JBL Concert Speakers: power & Connections?

[kyrvas]

Just inherited, due to a death in the family, JBL Concert speakers (a guess on my part that these are 'concert' by the large size, about 50" x 24" x 24"_ a sizing guess). There is also a mixing board, older looking Amp, and cabling with blue canon-plug type ends.

My question:
- How do I connect these to listen?
- What Amplifier wattage do I need?
- Cabling?
- Any other needed equipment?

Thank you in advance!

 

[lovinthehd]

One of these? Do you have any model numbers on cabinets, drivers or the mixer? Likely they're high sensitivity speakers and won't require a lot of power to get to deafening levels, a normal receiver should be fine; I take it you don't have a receiver, or an integrated amp or a pre-amp/amp combo of your own? Speaker wire article here

What's your aim, a little home theater and/or for music? What sources do you want to use (cd, computer/streaming, radio, etc ).

 

[kyrvas]

One of these? Do you have any model numbers on cabinets, drivers or the mixer? Likely they're high sensitivity speakers and won't require a lot of power to get to deafening levels, a normal receiver should be fine; I take it you don't have a receiver, or an integrated amp or a pre-amp/amp combo of your own? Speaker wire article here

What's your aim, a little home theater and/or for music? What sources do you want to use (cd, computer/streaming, radio, etc ).

lovinthehd - thanks for your reply; hope I clicked the correct Reply button.
Thanks also for the link to obsolete JBLs. I think these were custom built (not sure); they have three speakers in them which I can view through the rugged screen: 1 - 2370A horn, 1 - midrange?, 1 - 15" woofer? Plus, there are four cutouts for very tiny speakers (tweeters?).

The speakers and electronics are in storage:
Drivers I don't understand?
No numbers on cabinets; they are carpeted in gray.
Mixers: one in my office now is a YAMAHA MG102c. Others, I will look on storage.
Amp/receiver: there is a rack style AMP? or Receiver? Will go to storage tomorrow to see exactly.

My aim is to sell these; but I would like to demonstrate to a prospective buyer that they work. In the past, I have observed two in use inside a home. I thought they were overkill to be in a living room so the family member demonstrated that they could produce pleasing music of a movie score at low volume levels. Unfortunately, I did not observe his setup.

I do appreciate your feedback. And, can I post images in these posts?

 

[lovinthehd]

lovinthehd - thanks for your reply; hope I clicked the correct Reply button.
Thanks also for the link to obsolete JBLs. I think these were custom built (not sure); they have three speakers in them which I can view through the rugged screen: 1 - 2370A horn, 1 - midrange?, 1 - 15" woofer? Plus, there are four cutouts for very tiny speakers (tweeters?).

The speakers and electronics are in storage:
Drivers I don't understand?
No numbers on cabinets; they are carpeted in gray.
Mixers: one in my office now is a YAMAHA MG102c. Others, I will look on storage.
Amp/receiver: there is a rack style AMP? or Receiver? Will go to storage tomorrow to see exactly.

My aim is to sell these; but I would like to demonstrate to a prospective buyer that they work. In the past, I have observed two in use inside a home. I thought they were overkill to be in a living room so the family member demonstrated that they could produce pleasing music of a movie score at low volume levels. Unfortunately, I did not observe his setup.

I do appreciate your feedback. And, can I post images in these posts?

Drivers are the individual transducers in the cabinets. You may need to take some out of the enclosure to see individual model numbers.

You need a certain number of posts to add attachments...

 

[kyrvas]

Drivers are the individual transducers in the cabinets. You may need to take some out of the enclosure to see individual model numbers.

You need a certain number of posts to add attachments...

So, the model numbers are on the transducers; or the transducers are obscuring the model numbers from view? Tomorrow when I go to storage, I'll see what this entails.

 

[sterling shoote]

I think your JBL's are sound reinforcement speakers. These are used in church, club, and lounge venues to deliver amplified sound from stage to a big audience at distance from stage. Some folks do indeed use this sort of speaker, as well as those made for cinema sound amplification in home stereo/theatre environments but their characteristics may not be ideal for home sized space.

 

[lovinthehd]

So, the model numbers are on the transducers; or the transducers are obscuring the model numbers from view? Tomorrow when I go to storage, I'll see what this entails.

View attachment 21143

Maybe it's links that you need more posts for ? Seems you got the pic attached fine.

Each driver/transducer would likely have a model number on the back of the driver/transducer, and may need to pull the driver out of the box to see it (would be held in by a set of screws, be careful handling the driver and its wiring).

 

[kyrvas]

T

I think your JBL's are sound reinforcement speakers. These are used in church, club, and lounge venues to deliver amplified sound from stage to a big audience at distance from stage. Some folks do indeed use this sort of speaker, as well as those made for cinema sound amplification in home stereo/theatre environments but their characteristics may not be ideal for home sized space.

Thanks Sterling - my brother-in-law did travel to various churches to give audio/visual presentations; so that explains why he had such large speakers in a home, including JBL monitors and BGW power amps.

BTW, People interested in these speakers want them for family festivals or other outdoor gatherings. The price is another question.

 

[kyrvas]

Maybe it's links that you need more posts for ? Seems you got the pic attached fine.

Each driver/transducer would likely have a model number on the back of the driver/transducer, and may need to pull the driver out of the box to see it (would be held in by a set of screws, be careful handling the driver and its wiring).

Lovinthehd - After a couple posts, I saw the image icon.

