Jumping Cactus Loudspeakers

James Harrell’s Jumping Cactus Loudspeakers are high-efficiency designs (94dB) with isolated aluminum enclosures. The speaker’s front panels are finished in Bubinga wood, while the aluminum portions feature a nice satin black power coat. All three drive units are from Eminence. That’s a 10” paper cone woofer, a 6” paper cone midrange unit, and a 1” phenolic dome tweeter. The midrange and tweeter are secured atop the woofer enclosure via Velcro, and can be angled or moved back and forth. A passive Butterworth 1st order crossover is in its own enclosure and is velcro’ed onto the back of the speaker.

Harrell explained that his background as an aerospace mechanical engineer led him to selecting aluminum enclosures for their ability to control resonances. He has been a hobbyist for some time, building loudspeakers for himself; the Jumping Cactus is his first attempt at bringing a design to market. The system, a hodgepodge of modified and homemade gear, had a lively sound with big images and bold bass. It may have been a little rough around the edges, but was still thoroughly enjoyable.

Jumping Cactus Loudspeakers are made in Tucson, Arizona, by James Harrell, and cost $7900/pair. Harrell offers a 60-day trial period and a two-year warranty.

COMMENTS
Jason Gordon's picture

$7900 a pair for a hodgepodge thrown together speaker? Good luck with that. Lets see we have metal cone speakers using 1st order crossovers ( hahahaha yeah right that's gonna work great) and a front panel layout that kills any chance of good polar response. Looks like Harrel needs to read more speaker forums online and come back in about 5 years and try again.

Johnny B. Good's picture

I think I read "paper" cone and "aluminum" enclosures...

Russell Dawkins's picture

Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you, Jason.

Patrick's picture

It is a shame that he doesn't price the speakers at one douchey comment per pair because Jason Gordon would have bought himself a nice pair of speakers.

Justin's picture

Yes,$7 ,900 for a hodepodge of speakers that happen to sound great. Did you even listen to them?

JI's picture

I heard these speakers at RMAC2010 this weekend, and they sounded nice, however I am at a loss as to why these cannot play below 60hz and need a sub, I would think that these drivers could achieve lower numbers sealed. I also was under the impression that the price was around 2k, when I read the flyer again, I was shocked at the 7900.00 price. Very cool idea, but the price needs to be less and play lower or add another cube with a low end driver, as these are way to big to be in the book-shelf to mid size catagories.

James Harrell's picture

Jl, your points are well taken. I designed them to be efficient so they can be used with lower power SETs, and when the frequency drops below that 60 to 70 Hz range it starts taking more power to move that air. A sealed bass box would have to be quite large (much more aluminum) to get low, and I do not want to add a port (just my preference). Regarding the price, the main reason is the cost of aluminum and its milling. I appreciate you coming by and listening. I sure had a great time playing the music.

Brian's picture

Unlike Jason I just stumbled into the room and heard terrific music being played on speakers designed and built by a real gentleman who loved what he was doing! I truly feel sorry for a guy like Jason who goes through life with an "attitude" like his.

X