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215 & 215/2x6.5 Driver options for new build.

iualum

iualum

Apr 9, 2004
4,726
1,049
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#1
Looking for your opinions/input. I'm going to have a cab built, either a straight 215 or a 215/2x6.5.

1. If 215, I'm thinking either the non-LF Eminence Kappa Lite 3015 or the Faital Pro 15PR400. Think these are the best choices in this price range. Which way would you go? Any other comparable neo choices I've missed?

Eminence Kappa Lite 3015 Speakers - Eminence Kappa Lite-3015 lightweight neodymium woofer. The Eminence Kappa Lite-3015 is a 15" 8 ohm lightweight speaker with extended Xmax. The Eminence Kappa Lite-3015 15" speakers are rated at 450 watts RMS. Em

Faital Pro 15PR400 Speakers - Faital Pro 15PR400 bass guitar and PA speaker that has a lightweight neodymium magnet - Faital Pro 15PR400 800 watt high efficiency of 100dB SPL woofer for all mid-bass and bass applications. Faital Pro 15PR400 sp

2. If 215/2x6.5, I think the only 15 to use is the 3015LF. Is there any other option that compares at this price point?

My real question here is the 6.5s. The 18Sound 6ND410 is the reigning champ, no question.

Eighteen Sound Speakers - Eighteen Sound 6ND410 - Eighteen Sound 6ND410 6.5" midrange speaker has a lightweight neodymium magnet and is 102dB SPL. Eighteen Sound 6ND410 6.5" midrange speakers are available here. 18 Sound speaker components.

Since the main point of a 215/2x6.5, imho, IS STILL THE 215s, I'd like to find a reasonable, less costly alternative to the 18Sound. I think I may have run across one in the Faital Pro 6FE200. Is it at the 18Sound level (or top Faital Pro 6s), no, it's clear it isn't. I'm under no illusions here. But is it a pretty darned decent alternative? Not sure, but I think likely yes. To top it off, two of these can be had for less than one 18Sound. Opinions?

Faital Pro 6FE200 6.5" Speakers - Faital Pro 6FE200 mid-bass speaker. Faital Pro 6FE200 260 watt 6.5" woofer for all high quality mid-bass applications. Faital Pro 6PR150

3. Last would be which crossover to use. I'm at a loss here. Recommendations? The Eminence PXB2-800?

DESIGNED TO WORK IN HIGH
 
#5
Checkout JohnK’s Starliner (215) - its awesome.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/custom-diy-2x15-cab-build-854517/\
and greenboy’s new Basic (115)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/new-lightweight-cab-865065/

What I’m thinking about building is a cross between greenboy’s Basic and John's Starliner build because I don’t want a mid driver, tweeter or crossover and because two 115s are easier to haul around than a 215 and I don’t like the looks of the Basic, so if you can picture a Basic built like the Starlinner with a full grill (not round bolt on) and etc. Oh and of course the fanboys are going to recommend a fEARful. ;)

EDIT: with 3015. ;)
 
#6
Joe Louvar said:
Checkout JohnK’s Starliner (215) - its awesome.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/custom-diy-2x15-cab-build-854517/\
and greenboy’s new Basic (115)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/new-lightweight-cab-865065/

What I’m thinking about building is a cross between greenboy’s Basic and John's Starliner build because I don’t want a mid driver, tweeter or crossover and because two 115s are easier to haul around than a 215 and I don’t like the looks of the Basic, so if you can picture a Basic built like the Starlinner with a full grill (not round bolt on) and etc. Oh and of course the fanboys are going to recommend a fEARful. ;)
Click to expand...

+1 to looking at JohnK's DIY 215.

but... Fan boy nothing... Talking about a cab with the same drivers that are in a 1515/66 and guessing about a crossover? It would be negligent to not direct him towards information that may give him a better idea on what kind of crossover he needs for that arrangement.
 
#7
The crossover would have to be purpose built, because there are 4ohm loads on either side, and because it would work much smoother than an off-the-shelf even if you could get one. If the 800hz emi. board sounds "good enough" to you, you could do it using 2 of them and wiring the cab as if it were 2 separate 15/6's.

Midrange flavor would be the difference here from the 18sound. There also is a faital 6pr110 or 120 out there. Have a look, see what you think.
 
#8
will33 said:
The crossover would have to be purpose built, because there are 4ohm loads on either side, and because it would work much smoother than an off-the-shelf even if you could get one. If the 800hz emi. board sounds "good enough" to you, you could do it using 2 of them and wiring the cab as if it were 2 separate 15/6's.

Midrange flavor would be the difference here from the 18sound. There also is a faital 6pr110 or 120 out there. Have a look, see what you think.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Will. I see a 6PR150, but no 110 available for sale anywhere (& I think it was 110, not 120).

Sure the 150 is very nice, but my goal with searching for a different 6.5 is two-fold. It needs to be a reasonable option sonically, but it also needs to be a significant cost savings. Guess I'm searching for an overlooked piece, if it's out there. I think the 6FE200 looks like it might fit the bill on both accounts, certainly does from a money standpoint. If someone knows from experience (or can definitely tell from the specs) that the 6fE200 is/would be a poor performer, I'd appreciate the info.
 
#9
...just checking...

Anyone else have thoughts on the Faital Pro 15PR400 vs. Eminence Kappa Lite 3015 for a 215 cab?

Anyone else have an opinion on whether Faital Pro 6FE200s would be decent partners with 3015LFs in a 215/2x6.5 cab?
 
