JBL LE15 / 2215 Woofer
The JBL LE15, known professionally as the 2215, is a 15-inch woofer from JBL's peak years. It used an Alnico V magnet and was built for deep, articulate, dynamic bass. Audiophiles and studio engineers in the 1970s used it as a benchmark.
Specifications
| Type | 15" (380mm) Cone Woofer |
|---|---|
| Voice Coil Diameter | 3 inches (76mm) |
| Magnet | Alnico V |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω (LE15A), 16 Ω (LE15B) |
| Power Handling | 75W continuous |
| Frequency Response | 25 Hz - 2 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/W/m |
| Resonant Frequency (Fs) | ~20 Hz |
Design Features
- Alnico V Magnet: Delivers lightning-fast transient response and a smooth, organic low end—rare in modern ferrite designs
- Treated Paper Cone: JBL’s proprietary blend offers rigidity without brittleness, translating to natural, uncolored bass
- Edgewound Voice Coil: An aluminum ribbon coil that reduces mass and inertia, enhancing speed and control
- Cast Frame: A robust die-cast aluminum chassis ensures stability, even under high excursion
Applications
- JBL L200 Studio Master
- JBL L300 Summit
- High-end hi-fi installations
- Professional studio monitors
Enclosure Design
JBL's own Professional Enclosure Guide lays out the ideal setup for the LE15/2215, treating it as a high-performance low-end driver or dedicated subwoofer. Chart #9 is the reference. It calls for a 6.0 cubic foot (170 liter) vented enclosure tuned to 40 Hz. The recommended internal dimensions are 27.0" H x 22.0" W x 19.1" D. Airflow goes through four 4-inch ducts (totaling 50.3 sq in), each 8.2 inches long to set the tuning.
| Application | Hi-fi low-end or subwoofer |
|---|---|
| Chart Reference | #9 |
| Enclosure Volume | 6.0 cubic feet (170 liters) |
| Tuned Frequency | 40 Hz |
| Internal Dimensions | 27.0" H x 22.0" W x 19.1" D |
| Vent Area | 50.3 sq in (4x 4" ducts) |
| Duct Length | 8.2 inches |
View the complete JBL Professional Enclosure Guide →
Related Drivers
- JBL 2235H - Ferrite magnet successor with similar performance
- JBL 2234H - Similar Alnico design with different parameters
- JBL 136A - Predecessor 15" woofer
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Documentation
- Lansing Heritage - Comprehensive JBL specifications, photos, and historical documents
- HiFi Engine - JBL manuals, service documents, and brochures
- Audio Karma JBL Forum - Community discussions and restoration guides