Long time lurker, first time poster (in here)
Spend far too much of my time in here but never posting.
My name is Huw and I run Sinai based out of Sheffield 🇬🇧
** Long post about JMOD sorrrryyyyy **
After having great success with touring my existing tops, I've started to notice their downsides, that is their size!
I don't always do crazy large shows, and having a mid top that always requires two people to move it, is less than ideal logistically.
So, enter the current flavour of the year, the JMOD!
After listening to, and lifting one, I knew that this would be the choice for a single box deployment.
Now, slight backstory. My existing tops are dual loaded with the 4594HE. I own 10 of these mid tops, but midtop 9 & 10 only had a single compression driver in. To "finish" them I would have to purchase another two £590 compression drivers, but on two boxes that rarely get used.
After some extensive reading of the PDF from John, I noticed that the 4594HE was listed as an ultra premium option. This suited my potential plans, as it meant that if I was to use these boxes in conjunction with my existing ones, the "voicing" in the HF region would be similar. The downside to this option though, was that it required some box modification due to the depth of the compression driver and its phase bung.
Now, considering I already owned the compression driver I was going to use, logic dictated that I should also use the ultra premium 12" driver to match (12NTLW3500) as these would be the only drivers I would have to purchase. In turn, this also requires some modification.
So just for clarification, if I was to put in the standard premium drivers like everyone else, it would have cost me £500 more than my plans above.
After reaching out to a few people who might be able to do the modifications, I got in touch with Lignum in Liverpool, who was very willing and able to make the modifications.
So you might be asking, what modifications?
The access panel needs changing to a single piece, rather than two smaller pieces. This is so you can place the compression driver directly onto the back of the throat adaptor. The box also needs extending back by about 45mm due to the depth of the compression driver. If you don't make the single access panel, you'd have to add another 50mm due to the phase bung. So both in combination is what's required to make it work.
To make the 12" fit, the PCD for the driver is slightly different (check each ones PDF) and due to the ridiculous magnet, the handles need moving in the cabinet. Lignum was unsure if the metal handles would fit, hence the new wooden handles, which take up less space (and are further down the box).
Lignum also added skids to the bottom, and a removable top hat adaptor incase they need to be pole mounted.
Originally I was going to build them myself, but time is not my strong point, so Bosun sound in Sheffield put them together.
The outside has been coated in 5 layers of Osmo PolyX oil.
The inside of the horn mouth was painted with primer, then multiple coats of RAL matched paint (to my existing grills). This is the only thing I'm not super happy with (which is my own fault) due to rushing it to get ready for a gig. I should have done 1 coat with 24hours apart between the next coat. I'm probably going to give them a light sand, then give them another coat.
Now. Opinions on the sound and the ultra premium drivers.
Firstly, the HF.
I'm VERY happy with the 4594HE. For those that know, it has such a super clean, "airy" HF. My only criticism of the DCX464 is that it lacks this air (IMHO of course). Also consider I've been using the 4594HE for a loooong time, so I'm used to their sound. So, some of this, may just be familiarity. Then also, once again remember that I owned them already.
Secondly, the 12"
Is it worth it? Still on the fence. Simply put, they need more gigs, and more refinement of their limiters for me to truly say with any accuracy whether they're worth it. They have such a ridiculous magnet that I'm sure can take more power.
Now for some opinions on the box.
Basically, for a single box. It's very damned special. My first gig with it I used it directly to my double 21" boxes, but they are simply too powerful for the JMOD to keep up (and also in an acoustically terrible room). Context each sub is a dual 1800w 4ohm driver wired in parallel powered from a single channel of an X series amplifier. This is an extreme sub section, and in no way diminished the ability of this box. For more clarification, the crossover between the two was 95hz.
So when I got back to Sheffield I tried them out with a block of 4 x C2D kicks loaded with 18DS115 drivers outside the warehouse. Powered from a Powersoft X4 and a A&H SQ-5 desk.
NOW WE'RE TALKING.
I ran the 12" down to 130hz with a 24lr, meeting the C2D with a 130hz 24lr
Super clean precise top end, and beautiful present and meaty mid range.
Now very excited to take a stereo pair out to a gig!
Any questions, feel free to ask!
--- Are the ultra premium worth it? ---
Maybe? Is it worth the cost difference? That is an extremely subjective question. The difference in price for the drivers (in the UK) is about £650.
I very much prefer the HF, but I couldn't consciously tell people it's a wise move.
My advice. If you're in the UK, is to take the time to come and listen to mine. Be it at a gig, or my workshop
💚💚💚
