black widow or eminence?

[will33]

And yes, use matched drivers.

Although, the combination of a 1505 for depth and a 1502 for grind can work without too much bad interference. I still say match them if you are using your effects for the grind as mentioned.

[Codger]

I see he was using internal dimensions. Never mind.

[Tuned]

Using a different driver may make economic sense. I dare say that whatever driver is used in the top position will determine the perceived character of the cabinet. It will sound no different than using two of the same driver, assuming they are relatively the same sensitivity. IMO speakers under 2' from the floor only serve to make the rest of the band turn up. My fave lower cabinet is a stool.

[Tractorr]

The 1502 BWs are rather easy to blow out. I was able to do it with a 225 watt tube amp, so I imagine that am 1100 watt amp would be super easy.

[joecarrr]

It is a 1502. So, should I get 2 1505's or should I go with a speaker better matched for this cab? I have no problem with plugging/changing ports.

[will33]

Originally Posted by joecarrr

It is a 1502. So, should I get 2 1505's or should I go with a speaker better matched for this cab? I have no problem with plugging/changing ports.

If you want it to be fairly prominent in the mids and get some grind/speaker breakup when you push it -- 1502's.

If you want it deeper, smoother, take more power and stay clean -- 1505's.

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by joecarrr

It is a 1502. So, should I get 2 1505's or should I go with a speaker better matched for this cab? I have no problem with plugging/changing ports.

you might be able to pop a 1505-8 basket on that 1502 magnet, cheaper than buying another new 1505, winds up being about a 50% discount for that one driver, really . Check w/Peavey's customer service, very helpful people.

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by Tuned

It will sound no different than using two of the same driver, assuming they are relatively the same sensitivity.

not in my experience. Try matching an EVM-15 with a JBL D/K 140. How about a PV 1502 with one of those? An Emi Legend CB158? No way do they even remotely match tonally even though the sensitivities are all with in a couple dB

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by will33

If you want it to be fairly prominent in the mids and get some grind/speaker breakup when you push it -- 1502's.

If you want it deeper, smoother, take more power and stay clean -- 1505's.

agreed, and if you need more mids/highs, you could add an Emi Alpha 6CBMRA closed back midrange if you have the real estate on the front baffle. Use one of Emi's high pass filters, probably the 800 Hz.

[mixamatchi]

I've been a fan of Peavey stuff for a long time. That said, I will no longer use BW drivers. The last 2 baskets I've gotten, have failed early (PA use). They were once nearly indestructable, but the baskets I got from them are now made off shore and the quality has suffered. For quality replacements, Eminence has you covered. For budget minded replacements, I've done well with Dayton drivers from PartsExpress.com . They have a nice 15" PA driver that would probably get it done for $75 or so, each.

[joecarrr]

Originally Posted by mixamatchi

I've been a fan of Peavey stuff for a long time. That said, I will no longer use BW drivers. The last 2 baskets I've gotten, have failed early (PA use). They were once nearly indestructable, but the baskets I got from them are now made off shore and the quality has suffered. For quality replacements, Eminence has you covered. For budget minded replacements, I've done well with Dayton drivers from PartsExpress.com . They have a nice 15" PA driver that would probably get it done for $75 or so, each.

I just looked at the daytons. The numbers look good. But there's not a whole lot of reviews from people using them for bass guitar. I searched this site too and there's not alot about them. As far as eminence speakers go, which one should be a good fit for me? The neo's are out of my budget. I'd like to stay around or below $300

[bgavin]

OP, please do your research, and don't just guess.

First, determine the accurate internal volume of the cab.
A bit of elbow grease is required to take accurate measurements, and subtract bracing.
From the photo, the bracing volume is very small, negligible in that large of a cabinet.

Post the accurate internal volume here, and there are plenty of guys on TB willing to run the numbers for you.
In this case the cab determines the drivers.

Ignore wattage as it is a red herring and of no practical use here.
Avoid subwoofers (Dayton) as they have no upper range.
FWIW, the Daytons are very good subs, but inappropriate here.
Eminence 3015LF is a great driver, but not usable here without a midrange driver.

