sound better elevated.
 
Can't wait to store them.....er......pick them up for you Mark. I have the name tag design already conceived. Think, of that grille cloth with a large crocheted design, very large cursive font with Eastern European influence for the name. ;)

If Kirk can provide a small tube amp to debut them with a decent pre (my Schiit Saga?) we've got an unveiling party in the making. All this just 3 weeks after my last audio themed party. I've got a nice room to accommodate a crowd...........
 
I was wondering if Snade was planning on placing the speakers on stands?
I know most Altec and JBL horn users have them placed on the floor.
IMHO they would sound better elevated.

Yes, I would think putting them on a short platform of some type, made of walnut to match the cabinets, would look cool and sound a tad better.

Agree.
 
Can't wait to store them.....er......pick them up for you Mark. I have the name tag design already conceived. Think, of that grille cloth with a large crocheted design, very large cursive font with Eastern European influence for the name. ;)

If Kirk can provide a small tube amp to debut them with a decent pre (my Schiit Saga?) we've got an unveiling party in the making. All this just 3 weeks after my last audio themed party. I've got a nice room to accommodate a crowd...........

Crocheted grill cloth! Now we're talking.
 
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