JBL 2215A/2215B
The JBL 2215A/2215B is a 38 cm (15-inch) cone woofer developed for professional use. It was aimed at recording studios and broadcast monitoring, not the living room. It came in two impedance versions: the 2215A at 8 Ω and the 2215B at 16 Ω. The driver was listed at ¥92,200 per unit at its 1971 release, and ¥68,000 per unit around 1978.
The design brief was linear response and low distortion at high input levels. JBL used a long-travel cone and a high-efficiency Alnico V magnet (weighing 8.8 kg) with carefully finished pole pieces. That let the relatively light voice coil, a 10.2 cm edgewise-wound copper ribbon, work in very deep gaps. The woofer is rated for 150W continuous program input, with sensitivity of 94 dB (New JIS) and a frequency characteristic of 35 Hz to 1.2 kHz ±3 dB. Resonance (fo) sits at 20 Hz, and the recommended crossover point is 800 Hz. Magnetic flux density is 11,000 gauss, and the magnetic circuit weighs 9.2 kg. JBL recommended enclosure volumes of 170 to 225 liters. The driver itself is 149 mm deep and weighs 10.7 kg.
Documentation on the 2215A/2215B's history is thin. No production years beyond the price dates, no formal product family placement, and no period reviews have surfaced. What the aftermarket tells us is that the 2215 is closely related to JBL's LE15A (the woofer used in the Paragon). Foam surround repair kits and 16 Ω recone kits for the 2215B remain commonly available, which suggests the driver saw real professional use and has a surviving collector base. One owner on a vintage JBL forum describes running a 2215A with a PR15 passive radiator and contemplating upgrades.
Known Specifications
- Type: 38 cm cone woofer (professional)
- Impedance: 2215A — 8 Ω; 2215B — 16 Ω
- Rated input (continuous program): 150W
- Sensitivity (New JIS): 94 dB
- Frequency characteristic: 35 Hz – 1.2 kHz ±3 dB
- fo: 20 Hz
- Crossover frequency: 800 Hz
- Voice coil diameter: 10.2 cm (edgewise-wound copper ribbon)
- Magnetic flux density: 11,000 gauss
- Magnetic circuit weight: 9.2 kg
- Recommended enclosure volume: 170 – 225 L
- Depth: 149 mm
- Weight: 10.7 kg
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