Al Klappenberger Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Hi Guys, I just thought somwbody might like to see what's inside a K55V squawker driver. Here's what you see if you remove the 6 screws and open it up (didn't do it though!!!) Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipschguy Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 ...cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BobG Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Al, post a picture of the phase plug and give a little description of the function. I think folks would find it interesting, and since you've already got it apart and have the digital camera... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted April 22, 2001 Author Share Posted April 22, 2001 BobG, Ok.. Will do.. That particular one has already been fixed, but I got another one I can open and photograph at least from behind the diaphragm. I don't know how to get the bug screen out to look at it the other way. If you know how, let me know and I'll do that too. I will do it later tonight.. AL K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted April 22, 2001 Author Share Posted April 22, 2001 BobG, Ok.. You asked for it! Here's what you see right behind the diaphragm: Note the two piece assembly. There are two paths for the sound. This is the later production K55V having the improved phase plug. It can be identified by the solder-on connections. The older K55V has push-on connections and only a single path. This is a view down the throat looking THROUGH the bug-screen. The lighting is from behind (It is sitting on a flashlight). It is difficult to see, but that's the best I could do looking through the bug-screen. By the way. This particular K55V had a k55M ("M") diaphragm stuck in it by somebody who must have an I.Q. in the neighborhood of 50 or so!. It didn't fit! The "M" diaphragm is just a few thousandths of an inch smaller. It goes in, but you can't center the voice coil in the gap. It rubs against the side of the gap. If you ever need to replace a diaphragm, be sure you get the right one! Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 looks like a Phenolic diaphragm, you don't want to go there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted April 22, 2001 Author Share Posted April 22, 2001 John, Yes, it is phenolic. The "M" is also. Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Great pictures! Didn't the We 555 have 4 or 5 paths through the phase plug? How does the phase plug do whatever it does? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted April 23, 2001 Author Share Posted April 23, 2001 John Albright, I can't remember numbers worth a hoot, but if you are referring to the driver Jim Hunter had sitting on the table at the Klipsch factory library, YES! Remember, the K55V is based on a PA driver, the Atlas PD-5, and is only a aquawker, not a full range driver! I wish I knew all the fine points of these things, but I don't! This is the first time I have ever opened one. Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted April 23, 2001 Share Posted April 23, 2001 A view of a JBL 475, a four port phase plug. This is a neodymium magnet version of the 375 which was a alnico magnet version of the WE 594 field coil driver. http://www.audioheritage.org/main/images/jbl/photos/products/drivers/475_xsection.jpg A three port phase plug. http://www.audioheritage.org/library/catalogs/altec/images/1971_monitor/page1.jpg A two port phase plug. http://www.audioheritage.org/library/catalogs/jbl/images/1976_Components/p-2.jpg A tangential phase plug. http://www.audioheritage.org/library/catalogs/altec/images/1978_mi/page02.jpg Note that the spacing on all the annular port phase plugs is essentially the same.The 4p is a 4" vc,the 3p is a 2.8" vc and the 2p is a 1.75" vc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted April 23, 2001 Share Posted April 23, 2001 Was that part of the 8-driver cinema horn you got? Damaged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted April 23, 2001 Author Share Posted April 23, 2001 djk, Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting it. Pete C, Yes, These were from the big 260 Horn on eBay. The drivers were all "doctored" by sombody. Half of them had "M" diaphragms jammed into them. They all has problems. One had a lead pop off the voice coil (this one in fact, look carefully at the connection on the right in the first pix). Some had metal chards in the magnetic gap. None were burned out by too much power though. Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted April 23, 2001 Share Posted April 23, 2001 Hey Al, Ya got a home for all 8 of those? I have a pair of K-55-Ms I'd sell/trade. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted April 23, 2001 Author Share Posted April 23, 2001 John, Yep, the drivers are all pretty much spoke for. Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMinion Posted May 23, 2001 Share Posted May 23, 2001 Heh.. you ought to see the inside of a large format Altec driver. Not just popping the cap off it, and removing the voice coil/fram assembly, but taking the top plate off that puppy and all. Neighbor had to do that to one because it got slammed so hard by 'oops' (UPS) that it knocked the top plate over. Very very difficult getting that friggin' thing off due to the magnet's strength. I'd get pictures but I doubt he's willing to take it back apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted May 26, 2001 Author Share Posted May 26, 2001 Evil, I have not see the inside of an Altec or JBL driver, but I am about to listen to a set! This little gizmo adapts a standard 2 or 3 hole driver mounting to the 1-3/8 X 18 thread used on the K55 diver. It is going to let me screw in a set of used JBL 2421 full range drivers on my Belle Klipsch to see what they sound like. They only cost $6.01 each from MCM Electronics (http://www.mcmelectronics.com). They are catalog number 54-500. Al K This message has been edited by Al Klappenberger on 05-26-2001 at 08:00 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted May 26, 2001 Share Posted May 26, 2001 Be carefull.The Altec/JBL aluminum 1" drivers are only rated at 10W crossed at 500hz/12dB/oct.A PD5/K55V is rated at 40W crossed at 400hz/6dB/oct.>>it got slammed so hard by 'oops' (UPS) that it knocked the top plate over<< Alnico magnet compression drivers need to be re-magnetized if the top plate is removed.While they still play loud the frequency response above 3Khz will be greatly diminished.Alnico woofers with weak magnets have diminished midrange response. This message has been edited by djk on 05-26-2001 at 07:27 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted May 26, 2001 Author Share Posted May 26, 2001 djk, Yes, I am aware of the lower power limits on the JBL drivers. I untimatly plan to move the crossover up to 700 Hz with high order network and go 2 way on a different horn. The screw-on deal is just a short term experiment to directly compare drivers. I seldom run my system over a few watts anyhow. Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkF Posted June 1, 2001 Share Posted June 1, 2001 My Dad has the JBL 2420 drivers on his second system LaScalla's using the MCM adapter and stock horns. Makes a big difference. I have been a fan along time in replacing the stock Klipsch sqawkers with Altec or JBL's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted June 2, 2001 Author Share Posted June 2, 2001 Mark, I am about to see what you mean.. Take a look at my latest post here (Ods & Mods). I have two JBL 2420s with 2421 diaphragms on the way. My Belles have been modified to accept them. Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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