JBL D130f vs. D140f

[Spectrum II]

This topic has been covered before, but let's open it up again. Tell me what you know about the characteristics of these speakers in bass applications, guitar applications, etc. I want this to be the definitive JBL Sunn thread.

Share your knowledge!

[Isaac]

The D130 was designed as a guitar driver. The cone is smooth, lighter than that of the D140, and it has a higher resonance frequency (Fs). It also has a higher sensitivity, and a slightly extended high frequency response.

The D140 was designed as a bass driver. It has the concentric rings around the cone, which stiffen it, make it heavier, and supposedly help control breakup, so that the polar response (dispersion) is better in its upper range. It has a lower Fs, giving it a more extended low frequency response, and lower sensitivity overall, due mainly to the heavier cone.

IIRC, the D130 has an aluminum voice coil, the D140 copper. The frames and magnet structures are exactly the same, so they can be reconed from one to the other.

[EdBass]

Well done Isaac, Add a short paragraph about the LE 100S driver and add that the D15S was a rebadged D130, and I think you may have completely covered the "definitive JBL Sunn thread" with a single post!

[JoeArthur]

Well done Isaac, Add a short paragraph about the LE 100S driver and add that the D15S was a rebadged D130, and I think you may have completely covered the "definitive JBL Sunn thread" with a single post!

Oh come on - we know the LE-100S, which was the horn used in the 100s cab has absolutely nothing to do with D130 and D140 which the original poster posted about!!

Ok... I have to agree about the D15S.

[po-mo preschool]

Anybody have numbers for the sensitivity ratings? Just curious.

[EdBass]

I want this to be the definitive JBL Sunn thread.

To be "definitive", you would have to to include the only JBL/Sunn compression driver; wouldn't you?

If not, mea culpa for contaminating the essence of this thread.

[JoeArthur]

I want this to be the definitive JBL Sunn thread.

To be "definitive", you would have to to include the only JBL/Sunn compression driver; wouldn't you?

If not, mea culpa for contaminating the essence of this thread.

I guess you would!!

Do you happen to know how the horn was mounted in the 100s cab? Like was the top section blocked off and isolated (probably wouldn't need to be) or did the inside baffles still exist in the top section?  Never had one apart, but they were great for clean guitar sounds.

[Isaac]

I have a Sunn PA, complete with cabinets. Not the Beach Boys Coliseum PA, a smaller one. The cabinets are 24" wide, 30" or 36" high (I'm at work, and can't go measure them). They contain one D130 and a right-angle horn with the LE-100S driver, only one of which works. There is no separate enclosure. As you said, Joe, there's no need, as the LE-100S/horm assembly is completely enclosed. No inside baffles.

I'm not sure about the sensitivity ratings for the D series, but the K series is said to be almost identical. Sensitivity for the K130 is 103dB/1w/1m, swept from 500-2500Hz. For the K140, it's 98dB.

The thing to remember about sensitivity ratings is that there is no standard for measurement. JBL is usually pretty conservative with their ratings, so much so that they felt it necessary to explain their methods and why their ratings might be lower than those of other companies. Some companies measure at 1000Hz only. Others might run a full frequency test, then publish the highest number achieved. In that way, a driver might have a 100dB rating, but if that is achieved only in the breakup region at 4KHz, that doesn't make it a very useful rating for a bass driver!

[po-mo preschool]

Yeah, I guess numbers are never the magic bullets marketers want them to be. Thanks for the info, Isaac!

[Isaac]

You're welcome. I'm always glad to help when I can.

[Spectrum II]

Is it possible to run a D130 instead of the F series with this set-up?

[Isaac]

With what setup?

Your question makes no sense to me as stated.

[Spectrum II]

It's a Sunn head that, I guess, is basically a 2000s. It has 4 KT88's,  1 12AX7, 2 GZ34, & a 6N8A in an 18" chasis labeled "Spectrum II" that'll be running into the Sunn 115BH that I inquired about in a previous thread.

[JoeArthur]

It's possible to use a D130 with a 115BH.

But are you trying to do?

I guess I would personally be hesitant to put 120 watts into a single D130 if I was going to be using it for bass as I would be concerned about it flapping or blowing up on the low E string. Maybe EdBass will chime in here - I know some people that have used the D130 series for bass, but it was in a fully enclosed cab where the trapped air would help limit the cone movement.

But for guitar use I'd probably go for it, not turning up the volume of the amp to max.