JBL 2385 Bi-Radial Horn
The JBL 2385 is a professional constant directivity horn from JBL's trademarked Bi-Radial® family. It's the high-frequency section for two-way and three-way sound reinforcement systems, and it showed up a lot in JBL's SR and Professional Series cabinets of the 1980s. The horn is two pieces: a molded fiberglass flare and a wood flange painted black. It's meant to be paired with the 2412 compression driver, which bolts to the throat.
The specs show a horn built for coverage and efficiency. Dispersion is 90° x 40°, the range is 800 Hz to 20 kHz, and sensitivity is 105 dB at 1W/1m. The recommended crossover point is 800 Hz. That made it the directivity-matched partner for the 2118/2119 low-frequency drivers in two-way setups, and the high-mid horn in three-way systems like the SR4732, SR4733, and SR4735. A 1988 issue of Recording Engineer (September 1988, p.65) documented a large-venue installation using fifteen 2445 compression drivers on 2380 and 2385 horns for the 2 kHz - 12 kHz range.
Among DIY and pro-sound users, the 2385 has a solid reputation as a performance-per-dollar standout. It's often described as smooth and free of the harshness of older radial horns, especially when crossed at 800 Hz with a 2412 driver. The common knock is the fiberglass, which some owners say can ring or resonate if not properly damped. Reinforcing the horn or adding damping material is a frequently recommended fix. The fiberglass also tends to chip or crack at the flanges, though epoxy repairs are straightforward. The 2412 driver is out of production, but third-party replacement diaphragms are available.
No exact production years or original price have been documented. Used prices typically run $150 - $300 per pair, depending on condition and whether the 2412 drivers are included.
- Type: Bi-Radial® constant directivity horn
- Coverage: 90° H x 40° V
- Frequency range: 800 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 105 dB (1W/1m)
- Recommended crossover: 800 Hz
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Driver: 2412 compression driver
- Construction: Molded fiberglass flare, painted wood flange
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