AMPEG BA108 with EMINENCE ALPHA 8a

redhed · #1 09-30-2012, 09:04 AM

Just installed a new Eminence ALPHA 8a in my Ampeg BA108 and what a fantastic upgrade! While the little combo is a great performer stock the new speaker just adds so much more depth to the sound, really is killer! You can really crank up the volume with no issues but really I only use the amp for practise at lower volumes and it really sounds awesome.

gottliver · #2 09-30-2012, 09:56 AM

thx for the info! was it a direct fit? no re drilling?

I use a ba-108 for a drummer-less trio that i play upright with. I'm using a realist pup/fdeck pre3 and the ampeg. It is a very good sound with out a drummer but when the 2 guitars start getting loud i'm left wanting a bit more volume. been thinking that this speaker swap would do the trick.

JimmyM · #3 09-30-2012, 11:06 AM

I don't think the speaker can actually ADD volume, can it? Could probably sound better and tighter but adding volume?

bb03 · #4 09-30-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I don't think the speaker can actually ADD volume, can it? Could probably sound better and tighter but adding volume?

If it has higher sensitivity it can.

JimmyM · #5 09-30-2012, 11:35 AM

Didn't think of that...never mind

Anyway, been considering this mod for a year now but I'm too cheap and the BA108 has been doing it for me as is. But I may go ahead and pull the trigger after I get some repairs on some other stuff I have finished.

bb03 · #6 09-30-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Didn't think of that...never mind

I was thinking you spaced out on that...thus the

.

JimmyM · #7 09-30-2012, 01:08 PM

To be fair, I had just woken up.

redhed · #8 09-30-2012, 04:10 PM

Just screws right in, with the original 4 screws! It is ridiculously easy....
I don't know if it makes the combo louder but you can definately crank the volume! But I think the sound is improved and it is more sensitive to EQ adjustments. I LOVE THIS MOD!!

bb03 · #9 09-30-2012, 07:05 PM

Does the CD input play through the speaker, or just the headphones?

Woodstockz · #10 09-30-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhed

Just screws right in, with the original 4 screws! It is ridiculously easy....
I don't know if it makes the combo louder but you can definately crank the volume! But I think the sound is improved and it is more sensitive to EQ adjustments. I LOVE THIS MOD!!

Too sweet!

The BA -108 is a great deal to begin with, and a great platform for mods. A speaker with greater sensitivity and greater power handling means that you can crank the volume.

A couple of other people doing this mod have yet to report in. I'm glad that this works out for you.

Woodstockz · #11 09-30-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bb03

Does the CD input play through the speaker, or just the headphones?

The CD input plays through the speaker, and has a seperate volume control. I use it all the time.

redhed · #12 09-30-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodstockz

Too sweet!

The BA -108 is a great deal to begin with, and a great platform for mods. A speaker with greater sensitivity and greater power handling means that you can crank the volume.

A couple of other people doing this mod have yet to report in. I'm glad that this works out for you.

I got tired of waiting to hear about the result of installing the ALPHA 8a that I just went out and bought my own! It seemed like a good idea......

JimmyM · #13 09-30-2012, 09:27 PM

Seemed like one to me as well. But hey, $50 is $50

redhed · #14 10-01-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Seemed like one to me as well. But hey, $50 is $50

I am not really sure it is worth it! But hey, what the hell!

matjaz123 · #15 10-11-2012, 07:13 AM

Okay, today I received and installed my alpha 8a.
Installation was quick and simple as cake. First impressium was good, sound was warmer and much more clear. I made a few sound samples.
BUT then I cranked the volume up and hiting the E and B string. The "thing" began to quietly farts with annoying sound. I put the original speaker back in, there was no farting, original speaker handles the B string well, then put the alpha 8 back in. Same story again.
So now I am sticking with ORIGINAL, and hoping to get money back or at last sell it.
About the VOLUME with new speaker, it's not get ANY louder.
Well I don't know, maybe is the cabinet or just the port too small. But now I trust Ampeg even more.

gottliver · #16 10-11-2012, 08:16 AM

yep, i have somewhat the same story.

no farting at high volume, but distortion. not sure if it is the pre or amp clipping? when i get the volume past 1pm it starts to get fuzzy. is it any louder? thats debatable, but again, no farting, distortion.

redhed · #17 10-11-2012, 08:44 AM

I don't know about that! The AMPEG speaker is rated at 40 watts, I haven't had any problems with the ALPHA. It cam certainly handle more than what the amp can produce.

gottliver · #18 10-11-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhed

I don't know about that! The AMPEG speaker is rated at 40 watts, I haven't had any problems with the ALPHA. It cam certainly handle more than what the amp can produce.

clean power? no distortion?

redhed · #19 10-11-2012, 09:06 AM

Yes, but I am not cranking the thing to full volume. The BA 108 is a little tiny practice amp, but I think the speaker upgrade improves the overall sound and I love it!

Woodstockz · #20 10-11-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matjaz123

Okay, today I received and installed my alpha 8a.
Installation was quick and simple as cake. First impressium was good, sound was warmer and much more clear. I made a few sound samples.
BUT then I cranked the volume up and hiting the E and B string. The "thing" began to quietly farts with annoying sound. I put the original speaker back in, there was no farting, original speaker handles the B string well, then put the alpha 8 back in. Same story again.
So now I am sticking with ORIGINAL, and hoping to get money back or at last sell it.
About the VOLUME with new speaker, it's not get ANY louder.
Well I don't know, maybe is the cabinet or just the port too small. But now I trust Ampeg even more.

I think that you probably have the dreaded cabinet problem. Glue the seams, re-staple the batting, and add more batting. Either that, or the speaker is defective. A good speaker would not be the cause of the problem.