JBL JRX Horn or Crossover upgrades

[Fuzzboxvoodoo11]

Hello all Im new to this Forum but have read alot of Bill Fitzmaurice posts over on TalkBass.
My question is I have a set of JBL JRX 125 "dual 15's" and they have a huge flat spot in the vocal range which is also killing the keys.
I went into Guitar Center and A/B ed some Harbingers,JRX,Peavey and Yamaha dual 15's and they all sounded better in the upper mids that the JRX Speakers.
So my question is do I upgrade to the Selenium horn and possible crossover change or do I sell the JRX's and get something else in the $800 a pair used range?
Thanks for your help.
Steve

[BrentEvans]

Hello all Im new to this Forum but have read alot of Bill Fitzmaurice posts over on TalkBass.
My question is I have a set of JBL JRX 125 "dual 15's" and they have a huge flat spot in the vocal range which is also killing the keys.
I went into Guitar Center and A/B ed some Harbingers,JRX,Peavey and Yamaha dual 15's and they all sounded better in the upper mids that the JRX Speakers.
So my question is do I upgrade to the Selenium horn and possible crossover change or do I sell the JRX's and get something else in the $800 a pair used range?
Thanks for your help.
Steve

$800 will buy the parts for a far better and smaller BFM system. You could put together a couple of DR200/250s and T39s for that, I believe.

You mentioned vocals and keys... what is the genre of music and the types of venues you play?

[Harley]

$800 will buy the parts for a far better and smaller BFM system. You could put together a couple of DR200/250s and T39s for that, I believe.

+1

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

My question is I have a set of JBL JRX 125 "dual 15's"

Get rid of them. The 2x15 format is the worst possible configuration for a PA top. Fifteens are for subs, not tops. The JRX 125 is seriously outperformed by an OTop 212 that's less than half its size and weight. Investing anything in upgrading the HF drivers would be good money wasted.

[Fuzzboxvoodoo11]

So given the fact that Im a newb and need to do alot more reading on this forum where do you guy's recommend I start and is this all build it yourself or are there people here that build and sell?
As far as what type of music,we are a 5 piece cover band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dru2tMhTLI
I have been putting my single yamaha 12's ontop of the JRX cabs and that has helped out the vocals alot but it scares the crud out of the bar owners.
Thanks again for the help.

[BrentEvans]

Read the stickies first.

Then, look through the reviews section. You'll find several groups with similar needs scattered throughout the forum. Take note of what they have to say.

Based on what I saw in your video, you'd do quite well with 2x DR200, DR250, or OT12 for tops, and a reasonably wide pair of Lab or 3012LF loaded T39s for subs. This should be in your budget.

If you're in Kansas, perhaps you could visit Leland (if you're close enough)... save on shipping for your parts. Perhaps he has some toys to play with too?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

are there people here that build and sell?

http://www.billfitzmaurice.info/Builders.html

As far as what type of music,we are a 5 piece cover band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dru2tMhTLI

A major issue is placement. Tops have to be at ear level or above. That doesn't happen when you have the JBLs on the ground. Of course they're so big that pole mounting them isn't practical, but if they're going to be heard they have to be elevated.
The next problem is the low end. If you're running content below 100Hz into the JBLs (and why else would you have such large cabs?) they can't be placed to either side of the stage (read the sub placement rules). But if they're going to be used as tops they have to be split.

Bottom line, they can't work well as either subs or tops. They've got to go, you need a properly engineered top/sub system.

[Fuzzboxvoodoo11]

The Kansas reference was a joke because of how bad the weather turned on us during a outdoor gig on top of a hill with no trees around.
I live in Sacramento CA.
I will do some reading and fiqure out where to start.
Thanks Steve

[SeisTres]

The Kansas reference was a joke because of how bad the weather turned on us during a outdoor gig on top of a hill with no trees around.
I live in Sacramento CA.
I will do some reading and fiqure out where to start.
Thanks Steve

I will say this as the HUGE JBL fan that I am, the jrx215 is probably one of the worst speakers that i've worked with and let me just say that i've worked some that are complete crap. I actually like their 112 alot, but the 118 and 215 is just garbage for the amount they charge.

In the mean time, keep the 12" yamaha's and build a pair of t39's. After that, you can decide if you need new tops or stick with the current ones. As for the jrx, i'd sell them off. Why not build tops first you ask? what the point of building tops if you don't have subs, so that why (in this case) the tops come later. And oh yeah, a proper crossover (active) which will take a huge load off the tops and will perform cleaner and better once the subs are taking the grunt.

[Fuzzboxvoodoo11]

I do allready use a BBE DS24 with a Genz Benz 18 for the sub.

[SeisTres]

I do allready use a BBE DS24 with a Genz Benz 18 for the sub.

Isn't the genz benz for bass guitar? don't know as I'm familiar with them. However, your subs should take about 2-4 times the cubic feet of your tops.

[RubiconProSound]

My question is I have a set of JBL JRX 125 "dual 15's" and they have a huge flat spot in the vocal range which is also killing the keys.
I went into Guitar Center and A/B ed some Harbingers,JRX,Peavey and Yamaha dual 15's and they all sounded better in the upper mids that the JRX Speakers.
So my question is do I upgrade to the Selenium horn and possible crossover change or do I sell the JRX's and get something else in the $800 a pair used range?
Thanks for your help.
Steve

Steve,
I had JBL TR225's back in the day and sold them to fund a T30/DR200 build... the sound is so much better now and the portability of the system isn't even a comparison. 15 inch speakers have no dispersion in the midrange and get "beamy" so they're a horrible choice for getting good midrange. (unless you want to stand directly in front of them...)

The best thing I ever did was to ditch those beasts. Sell them and build something better...

By the way,
I'm in Sactown as well... welcome to the forum. What bars do you guys normally play at?