Horn Driver Issue
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Posted on Apr 11, 2012 02:14 am
Bob Turner
Member Since: Apr 11, 2012
I have 2 Johnson PA12-150 speaker cabinets and both horn drivers are down (don't ask :o) Does anyone know where I can purchase new or replacement horn drivers for these speakers??
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Apr 11, 2012 08:37 am I guess the first placer to ask would be your location retailer of Johnson Audio or your local speaker shop, not being sure where you are from, I can't help much in specifics in that regard...Googling is pretty tough with a keyword like "Johnson". :-)
I good starting point I guess is pulling said horns out and seeing what brand the components are...I built a set of monitors years ago that I fused the horns so the fuse would blow before the horn driver, I can't recall specifics, but it worked well, I also carried around extra drivers :-) When you find them, buy a few.
Apr 11, 2012 12:23 pm Well, I guess the truth has to come out!! The speakers were dropped out the back of a pickup truck. One of the magnets broke in half and the horn in the other speaker is scratchy and intermittent. So bottom line is, they both need to be replaced. I live in Alamogordo, NM and unfortunately there is no Johnson audio dealer nearby... and you're right... Googling for "Johnson Horn Drivers" is difficult and very time-consuming at best!! I found a few 1" drivers that might work, but I would have to modify the mounting hole pattern on the horn lens, and I really didn't want to have to do that. That's why I thought I would open my problem to the public. Any assistance you guys can provide would be most appreciated.
Apr 11, 2012 12:27 pm OH!!! The only markings on the horn drivers is "8 ohm" - No manufacturer, no model #, no serial # - NADA, Ziltch!! It's difficult to find a replacement for something with nothing other than the impedance to go by, huh!!!
Apr 11, 2012 12:40 pm Given that situation, perhaps you may want to consider changing out the horns (if possible) to a brand/model you know, can remember, and know where to get replacement parts for.
The other option is calling the manufacturer directly...thinking about it, likely the best route to take if you can.
Hopefully Rob Stemple will stop by, he's our resident FOH expert.
Apr 11, 2012 01:57 pm Changing out the horns is not an option. The horn lens is molded plastic along with the entire front of the cabinet. If they were "bolt-in" horns, I prolly would have already considered replacing the entire tweeter, but unfortunately that's not the case. The 1" horn drivers I have located (from various vendors) all seem to have a much bigger mounting bolt pattern than what I'm dealing with. I really wish Johnson had gone with the standard 1-3/8" screw-in driver, rather than what seems to be a very odd 2-3/4" diameter, 4-hole bolt pattern. I will see if I can find a phone number for Johnson (haven't had much luck so far!!) AND..... if Rob shows up, perhaps he can help too! Thanks for the reply.
Apr 11, 2012 09:34 pm Hey Bob. Sorry to hear all of the problems that you're having with your speakers.
Typically, the horn throat is threaded. And the cracked driver should unscrew. if it doesn't, then you're going to have to contact some guys that I deal with. Trust me! these guys are the best in the business.
www.loudspeakersplus.com/
Give them a call. Either Jay or Dave can lead you in the right direction.
Apr 11, 2012 11:28 pm Thanks, Rob. Apparently, the original manufacturer of these speakers went out of business in 2002, so I'm sort of stuck with a couple of "white elephants" LoL I'll check with Jay or Dave and see if they can help. Thanks again.
Bob
Apr 11, 2012 11:58 pm One thing that you may want to do is pull the 12" out as well. Being that they fell hard enough to crack the magnet, you're going to want to make sure the center post of the woofer didn't slip.
If you're not sure on checking the woofer. Just pull the front grill off. And gently push down on the woofer. There should be a glue seam around the center. Push in that area, and not on the dust cap. Make sure that it moves in and out smoothly. And listen for any rubbing sounds.
Apr 12, 2012 09:25 am We've used both speakers for a couple of gigs since they fell and the woofers appear to be working fine, but I will check them out thoroughly before putting them back together. Here's some Good News!!!! I found a 100W-8ohm 18 Sound driver at Loudspeaker+ that looks like it will work for us without modifying anything in the cabinet!! The 4-bolt mounting diameter is the same and it has a 1" exit throat, so I think we are going to go with it! Hopefully, I can get the speakers back up and functional in a week or so. I really appreciate everyone's effort on this. Thanks a Million!!
P.S. You can visit our website at www.cadillac-kings.com - there's a Demo on the "Videos & Gallery" page. I'm having lots of fun with these guys!! :o)
Apr 12, 2012 09:27 am Well, that is certainly welcome news, good luck with it.
Welcome to HRC, we gots a good bunch of folks here.
Apr 12, 2012 12:33 pm Excellent! I'm glad to hear that you found something that will work. :)
Let us know how it works out when they come in. Loudspeaker Plus is great about getting things out the door on the same day. Well, as long as you ordered before 4 pm central time. So, you should see them soon.
