Which 15" speaker???

[prengel_basser]

Hi!
I´m a "talkbass" user from germany and i have an acoustic 408 cab
(4x15) that needs new speakers.
Here is a pic: http://www.bazaar-world.com/uploads/amp ... 2032-4.jpg

I read MANY good things about eminence 3015 and the faital 15PR400
(haven´t heard one of them, yet). I know that these are good
drivers, but I don´t want to spend that much money and I have no
problems with havier drivers. so my question is: are there cheaper
drivers, that sound as good and have as good parameters (I´m a total
noob at this parameter stuff)?

I like the tone of jbl k140 for example. I tryed these in the 408 cab, but they fart out too easily.

here are two drivers, that seem to be interesting (to me):

http://www.fane-acoustics.com/downloads ... _Specs.pdf

http://www.precision-devices.com/asps/u ... uper/5.pdf

Best regards!
Stefan

[LelandCrooks]

I'd give the fane a go. Should be easily accessible to you. They've revamped the entire line, and they're very good drivers.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

are there cheaper
drivers, that sound as good and have as good parameters (I´m a total
noob at this parameter stuff)?

That depends on the cab. The drivers and cab must be matched. Where this particular cab is concerned I'd retire it. It used four fifteens because the drivers available when it was designed did not have high power handling or long excursion. Modern drivers like the 3015 have rendered it quite obsolete.

[prengel_basser]

@bill
yes, you´re probably right, but we´re playing REALLY loud and nothing gives you that BIG sound a 4x15 cab gives you.
a 2x15 sounds just too "small" for me. by the way my amp is a 300 watts Ampeg 70´s SVT.
So I really wan´t to play that cab. Any thoughts on the Precision devices driver, too?

best regards!
Stefan

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

we´re playing REALLY loud

That's what the PA is for.

Any thoughts on the Precision devices driver

No thoughts on any driver, as they all would have to be modeled using cabinet design software to determine suitability.

[Gregory East]

Mate, coming to BFM to get advice on a 4x15 retrofit is like asking Katy Perry how to sing
scat. Except learning to scat is worthwhile.

Hows about a pair of Jack15?

[prengel_basser]

Mate, coming to BFM to get advice on a 4x15 retrofit is like asking Katy Perry how to sing
scat. Except learning to scat is worthwhile.

Hows about a pair of Jack15?

You´re probably right...
I contacted bill via talkbass.com, since I wanted to hear his opinion and I got an automated reply that suggested me
to post my question at this forum. that´s what I did.
I posted the question here, since I´m not a pro at the parameter stuff and hoped to get some help.

I ordered both drivers today and I´ll simply test them.

@bill: Unfortunately, I don´t have any software like that and I don´t know the exact volume of the two chambers.
Oh, and we´re playing without PA support most of our shows since most venues we´re playing don´t have a real PA.

[Gregory East]

Bill must get a zillion PM's, no wonder he comes over a bit gruff sometimes.

You're pushing proverbial uphill testing single drivers in a dual driver enclosure. One reacts with the other so you won't know what is what.

winISD is free software you can use. Your best guess of the internal volume of your cab will be fine.

Humour us and read around the site, particularly reviews of Jack12.

Now compare SPL for 300W through a stack of Jacks vs your chosen 15. If you want to do it there are a few more things to explain to construct an apples and apples comparison.

[prengel_basser]

unfortunately winISD doesn´t run on mac =(

[ChrisDowning]

But fortunately even your mum will have a Windows computer somewhere mate. Win is great for scopi out all sorts of speakers and designs. But basically Bills designs are the best around so just pick one and build it.

I'm also a bass player (and guiarist) and you'll find the 3015 or its LF version absolutely huge compared to old style speakers from 10 years ago. I defy you to stand in front of a pair ofr 3015s cracked up. 4x would be insane and damage your ears seriously. If you want to shift lots of air you'll be needing a reflex or horn - and those things get just too big and you'll look like you are playing with the Glastonbury PA rig.

Go with a pair of Jack 15s. But build one first and see if you really need the second. And then if you build the second be sure to wear ear plugs at every gig. AND HAND THEM ROUND TO THE AUDIENCE AS WELL.