Replacement Neo Speaker advice!

pgbassman · #1 06-05-2011, 06:38 AM

Who have you found has the best prices for raw Neo speakers? I'm in the market for a replacement speaker, I've heard a lot about KAPPALITE™ 3012HO...is there another brand I should be looking into. As always I greatly appreciate the experience and wisdom that this site and it's members offer.

billfitzmaurice · #2 06-05-2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgbassman

..is there another brand I should be looking into.

The brand doesn't matter, what does is T/S parameters and midrange response and how they interface with the cab and amp. Replacing drivers isn't an art, it's a science, and if you don't understand the science you may be worse off after swapping drivers. Most players will be far better off with a new cab rather than swapping drivers. Try some stuff, buy what you like the sound of.

pgbassman · #3 06-05-2011, 07:31 AM

Thanks Bill I was hoping you'd weigh in...since I already have the cab and need to replace the exsisting speaker, it may not be as easy as going to shop for a cab. I was hoping to replace the blown speaker in a 2 x12 (neo) cab and move on from there. The speaker that needs to be replaced is an eminence neo with no disernable name other than a code of 512110-2 stamped on the inside of the paper cone. The cab is a 4 ohm cab. Now what?

craig.p · #4 06-05-2011, 07:47 AM

Normally for speaker replacements you'd post the internal cab dimensions (height, width, depth) along with the port dimensions (length and diameter for round; length, width, and depth for slot) and then someone with time on his hands would run a few WinISD models for you with various drivers. You can do that, too, by the way.

But the problem here is that you're replacing only one driver, not both, so you have no way of knowing whether the replacement driver would work well with the one good one that's already in there. The ideal course of action would be to replace both at once.

From a $$$ perspective, though, it might be best just to send both of them off for reconing. Considering neo prices these days, reconing makes a lot more sense now than it did even six months ago. Your neo-based baskets alone are worth a shedload of money.

You could also replace both twelves AND recone the originals for subsequent sale, but that's a lot of money up front.

Don't forget to check with the cab manufacturer about replacement drivers. He can probably sell you a new driver that's guaranteed to work 1) in that cab and 2) with your remaining good driver. And you can still send the blown driver off for a recone and then sell it.

billfitzmaurice · #5 06-05-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgbassman

Thanks Bill I was hoping you'd weigh in...since I already have the cab and need to replace the exsisting speaker, it may not be as easy as going to shop for a cab. I was hoping to replace the blown speaker in a 2 x12 (neo) cab and move on from there. The speaker that needs to be replaced is an eminence neo with no disernable name other than a code of 512110-2 stamped on the inside of the paper cone. The cab is a 4 ohm cab. Now what?

Post a picture of the driver, rear view.

lbwdog · #6 06-05-2011, 08:06 AM

No offense meant to the OP, but if people looking for help like this would just go ahead and state the brand and model they have, it's possible someone would have an answer right quick!

pgbassman · #7 06-06-2011, 04:48 AM

The bottom was made by a local cabinet maker a few years back...I bought it from a bassist who I've heard play it when both speakers worked and it always sounded great. It's a well made 2x12 the dimensions are 24"x 21"w x 18d and front ported. Sorry Idwdog but thats the best I can do.

Bill Whitehurst · #8 06-06-2011, 05:10 AM

I'd go for a recone.
You can also call Eminence and tell them the number and they can probably tell you something about the speaker.
Sometimes they have all the specs availible.

billfitzmaurice · #9 06-06-2011, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Whitehurst

You can also call Eminence and tell them the number and they can probably tell you something about the speaker.
Sometimes they have all the specs availible.

Or not. For instance, the number stamped on the cone only identifies the cone SKU, which might be used in a dozen different driver models. That's why a rear view picture should always be posted, otherwise there's no way of knowing what the driver is.

lbwdog · #10 06-06-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgbassman

The bottom was made by a local cabinet maker a few years back...I bought it from a bassist who I've heard play it when both speakers worked and it always sounded great. It's a well made 2x12 the dimensions are 24"x 21"w x 18d and front ported. Sorry Idwdog but thats the best I can do.

Well.......in that case, you're forgiven!.....

Bob C · #11 06-06-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

From a $$$ perspective, though, it might be best just to send both of them off for reconing.

Well, only one of them is blown, right? I suggest you find out the exact name/model of the current speakers. Then determine the cost of reconing vs buying a new one. Contacting the manufacturer is a good place to start for all of these issues.

If the cab sounded great at one time, there is no reason NOT to stay with the original speaker specs, right?

rpsands · #12 06-06-2011, 09:41 AM

Replace both or replace the one dead one with the same speaker.

craig.p · #13 06-06-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Well, only one of them is blown, right?

Right you are, sir. I was just wondering if maybe the second driver is on its way out the door, too, since it's been getting hit with the same power as its (blown out) twin. Also with the pair getting reconed he's guaranteed identical suspensions (same cone, same surround, same surround aging [zero]). But I don't know. Maybe I'm sweating details needlessly. I've seen far worse practices in the SR world and the stuff just keeps chugging along without anyone knowing the difference.

pgbassman · #14 06-07-2011, 09:54 AM

Al at US speaker helped me identify the speaker as a DeltaliteII 2512. I ordered a replacement and will try to sell the other speaker at a discounted price and have someone else get it reconed...I was told the recone kit is somewhere around $30 bucks because the Neo magnet is where the money is. It's also worth noting that the speaker wasn't blown but when the former owner was working on the cab he poked a hole in the foam around the upper edge of the speaker with a screwdriver which Al said sometimes can be reglued and may be worth a shot before reconing. I just will try to sell. Thanks for all your help. If anybody wants to buy the speaker and get it reconed PM me.