in need of experienced opinions: ampeg b200r replacement speaker/ohm issue...

punchclock · #1 03-30-2010, 07:36 PM

ok.
i'll try to keep the background brief.
i have an ampeg b200r. i dig it.
220 watts into 300watt 4ohm stock "custom" eminence 15" .
about a year ago, it got wet on an outdoor gig - speaker blew (other things).
found out today, the repair guy put in a 300watt 8ohm celestion truvox 1525e. which means i've been running it at about 110 watts (right?).
guitar player says i'm already too loud as is...
anyway, i found a used/damaged b200r at MF. amp is damaged, cab it good condition. I've got a yamaha pb-1 pre and qsc plx2402 to run through it.
now, the real issue.
i have one fully functioning ampeg b200r (220watts @ 4hms).
i have one ampeg b200r cab (no amp).
here is my speaker selection that I can't decided between.
-stock 15" 300watt 4ohm eminence
-15" 300watt 8ohm celestion truvox 1525e
-15" 300watt 8ohm JBL e130
-15" 300watt 8ohm EV SOR/15B (old, sounds fine, but appears to have had a little water damage at one time).
-last a mystery 15". told is was an EV. old. works. only markings are printed on the magnet "14 815 7737 358".

from the research i've done the jbl e130 can/has been used as bass or PA but more often used as a guitar speaker because of the midrange response. and what little i could find out about the truvox 1525e is that it is more of a PA speaker.

which speaker do i use?
do i put the 4ohm in the working amp to get my full wattage out of it? (even though i've had enough volume for the past year).
do i use 8ohm in both so i can hook them together for a 4ohm 220watt load?
arg.
too many options.
any and all opinions would be appreciated.
feel free to ask any questions.
(more background: i play mostly private parties, conventions, weddings with an 11 piece motown/soul band. i can always run through the PA for more coverage (if the venue is big enough for subs on the PA, I usually run through the PA.)
thanks for reading.
take care.

M0ses · #2 03-30-2010, 07:39 PM

Well, what do you want to achieve? Are you happy with your setup now? Do you need to change anything? You didn't mention any problems, so if you're satisfied, why spend the money?

punchclock · #3 03-30-2010, 07:53 PM

im happy. i just want the best rig set up the best way that i can with what i have.
this all started because ampeg discontinued the b200r & i wanted to have 2 for bigger gigs.
i looked into getting a separate blue tolex 15" cab from fliptops but that was like $300-400.
when i found the damaged b200r online from musiciandfriend for $120, i figured the cab is worh that and bought it.
no more money to be spent. everything i listed is sitting in my garage.

RickenBoogie · #4 03-30-2010, 08:05 PM

Personally, I'd put the stock 4 ohm driver in, since that's what the amp was designed to use. Getting full power in this case would have more to do with the tone than just sheer volume. besides, you're limited to a single 15" spkr either way, so volume will be what it is, reguardless. I'd think the amp would just sound "better" with the proper spkr.

stiles72 · #5 03-30-2010, 08:42 PM

I would load the empty cab with an 8ohm driver as close to specs as possible to what you put in the existing B200. Use the new cab as an extension speaker, and stack your existing B200 on top of it. You'll need to add an extension jack to the good amp - but it will make a cool looking stack, and you'll be running at a 4 ohm load getting the most from the amp.

M0ses · #6 03-30-2010, 09:07 PM

Oh you have all of this stuff, you don't need to buy anything? Well that changes everything.

Naturally, I would want to try everything for myself. No forum will tell you what your ears can.

But generally, a cab will sound best with the stock driver that it was designed for. For volume, though, two speakers are better than one.