Seasons Greetings

[Oscillatealot]

The season of summer, that is.

I'm in the UK, so it's not that cold and might rain. Unlike the winter, when it is that cold, and will rain.

Bill has been very helpful on other forums which it seems he tired of just as I did, so I'm here to just double check my WinISD results before popping some drivers in boxes (and hopefully not popping them back out with the first note). I'm a musician so much of my time and energy go on that. I'd love to be able to build speaker cabs, amps, or instruments but haven't developed any of the necessary skills, so I have some commercial PA, monitors, and bass cabs to produce a flat and full range sound at decent volume levels and enough EQ, compression,and modelling to manifest any sound I fancy. However, despite all the wisdom I have glimpsed from Bill in the past I still have an unreasonable connection to sealed and heavily damped speakers. Every one I have used had a certain something in the feel and sound which appealed to me, and there is something about a piece of equipment forcing one's hand which inspires the artist, for some reason. I'm usually very analytical and pragmatic, but I'm also very tired and painful, so there's only so far I'm willing to question my perspective these days. It's a thing I want to do, so I will... but I'd like to avoid frying drivers while I'm at it.

I have some Eminence S2012s, recommended by Bill, which lived in a 4x12, then down to a 2x12. I would now like to move down to a pair of 1x12s, which will be powered by a Fender-style valve preamp and solid state power amp. Maybe a small valve head eventually.

Those drivers really sound great in small sealed boxes and I imagine will be fine for my purpose in the cheap guitar cabs I plan to repurpose. I have finally braved WinISD though, so while I don't have enough information to be dangerous, I do have enough to be more confused than ever. I come to you all as an ignoramus with a hare-brained plan. I fear I may leave none the wiser, but hope that your far greater knowledge keeps me from destroying a pair of decent drivers in the process.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Cheap guitar cabs may not work, probably being too small and not braced. S2012s want 60 liters net internal volume for best results. Smaller than that results in a loss of lows and boomy midbass.

[Oscillatealot]

Thanks Bill!

Based on my attempts, even assuming 18mm walls, the net volume should be 64 litres, so hopefully enough space to let the driver do its thing, and room for bracing if box resonances come into play too much. WinISD (with hopefully the correct specs applied in the right order) suggests that power handling would be 60 watts at 40hz, rising exponentially to the full 150w by 90hz.

These are the cabs I'm thinking of bastardising- the rear panel will obviously need modification/replacement.
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-B ... binet/5D61

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Don't even think about them. MDF is the last material you want for a portable speaker. I can't imagine any cab at that price with driver is anything but cheap junk.

[Oscillatealot]

Fair enough!

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Other than building your own the least expensive option is finding a used set that some wanker blew the drivers in and is selling the empty boxes.