Best 15" speaker on a budget?

jakelly · #1 06-02-2010, 09:05 PM

I've got an Eden D115T cab that I bought used. I knew the speaker in it was non-original when I bought it. Its an EV speaker, but the model number (can't remember the number) was for a guitar speaker. It works OK for bass so far, but I haven't cranked on the volume, either.

I want to replace the EV speaker with a good, affordable name brand (so parts would likely be available if it ever needed to be re-coned) 15 inch Bass speaker. On the back of the cab it says 200 watts RMS, 8 ohm, so if I could find something with those specs it would be cool.

Peavey Black Widow?

EV 15B?

Sure, it would be nice to have an Eden speaker, but not really necessary right? There must be plenty of good alternatives. Any suggestions? Thanks

4Mal · #2 06-02-2010, 11:09 PM

Eminence 3015 would be a good bet in there. I had one of those cab's also loaded with an EV 15B (IIRC) and thought it sounded pretty good. The 3015 and EV seem to work pretty well in similar enclosures so that is where I would go.

lbwdog · #3 06-02-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakelly

On the back of the cab it says 200 watts RMS, 8 ohm, so if I could find something with those specs it would be cool.
Peavey Black Widow?
EV 15B?

Nevermind what the label says. That is the thermal power handling of the original driver, and since it's long gone, it means nothing.
Em's 3015 seems to thrive in many different cab sizes but isn't inexpensive.

::::BASSIST:::: · #4 06-02-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Eminence 3015 would be a good bet in there. I had one of those cab's also loaded with an EV 15B (IIRC) and thought it sounded pretty good. The 3015 and EV seem to work pretty well in similar enclosures so that is where I would go.

Absolutely.

The 3015 is a monster of a speaker. That's what I would choose... no contest.

jakelly · #5 06-03-2010, 06:11 AM

Are you folks referring to the Eminence Kappalite 3015 Neo? They run around $170 on ebay.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=emi...ce+3015&_rdc=1

realbadgroove · #6 06-03-2010, 06:24 AM

If you can find one, old SWR 15s are great. A friend of mine has one and its pretty amazing

blockinlay · #7 06-03-2010, 07:10 AM

Why don't you want to use the EV? I'd figure out what it was exactly first before spending on another speaker. Probably will be fine.

TheEnthBass · #8 06-03-2010, 07:26 AM

I have had good luck with Peavey Black Widow 15's in a 2x15 Cab I used to run. It was a haggard old cab so the tone wasnt great but I suspect it had a great deal more to do with the cabinet than the speakers. They lasted forever too. I have also had awesome luck with Peavey customer service with several products, def a big selling point for me.

jakelly · #9 06-03-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blockinlay

Why don't you want to use the EV? I'd figure out what it was exactly first before spending on another speaker. Probably will be fine.

Well, I looked up the model number of the speaker before I ever bought the cab. I sorta insisted, since it didn't look like an Eden speaker from the front. It came up as a guitar speaker, not bass. I'll check again - maybe it would be OK for bass.

I have an old EMC bass combo amp from the 70's that needs a 15" speaker. Maybe I can use the EV that is in the Eden cab in it. So it would not really be a waste to replace the EV. I might be able to use it elsewhere. But I do need a good bass 15" for the Eden. I will be gigging with that down the road.

4Mal · #10 06-03-2010, 09:05 AM

Then spend the cash on the 3015. Check Beach audio where it might be a little less. You want the 3015 not the 3015LF !

FuzzBoxVoodoo · #11 06-03-2010, 09:30 AM

There is one on Ebay right now for $120 BIN that states it has been installed only.

blockinlay · #12 06-03-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakelly

Well, I looked up the model number of the speaker before I ever bought the cab. I sorta insisted, since it didn't look like an Eden speaker from the front. It came up as a guitar speaker, not bass. I'll check again - maybe it would be OK for bass.

I have an old EMC bass combo amp from the 70's that needs a 15" speaker. Maybe I can use the EV that is in the Eden cab in it. So it would not really be a waste to replace the EV. I might be able to use it elsewhere. But I do need a good bass 15" for the Eden. I will be gigging with that down the road.

I had an EV guitar speaker in a bass bin just about like that one you've got. I bought it used, and used it for bass, guitar, and pa. It was a recone and 200watt. Never had an issue. I sold it only to reduce weight and bought kappalite 3015's. The guy I sold it to told me it had a guitar cone. He was happy about it too.
If I was on a budget, I'd just use what I've got. I bought my kappalites pretty cheap from a distributor on ebay that accepted offers. I negotiated $115 each plus $20 ship for the pair. You can always sell that EV to recoup some money, I got $100 for mine plus shipping. It was $30 to ship, and I sent it to Seattle. I've still got the Peavey Scorpion that I had in the other cab.

mulchor · #13 06-03-2010, 12:20 PM

The Eminence 3015/3015LF are great, but not a match to what was requested. (particularly the "inexpensive" aspect)

Does it need to be as lightweight as possible?

If you want to stick with Eminence but don't care about weight, you can get Eminence Legend CA154 15" for about $60 at amazon. Many other choices exist, but in my book "inexpensive" means about half the 3015s, and you can find similar specs for everything except weight going with less exotic magnets.

jakelly · #14 06-04-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulchor

The Eminence 3015/3015LF are great, but not a match to what was requested. (particularly the "inexpensive" aspect)

Does it need to be as lightweight as possible?

If you want to stick with Eminence but don't care about weight, you can get Eminence Legend CA154 15" for about $60 at amazon. Many other choices exist, but in my book "inexpensive" means about half the 3015s, and you can find similar specs for everything except weight going with less exotic magnets.

Thanks. Yes, I was budget-minded but I think I'll have to get one of those 3015's. I'll save up for it, or sell something to make up for it.

BTW, what is the main difference between the 3015 and 3015LF?

lbwdog · #15 06-04-2010, 07:34 AM

The "LF" designation means Low Frequency. It's designed to be used with a separate mid driver, therefore it doesn't extend as high into the mids. It has more Xmax (cone excursion) so will handle more low freq power.

The 3015 is more suited to your system if using it alone. Still has great power handling. Go to eminence.com and check out the specs in the Pro Audio> Neo section

uglyrumor · #16 06-04-2010, 07:35 AM

The "LF" stands for "low frequency", and is designed to operate at a restricted frequency range, not full range, so you would need a crossover and another speaker (full range) to not lose your highs.

omie · #17 11-18-2011, 12:13 PM

From the dead. I'm looking at purchasing these cabinets... Any suggestions for putting 1 8ohm speakers in each cabinet?

Sonic Bass Cabinets (empty)

I'm also on a very tight budget and don't want to spend more then about $240 total on 2 speakers. I have a mesa m-pulse 600 minimum 4ohm minimum amp and would like to be able to use 1 cab at 8ohms or 2 cabs at 4ohms. I'm looking for as much midrange and perceived loud volume out of the speakers as I can get. Rock/metal.

Thanks

Joe Louvar · #18 11-18-2011, 02:09 PM

You can get help with selecting a replacement speaker for your cab from US Speaker at “Cabinet Dimension Help” usspeaker@optonline.net or call Toll Free 1-877-732-5374

deafman · #19 11-18-2011, 02:33 PM

I have the 115 T also. I bought it for the cabinet. The cabinet is lighter than anything I could make at home. I like my big, heavy Legend 158 in the cabinet. The Eden speaker is good quality, cast aluminum frame. The speaker is stored in my bedroom.