Mixing 400W/800W drivers

[CLPalacio]

OK, quick question. I recently bought two used (separately) GK 410SBX cabs and one turned out to be an SBX-Plus (800W). Is there a significant difference in the enclosures themselves other than the power ratings of the drivers (internal porting/construction)? The reason I ask is because I am fairly anal when it comes to asthetics and the two cabinets' drivers are different colours; 400W are black and 800W are dark grey and it makes me twitch when stacked I will NEVER get near 400W and all are 8ohms so is there any harm in taking two drivers from each and swapping them out so I have the 4 middle ones the same colour when the cabs are stacked?

____[AMP]____
|B B|
|G G|
|G G|
|B B|

Don't make fun of my depiction
_______________________

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by CLPalacio

Is there a significant difference in the enclosures themselves...internal porting/construction

You tell us, you're the one who has them.
They may be very different; they should be if the driver specs are different. Then again, they may not. If the drivers do have different specs and the cabs are different to take that into account then swapping things about could be a problem.

[CLPalacio]

Well I did pull one of the drivers on each to take a peek, but I did not do a thorough inspect with tape measure. They appeared to be the same. The SBX series are sealed. I am replacing a blown horn so I will inspect them for any hidden cross-compartment porting. Thanks.

[walterw]

if both boxes are sealed, that makes them less prone to any phase anomalies, right?

if so, and if the boxes are really close to identical, how about

|B G|
|B G|
|B G|
|B G|

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by walterw

if both boxes are sealed, that makes them less prone to any phase anomalies, right?

if so, and if the boxes are really close to identical, how about

|B G|
|B G|
|B G|
|B G|

I prefer checkerboard.

[B-string]

G-K didn't change the enclosure much at all between the SBX and SBX Plus, just upgraded drivers for better power handling/ excursion. They are sealed cabs.
You could contact Lany: Parts
lailany@gallien.com
or (209) 234-7300 extension 120. 9am to 4pm PST USA.
To see about replacement 200 watt speakers to make them both SBX Plus specs?

[will33]

If listening with your eyes is what this is about, just coat them all with this stuff. Wet Look Pint Black 16 oz. 340-512 then take a silver sharpie and make one of the top dustcaps look like it's winking at you.

Seriously, you should not mix different drivers in the same box, but, if they are also subdivided internally, you could move them around making sure to keep like drivers within the same subchambers.

[CLPalacio]

Originally Posted by will33

If listening with your eyes is what this is about, just coat them all with this stuff. Wet Look Pint Black 16 oz. 340-512 then take a silver sharpie and make one of the top dustcaps look like it's winking at you.

Seriously, you should not mix different drivers in the same box, but, if they are also subdivided internally, you could move them around making sure to keep like drivers within the same subchambers.

LOL, I used some tire shine i had in my garage

Thanks all for the feedback. I just needed to toss it out there and mull it over a bit. I did move 'em around yesterday with my drummer. I think it looked better in my head, though my drummer said it looked better. Kinda looked like old faded speakers...LOL. Besides, it will look silly if I use just a single cabinet. I'm gonna switch them back when my replacement tweeter comes in next week.

[BassmanPaul]

Leave the cabinets as designed. There's already too much "designing by eyes" in our business as it is!

[CLPalacio]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Leave the cabinets as designed. There's already too much "designing by eyes" in our business as it is!

True, there is some gaudy stuff out there from a lot of ppl. I went with SBX because I don't care for GK's new cabinets (minus RBH- love the all black with GK GALLIEN-KRUEGER across the top). Love the aesthetics of their amps, tho. I don't plan on changing the cabs, aside from replacing the blown horn and maybe the interlocking corners as some are pretty torn up.

[Petebass]

If it were me, I'd hit the grey drivers with some black shoe polish, the liquid kind that comes in a bottle with the sponge applicator. That way the speakers stay in the box they were designed for, and all 8 speakers will be black. Win win!

[B-string]

Be very careful with anything water or oil based around paper cones!

[Petebass]

Correct. That's where the shoe polish with the applicator is great. Spread it real thin and it dries before it can penetrate into the cone. I've done this many times and never damaged anything.