NEW Jensen speakers quality?

[Devo-lution]

Hi

Noticed on the website of some local cab-builders that they swapped to "custom Jensen speakers" for bass cabs.

I can't help but wonder why, as the "big names" right now are Eminence and Celestion. Even though... 4x12's, being able to handle 1000 watts, weighing about 65 Ibs, being sold for under 1000$ seem tempting... veeeery tempting

I also heard some fuzz about Jensen speakers suffering quality wise from having the factory moved to Italy... so, what's true and what ain't? Any Jensen-experienced folks around here?

Greetz

Kim

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Devo-lution

Hi

Noticed on the website of some local cab-builders that they swapped to "custom Jensen speakers" for bass cabs.

I can't help but wonder why

Jensen makes some drivers that are very similar to 60s vintage drivers, and if that's the tone you're after they've got it. But that tone is obtained at the cost of output. The Mod 50 is one of the more popular drivers. It has very little output below 90Hz, and runs out of excursion at about 15 watts in the low end. That's because it's a guitar driver. And why use a guitar driver for bass? Because that's what they used in the '60s.
Look at the replacement driver chart here to see what drivers were used in the '60s. The same drivers were used in guitar and bass amps:
Amp Guide » Jensen Replacement Speakers

So if you really want '60s tone consider Jensens, but be very sure that's what you want. Personally I'm not the least bit nostalgic for 'vintage' tone; I owned vintage speakers when they were new, I wouldn't go back to them for all the neodymium in China.

[KramerBassFan]

They are good for guitar amps, or clones of little old bass amps, if that is your thing. But if you want a more modern sound (and volume) then look elsewhere.

[Devo-lution]

Yeah, I know the mods and their disadvantages.

I do think this one cab builder uses the PA-range speakers made by Jensen... He claims his 1x15 model handles 700 watts... Can't find any Jensen speakers that handles that much watt on their site.

[KramerBassFan]

Jensen bothers making PA stuff?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Devo-lution

Yeah, I know the mods and their disadvantages.

I do think this one cab builder uses the PA-range speakers made by Jensen... He claims his 1x15 model handles 700 watts... Can't find any Jensen speakers that handles that much watt on their site.

Watts mean nothing. Response and excursion mean everything. If said builder isn't aware of that and makes a big deal about watts, find a different builder.

[Devo-lution]

Yeah... I was just informing, as I didn't exactly know what to expect from these speakers...

Seems you've confirmed my suspicions... Thanks a lot.

[RicPlaya]

Since I have gone to a P with flats I have been thinking about retooling my cabs to get more of that oldschool vibe.

I have been toying with the idea of going to a crossed over rig with eithier a 15 or 18 on the bottom, something modern to get nice lows and running a top cab with modern drivers modeled after the older stuff such as this.

Sure there are a million ways to go but i do like that oldschool tone but still want that bottom end the modern drivers provide. I was thinking doing a 212 top for the vintage part of the rig, tho I am sure 210's would work or maybe a 12 and 10 in some sort of DIY cab, crossed over somewhere around 100-200hz depending on the ear test into a EV or Emminence bottom.