Acoustic 136 new 15" speaker

robert koomen · #1 06-11-2010, 06:03 PM

Hello,
I was able to buy a 1970's Acoustic Control 136 amplifier (combo) for $35, but the speaker has a hole in it. Is this a good deal? I'd like to replace the speaker but I am kind of stuck in the giant woods of speakers available.
The amp has a 200 watt maximum, I was looking at Eminence Delta and Kappa speakers, am I on the right track?

Help appreciated, many thanks!!

Robert

will33 · #2 06-11-2010, 06:22 PM

I assume the amp turns on and works? Then it's a good deal.

Does the speaker still work at all? How bad is the hole? They can be patched or glued back together if it isn't too big.

Otherwise measure the inside of the cabinet to get a rough idea of how much space is inside the speaker part in cubic feet and compare that to the suggested cab size part of eminence's speaker charts to find something compatable.

Delta (non-lf), kappa (non-lf), Legend and Kappalite3015 are suitable for smallish boxes. The Kappalite will shave a few pounds off if that matters, it also specs out about the best of those. The legend would sound a little more "old school", less upper mids and treble.

bottomend! · #3 06-12-2010, 12:32 AM

Your basic run of the mill inexpensive Eminence will work great in that amp! $35 bucks!!!?? You got away with murder on that deal dude.. congradulations! These amps (the 140/150 series heads) wont knock down houses loaded into that cabinet but you can expect good tone and a full sound.

JimmyM · #4 06-12-2010, 12:55 AM

Throw an Eminence Beta 15 into it. Cheap, has enough power handling to deal with the amp, voiced very similar to vintage 70's speakers. BTW, it's a 100w amp in the 136, not 200w. Used to have one...never appreciated it back then, but I wouldn't mind having it back again...in retrospect I think I just had a lame replacement speaker in it.

Stumbo · #5 06-12-2010, 01:37 AM

Is this the one? Good deal for $35. Plenty of volume for rehearsal and lots of gigs.

billfitzmaurice · #6 06-12-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

Delta (non-lf), kappa (non-lf), Legend and Kappalite3015 are suitable for smallish boxes. The Kappalite will shave a few pounds off if that matters, it also specs out about the best of those.

Kappa and Kappalites aren't a good choice here, the amp doesn't have enough power to make use of their excursion. What's called for is a higher Qts/Vas driver, which is similar to what was in there originally. You'll get a midbass response hump, which is what it takes for giggable levels with 100w. The Beta 15 and Delta 15 are the best bets. Better lows with the Beta 15, stronger mids with the Delta 15.

lbwdog · #7 06-12-2010, 07:40 AM

Bill, if that amp were higher powered, say 500w., would a 3015 then be advantageous?

billfitzmaurice · #8 06-12-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

Bill, if that amp were higher powered, say 500w., would a 3015 then be advantageous?

Sure. Even with a true 250w/8ohms for that matter. But with a low power amp the 3015 is the wrong driver, having about 4dB less midbass sensitivity than the Beta or Delta 15.

Jim Carr · #9 06-12-2010, 09:07 AM

I used one of these for about a year and a half in the late 70s. I loved it. Loud and thick low mids, but heavy. Casters are a good thing!

will33 · #10 06-12-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Kappa and Kappalites aren't a good choice here, the amp doesn't have enough power to make use of their excursion. What's called for is a higher Qts/Vas driver, which is similar to what was in there originally. You'll get a midbass response hump, which is what it takes for giggable levels with 100w. The Beta 15 and Delta 15 are the best bets. Better lows with the Beta 15, stronger mids with the Delta 15.

You know, I hadn't thought of wanting a huge mid hump, I guess not taken all things into consideration. Mostly just looking at the small end of the recommended box volumes.

robert koomen · #11 06-14-2010, 08:39 AM

Many thanks for your help. I am still thinking if I should take the Beta-15 or the delta, I might use it very often with a fretless jazz bass, the mids that the delta gives might have an advantage!? But on the other hand I want to make advantage of the strengths that this combo has, so if that is low-end, let it be low end...

The speaker is absolutely dead, no sound at all. The amp, though, works (with ext. cab).

If it's a great deal with you in the US, then it's definately a supererb deal here in Europe :-)

Can't wait to fix it, if I only find 1) the right speaker 2) time!

Thanks again!

Robert

robert koomen · #12 09-01-2010, 08:40 AM

Which of the eminences (Beta/Delta) comes closest to the original speaker? or, does anybody know what kind (brand?) of 15" speaker the Acoustic 136 had in the first place?

Thanks!

Robert

robert koomen · #13 09-01-2010, 09:57 AM

and; what's the difference between delta-15 and delta-15LFA??

billfitzmaurice · #14 09-01-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert koomen

and; what's the difference between delta-15 and delta-15LFA??

They're pointed out in the driver data sheets. The LF has longer xmax, which is of no benefit with the power you have available.