Hope the screens are easily taken off the front but then do I take the speakers out to get to the drivers?

 

[lovinthehd]

Lovinthehd - After a couple posts, I saw the image icon.

Hope the screens are easily taken off the front but then do I take the speakers out to get to the drivers?

Yes, what you're calling speakers I think is what I call a driver (multiple drivers with a crossover network usually make up a given loudspeaker). The baffle is the piece they are affixed to with screws, and to see the back of the driver you'd need to remove the screws and carefully pull out each one to see individual model numbers....

 

[ski2xblack]

Chris, I don't think the OP has to disassemble his speakers, if the goal is merely to get them working for auditioning for potential buyers. If the BIL used them regularly, I think we can go on the assumption that they're functional. He just needs to dig up and disclose to us whatever mixer and amp his BIL used so we can help him hook it all up.

 

[Verdinut]

Yes, what you're calling speakers I think is what I call a driver (multiple drivers with a crossover network usually make up a given loudspeaker). The baffle is the piece they are affixed to with screws, and to see the back of the driver you'd need to remove the screws and carefully pull out each one to see individual model numbers....

If the OP has a receiver or amplifier of some sort, he could just connect the JBLs to it and see if they seem to function normally. That would save him the trouble of opening the boxes and removing the drivers etc.

In order to protect a testing amplifier against the possibility of shorted speaker voice coils, he could use a 1½ volt battery to see if the speakers click beforehand. Then, if a speaker clicks, there should not be a risk of damaging an amplifier.

 

[kyrvas]

Yes, what you're calling speakers I think is what I call a driver (multiple drivers with a crossover network usually make up a given loudspeaker). The baffle is the piece they are affixed to with screws, and to see the back of the driver you'd need to remove the screws and carefully pull out each one to see individual model numbers....

Thanks again - I'm discovering that I'm not too old to learn something new (driver = transducer).

 

[kyrvas]

Chris, I don't think the OP has to disassemble his speakers, if the goal is merely to get them working for auditioning for potential buyers. If the BIL used them regularly, I think we can go on the assumption that they're functional. He just needs to dig up and disclose to us whatever mixer and amp his BIL used so we can help him hook it all up.

ski2xblack - Yes, preferably not open the cabinets; yet, I would like to know what their value is. For me now is to hear them produce sound. Regarding past use, my BIL had two in the living room working; and two in the garage not being used. Those in the garage were covered with tightly fitted vinyl? covers.

 

[kyrvas]

If the OP has a receiver or amplifier of some sort, he could just connect the JBLs to it and see if they seem to function normally. That would save him the trouble of opening the boxes and removing the drivers etc.

In order to protect a testing amplifier against the possibility of shorted speaker voice coils, he could use a 1½ volt battery to see if the speakers click beforehand. Then, if a speaker clicks, there should not be a risk of damaging an amplifier.

Verdinut - today, I am searching for rcvr/amp/mixer. When I have make & models, I'll post.

Once at the connection point, I will definitely need hand-holding with the 1.5v battery. Two units are operational; known from hearing them two years ago. Two in the garage?

Another observation, I think the backs have different controls?

Each of you are certainly being most helpful; I am glad that I discovered the Audioholics forums.

 

[lovinthehd]

Chris, I don't think the OP has to disassemble his speakers, if the goal is merely to get them working for auditioning for potential buyers. If the BIL used them regularly, I think we can go on the assumption that they're functional. He just needs to dig up and disclose to us whatever mixer and amp his BIL used so we can help him hook it all up.

Yeah, was thinking potential buyers would want the specifics on the drivers in this type of speaker. A quick and simple hook up either with a suitable receiver or amp of some sort should indicate whether it's worth going forward, though but I also think they're likely functional although an inspection of surrounds and such would be in order as well. Question is does the OP have such amp to try the audio test?

 

[Verdinut]

Yeah, was thinking potential buyers would want the specifics on the drivers in this type of speaker. A quick and simple hook up either with a suitable receiver or amp of some sort should indicate whether it's worth going forward, though but I also think they're likely functional although an inspection of surrounds and such would be in order as well. Question is does the OP have such amp to try the audio test?

I doubt that professional transducers as those would have a foam surround and the situation of replacing the surrounds would arise.

One thing for sure, he doesn't need a powerful amp to try them. Moreover, their impedance is most likely 8 ohms and therefore they shouldn't need much current, not like with the present hi-fi speaker trend.

 

[lovinthehd]

I doubt that professional transducers as those would have a foam surround and the situation of replacing the surrounds would arise.

One thing for sure, he doesn't need a powerful amp to try them. Moreover, their impedance is most likely 8 ohms and therefore they shouldn't need much current, not like with the current hi-fi speaker trend.

Looks like two drivers have foam surrounds in his pic.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...- I'm discovering that I'm not too old to learn something new (driver = transducer).

Welcome.

No one is too old for that.

 

[kyrvas]

Looks like two drivers have foam surrounds in his pic.

A larger image of the speakers is available, if it would help.

Today, I found a receiver, amp, and several mixers.
- Marantz Model 2270 Receiver
- BGW Stereo Power Amp Model 210
- Mixers are different sizes: Tangent, Mackie, Yamaha (smallest)

When looking at the backs of the receiver and amp, I see only standard speaker wire connections.
The JBLs have heavy shielded? cables with one blue end (canon-plug type) that goes into the back of the JBL, and the other end is a plug that I've seen plugged into mixing boards. So, how do the JBL cables connect to my amp or receiver?