12" Speaker replacement for a 100 watt 4 ohm combo amp

[polkaman81]

I am searching for a 12 inch replacement speaker for a Crate BT1000 combo amp rated at 100 watts RMS at 4 ohms. I currently have speaker fart even at low volumes from the stock SLM speaker that is in there so I do not want to purchase another. I did test the amp on my 2x10 cabinet and the amp works fine for sure so that is not the problem. Matter of fact, it sounded great! That is why I want to fix this combo amp so I can use it for small gigs/practicing/teaching bass lessons. The problem I'm having is finding a decent 12 inch 100 watts or better 4 ohm replacement for bass guitar (not much available in 4 ohm option at lower wattage in a 12".) The only thing I've found that I would love to try is an Eminence Delta 12LFC because it's a 12" speaker at 4 ohms and can bottom out at 44hz, but it's rated at 500 watts RMS which is way more than I need. I've been advised not to use this speaker with only a 100 watt head because I'd be under powering it too much. I've read mixed reviews about under powering speakers so I'd like some reassurance from those who may have had some experiences similar to this or know if it is okay for sure to do this. I'd hate to blow $95 plus shipping on a speaker that isn't going to work properly in my combo amp. Here is the website for the specs of the amp: http://www.crateamps.com/pdf/manuals/BT1000_OM.pdf Just go to the bottom of the page for the specs. It is ported in the back and is a kickback style so the cabinet is not a perfect rectangular box. Thanks in advance for your help!

Curt

[MuzikMan]

Somebody help this man! I don't have the power to do it myself !!!

[okcrum]

Go ahead and give the Delta a try. Underpowering is a myth; it will work fine. The practical power rating is excursion limited anyway on any speaker, and is somewhere around 1/2 the RMS meltdown power rating.

[BassmanPaul]

May I suggest that the OP read the FAQ at the top of page one.

[polkaman81]

BassmanPaul, what specifically should I read? I looked at the FAQ page and nothing struck me as "this is the answer he wanted me to find." Thanks.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by polkaman81

I've been advised not to use this speaker with only a 100 watt head because I'd be under powering it too much.

BTW, you don't want a D12LF, as it requires a midrange driver. You also don't need a 4 ohm woofer, 8 ohms will be fine. You do need to enlist the aid of someone in modeling your cab with different drivers to find a good match.

And as for wherever you've been told that there is such a thing as 'underpowering', don't go there anymore, they be clueless.

[polkaman81]

THANK YOU SO MUCH BILL!

[polkaman81]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

You also don't need a 4 ohm woofer, 8 ohms will be fine.

Bill, I spoke to a customer service rep who seemed to know his stuff about speakers. He told me the main reason I should not go with an 8 ohm speaker vs. a 4 ohm is the 8 will give me 60-70% less volume overall. Do you believe this? He also said I shouldn't be worried so much by the Thiele-Small parameters as much as finding a bass woofer with high sensitivity as close to 100dB as possible. I was not able to get any info on the inside volume of the cabinet so I'll figure that out myself with a little math. Also found out the cabinet is tuned to 45hz.

Curt

[polkaman81]

I measured the inside of the enclosure and it is 1.141113 cubic ft.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by polkaman81

Bill, I spoke to a customer service rep who seemed to know his stuff about speakers. He told me the main reason I should not go with an 8 ohm speaker vs. a 4 ohm is the 8 will give me 60-70% less volume overall. Do you believe this? He also said I shouldn't be worried so much by the Thiele-Small parameters as much as finding a bass woofer with high sensitivity as close to 100dB as possible.

Curt

He's way off on all counts. And that's why he's a customer service rep and not an acoustical engineer.

I'd load it with an Eminence Beta 12, its all you need to handle the power you have available, and will give as good a result as anything in that small of a cab.

[polkaman81]

Thanks again Bill! He seemed to talk lingo really well but I was having my doubts. Like you said, he's customer service, not an acoustical engineer.

Curt

[m.oreilly]

not too shabby

[polkaman81]

Bill,

I went ahead and ordered an Eminence Beta 12A. Just arrived about an hour ago. Went to put it in the bass cabinet and the speaker basket is too big! It won't fit in the hole! The basket sits about 1/4" above the hole. What the heck do I do now?

[greenboy]

Uh, make the hole bigger?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by greenboy

Uh, make the hole bigger?

It's either that or put the driver in the clothes dryer for a few hours.

[greenboy]

But Bill, won't that un-dampen the sound?

[Arthur Strand]

There is no danger supplying sound to a speaker and underpowering it.
The danger is the exact opposite; putting too high wattage through a speaker - it blows it.
The acoustic engineers should be tackling these problems. That is why they exist in Music shops. It costs but it could cost you a whole bunch more if you went really wrong.
If the replacement does not fit tightly then you will get vibration noises. Hope it is not an insurmountable problem

[polkaman81]

I figured a hole modification would be in order. If I put the speaker in the dryer, will it also make it lighter?! I'd love that!

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by Arthur Strand

If the replacement does not fit tightly then you will get vibration noises.

If the hole is a loose fit that's fine provided there is enough room for fastener stability, and as long as it gasket seals when the baby is tightened down.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by polkaman81

I figured a hole modification would be in order. If I put the speaker in the dryer, will it also make it lighter?! I'd love that!

Make sure you throw in a dryer sheet too.........

You don't want alot of static coming out of it