Hi Martin,

I have most of the McCauley info, including for their old 1000 series.

In terms of general appearance i agree that some McCauley drivers may look like or so to JBLs. However this doesn't mean they're actually the same. For example, McCauley uses a Multi-Spider suspension system. On such a woofer internal view pic i counted four spiders "piled up" together so it seems! (among other things the drivers have).

That's quite a few spiders and they have reasons for doing this, mentioned in the catalog, mostly related to reliability, high powers and suspension fatigue. Regarding Gauss Eargle's Loudspeaker Handbook refers to "...added stability during high excursion operation." (p.34). The same also applies to McCauley's way in my view.

Which brings the power aspect. If my memory is correct i think McCauley was second to implement the 400 watt woofer, thereby competing with the Gauss double spider suspension woofer. Though the former doubled their spider number.

I think JBL might have been third in releasing a 400 Watts woofer?

Richard