I've disassembled the 18" Black Widow, and as noted above, it is an easy DIY project at home.
My bassist was having problems with his Peavey 1820 woofer, and it turned out to be melted foam down in the voice coil.
The dust control foam in old drivers melts into goo and goes everywhere.
Acetone will remove this from the voice coil former without damage.
I'd be reluctant to apply acetone to the coil windings.. most likely will ruin them.

You can buy the BW cone kits separate, and re-use your old magnet.
The kit is right at $100 for the 18" BW. I expect others to be similar.

[Steve Dallman]

I have an older version of that cabinet that came with a couple likely CTS speakers in it. I used it with an EVM 15L and a PV 1508. They did not work together all that well. I ended up preferring that cabinet with the two CTS speakers.

I just bought a small PV ported cabinet with an original 150 watt BW. I had intended on changing it out, but it sounds so darned good, I may leave it.

Disintegrating foam into the VC is a common problem with age and BW's. I've cleaned quite a few, replaced the foam dust catcher with new foam, or felt and good to go. I don't recall what solvent I used, but it didn't hurt the VC.

Another strange problem I've seen is when that white, dusty corrosion develops on the aluminum basket and it causes the glue on the spider or surround to let loose. Usually this is due to poor storage...garage, damp basement, etc. Cleaning the aluminum and regluing fixes that.

[will33]

Originally Posted by joecarrr

I just looked at the daytons. The numbers look good. But there's not a whole lot of reviews from people using them for bass guitar. I searched this site too and there's not alot about them. As far as eminence speakers go, which one should be a good fit for me? The neo's are out of my budget. I'd like to stay around or below $300

The Legend CB158 is a good performer, somewhat similair to the 1505 Widow in both performance and price. Though, 15" replacement baskets from Peavey run around $80 each. Either of those would get you there for just under $300. Going with the Widows would mean one new basket and one new whole driver, so maybe $250?

The next step down in budget is the Emi. Beta 15. Can't take quite the thrashing of the other 2, but a good performer and a pretty high bang-for-the-buck value ratio there. Should be able to get a pair of those shipped for about $200.

Any of those would benefit from some port lengthening (lowers box tuning), the Beta perhaps a little more than the others.

With respect to the current replacement baskets being of lower quality than the old ones, I just don't know there, so really can't comment.

[will33]

One thing to keep in mind when comparing datasheets is thst the peavey response charts were measured with the driver mounted in a cab, the 15's being in 3.5 cu.ft. tuned 40hz, so, little larger box but lower tuning than your cab. That means your box may not reach quite as deep, but the higher tuning will make it play what lowend it does have a bit louder. Either alignment reaches deep enough for any bass guitar. Lowering your box tuning will help with LF power handling some if yours is currently tuned fairly high, and keep it from getting too boomy.

The Eminences were measured mounted in a wall baffle and must be modeled to see the effect of your box on their LF response.

The Beta will want to hump up in the lows more than the others. Some of that can be a good thing, helps them sound loud/strong. Too much can lead to problems with boom and lack of clarity in some rooms/situatons. Lowering your box tuning will put it in a good spot, so, Beta is a nice choice for a budget cab that doesn't play like a budget cab. It's a higher performer than the price would suggest.

[MNAirHead]

Pick up the phone and call peavey tech support

[joecarrr]

Ok, I just called peavey. The guy said to stick with the 1502. He said they should handle my amp fine as long as I don't let it clip. So, I think I'm just gonna order a 1502 and a replacement basket for the old one just in case. I'm also gonna put some foam in the cab and maybe mess with the ports but I'll do that after I get the speakers in there and see if I like the sound with the stock ports. thanks for the help guys.

[Matthijs]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

That'd be John Kallas (johnk_10), not Ken Jung.

Oops sorry, You're right. I was shooting from the hip on my iphone there and had my "names with a k" mixed up.