Ideas for best lightweight and small 15" for 5 string

[Slaine01]

Looking for, as the thread title suggests, the best small and lightweight option for a 15" cab.
Something that will still punch a tight 5 string tone but not necessarily at a big volume ( as I am playing with a riser which brings the cab up to around shoulder height behind me so doesnt need to be pushed for me to hear it).
Just want to still "feel" that 40-60hz thump from my 5 string.

[Munjibunga]

Used Bergantino HT115. Maybe with the demise of neo cabs, Jim will start making these again.

[OldogNewTrick]

fEARful 15/6
Get a built kit for the woodworking parts, the drivers have gone up in price, but scrounging around, I'm sure you will still find some reasonbly priced ones.

If you want strong 45-60Hz and light weight, there's no alternative.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by OldogNewTrick

fEARful 15/6
Get a built kit for the woodworking parts, the drivers have gone up in price, but scrounging around, I'm sure you will still find some reasonbly priced ones.

If you want strong 45-60Hz and light weight, there's no alternative.

This, in spades. Although I have not heard all the light 15s out there, I have tried a bunch, and IME they all play 2nd fiddle (bass?) to this.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Slaine01

Looking for, as the thread title suggests, the best small and lightweight option for a 15" cab.
Something that will still punch a tight 5 string tone but not necessarily at a big volume ( as I am playing with a riser which brings the cab up to around shoulder height behind me so doesnt need to be pushed for me to hear it).
Just want to still "feel" that 40-60hz thump from my 5 string.

IMO, the Low Down Sound (LDS) 12/6 cab would be the thing for you... deeper and fatter than virtually any stock mainstream 15 cab, lightweight, small, and it kicks... very smooth, organic tone with that massice 3012LF 'sub' type driver and the nice Faital 6" mid driver to naturally extend to the top end without any 'tweeter sizzle'. If you have some building skills, the fEarful 12/6 precut cab things are also very nice.

Per the above comment, the LDS 15/6 (or the fEarful) is also killer, but is a relatively large cab.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by KJung

Per the above comment, the LDS 15/6 (or the fEarful) is also killer, but is a relatively large cab.

True, but if the OP is looking for the 40Hz substernal sensation, this box will deliver Mine is under 50 lbs and with the recessed handles is an easy haul, even with 1 hand over a limited distance. If you're comparing to other 15s, it's lighter than virtually all except the new SWR Golight and the Schro. IME it is a box well worth the wait and weight.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lomo

True, but if the OP is looking for the 40Hz substernal sensation, this box will deliver Mine is under 50 lbs and with the recessed handles is an easy haul, even with 1 hand over a limited distance. If you're comparing to other 15s, it's lighter than virtually all except the new SWR Golight and the Schro. IME it is a box well worth the wait and weight.

The primary difference between the 12/6 and 15/6 executions I've played is volume, not frequency response. Just depends how loud you want to be. If the OP is looking for great near field monitoring, and a box loud enough (if you can pump a bit of wattage into it) to do up to moderate sized gigs with a full, low end, the 12/6 would be awesome. If he is willing to go larger and needs more absolute volume, the 15/6 executions are very nice.

[Sundogue]

Yes, the whole beauty of the entire fEARful design is that all configurations of both the 3012LF and 3015LF based cabs are tonally identical.

Which version and how many drivers to use are solely a matter of size, weight and volume considerations.

If you want a lightweight cab with rich low end, only a fEARful will do.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Yes, the whole beauty of the entire fEARful design is that all configurations of both the 3012LF and 3015LF based cabs are tonally identical.

Which version and how many drivers to use are solely a matter of size, weight and volume considerations.

If you want a lightweight cab with rich low end, only a fEARful will do.

To be a little more clear, the various boxes that use the Eminence LF drivers are the key with various mid drivers and crossovers (Audiokinesis, Avatar, LDS, etc., etc.. The fEarfuls are one execution that take advantage of those amazing drivers if you are a DIY type).

That being said, my Bergantino AE212 has every bit of the low end fullness of the 15/6 executions I've played.... lots of ways to skin this cat. However, for the OP, if your primary goal is a full low end, small size, low weight, and you don't need massive volume nor a lot of upper treble information in your tone, one of the 12/6 executions is pretty hard to beat.

For a non custom design that is 'ready off the shelf', the Genz Quad1288 cab seems VERY nice, and is in the same design universe as these other cabs, and will provide what many call a 'full 15' tone.

[Marley's Ghost]

Schroeder 15+

Schroeder "Superior Sound" Cabinets

400 watts and 30lbs. And punch for days. Not going to be old skool deep though.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Schroeder 15+

Schroeder "Superior Sound" Cabinets

400 watts and 30lbs. And punch for days. Not going to be old skool deep though.

I love that cab, but that would be in the opposite direction of what the OP is sayin he wants. I describe that cab as a '110 on steriods'.

[Marley's Ghost]

Originally Posted by KJung

I love that cab, but that would be in the opposite direction of what the OP is sayin he wants. I describe that cab as a '110 on steriods'.

I don't see your point.

Light - 30 lbs - check
deep for 5 string - 35hz - check
sensitive - 104db - check

Am I not reading something?

And aren't most of the fEarfuls much bigger and heavier?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

I don't see your point.

Light - 30 lbs - check
deep for 5 string - 35hz - check
sensitive - 104db - check

Am I not reading something?

And aren't most of the fEarfuls much bigger and heavier?

My point is the OP is asking for a big low end. As most know, that has very little to do with driver size. For example, some of the deepest voiced cabs that LDS makes have 8" drivers.

The little Schroeder 15 is very small and light, but is tuned VERY high (hence that super SPL/Sensitivity). It probably rolls off at 100hz or so (that 35hz spec is fantasy). Great sounding cab if you are interested in maximum SPL per watt, and a mid present, bright, punchy tone.

Given the OP's stated requirement of 'small and low', the 12/6 executions are the best at that to my ear, and happen to be quite small and lightweight. They will only get so loud though, and if you want 'small, loud, and low', the OP probably needs to move up to the bigger 15/6, which is still 'relatively small', lightweight, and wumps down low, as posted above. However, the OP stated he doesn't need big volume, so the LDS 12/6 or the Genz Quad1288 (if the higher dollar amount was worth the custom build time trade-off) would be IMO the optimum products for him.

The Acme cabs (10 loaded) are also in this tonal universe, but IMO the 12/ and 15/6 executions have 'left them in the dust' regarding 'real' usable low end, weight, and sensitivity.

The little 115L+ is voiced more similarly to what many thing of as a 110 tone, although it goes MUCH louder without breaking up than any 110 I've ever played. Again, hate to use that comparison, since driver size has little to do with voicing and frequency response, but I think you get my drift.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

I don't see your point.

Light - 30 lbs - check
deep for 5 string - 35hz - check
sensitive - 104db - check

Am I not reading something?

And aren't most of the fEarfuls much bigger and heavier?

A Schroeder that goes down to 35Hz? Not audibly. My guess is if you boosted it on the EQ you might start hearing 70Hz, but more than likely the Schroeder will start kicking in some serious volume from the harmonic of that fundamental at about 140Hz.

Schroeders are all about mids. Nothing wrong with that, but that's his niche.

My fEARful 15/6 weighs only 47 lbs. It's sensitivity? 125dB from 60Hz on up with a mid driver that could tear your head off if you aren't careful with the volume. And low end? There isn't another 115 cab around that can handle a 5 string B with the volume and clarity of a fEARful. With 800 watts the low B would still be at 112dB.