JBL 2202H Mid-Bass Driver

Born in the golden era of studio monitor design, the JBL 2202H is a 12-inch powerhouse built for one job: delivering punchy, articulate mid-bass in high-end four-way systems. Found at the heart of the iconic JBL 4355 and 4350B, this driver doesn’t just move air—it defines the tonal foundation of some of the most revered studio speakers ever made.

Specifications

Type	12" (300mm) Mid-Bass Driver
Voice Coil Diameter	3 inches (76mm)
Magnet	Alnico V or Ferrite (SFG)
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω (2202H) / 16 Ω (2202J)
Power Handling	150W continuous, 300W program
Frequency Response	150 Hz - 3 kHz (±3dB)
Sensitivity	~99 dB/W/m
Resonant Frequency (Fs)	~35 Hz

Design Overview

The 2202H wasn’t designed to be a woofer. Instead, it’s a precision mid-bass specialist, tuned to handle the dense, emotionally charged frequencies between 150 Hz and 1.2 kHz—where vocals gain weight, basslines find grip, and guitars cut through the mix. In the grand architecture of a JBL 4355, it’s the bridge between thunderous low end and soaring highs.

What sets it apart? A trio of strengths: blistering sensitivity, extended response, and surgical control. Its 3-inch voice coil and robust magnetic circuit—on par with those in 15-inch drivers—deliver ~99 dB efficiency, letting it keep pace with horn-loaded compression drivers without strain. The cone’s linearity across nearly three octaves is rare for a 12-inch unit, and low distortion ensures clarity even at studio-monitoring volumes.

And then there’s the enclosure: in flagship systems like the 4355, the 2202H lives in a sealed sub-chamber, isolated from the main cabinet’s bass reflex tuning. This tight, controlled environment locks down resonance and delivers the fast, accurate response engineers demand.

Applications

The 2202H was the mid-bass engine in JBL’s largest studio monitors, where performance left no room for compromise:

JBL 4355 - Mid-bass driver in flagship studio monitor
JBL 4350B - Large format four-way monitor
JBL 4352 - Professional monitoring system
Custom professional installations

In the Wild

The 2202H takes center stage in Resistor Magazine's deep dive into Iwan Arjanto’s painstaking restoration of vintage JBL 4355s. Assembled from original parts, these monitors rely on the 2202H to anchor their midrange with authority and finesse.

In the 4355’s crossover scheme, the 2202H handles the stretch from 290 Hz to 1.2 kHz—sitting between the dual 2235H 15-inch woofers below and the 2441 compression driver above. This clean division of labor lets each transducer excel in its sweet spot, contributing to the system’s legendary transparency and dynamic headroom.

Variants

2202H: 8-ohm version used in most professional applications
2202J (2202HJ): 16-ohm version for specific system configurations

Operational Notes

When deployed in studio monitors like the 4355, the 2202H operates under precise conditions:

Mounted in a sealed sub-enclosure within the main cabinet
Crossed over at 290 Hz (low-pass) and 1.2 kHz (high-pass)
Handles the harmonic core of music—where kick drums thump and electric bass sings
High sensitivity ensures seamless level matching with horn drivers

Enclosure Design

The JBL Professional Enclosure Guide outlines a vented design for non-studio uses—ideal for midrange duties or guitar cabs:

Application	Midrange or guitar
Chart Reference	#1
Enclosure Volume	1.5 cubic feet (42.5 liters)
Tuned Frequency	80 Hz
Internal Dimensions	17.4" H x 14.2" W x 12.3" D
Vent Area	13.9 sq in (1x 4" duct)
Duct Length	4.2 inches

Note: In studio monitor applications like the 4355, the 2202H typically operates in a sealed sub-chamber rather than a vented enclosure. The vented design above is recommended for midrange or guitar applications.

View the complete JBL Professional Enclosure Guide →