JBL JRX speakon mod

[HMV]

I work A/V for a museum, and we're looking to replace our crappy powered EONs with passive speakers and amps. I'm looking at the JRX 115's, but would love if they had two speakons to make it easier to daisy chain. From the factory they have one speakon input and one 1/4". Has anyone tried this? Would it work?

[Paul O]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

I work A/V for a museum, and we're looking to replace our crappy powered EONs with passive speakers and amps. I'm looking at the JRX 115's, but would love if they had two speakons to make it easier to daisy chain. From the factory they have one speakon input and one 1/4". Has anyone tried this? Would it work?

First question... why JRX and why 15?

As for adding another speakon that's no problem, 1/4" connectors got no business on a speaker anyway so as long as there is room to add another speakon connector you're good.

[AMC]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

Just to beat the already dead and decomposing horse, 15's in this application are full of all sorts of problems, and I for one would avoid them like the plague. Many on here can give you some good suggestions as to what would be better, but first off, we would need to know what is your intended use, spoken, music, movies, etc. also how much volume (both the loudness and the size of the room).

[HMV]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

We're going with JRX's because they're affordable, we're using them for lectures and background music 99% the time, and volume is usually low but in large spaces, so we're getting a bunch of them to scatter throughout. They're perfectly fine for the application we're intending on using them for, believe me. Just wondering if anyone's tried adding a speakon to these in particular, dunno if the connectors were mounting straight to a circuit board or not but I think I got my answer.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

volume is usually low but in large spaces, so we're getting a bunch of them to scatter throughout.

That's a good reason to use speakers loaded with tens or twelves. For the same price you can get more of them for more uniform dispersion and volume.

[HMV]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

Are you suggesting a 2x10 or 2x12 as opposed to a 1x15? When I say "large space", I mean huge, and when I say "low volume" I mean it's not concert loud but we still need to push a bit to fill the space. We would definitely end up blowing a 1x10 or 1x12 in little time. The JRXs are $245 a piece from one of our vendors and we really need to keep cost as low as possible. Here's the space we usually work with.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

Are you suggesting a 2x10 or 2x12 as opposed to a 1x15?

No, I'm suggesting 1x10s or 1x12s, and more of them. A room like that is a perfect candidate for a distributed system, using a large number of smaller speakers for uniform coverage rather than a few large speakers that will give lots of live and dead spots. That's assuming this is a permanent install. If it's not a permanent install then you want to consider line arrays of small drivers, for maximum pattern control. In neither case is a typical 1x15/horn top like the JRX a good choice. For that matter I can't think of any application where a 1x15/horn is a particularly good choice.

[Paul O]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

The JRX 112 has the same power handling and SPL capability as the 115, but it's quite a bit smaller and lighter and sounds much better on vocals. It does give up a little output on the lowend but that won't be a concern based on the use you describe.
Be sure to get the MI version of these cabs if you intend to fly them.

[HMV]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

Sigh... I'm not going to get into an audio battle here. This is not for a permanent install, we will be using these literally all over the place, for wedding receptions, DJ's, presentations, indoors, outdoors, etc... and once again, we have a minimal budget to work with (the museum is a non profit), so getting multiple line arrays is totally out of the question here. If we had the loot, I'd agree with you. We've never had complaints about loud/dead spots, and we place the speakers well above head level... we're really not trying to please a crowd of audiophiles here, mostly science nerds and old couples. I'll look into getting more 112s though, if what you say about SPL capability is correct. Thanks.

[jont]

Re: JBL JRX speakon mod

Buying twice takes up much more time and is more expensive in the long run.

JRX are not a huge upgrade from Eon's and a large 27" tall box is not exactly "Museum friendly".

Most science Nerds I know appreciate good sound even if they know nothing about audio, a discrete system (small tops and a hidden sub) would sound and look better. Larger 15" PA speakers are heavier and more difficult to fly safely also.

Having worked AV for Museums with limited budgets I know you have to make do with what you have but this is where investing a bit more will be the more frugal option long term.

Do you have amplifiers? I ask only because decent powered speakers (not old Eons) generally sound better and cost less than passive versions.