Which speakers to use for new cabs?

[swipesy]

Hello all,

Newbie here - at least on TB!

I need to build a couple cabs for my bass rig, just not sure which speakers would be good. Not looking to spend a great deal, but not looking at cheap stuff either - say, $300 or so for the drivers.

I need to build my own cabs because I need to be able to get them into my smaller car (Hyundai Elantra). Most bass cabs just don't fit because they're too deep or whatever. So, I need to build them to sizes that will fit. Taller and thinner is probably what I'll need to do.

Anyway, I play classic rock on a 4-string. My bass amp puts out 600W @ 2ohms, and our dummer plays pretty loudly so the cabs need to be able to handle the power.

I've been looking at the various Eminence offerings, and the Basslite speakers look good to me, though I've never heard them. I've been thinking about a 15 bottom (or possibly a 2x12) with a 2x10 top (no horn). Specifically, a Basslite C2515 and two S2010. Would those be a good combination sound-wise?

Thanks to all!

[jazzbass_5]

Eminence all the way, I have them in all my cabs (I build my own cabs too)

www.partsexpress.com

[swipesy]

Thanks, I'm just wondering which ones would be best for me. Too many choices, eh? Anyone have experience with the CA2010? It has a higher frequency range, which might be useful since Im not using a horn. Just not sure, you know?

[fdeck]

Take a look at the "Fearful" designs from TB'er greenboy.

[jazzbass_5]

I don't have any horns in my cabs and in the 2X12 cab I used Eminence Definimax 4012HO's It's a great cab but I like my 4X10 best, it's loaded with Eminence Delta-10A's. I don't have a problem with high end loss. Always though horns were a bit much anyway. just my opinion.
If you're building a 2X12 cab I would suggest Eminence Delta-12A's and build the cab close to the same dimensions as the Aguilar 2X12 cab.

[swipesy]

I've been thinking about this a lot and after measuring my car, the cabs need to be no wider than 20" and no deeper than 14" (exterior dimensions) - preferably 18" wide and 12" deep max so I don't have to cram them in all the time. Cabinet height can be up to 36" (bottom) and 28" (top). So, I've decided to go with a 2x12 bottom and a 2x10 top.

Now keeping in mind my amp is rated at 600w, and that lighter is better for me, I'm considering going with Basslites for the drivers. They're rated at 150w per (600w total). Would that be a good match for my amp? Or, should I spend the extra and get the Deltalites for higher power handling? I'll probably never push the amp full out, hence my question about spending the extra, and I've read some good things about the Basslites. Also, getting the four Basslite drivers is a stretch for me anyway (dollar-wise), but I don't want to go there if they'd blow or something.

Obviously, speakers isn't something I know a lot about.

Thanks!

[modulusman]

Since you don't anything about speakers what makes you think you can build a cab that is going to sound good? You can't just build a cab and throw a speaker in it and call it a day. You want a speaker box that is only a foot deep. Good luck, I think you are in way over your head.

[swipesy]

That's really helpful, thank you. I've already acknowledged that I don't know much about speakers. Bad day, huh? Maybe I'll find some help somewhere else.

Over and Out.

[EDIT]

My Polk Audio stereo subwoofer isn't longer than 12" on any side, and that thing pumps out the lows like crazy. Honestly, I didn't think that depth made all that much difference. Oh well.

[/EDIT]

[modulusman]

Hey I am not trying to be a hardass. Just pointing out that if it was easy to make home built speaker cabs everyone would be doing it. Bass amp manufacturers spend alot of time, research and money to make good sounding cabs. As Fdeck suggested read the greenboy thread in the amp forum. You may think you will be saving money but chances are you will end up with something unsatisfactory unless you know the math and physics behind cab design.

[4Mal]

The Eminence 3015 in a 2.4 cu ft box, ported according to the spec on their website is a killer small box. A pair of those and you're rockin' the house old school style add a tweet if you must but they really don't need it. That is a much smaller and more portable setup than what you're talking about and will produce ridiculous amounts of volume.

NOTE: 3015 NOT the 3015 LF which is a fine driver, meant for use in a sub

[Stumbo]

You might want to take a look at these previous TB threads on this topic:
Cabs
Cabs(plans included) + discussion
Bill Fitzmaurice cabs
Cab coatings explained
Fiberglass cab


30 light weight cabs,amps, combos
1 10s v. 12s v. 15s v. 18s
2
4x10 vs. 2-2x10 vs. 2x10/1x15 vertical stack
4x10 vs. 2x10/1x15
Using a full range cab (Carvin LS1503)
Micro-rigs of doom


From what I understand, the interior volume and port length/size need to match the speaker requirements to get the speaker to operate properly. Maybe one of the speaker guru's can help you out using WinSD to help design your cab. Check out the following website for more info: http://www.subwoofer-builder.com/WinISD.htm

[JimmyM]

If you need small yet loud and want to build it yourself, I think building a fEarful or a Bill Fitzmaurice cab is your best bet. Don't confuse a car sub meant to play music with a bass cab, though. The car sub can be small because it's in a car, and it only needs to deal with the lowest frequencies. A bass cab needs to deal with all the freqs a bass puts out, plus be able to handle the extreme peaks a raw musical instrument can put out.

Whatever you do, don't try to cheap out. Cheaping out on small cabs always results in way inferior sound. You'll save more money in the long run by using good speakers the first time instead of using cheapos and being dissatisfied and buying good ones.

[OtterOnBass]

+1 to using someone else's designs. There's a lot that goes into designing a cabinet. It's the car that the engine gets dropped into. If you decide you want to design your own cab as well as build it, there are computer programs that can help you.

[jmarlow]

I have just started playing bass the past few months. I have the output of a old 45w guitar amp driving a shiva 12" (yes, a car subwoofer) in a sealed box. As expected, the sound is far from good, but it's all I have for now. I think the weight of the cone is too much to play much more than the absolute bottom end. For now, it's just for practicing until I'm better.

[JimmyM]

Nothing wrong with that, J. Unless we were born with money, most of us started out on subpar equipment. Hang in there, work hard, and you'll be gradually boosting yourself up to better stuff.

But unlike you, if you have a choice, there's no reason to play out of a car sub.