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JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?

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Posted on November 27, 2014 at 14:22:32
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 I am just getting in to the single ended triode thing, and need to get some speakers which will generate some "SPLs" from a SET amplifier. Specifically, around 2W RMS output from a 2A3.

My attraction to the JE labs baffles comes mainly from the fact that they don't involve any major investment or effort like a horn system, and if I need to move on it will be easy. They also seem to be fairly popular with the DIY audio community.

While The JE Labs baffles look like an OK entry point, the WE or even Altec 755A's are a bit rich for my blood. I'd like to do a bit of a survey, if anyone has built these baffles, list what speakers you used, and your impressions. I am thinking towards something cheap but decent sounding, for example Philips 8" full range speakers, or similar.

-Max

 

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Goodmans 201 with a T35B capped in at about 6KHz?, posted on November 27, 2014 at 16:02:37
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Built EXACTLY as per the plans. Including the little top shelf that was ultimately used for the T35B. Shelf should be the width of the driver used.

Center the main speaker in exactly the same place as per the plans irrespective of speaker size you end up with as this is important, and enjoy.

If I had ditch my EdgarHorns and to go back to the OBs tomorrow it would not be the end of the world. They were that good.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on November 27, 2014 at 19:38:52
kyle
Audiophile

Posts: 1839
Location: London Ontario
Joined: September 29, 1999
 You should be prepared to have the baffles well out out from the walls which takes a fair sized room in most cases. Positioning is very important with OB types.
Also, the 755 on an open baffle isn't really suited to rock or big orchestral music in my opinion. It just doesn't move enough air. On the other hand, if you're listening to 50's / 60's jazz, you may find them to be one of the best. My brief exposure to them was an eye opener but I couldn't live with the restrictions.

 

How about the audio nirvana speakers? , posted on November 28, 2014 at 11:02:17
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 Anyone tried them? Look to be perfect but the Advertising style isn't very Appealing, way too much bragging going on.

 

RE: Goodmans 201 with a T35B capped in at about 6KHz?, posted on November 28, 2014 at 11:29:57
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 I just sold some goodmans speakers earlier this year! I had them in my basement for 20 years and sold them to make space shortly before getting into SETs... let it be known, never sell anything! haha

 

Cheap, new and a flea watt sound/video on Youtube..., posted on November 28, 2014 at 14:05:14
DeKay
 Wild Burro Betsy speakers (high QTS for open baffle use).

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on November 29, 2014 at 00:36:51
amandarae
Audiophile

Posts: 2591
Location: So.Cal
Joined: November 30, 2004
 You can see the pic of mine with Altec 604-8G's in JE's site when I was using them.

Sold my Linkwitz Labs Orions (MK whatever as I cannot keep up how many revisions were made after it ended for me on the 4th one!) and Magnepans after my OB experiment. Not as good as my BR bass bin with Le Cleach horns (JMLC or Azura) but like Ivan303, If I have to go back to OB's, I will be happy with the JE labs.
I use 2A3's on mine for my 22' x 26' room and it sounds great. Preamp is active type 76 or type 26. I still have the OB's after all these years but disassembled. Who knows, maybe if I have more time to spare I migth install them again.

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on November 30, 2014 at 04:47:34
Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003
 I used GPA 604 drivers in OB for several months. The OB was built per JE's plans and they were used in a 14' x 20' room. I used them with both SE and PP amps.

From this one experience, I would say OBs have two big advantages: First, they are cheap and easy to make. Second, they don't have any box colorations.

The JE OBs also have some disadvantages. I never got used to the perspective---it always seemed like I was in the balcony looking down on the performers. And the response was not as smooth and even as a good box.

I had intended to build some big 9cu ft bass reflex cabinets but ended up selling the 604s instead. The woofer is quite good but I never liked the sound of the compression driver and its horn. There is a discontinuity between the drivers that, once identified, bothered me every time I listened to the speakers. Many people like the 604 so obviously this is not a problem for everybody.

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on November 30, 2014 at 11:14:30
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 I used to have a pair of Goodmans Triaxiom speakers and felt exactly the same about the discontinuity between bass and treble. I had mine in washing machine sized cabinets, and despite their excellent sensitivity and dynamics they never stayed in my system long due to coloration. I had assumed altec speakers Sonehow got around this provlem. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Best regards

Max

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on December 1, 2014 at 20:46:27
Garg0yle
Audiophile

Posts: 859
Joined: December 1, 2014
 You really should have tried a bigger box, it is worth the effort.

Open baffle has some appeal for some people but a Duplex is not really suitable for OB and is not representative of the 604's capabilities.

A 12-15 cu ft bass reflex box is a nice home for a Duplex.
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RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on December 2, 2014 at 19:57:09
Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003
 12-15 cu ft is a big cabinet!

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on December 2, 2014 at 21:15:07
Garg0yle
Audiophile

Posts: 859
Joined: December 1, 2014
 Yes although the ones I built (16 cu foot) have the same or smaller footprint then the 5.5 cu foot boxes they came in.
They also do not protrude into the room as much due to their shape.

I took advantage of the 5'x 5' Baltic Birch plywood size and made them just shy of 5'. This put the driver at ear level.

They are 35.5" wide, and are a 50/40 corner box.


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RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on December 9, 2014 at 05:42:12
Oface
Audiophile

Posts: 1497
Location: columbia, south carolina
Joined: May 3, 2003
 That is a large cab! What do you have it tuned to?

You happen to have a link or pics of these cabs?

Thanks!

 

RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on December 9, 2014 at 06:34:46
Garg0yle
Audiophile

Posts: 859
Joined: December 1, 2014
 Certainly, I will get something up this afternoon.
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RE: JE Labs Baffles - SPL from SET?, posted on December 9, 2014 at 14:00:35
Garg0yle
Audiophile

Posts: 859
Joined: December 1, 2014
 I put some info in another thread here:

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=hug&m=171670
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RE: Goodmans 201 with a T35B capped in at about 6KHz?, posted on December 11, 2014 at 21:41:05
Jim Hodgson
Audiophile

Posts: 399
Location: New York City
Joined: March 9, 2006
 =Shelf should be the width of the driver used=

Interesting. This never occurred to me. All of JE's favorite drivers are 8" ... and I thought this was just a coincidence. But, it makes sense. The original Stereo Sound plans indicate 200mm or 7-7/8" even though those plans call for adapter plates to accommodate drivers from 8" to 15".

Thanks for pointing this out.

 

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