I need some opinions from SVT-15E owners.

father of fires · #1 10-05-2011, 11:50 AM

Edit: Since posting this thread I have realized the errors of my ways. I was simply asking too much of these cabs. I went from playing punk and rock to loud down-tuned metal. I also switched to flats which were just pummeling these speakers with deep fundamentals. The Asian and USA cabs sound almost identical when played reasonably and I only ever cranked the cabs when I was playing with both of them. I played the USA cab really loud today and could tell the lows were too much for the cab. This is still may favorite bass cab ever and is great for light jams and gigging but I need to invest in a higher power cab for the time being.

Here is the original post:

I have used an SVT-15E for at home and quiet practices for a couple of years. I got in a new metal band and when I was searching for a new rig I purchased another SVT-15E to pair with my other one.

My current rig is G&L SB-1-> SWR SM400s-> 2 x SVT-15E's.

My set up is plenty loud but there is almost no low end. I can get a really grindy tone but I can't get any lows to come out.

I know some people (BFM I'm looking at you

) will come in and say that this design can't produce decent low end and I'm sure they're right but I never had an issue until I used 2 of them. 1 cab sounds great. 2 cabs sound thin.

The only thing I can think of is that they may be out of phase but how realistic is that from the same manufacturer and product line?

I'll check phase later but I am worried that this is just not gonna work for me. And I don't have the money buy anything right now. I'd have to sell what I have then be without a rig until I found something new.

Anyone out there use 2 SVT-15E's care to comment?

father of fires · #2 10-05-2011, 11:53 AM

I just had a thought. I am using the head in bridge mode into 1 cab and then using the parallel out to connect the other cab. Could this cause any phase issues?

RickenBoogie · #3 10-05-2011, 12:26 PM

First, I'd run each cab straight from the head in parallel- not bridged. Then, it may also be that the 2 cabs are wired out of phase from each other. Do the 9 volt battery test- when applied, both spkrs should move the same direction. If no, switch the wires on 1 cab.

bassgod0dmw · #4 10-05-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

it may also be that the 2 cabs are wired out of phase from each other. Do the 9 volt battery test- when applied, both spkrs should move the same direction. If no, switch the wires on 1 cab.

My first thought as well

father of fires · #5 10-05-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

My first thought as well

I was thinking it might be phase related this morning but how often has this actually been the case?

father of fires · #6 10-05-2011, 12:43 PM

Outside of phase problems, has anyone had experienced any lack of low end?

viper4000 · #7 10-05-2011, 12:48 PM

Not trying to confuse the issue, but is this just a "perceived" lack of bottom end? Had the same issues years ago when I used a 2x15. I perceived it to be thin, but the audience heard something totally different. I ended up rocking 2X15's for a few years.

bassgod0dmw · #8 10-05-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

I was thinking it might be phase related this morning but how often has this actually been the case?

I'd say it's a case by case basis. I couldn't say how often to happens.

father of fires · #9 10-05-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper4000

Not trying to confuse the issue, but is this just a "perceived" lack of bottom end? Had the same issues years ago when I used a 2x15. I perceived it to be thin, but the audience heard something totally different. I ended up rocking 2X15's for a few years.

My band thinks it sounds fine but it's not as full sounding as I'd like. I've been trying different strings and effects and there seems to be the same sonic character no matter what. The SWR's are famous for not filtering out the low end but this head could possibly be part of the problem as well. I'm gonna look into modding the head this weekend.

gnjpowell · #10 10-05-2011, 01:07 PM

Phase issue. Place the two cabs about 2-3 feet apart facing one another. Run only one cab and evaluate the level of bass. Then connect the second cab. If you lose bass almost for sure you have a phase problem. Reverse one cab's input and re-test. One way will have very little bass output - you want the other way. Also try positioning the two cabs differently with respect to one another. Side-by-side distance, over/under, etc, once you know the phase is correct.

stingraysvt · #11 10-05-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

I just had a thought. I am using the head in bridge mode into 1 cab and then using the parallel out to connect the other cab. Could this cause any phase issues?

YES!!

In bridge mode (on every amp I've seen) the two different sides of the amp are thrown out of phase, plug one cabinet into the other cab and viola!!!

Couldn't imagine this rig not bumping though!!!! Total SHOCKER!!!

father of fires · #12 10-05-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

YES!!

In bridge mode (on every amp I've seen) the two different sides of the amp are thrown out of phase, plug one cabinet into the other cab and viola!!!

I'm using the parallel out of the cab not the head. I may just need to get a 4 ohm cab.

I've tried to sell the head 3 times and no one ever bites so I'm trying to make it work.

father of fires · #13 10-13-2011, 11:08 AM

It turns out I’m not crazy! The new cab has different speaker in it. So now comes the part where I figure out what’s in there and what should be in there.

bassnj · #14 10-13-2011, 05:13 PM

Reading this kind of stuff always makes me want to go back to the 2x15 route, like when I was a wee lad . . .

mazdah · #15 10-13-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

It turns out I’m not crazy! The new cab has different speaker in it. So now comes the part where I figure out what’s in there and what should be in there.

The changes in speakers are very, very minor (except the sticker on the back).

They are out of phase, try connecting them without bridging the amp. And do not be afraid of the power loss caused by 8ohm impedance - it's barely audiable in live situations.

father of fires · #16 10-13-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazdah

The changes in speakers are very, very minor (except the sticker on the back).

They are out of phase, try connecting them without bridging the amp. And do not be afraid of the power loss caused by 8ohm impedance - it's barely audiable in live situations.

They are not out a phase (I tested several times) and the different speaker has a much lower power handling and less low end.

Thanks for the help though.

mazdah · #17 10-13-2011, 05:40 PM

As far as I know the SVT-15E from 2001-2006 had a tad different speaker magnet and basket. But they had 200W RMS power handling just like the first SVT-15E ever made, and the SVT-15E made nowadays.

But I totally agree that this cab does not have a very big low end. Maybe the older ones were better in low department, but the newer ones are stronger in mids and highs than lows.

Maybe you shloud buy used SVT-15E from the same period like your first cab? Or try to put the newer one on the bottom? Or stack them horizontal instead of vertical?

father of fires · #18 10-13-2011, 06:16 PM

They are both the same model. They both have speakon jacks so I think they are from the same year range.

I bought it used so I'm thinking someone just swapped speakers for some reason. Maybe they blew the original.

Oh yeah, I am running one cab per side because like you said it is plenty loud.

father of fires · #19 10-13-2011, 08:26 PM

So the plot thickens...

I took the cabs apart and made some notes. Here's what I came up with:

Good cab:
-Good power handling with nice lows
-Made in USA by SLM
-The control plate on the back is upside down
-It is loaded with an Eminence driver made in USA (small sticker on the side)
-The back of the driver has no logos and is painted black
-The driver has 5 ribs on the cone around the outside edge
-The cab has blue insulation as a liner
-The control plate says made in USA by SLM
-The cardboard tubes on the ports had fallen out

Bad Cab:
-Sounds great at low volume. Fart box when turned up
-Eminence driver made in China
-Back of driver has a picture of a guitar and a red background
-The driver has a bunch of ribs that spread the whole width of the cone
-Control plate says Designed by SLM built in China by Loud
-The cab has black insulation as a liner which is not as tightly packed in the corners as the USA cab.

So I guess the problem with my new cab is that it was made in china with a lower spec driver.

Both boxes are near identical with some minor changes in construction and cabinet woods

So now I'm going to try to find an American Ampeg replacement speaker that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

If anyone has something to add then please chime in.

Thanks!

sevenyearsdown · #20 10-14-2011, 07:09 AM

I gigged with an SVT-15E (USA) for a couple of years and never had low end issues with it. I'm not gonna get into the USA v Asian made argument, but if it yours has a crappy speaker in it, then BOOOOO ampeg for not sticking with what made that SVT series great.

One other thing - you can get more low end by taking it off the casters and coupling that bad boy to the floor if you haven't already.