Suitable replacement for the JBL2226 (4pi)

With the changes in the aftermarket prices for DIY/replacement drivers over the past year or so, I would like to explore a suitable replacement for the JBL 2226 for use in the 4Pi. I have been thinking about this at length lately. Do I just start saving again and eat the cost of the 2226 or do I look for a comparable product that would be a drop in replacement.

I have been through PE and have several windows open with 15" pro audio drivers. None have any real advantage according to the numbers.

Here is my query. The JBL2226H is $503 as a raw driver. For the kit on Pi's site this upgrade is $235 over the Omega 15" $194.99. Thus buying directly from Pi will net a ~$68 savings over sourcing the 2226 elsewhere when choosing to go with the JBL driver. So, is there a suitable replacement? Or should I just push back the project and eat the additional cost when I am ready?

I appreciate your opinions. Chris L.

I corrected a mistake in my original post. The correct "stock" bass driver that comes with the kit from Pi is the Omega 15" not the Delta. Sorry for the mix up. I had too many windows open.

Would there be any sacrifices in performance with the Kappa over the 2226? Also, would there be any adjustments or changes to the crossover with this driver?

Thank you for the link Bill. I am looking through that site right now.

(Edit) I set the Omega, Kappa Pro 15LF, and JBL2226H next to each other and looked at the raw data. The Omega is out of the running. Both the Kappa and JBL seem to be much more capable drivers in FR, power handling, and linear Xmax. Does the additional extension (35Hz for the Kappa Pro 15LF and 30Hz for the 2226H) and Xmax (6.7mm and 7.6mm respectively) make the 2226h the superior driver the reviews make it out to be? The pricing on the Kappa Pro 15LF is very attractive. I understand the concept of marginal returns and price technically being relative, my struggle will be figuring out if the price differential is revealed in an increase in quality or sound. I wish I could hear them.

I appreciate the suggestion and am bookmarking for decision day.

It is funny you mention that. I am addicted to looking at home audio on Ebay. I check JBL first. I was leery of buying used drivers via Ebay as the true history of the driver is never really known. Age, abuse, over driven, or other unseen damage is rarely disclosed. I will keep looking though. The right deal may just pop up. I will always leave this open as a possibility though.

They make some truly stunning drivers! The Lambda Series TD15M seems to be in the range. I have no idea what the cost is on this unit. I will have to do some more research on them. These things have every bell and whistle too! If anyone reading this has experience with these, I would enjoy hearing your experiences.

Taken from their site:

The Lambda Series TD drivers are setting a new higher standard for performance and durability. Designed for punishing professional use, they also have the clean sound needed for critical monitoring and audiophile uses. The TD15M is a high sensitivity, high power handling, wide bandwidth driver of which there is no comparison. These drivers are capable of reproducing frequencies of up to 2Khz off axis, and much higher with a more narrow dispersion pattern.

They are rated for 500W continuous power handling. Power compression is perhaps the lowest of ANY woofer currently available due to the combination of shorting rings and the phase plug. As a result, inductance and distortion is also extremely low.

TD15M - 8ohm
Fs: 34.7Hz
Qms: 5.09
Vas: 312L
Cms: .3mm/N
Mms: 70g
Rms: 3kg/s
Xmax: 6mm
Sd: 855sqcm
Qes: .35
Re: 6.6ohm
Le: .2mH
Z: 8ohm
Bl: 17Tm
Pe: 500W
Qts: .33
1W SPL: 97.8dB
2.83V SPL: 98.6dB

I am going to need to SS all these driver specs so I can directly compare. Going to do a search for projects where people have used this driver.

Thank you Max!

Ok, so I need to ask what the crossover point for the 15" is then. this is good to know. Thank you!

I wanted the additional extension and output of the larger bass driver the ported 4Pi offers.

I was going to go through his forums tonight after my son goes to sleep. I am open to used at this point a the JBL driver can be had at much more reasonable prices. Thank you for your input.

Got them! Thank you for the links.

That is what I thought. Although other drivers would work, they will not be optimal due to the crossovers selected components.

I totally agree at this point. I had no idea there were all of these resources available to source drivers outside of the usual suspects. I am definitely going to comb through Wayne's forums and soak up the information there.

80Hz is just about perfect for me. I already have a sub in place. Once I get my mains sorted, if I need more low end I can address it then.

I hope it is OK to copy from another forum, but this is straight from Wayne:

"Short answer, no. There is no drop-in replacement that is as good.

If you're in a hurry, I might suggest looking for used 2226 drivers. One of the nice things about JBL is a reconed speaker is 100% as good as new, provided you use a genuine OEM recone kit.

The driver that is closest in performance and quality is probably the Acoustic Elegance TD15M, which is an excellent part. But it would require a crossover redesign, as has been discussed here in the past. It isn't a drop-in replacement for the JBL 2226 in the four π loudspeaker and the lead time is no better, so I'm not really on board with taking that approach."

The answer was 2 clicks away. Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions.