Eminence Kappa 3015 or 3015LF?

BobOnBass · #1 06-02-2010, 09:48 AM

I did do a search and found quite a lot of posts on these speakers but could not find a clear comparison between the two. It seems these are both very populair units but I cannot figure out which of these two would suit me best.

So I need new speakers for a Mesa Boogie 2x15 RR, I don't know much about speakers, haven't tried much and certainly don't know much about speakers technically. Do know I like 15" over 10", tried 2x10 Mesa and 8x10 Ampeg and found them both too tight or clean somehow.

Have always been pleased with the EV's when they still worked I suppose, although I can imagine there are smoother sounding 15" speakers out there. Speakers that handle distortion a bit smoother. Again though, I haven't heard much so I could be wrong. Use quite some distortion/fuzz/boosters etc together with a Hiwatt 200.

Anything anyone can tell me about the sound of the 3015 compared to the 3015LF when used in my Mesa RR?

Thanks a bunch! Bob.

jnewmark · #2 06-02-2010, 09:56 AM

It's my understanding that the 3015LF needs to be used in conjunction with a midrange speaker, so the 3015 would be what you want.

Bass_Pounder · #3 06-02-2010, 09:57 AM

In a Mesa 2X15, you will have to use the non-lf 3015.

The LF acts more like a sub, and rolls off heavily in the mids. It is meant to be used with a dedicated mid driver.

Since the Mesa does not even have a horn, you need the regular 3015.

I swapped out the EV15L's in my Mesa 2X15 for a pair of 3015's and it sounds great.

Plenty of mid and top end (similar to the EV's), but goes deeper, and takes more power.

BobOnBass · #4 06-02-2010, 10:00 AM

Thanks guys,

@ Bass_Pounder; Any other brands you considered for this cabinet?

Bob.

Bass_Pounder · #5 06-02-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobOnBass

Thanks guys,

@ Bass_Pounder; Any other brands you considered for this cabinet?

Bob.

Never considered any others.

My EV's are still functional, but when I checked out the specs on the 3015 and read feedback from others that have reloaded their Mesa's (alot of members here have done it) - it seemed like a no brainer.

The 3015 is a great match for that cab. It's like having the original EV's, but with at least double the low end power handling. You get a lot more thump out of them before they hit their limits and start farting out (plus get to shave a couple of pounds off the beast).

Mo'Phat · #6 06-02-2010, 10:12 AM

I put 3015's in my (Mesa/TL-606 inspired) 2x15, and it made me sterile.

Matt Dean · #7 06-02-2010, 10:18 AM

Yup... I think 3015s are a definite upgrade for Mesa Diesel cabs. I have one in my Diesel 115 and it sounds great!

iualum · #8 06-02-2010, 10:32 AM

...3015s (LF or non) are almost certainly an upgrade for any cabinet...might consider using one of both (the non LF goes to 4 kHz)...

BobOnBass · #9 06-02-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo'Phat

I put 3015's in my (Mesa/TL-606 inspired) 2x15, and it made me sterile.

I am sorry to hear that Mo'Phat.

Very much enjoyed your 2x15 project btw. Looks the bomb!

Thanks guys, 3015 it is going to be then.

Cheers, Bob.

Mo'Phat · #10 06-02-2010, 10:42 AM

Well...it's hard to say, honestly, if it was the 3015's or the vasectomy. Smart money is on my rig.

blockinlay · #11 06-02-2010, 10:43 AM

I didn't go for the LF. I don't have anything bad to say about my 3015's. I kind of liked my old speakers too. Peavey Scorpion, and reconed EVM15B in two TL606's. I only changed to see if it would lighten up my cabs. Don't really notice the difference.

billfitzmaurice · #12 06-02-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

It's my understanding that the 3015LF needs to be used in conjunction with a midrange speaker, so the 3015 would be what you want.

All fifteens should be used with a mid driver, unless you don't care about mids. The 3015 goes higher than the 3015LF on-axis, but off-axis neither does squat above 1.5kHz, as is the case with all fifteens.
That said, a pair of 3015 will take 700 watts before farting out, have higher sensitivity and go as low as anyone needs them to. I'd only use the 3015LF when you're running only one of them and need to have the added excursion capacity.

singlemalt · #13 06-02-2010, 11:15 AM

3015's are the call.

I got mine at BLT sound, $130 each, a couple years ago.

They went right into a old 2-15 peavey cab. That was a big improvement, but still seemed to lack the full power on the lowest notes (down to low E). Putting them into a modified TL-606 cab fixed most of that issue.

I usually only need to take one of the pair I built, for most anything that's indoors.

The 3015 LF needs more cab volume. Upwards of 5 cubic feet.

I have a plan to expand the TL-606 and try it with a 3015 LF, but its a month out at least. I'm hoping that this will produce a tighter B string response, but that's getting pretty low, and I tune down a half step, so B flat.

We'll see what happens...

rpsands · #14 06-02-2010, 11:31 AM

4 cubic feet is plenty for a 3015LF.

BassmanPaul · #15 06-02-2010, 11:52 AM

The OP could consider having his EVs re-coned. It's an option.

Paul

BobOnBass · #16 06-03-2010, 12:10 AM

Hi Paul, I did consider that the best option until I got the feeling (through reading posts here at TB) I could actually improve on the EV's. From what I understand a lot of users are happier with the Kappa's then they used to be with the EV's.

I might still recone the units for some future project someday though.

Bob.

morebass! · #17 06-03-2010, 05:39 AM

I had that same cabinet until recent back problems forced its sale. The EVs have a great rock tone. There's a gritty meaness that can't be beat. BUT, as has been stated, the 3015s handle higher power, go lower and have a smoother frequency response. And the 3015s are 12 pound lighter. For me at 2 score and nine years of age it was a no-brainer. If I was 18 I'd probably keep the EVs and buy another duplicate cab!

iualum · #18 06-03-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

All fifteens should be used with a mid driver, unless you don't care about mids. The 3015 goes higher than the 3015LF on-axis, but off-axis neither does squat above 1.5kHz, as is the case with all fifteens.
That said, a pair of 3015 will take 700 watts before farting out, have higher sensitivity and go as low as anyone needs them to. I'd only use the 3015LF when you're running only one of them and need to have the added excursion capacity.

Curious, in a cab with two 15s & two 18Sound 6.5s (6ND410), 3015s would be preferable to 3015LFs?

Randall · #19 06-03-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

The OP could consider having his EVs re-coned. It's an option.

Paul

I believe the recone kit upgrades the speaker to 400w (if yours are the 200w version like mine). I am in the same situation-recone my ev or swap in a 3015. Tough call without hearing the kapplite.

billfitzmaurice · #20 06-03-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iualum

Curious, in a cab with two 15s & two 18Sound 6.5s (6ND410), 3015s would be preferable to 3015LFs?

It depends on how much power you have. If it's well over 700 watts into 4 ohms, and you play at extreme levels or with drop tuning, the LF might be the better choice. Otherwise I'd stay with the standard 3015.