Karlson Hi-fi speaker cabs for bass?

[BillyIVbass]

I found a pair of Karlson cabinets for sale. They are 12s, huge cabinet with EV drivers. It seems the 15s are loved for bass, but I'm wondering what about the 12s?

I'm really looking for an unloaded 15 cab, but these came up in my search. Am I an idiot for passing these up?

[BassmanPaul]

Typically stereo speakers are not suitable for bass. They're not up to the service.

Why are you looking for an unloaded 15 cabinet? Just putting any old 15" driver into any other box will be at best a crapshoot!

[BillyIVbass]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Typically stereo speakers are not suitable for bass. They're not up to the service.

Why are you looking for an unloaded 15 cabinet? Just putting any old 15" driver into any other box will be at best a crapshoot!

I have a ballpark idea of porting and dimensions needed for the speaker, a JBL D140.

I guess I'm more looking for the "genre" of these cabinets. My dad told me "Those are home audio speakers" but I'm seeing pictures of Stanley Clarke and The Grateful Dead with these.

[christw]

How expensive are they? A D140 is worth about $200 by itself. It could be a great way to turn a profit if they don't live up to expectation.

Worth noting, the D140 didn't have a very high xmax meaning the cone didn't move very far. It's better as a guitar speaker than a bass one unless you're using it for low volume or don't like having much deep bass.

[BillyIVbass]

Originally Posted by christw

How expensive are they? A D140 is worth about $200 by itself. It could be a great way to turn a profit if they don't live up to expectation.

Worth noting, the D140 didn't have a very high xmax meaning the cone didn't move very far. It's better as a guitar speaker than a bass one unless you're using it for low volume or don't like having much deep bass.

The cabs are about $100. My goal with the D140 is to use it with my blackface Bassman to record with. Not planning on gigging much with it.

[christw]

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

The cabs are about $100. My goal with the D140 is to use it with my blackface Bassman to record with. Not planning on gigging much with it.

Give it a shot. At worst you can make $200+ off of them.

[lelandcrooks]

The Karlson horn is a very old design. If you want to know all about it go to audio asylum and look for freddyi, I believe is his name.

[RockBobby]

Also, A lot of those Karlson cabs could use 12s or 15s. Do some homework. I bought some plans, but got advised against taking on the task. BTW, I saw an old rerun of Married With Children and the bass player at Peg's high school reunion was playing one!!