The Phase Plugs

**BillWojo** · April 22nd, 2017, 05:32 PM

Since my hearing drops off after 10K I'd go with the old style phase plugs with the better mid range.
And yes, those tangerines cost penny's to manufacture compared to the complex phase plug of years past. It's a pressed together assembly made of 3 pieces. Machined afterwards and plated. Very expensive to make. The center 2 pieces are precision zinc die castings.

BillWojo

**mah** · April 22nd, 2017, 09:01 PM

Earlier thread: Are radial phase plugs really that good?

**Phil-G** · April 22nd, 2017, 09:32 PM

that's a great read MAH

**Earl K** · April 23rd, 2017, 08:24 AM

On the topic of phase plugs, here's another type ( that clearly owes it's origins to older RCA theatre drivers ).

It's found in a little known JBL driver, the 2415h ( the HF driver in very early 4425 speakers ) .

I made a few comments on it's sonics, here!

I'd humbly suggest that it's worth adding as another data point ( the experience of listening to pink noise played through the various type of phase plugs ) when forming a final opinion on which type is "best" . It's a simple, but enlightening test ( IME ) .

**bowtie427ss** · April 23rd, 2017, 08:41 AM

It's found in a little known JBL driver, the 2415h

Peavey used a molded plastic variation of this phase plug on their 22A driver for years(70's 80's 90's). It's perhaps the best sounding threaded driver made in the last 50 years.

**Earl K** · April 23rd, 2017, 08:54 AM

That's pretty neat / thanks for the heads-up.

**bowtie427ss** · April 23rd, 2017, 11:32 AM

The previously mentioned Tannoy Monitor Gold:

Here's an interesting Peavey patent, and if you scroll to the citations and references you can link to several other interesting related patents, all the way back to Wente's 1933 Bell patent:

Patent US6064745 - Compression driver phase plug - Google Patents

**RonSSS** · April 23rd, 2017, 05:16 PM

Interesting stuff Bowtie. I think my eyes would stay permanently crossed if I read the whole thing.
That Tannoy plug looks like a salt shaker. So we can name it that.

What's JBL using for phase plugs these days? I had some JBL's with Titanium frams years ago and the phase plugs looked like early Altec. No surprise there.

I don't have any non tangerine drivers to listen to. I've had some in the past, but I think only 806-8A.

Subjective rules when it comes right down to it.

**bowtie427ss** · April 24th, 2017, 08:00 AM

My apologies to Mah, i didn't realize he posted a link(post number 6) to that Peavey phase plug drawing. I try to make sure i read all posts, not sure how i missed that.

Anywho, was not my intent to ignore his post or double post on him. He's a great asset to our little community, and as much as i have conflicted with him at times, i absolutely recognize and appreciate his(and the rest of y'all too) participation on this board.

**mah** · April 24th, 2017, 09:17 AM

Bowtie, no problem. Glad to be appreciated. If there wasn't any difference of opinion on the AUB it wouldn't really be a forum. Hey, I recently posted an Altec speaker power rating instead of its sensitivity on another Forum.