The best 12 for a sealed cab?
 

No matter what brand, what is the best choice in a 12 for a sealed enclosure? Vintage sounding.. This is for a V4 cab and a V4b with a P.

For vintage and sealed, the Eminence Delta 12LF would work well (and be cheap :)). The Basslite S2012 would be good, too...saves weight, costs more, but will give you more in the mids.

The Delta 12LFa is only good to about 2500 Hz, compared to 4500 Hz for the S2012.
Neither is optimized for sealed use, but they will work.
Delta 12LFa is a nice woofer, but thuddy as a full range driver.

2.75 cubic feet net for the S2012 will do it.

bgavin, I have been on TB for many years now and know that you know what you're talking about. Thank you for replying.

So, you would go with the s2012 in this instance? I would like the weight savings, but I also want the best fit for this specific cab. If that is THE speaker, I will go that route.

Thanks again.

Or maybe the deltalite 2512? Pricey, but I want the best speaker for a sealed cab

2512
 

2512II looks good for sealed cabs.

The Deltalite works in sealed cabs as well. Pretty much just a bit of a difference in tone compared to the Basslite. Deltalite has more of a rising response in the upper mids....can make it sound a little louder, more a cut-through-the-mix approach, but not as warm sounding. I usually dial some lowmids into my Deltalites to sort of balance that out. They can sound just a little bit "twangy" on their own, but work great in a band mix. The basslites probably a little closer on their own to how I eq the Deltalites. I happen to get a good deal on my deltalites and quite like them, but if I was starting over and paying full retail, would've probably gone with basslites.


Running 4 drivers on a 100 watt amp, you don't have to worry much about having a lot of excursion capability and can look at several other drivers that have different response or distortion characteristics you might like or even higher spl.

The OP said "vintage sounding".

I said Delta 12LF.

You said "thuddy".

I think we're all on the same page. ;):D



I like the S2012 better than the 2512...it's a bit smoother in the upper mids. Kringle likes that "grind"! :)

Darn! Will beats me to it, again!

Ha. :D


Seems to be a couple different ideas of what "vintage" sounds like.

One is a rolled off bottom, and fairly high "paper cone treble" extension, like JBL, EV L's, etc. A Deltalite, or Faital PR series might get a little closer to this.

Another is thick lowmids and a rolled of topend, like Acoustic and other Horn bins, or 18" loaded cabs, etc. The Delta12LF may come closer to this.

Tone is a subjective topic.
One man's trash is another man's refuse.
My personal objective is no coloration from the speaker cabs.
Flat and accurate in the cab, voicing in the electronics and fingers.

I have several Delta 12LF, the one in use is in a T39 bass horn.
The horn folds attenuate the highs very quickly. It is the ultimate in "thud" if used alone.
The others are lined up for various 1x12 vented projects in small footprints with a crossover.

My concern for the OP is more for usability.
Sealed in a B2 alignment, the driver is a bit more controlled against unloading and over excursion.
The price paid for this is a higher roll-off frequency, and less bass response, compared to a vented box.
Audiophile studies show most critical listeners opt for the B2 or D2 sealed alignments, for the tightest bass.

OP, if you listen to the driver and back off when it farts out, it will be fine for you.
Don't expect these 12s to thunder at Low B, cuz they won't do it.

I play intimate/quiet restaurant venues, and a 1x12 would be mostly adequate for this.
At the end of the night, the volume kicks up, and the 1x12 would be lacking, IMO.
Our regular bass uses a single E140 and LM-III in these venues.

Thanks for the replies. This cab will be only paired with a 70's V4B, and I currently own one bass.. A 62 RI with a 1970 rosewood P neck. Lollar pups, Labella .109 flats.

Tone is subjective, but obviously from my gear choices, I am after a specific tone. I basically want the sealed flat back 70's 8x10 tone in not such a big package. Yes, the 4x12 is pretty stout, but seems like the middle ground between a single 15 and the 8x10. I have owned the vintage SVT and 8x10 set up... Sounded great, but way overkill for my band. I'm competing with a Deluxe Reverb :). Plus it looked massive and was a PITA to move around.

Anyway, back on topic. Anyone think the s2012 would NOT be a good match for the sealed Ampeg V4 cab?

Denton,
I use S2012's in my V4 cab and they sound great. They've been in there for a couple years now and I have no complaints.I use an Ampeg V4 btw. Sounds great!

I am negotiating on an empty cab. Not a great deal, but a pretty good one... And the only one I can find locally so gonna pull trigger. Looks like s2012's are the best choice!