Spec ranges

jungleheat · #1 10-10-2011, 02:00 PM

After reading so many threads/posts here that are like "what is the most this?" or "what is the least that?" or "how much of x do I need to do y", I thought it would be a good thing to have a thread where the high and low ends of various specs are compiled.

For instance smallest 1x15 vs largest 1x15 (commercially available at least).

Highest and lowest xmax for different sized speakers.

Highest and lowest wattage for different sized speakers.

High and low sensitivity.

Highest and lowest wattage for a bass head (tube and solid state)

etc...

So if you have a number that you think fits, post it up, and we'll "accept it" until someone comes up with another one. it would be extremely helpful if you could post a link to a spec sheet, etc... so that it can be verified (at least as much as it can be by reading a spec sheet, obviously they are not always 100% accurate).

Obviously we'll have to somewhat take it on faith that they ARE more or less. If you feel like something is over/underrated you can mention that in your post and maybe it can be noted with an asterix or something.

I'll try to update this first post with the results as they come in.

I think having a comprehensive list like this would be useful if nothing else as a comparison tool when shopping for new gear. Like "oh, this 1x15 I'm looking at is rated at 400w, while the lowest is 150 and the highest is 500, so at least it's rated towards the higher end", etc...

The philosophical discussion of what specs mean or dont mean can be saved for another thread/s. This thread should be mainly about the numbers themselves.

jungleheat · #2 10-10-2011, 02:03 PM

(this post will be for the actual list)

Highest xmax for 15"-9.6mm (Eminence Kappalite 3015lf)(submitted by BurningSkies)

http://eminence.com/pdf/kappalite-3015lf.pdf

jungleheat · #3 10-10-2011, 02:04 PM

I'll start with one...

I fully expect this to be superseded but I figured I'd get things rolling...

Highest xmax for 15" driver-5mm (JBL M-151)

http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/m...and_m151-8.pdf

(because it's higher than my EVM 15B II that is rated at 3.9 or 4mm)

BurningSkies · #4 10-10-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungleheat

I'll start with one...

I fully expect this to be superseded but I figured I'd get things rolling...

Highest xmax for 15" driver-5mm (JBL M-151)

http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/m...and_m151-8.pdf

(because it's higher than my EVM 15B II that is rated at 3.9 or 4mm)

Bad start:

http://eminence.com/pdf/kappalite-3015lf.pdf

jungleheat · #5 10-10-2011, 02:16 PM

Ok, great. Like I said, I figured it would be superseded. The idea is that with so many members here, someone can say "I think it's this" but then someone else might know about something even more extreme. So the list will get better and better over time and more accurate.

Mr. Foxen · #6 10-10-2011, 02:18 PM

Might be worth differentiating woofer drivers and 'full range' drivers, wouldn't use a LF alone.

jungleheat · #7 10-10-2011, 02:30 PM

Yeah, I was thinking about that, and once we start getting enough numbers I probably would.

Here are some of the categories I was thinking of. If anyone has any additions/modifications, let me know.

Amps:
Wattage (Tube)
Wattage (SS)
Weight
Lbs/W
Single Dimension (L/W/or H)
Volume (LxWxH)
Volume (CI)/W
Price (could do tiers, ie cheapest/most expensive 300w amp, etc...)

Speakers:
8
10
12
15
18
Wattage
XMax
Freq Response
Freq Range (octaves)
Weight
Lbs/W
Sensitivity
Max SPL
Price

Cabs:
Wattage
Freq Response
Freq Range (octaves)
Weight
Lbs/W
Volume
Volume (CI)/W
Price

BurningSkies · #8 10-10-2011, 02:31 PM

It might be a better idea to define the terms so that people know what they connote and why they're important.

jungleheat · #9 10-10-2011, 02:40 PM

I think most should be self explanatory, but I'll go back a little later and add some descriptions.

For instance "single dimension" is basically the "will it fit in my car" number, ie the biggest (or smallest) dimension of the cab (in inches)

will33 · #10 10-10-2011, 02:47 PM

Some sort of differential has to be made here between real specs like you'd get from a driver data sheet and those supplied by "finished product" manufacturers which are optimistic at best in many, but not all cases.

Same goes for amps. Standard ratings at what % distortion, etc.

Such a list done correctly could be a good place to go for folks trying to select components, etc. but if not done carefully could be at least as misleading as it is helpful.

BurningSkies · #11 10-10-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

Some sort of differential has to be made here between real specs like you'd get from a driver data sheet and those supplied by "finished product" manufacturers which are optimistic at best in many, but not all cases.

Same goes for amps. Standard ratings at what % distortion, etc.

Such a list done correctly could be a good place to go for folks trying to select components, etc. but if not done carefully could be at least as misleading as it is helpful.

True. It all changes once you're in the box and you've got porting...

Mr. Foxen · #12 10-10-2011, 02:57 PM

Lightest 2x15:
Barefaced super 15: 49lbs / 22kg

billfitzmaurice · #13 10-10-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungleheat

After reading so many threads/posts here that are like "what is the most this?" or "what is the least that?" or "how much of x do I need to do y", I thought it would be a good thing to have a thread where the high and low ends of various specs are compiled.

The Thiele-Small Loudspeaker Database It's not complete, only 4,000 drivers so far.

Joe Louvar · #14 10-10-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Lightest 2x15:
Barefaced super 15: 49lbs / 22kg

Wow - does anyone know more about this cab?
Barefaced Bass - Super Fifteen

jungleheat · #15 10-11-2011, 04:47 PM

That TS database is pretty cool, but I think it would be easier if people have a particular speaker in mind and then that could serve as a source of verification.

Will, the best we can do is stated specs, unless someone can test basically all the pertinent gear independently, which seems beyond the scope of a thread like this.

Certainly once a full list is complied, people could debate whether or not they think a particular piece of gear is over or under-spec'ed.

That's also why i wanted to have a section for drivers and a separate section for completed cabs. Obviously the cabinet itself in combination with the driver will impart its own characteristics.

What I've laid out so far is only a framework to (hopefully) be filled in by the people here at TB. It seems like people here have had experience with a lot of different gear over the years and might have suggestions for a thread like this.

Something like biggest/heaviest cab should be pretty simple. Acoustic 408 maybe? Are there any 200+ pound cabs out there?

Those Barefaced cabs look really cool. I would love to try some of them out but they're pretty expensive stateside.

I'll add the recent entries shortly.