Replacement driver suggestions for Acoustic 106?

jungleheat · #1 09-24-2011, 12:22 PM

So as some of you may have seen, about a month ago I scored what appears to be an Acoustic 106 2x15 cab for the ludicrous price of $75. I say "appears to be" because there are no identifying tags anywhere on the cab to indicate make and model. But judging from photos of other 106's on the net, that seems to be what it is, other than the fact that mine has rectangular ports whereas all the other ones I've seen are round.

Anyway, the drivers consist of one Eminence (looks to be a 79 judging by the numbers on the back) and a Pyle. Loaded in the cab they look identical (silver dustcap with black vent) so that's not an issue, but I was thinking it would be good to replace them with something a little more interesting/higher quality/more rugged/etc...

This is one of 3 15" cabs that I have and I also have 2 extra 15" drivers on hand, so there's the potential for some switching around if that turns out to be the best choice.

This is what I'm working with...

The Acoustic 106 (Pyle and Eminence)
mid 80s Carvin 1x15 (currently loaded with a mint JBL M151, that I haven't even had a chance to use yet)
'90 Trace Elliot 1518 (presumed to be the original driver, haven't opened it up yet)
NOS EVM 15B Series II (I bought this on ebay a few months ago and had it in the Carvin cab until a few days ago, it's awesome)
Peavey Black Widow (vintagey, came in the Carvin cab when I got it about a year ago)

So I don't have "matching" anything, but I could most likely find another JBL or EV. I was hoping to use the Carvin/JBL as a smaller cab for keys (I play keys too), especially for my Rhodes. But then I was thinking the 106 would be great for that too (although huge). Honestly as much as I like the idea of the 106, I may have to sell it anyway, due to space and financial considerations.

Another EVM should be pretty easy to find and then I'd have a pretty smokin 2x15 cab for probably less than $400 total (I think I paid $150 for the EV with shipping and it was literally "virgin" never been mounted in anything fresh out of the box). But the Trace cab seems a little beat, so I was thinking I might just abuse that thing until it gives (if it does) and then pop the EV in there.

Another Peavey would probably be easy to find and super cheap. I actually liked it quite a bit in the Carvin cab and mainly replaced it for more power handling and because I got such a killer deal on the EV.

I was also considering something like the JBL 2225. I've been seeing loads of them around (often in pairs) and for not too much money. Also saw a guy with a 406 loaded with them. Seems like it would work well.

Then there's always the economy route of getting some Eminence Deltas or something like that that would be brand new, easy to find, and inexpensive. I forget which particular models I was looking at, but there were some pretty good looking deals on ebay.

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions, experiences, etc... The sound I'm looking for is sort of a vintage/modern hybrid. I tend to like 15s with a wide range (the EV is rated to 4k I think), but I also want a ton of low end and good power handling (200w each minimum, 300-400w would be better). So I'm hoping to get some good informative responses.

jungleheat · #2 09-25-2011, 02:17 PM

Forgot to mention, I also have some old Cerwin Vega 15s in a couple of pretty beat up V20 cabs. I got the V20s for cheap and thought I would do a little work to them and use them for a rehearsal PA, but I'm having trouble finding parts (jack plate/cross over and a pair of tweeters) and the baffles are somewhat degraded anyway (particle board), so I was thinking I might use the 15s (150 or 200W each I think) in something else, or possibly just sell them separately (and basically scrap the cabs unless someone wants the cabs with the drivers).

Surely someone has played around with different drivers in these cabs and can offer their views on what worked or didnt work, or even what might work in general in a cab like that (I think it's about 7.5 cubic feet total, maybe around 5 internally, with the speakers themselves factored in).

**B-string** · #3 09-25-2011, 02:38 PM

I loaded Altec 421A8's and it worked very well (had to modify the soundboard).

You could try the Vegas.

jungleheat · #4 09-28-2011, 11:06 PM

If a pair of 421s wouldn't cost about $400-500 (judging by ebay prices) I might try that. I think the those or some other Altecs were a factory option for those cabs.

I had been thinking the Vegas might work well. I know Acoustic used CV stuff in some of their cabs back in the day. That cab might not get super loud/low with them, but I think it could have a lot of "mojo"/vibe like that.