#12
iualum said:
Anyone else have an opinion on whether Faital Pro 6FE200s would be decent partners with 3015LFs in a 215/2x6.5 cab?
Click to expand...
Any decent midrange driver will work if you actually understand your own design goals and how to go about getting them, as far as tone and power handling etc are concerned.

Then you have to understand how to achieve them with crossover design. The generic "crossovers" hardly ever fit even halfways well for most driver selections, and are woefully under-designed as well if you are going into higher power handling territory or actually care about good imaging. Not to mention those twinkie automotive bulbs that basically emasculate whatever mid driver you've chosen.
 
#13
johnk_10 said:
since i bought and own both the 3015 and 15PR400's to compare them, while they're both excellent drivers, for my tonal goals, i prefer the 15PR400's since they're a bit smoother in their mid and high end response, but IMO, you really can't go wrong with either one.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much. Good to know I can't really screw up the 15s, lol! Nice to know that the 115PR400s are right there with the 3015s. Mostly depends on the flavor you like better I guess.

One other thing that I just thought about. If I do a 215/2x6.5, I'd do the Faital Pro 6FE200s. The 6FE200's response is 85Hz-6kHz. The response for both the 3015s & 15PR400s (if I just did a 215) goes to 4kHz. How much additional real life difference would there be between 6kHz top end in a 215/2x6.5 vs. 4kHz in a straight 215? Or between the combined additional 2kHz (6kHz vs. 4kHz) & the added cone surface of 2 additional speakers on a 215/2x6.5 vs. a 215, would there be a significant tone & loudness difference between the 2 cabs?

What I'm asking, I suppose, is whether I'd get just about the same result (tone & loudness) for less $ sticking with a straight 215 using 3015s or 15PR400s vs. a 215/2x6.5 using 3015LFs & 6FE200s?

Just throwing this out there for your or anyone else's thoughts.
 
#14
iualum said:
Thanks, Will. I see a 6PR150, but no 110 available for sale anywhere (& I think it was 110, not 120).

Sure the 150 is very nice, but my goal with searching for a different 6.5 is two-fold. It needs to be a reasonable option sonically, but it also needs to be a significant cost savings. Guess I'm searching for an overlooked piece, if it's out there. I think the 6FE200 looks like it might fit the bill on both accounts, certainly does from a money standpoint. If someone knows from experience (or can definitely tell from the specs) that the 6fE200 is/would be a poor performer, I'd appreciate the info.
Click to expand...

The 110 or 120 or whatever it is is at Faital's site but I've been having a tough time finding it available anywhere as well. I think it's a ceramic mag. version of the 150, should be a little cheaper. Looking at it as an upgrade for my rig. Have to dig out the chart again but IIRC, I think it runs about as hot as the 150 in some areas but a couple db less between 1k-2k, which for me would be a good thing, along with the cost.......if I can find one.
 
#15
And don't skimp out on the crossover design, it will make or break you. The off-the-shelf stuff "will work" as far as driver protection, etc. but can really lose performance potential especially when you get to higher power applications as greenboy said, he obviously knows his stuff. I biamp in my rigs so I don't have to worry about all that stuff, just find drivers I really like and put them to work. It makes it easy, but also enables being lazy and not learning up on stuff I really should be.
 
#16
will33 said:
The 110 or 120 or whatever it is is at Faital's site but I've been having a tough time finding it available anywhere as well. I think it's a ceramic mag. version of the 150, should be a little cheaper. Looking at it as an upgrade for my rig. Have to dig out the chart again but IIRC, I think it runs about as hot as the 150 in some areas but a couple db less between 1k-2k, which for me would be a good thing, along with the cost.......if I can find one.
Click to expand...
The only thing I see that I don't care for so much is that the 6FE200 is a stamped basket rather than cast. I think I can live with that aspect, though.
 
#17
will33 said:
And don't skimp out on the crossover design, it will make or break you. The off-the-shelf stuff "will work" as far as driver protection, etc. but can really lose performance potential especially when you get to higher power applications as greenboy said, he obviously knows his stuff. I biamp in my rigs so I don't have to worry about all that stuff, just find drivers I really like and put them to work. It makes it easy, but also enables being lazy and not learning up on stuff I really should be.
Click to expand...
Agreed on the crossover. Absolutely. It does make or break the cab. Have spoken with Don Oatman about the build. The crossover would come from a fella named Ralph Patterson. Apparently Ralph does some pretty fine work. That sits well with me indeed.
 
#18
iualum said:
Agreed on the crossover. Absolutely. It really makes or breaks the cab, doesn't it? Have spoken with Don Oatman about the build. The crossover would come from a fella named Ralph Patterson. Apparently Ralph does some pretty fine work. That sits well with me indeed.
Click to expand...

I would get it in writing and confirm you got what you paid for, or I would build it myself if this is coming down to a cost issue.
 
#19
iualum said:
The only thing I see that I don't care for so much is that the 6FE200 is a stamped basket rather than cast. I think I can live with that aspect, though.
Click to expand...

Really doesn't matter much with that small of a driver operating in the range you'll be using it in.

I like the B&C 6MD38 a lot with the 3015LF.
 
#20
Passinwind said:
Really doesn't matter much with that small of a driver operating in the range you'll be using it in.

I like the B&C 6MD38 a lot with the 3015LF.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the B&C possibility. Looks like a nice driver. Actually, to my uninformed eyes mind you, it looks very similar, almost identical, to the Faital 6FE200 that I'm thinking about. The main exception I see is that the Faital is ~$40 less. Of course, I always reserve the right to miss something(s) & be wrong. On occasion, extra wrong :D, lol.
 

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