Would a JBL D-140 be an upgrade for a GK Backline cab?

[capnjim]

I know there are a lot of better speakers made today, but I don't want to spend a lot and don't want to buy on-line. I have a backline 15" cab. It sounds OK, but can't even handle my RB 400III.
I have read lots of reviews on the D140 and they seem to be mixed...so, generally speaking, would it be worth 80$ to swap out the made in china backline speaker with the JBL? The guy also has a peavey 1505-8DT.
Thanks

[RickenBoogie]

Just the speaker swap, but still in the same box? Idk if you'll gain anything, better to swap out the whole cab.

["Q"]

the 1505 should be able to handle a lot more bass input which seems to be what you're after. I have found most vintage speakers to be real flabby in their bass response even though a lot of them would make for a nice studio tone.

[capnjim]

Thanks guys..Its just a practice cab..I don't want to buy a whole new cab, but I want to make this one usefull for a small blues band I jam with once a month or so. The stock speaker just isn't cutting it and does fart out with my RB400. A 90$ investment in a new speaker I can handle(The seller wants 80$ for the JBL and 90$ for the Peavey). To buy a new cab, then have to sell this one, is too much trouble. Will the Peavey make it usefull? Or is it just a cheap cab and won't sound good regardless of the driver?

["Q"]

Well I haven't heard that particular combination so I can't guarantee what it will sound like. OTOH if your current driver is farting out I can't see how the peavey wouldn't offer better performance. Just try not to have an exact expectation of what it will sound like and you probably won't be let down.

[edwinhurwitz]

The Peavy might be a safer bet. The D series JBLs sound great, but are not particularly good at handling much power, they don't go really deep and the parts are expensive to recone. The K or E series handle a lot more power and I like those a lot. An EVM15B would also be a good old school pretty inexpensive driver that is pretty tough.

[lbwdog]

If it were a K 140 I'd say go for it, but a D might not do any better than what's already there.
I would spend a little more and go with an Eminence Neo. Either a 3015 ($145) or a 2515 ($99).

[higgi]

I just put a Eminence Basslite C2515 neo in that same cab. Works great, I think the cab is about 4 cubic feet and ported so it fits the recommended cabinet list. That cab is nicely braced and padded inside.

[Nightlyraider]

If you are going to spend that money on a speaker; put it in a cab worthy of it. The backline cabs are about the heaviest there could be; besides being ill-designed for the JBL.

[spellcaster]

The JBL D-140 is a vintage speaker from the 60's that can only handle around 60 watts if it still has the original cone. Great speaker for lower power amps from that era. That is a great price if it's in good shape. Might we worth while to turn it over to someone here on TB that could use it and go for a more modern speaker or perhaps look for the higher wattage E-140 version.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I would spend a little more and go with an Eminence Neo. Either a 3015 ($145) or a 2515 ($99).

+1