HELP! Replacing Hartke 2115 speaker

Michael Giffone · #1 07-26-2011, 07:30 AM

Hey all,

I just recently decided to paint my Hartke 2115 combo amp, and regretted it almost immediately. Many people said that painting the speaker was fine, but after I did it, my Hartke sounded like bass farts.
So I've decided to replace the speaker cause it's a good combo and I don't want o get rid of it if I don't have to.

I was wondering if this speaker would work?
Eminence LEGEND CB158
Speaker Detail | Eminence Speaker

My main concern is that it's not compatible. Also, getting the old speaker out and putting in the new seems like a challenge. Do you guys see any glitches in this plan?

Thanks,
~Michael

BassmanPaul · #2 07-26-2011, 10:58 AM

Contact Hartke for a replacement. You don't mess with a speaker's cone. It is designed the way it is for good reasons!

Michael Giffone · #3 07-26-2011, 02:04 PM

Getting a replacement from Hartke would be too expensive though.
And yeah, I learned my lesson for sure!

What about this one?
Paragon 15", 200W, 4 Ohm Bass Driver
GK Store: Paragon 15", 200W, 4 Ohm Bass Driver

It seems to fit the combo's specs more...Any opinions?

Leakim · #4 07-26-2011, 02:22 PM

Maybe this: HARTKE 3-15XL8 SPEAKER - Thomann UK Cyberstore

BassmanPaul · #5 07-26-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Giffone

Getting a replacement from Hartke would be too expensive though.

Putting any driver into your cabinet without doing the science to make sure that driver will work well will result in a crapshoot. The same type of driver that you ruined is what should go back in.

Dbassmon · #6 07-26-2011, 03:07 PM

Call Hartke and get an RA number to return the driver. Send the driver back to Hartke and get it re-coned. You do not need a new speaker.Magnet is fine, basket is fine, cone & voice coil needs replacing. Not a big deal!

will33 · #7 07-26-2011, 03:45 PM

The cb15 is one of the most friendly drivers I've seen when it comes to small boxes sizes/various tunings etc. There's a huge fudge factor there where you can still get good results......however, it will sound heavier in the lows and not nearly as bright as your hartke speaker. If you liked how it sounded before, get yours reconed.

Michael Giffone · #8 07-29-2011, 05:54 PM

Thank you all for your responses! I think I have a better idea and I'd like to hear what you all think of it:

I would take the amp apart and take out the bass head(200w, model 2000) and then buy 1 or 2 bass cabinets instead of replacing the speaker. Here's where it gets tricky. on the back of the amp there are 2 8ohm input jacks, and the manual says the amp will take 200 watts at 4ohms(which is what it's doing now) or 120 watts at 8ohms. Does that mean i can hook up 2 cabinets with 120 watt speakers? what would be an optimal cabinet configuration? I don't want to push the amp too hard if I get higher powered speakers...I am a newbie when it comes to ohms and power, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

**B-string** · #9 07-29-2011, 07:30 PM

Your amp does not "TAKE" output power. It supplies the power to your speakers. Hook up any two 8 ohm cabs you like, just don't pick ones with a real low "power" rating. You may find they will reach their mechanical limits before your amp reaches it max output.

Michael Giffone · #10 07-30-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

Your amp does not "TAKE" output power. It supplies the power to your speakers. Hook up any two 8 ohm cabs you like, just don't pick ones with a real low "power" rating. You may find they will reach their mechanical limits before your amp reaches it max output.

Ok, so if i bought one or 2 of these:

AMPEG SVT-210AV 2X10 Mini Cab - cookes

And connected each one to the 2 8ohm inputs on my Hartke head, would that work? that would be 400w of speaker capability running through this head...can that overwork the head or something?

**B-string** · #11 07-30-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Giffone

Ok, so if i bought one or 2 of these:

AMPEG SVT-210AV 2X10 Mini Cab - cookes

And connected each one to the 2 8ohm inputs on my Hartke head, would that work? that would be 400w of speaker capability running through this head...can that overwork the head or something?

It would work fine.
BUT the cabs don't run through the amp head. Your bass runs through the amp head! The only thing that "overworks" a amp head is using to high a load impedance (like 3.4, 3.2 or 2 ohms when the amps min load is 4 ohms). You could run two 8 ohm 810s and the amp head would not work any harder than two 8 ohm 110s or a 4 ohm 110.

**B-string** · #12 07-30-2011, 11:16 AM

One more time the amp puts out X amount of power in watts at Z impedance in ohms. That Z impedance could be a resistor, light bulb, toaster grid or speaker the amp could care less as long as the load is not too high (load is higher the lower the number in ohms). The only thing the speakers have to do is be able to take that power without burning out, speaker cones hanging outside their gaps or producing nasty noises of their own.

Michael Giffone · #13 07-30-2011, 09:09 PM

Sorry, my terminology was off...and thank you so much for clearing this up.