AMPEG B115E cab spkr replacement: C2515 vs.Kappa-15LFA

[YoMomma]

AMPEG B115E cab spkr replacement: So I want a 15 that can take a punch - as in, being powered by a AMPEG PF500 in full out 500W mode (4 Ohm).

The "rig" is a AMPEG PF500 head, a AMPEG B115E (1x15 cab) and a Harkte 210XL cab. Wired so the rif runs in 4 Ohm load.t

At higher volumes, The speaker in the AMPEG B115E distorts quickly and is embarrassing. Want to replace it with a speaker that can handle tons of wattage - so that's never an issue.

So the "shoot out" is between an Eminence Basslite C2515 Neo (300W ~$165.00) and an Eminence Kappa-15A (450W ~$140.00)

Your thoughts please. -YM

[Jaco who?]

The Basslite is a 4Ω speaker, so you'll run your "rig" @ 2.67Ωs. Kappa might work, but the non-LF version of the kappalite will probably be a better match if the internal dimensions of that cab are as small as I'm guessing, and I'm just guessing.

Hate to sound like a brainwashed tb'r, but if the 210xl doesn't distort, why not just get another one of those?

[YoMomma]

Jaco who?: Ooops! Good catch about the Basslite being 4 Ohm. We don't want that do we? I looked at the Emmy Kappa-15A (non LF version), and some shops are selling them as PA speakers (I guess cuz of the high wattage rating?). 2 x 210XL's = that's would make too much sense!

I guess the reason I run a 1x15 with the 2x10 is to hopefully better deliver the really low freq's. Using a PF500 head @ 500W/4 Ohms I need a good sounding 15" speaker that can handle at least 200-250W without crapping out.

-ym

[JimmyM]

You just aren't going to find a 15" that's going to let you plow 500w of bass into it regardless of what the power handling rating is. Those speaker ratings are based on what makes the voice coil blow, and not what makes them start farting out, which is often significantly lower, often as low as half the raw speaker's power handling rating. Plus add to that the lack of availability of 4 ohm 15"s, and that cuts down your practical choices. If I were you, I'd upgrade the speaker to something like the Eminence Delta 15a or Beta 15a in 8 ohms, and be happy you can get a little more out of it. because that's about the best you're going to be able to do.

[BassmanPaul]

The size of the cone alone has little bearing on how low a cabinet will go. That thinking is a myth.