JBL 2402H

Name: JBL 2402H
Brand: JBL

Little is documented about the JBL 2402H, and what survives is mostly spec-sheet material rather than production history. It was a horn-type ultra-high-frequency compression driver. The "H" suffix marks the ferrite-magnet version of the older alnico 2402. JBL's own component listing calls it a "ring radiator tweeter (JBL 'Bullet')." A period Japanese source prices it at ¥53,000 per unit around 1983. A JBL datasheet describes it as engineered for "tight pattern control, deep penetration, and extremely high on-axis sensitivity" - sound-reinforcement language, not home tweeter language.

The most reliable numbers come from JBL's own 2003 spec sheet. It lists 8 ohms nominal impedance, 40 W power capacity, 110 dB sensitivity averaged from 5 kHz to 20 kHz, a −10 dB range of 2.5 kHz to 15 kHz, 40° conical dispersion at 10 kHz, and a recommended crossover of 2.5 kHz. The diaphragm is a 44 mm (1¾") aluminum alloy unit on an aluminum ribbon voice coil, with 1.75 T flux density. The driver measures 121 mm in diameter and 98 mm deep, and weighs 2.3 kg. Earlier third-party listings give somewhat different figures - 109 dB, 2 kHz - 20 kHz, 20 W - so treat the JBL sheet as the anchor and the rest as period variation.

Sound and Communication (January 1988, p.32) put the 2402H in a professional spec table alongside the 2404H and 2405H. It lists 110 dB sensitivity, 40 W, and a 2.5 kHz-and-up range, which matches JBL's own documentation. In JBL's system charts the 2402H is the high-frequency unit in the 4602B Cabaret stage monitor and the 4680B column. It also appears on the company's replacement list as the acoustic equivalent for the earlier 075. Past that, the paper trail goes quiet. No introduction or discontinuation dates and no USD list price have surfaced. Replacement diaphragms (D8R075) are still sold, which keeps plenty of them in service.