sunn beta into ampeg svt15e--something isn't right

[jp-90]

I play bass through a sunn beta lead and have two cabs. The one I use most of the time is an old MusicMan 115 RH with an eminence kappa 15 (whichever one is the low frequency driver with a HIGH rms rating)---the other is the ampeg svt 15e. I use the music man by itself a lot, and it sounds great but is a slight mismatch at 8 ohms (the sunn wants to see 4 ohms). I tried running it parallel with the ampeg, thereby running the amp at 4 ohms and the Music Man sounds GREAT, but the ampeg starts distorting when notes (particularly low ones) are hit hard.

At this point the Sunn (with only 100 watts output) should be sending 50 watts to each cab which is way under their rms ratings, but it seems as though the Ampeg can't take it. The ampeg sounds fine at lower volumes, which makes me think it's not blown. Is it just stock-fit with a crappy "bass" speaker, or could i have damaged it with the Sunn?

THANKS.

[Jazzman]

The RMS rating is the thermal power rating of the voice coil. It sounds like the 115e is hitting its mechanical limits.

[OneWayPunk]

That doesn't sound right at all, I have thrown 400 watts at my 15e several times, it sounds great with pretty much anything I put in front of it. from 50 watts to 400 watts, tube and solid state.
I'm guessing you need a recone on the driver in your 15e.

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by OneWayPunk

That doesn't sound right at all, I have thrown 400 watts at my 15e several times, it sounds great with pretty much anything I put in front of it. from 50 watts to 400 watts, tube and solid state.
I'm guessing you need a recone on the driver in your 15e.

Sounds like the suspension is shot in the 115E driver, re-cone time sorry old chap!.
Its an eminence 15 something anyway, I would swap drivers first and see what gives with the Kappa in the Ampeg cab.
If its good just get another for the musicman, Simples

[jp-90]

so, the suspension could be shot and the speaker would still sound good at lower volumes? Does that make sense (i really dont know)?

Also, assuming it's shot, could it just be a fluke or defect, or will the beta turn around and over-power it again? Is the problem the result of the mechanical limit being exceeded? (i just wanna make sure i don't break it again too easily)

lastly, are the stock ampeg speakers worth reconing, or would y'all just upgrade to a kappa or something else?

Thanks for all the info!