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Acoustic 408 4x15 cab: replacement speakers

beebassdude

beebassdude

Supporting Member
Sep 29, 2008
4,735
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Ashburn, VA
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#1
So im getting one of these and im going to change out the speakers to a more modern driver, something that can take more of a pounding. i just wanted peoples opinions on which 15 inch drivers i should look into. i want to stay away from Neos as i probably cant afford them and im not too worried about the weight. so far ive looked at eminences but im sure there are numerous other types of speakers to check out. so im just looking good 15 inch drivers (id like to keep the price under 150 per speaker although im not opposed to more expensive stuff if theres a reason for me to buy them). thanks!
 
#4
one of my 408's (1977) has the stock alnico eminence 15's and the other '78 has ceramics. back in the day, acoustic used 75 watt, 8 ohm 15's in 408's to make them a 300 watt cab.

here's a pic of one of the alnico speakers in mine:

408alnicospeaker.jpg


on the ceramic ones, the cone/voicecoil assembly is identical, but the ceramic ones weigh about a 1/2 lb less each.

i think that the alnico's have a tiny bit smoother sound and a little better high end, whereas the ceramics are a hair tighter sounding, but they're almost identical sounding when i tested them side by side yesterday.

you might use Eminence Legend CB15’s , since that's what the monolith 408 clone uses.
 
#9
BassmanPaul said:
D/L WinISD, measure the internal size of the cabinet, plug all the data into the program and see if you can identify a driver that will work well in that box.
Click to expand...

It isn't a simple ported box, you have to figure a bandpassed box, as the slot in the middle with two more drivers facing inward messes with things. I'm not sure how it models in WinISD, but I think it is the bandpassed thing.
 
#10
NoNoise said:
Are you ever going to move it? I read that they are about 142 lbs with the stock speakers!

I had a cab that was about 125 pounds, and that was a pain to move around. :)
Click to expand...

the 408's don't require any lifting to move. they tilt back like ampeg cabs and move around just like a hand truck. even one person can load them into a van or truck by tilting them onto their back and sliding them in.
 
#11
I've tested several different speakers in my Acoustic cabinets. The original Eminence elements are well adapted but a little weak and are easily farting out. Do you want some more bottom end and a more "modern" sound in your 408, I would highly recommend Fane Sovereign series. I use four Sovereign 15-250 in my 408 and they are totally outstanding. Take a look att [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#12
beebassdude said:
So im getting one of these and im going to change out the speakers to a more modern driver, something that can take more of a pounding. i just wanted peoples opinions on which 15 inch drivers i should look into. i want to stay away from Neos as i probably cant afford them and im not too worried about the weight. so far ive looked at eminences but im sure there are numerous other types of speakers to check out. so im just looking good 15 inch drivers (id like to keep the price under 150 per speaker although im not opposed to more expensive stuff if theres a reason for me to buy them). thanks!
Click to expand...
Monolith cabs build an exact replica Acoustic 408 using
Eminence Legend CB15’s.
Link Removed
My trusty old beast with a bit of added jbl midrange 2 X 2206
and 2 X 2380/2445 2 inch horns.
Invalid Link Removed
:bassist:
 
#13
gpcbass said:
I've tested several different speakers in my Acoustic cabinets. The original Eminence elements are well adapted but a little weak and are easily farting out. Do you want some more bottom end and a more "modern" sound in your 408, I would highly recommend Fane Sovereign series. I use four Sovereign 15-250 in my 408 and they are totally outstanding. Take a look att [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

hmmmmm. that fane 15" speaker specs out to be about the same as an Emince Delta 15A. personally, i'd go with the Eminence CB15, Delta 15A or the Delta Pro 15A. (all of them of them handle more power, have the approx same xmax and the two Delta's go up higher in frequency than the Fane).
 
#15
beebassdude said:
john, the goal is to run 2, i just have to find the other. itll be an SVT VR into both of them (although i do have a 370 as well but the VR is a nicer sounding head IMO)

speaking of, i see youre potentially selling one of yours. PM me if thats the truth my friend!
Click to expand...

i do plan to sell one of them, but shipping one from CA to VA would be kinda crazy.
 
#16
Yes, the Eminence Legend CB15 are alright, but not so good as Fane in the 408 cabinet, in my opinion. Of course, this is a matter of taste and the specs are sometimes confusing. For me it's been a matter of trial and error.
 
#17
I had one of these, bought it new, back in the late 70's. FYI, mine had Cerwin Vega speakers and they sounded great. I believe CV is out of the business but a search turned up jamminjersey.com and they have a good selection you might want to check out. Good luck with that cab, I miss mine but Epifani's sure are lighter!!!
 
#18
NoNoise said:
Are you ever going to move it? I read that they are about 142 lbs with the stock speakers!

I had a cab that was about 125 pounds, and that was a pain to move around. :)
Click to expand...

my band moves around 8 cabs: ampeg 810, ampeg 215, sunn 215, sunn 612, orange 412, orange 412, matamp 412, matamp 412. makes me feel better about skipping the gym all the time! haha
 
#19
gpcbass said:
Yes, the Eminence Legend CB15 are alright, but not so good as Fane in the 408 cabinet, in my opinion. Of course, this is a matter of taste and the specs are sometimes confusing. For me it's been a matter of trial and error.
Click to expand...
Cant seem to find small parameters for the fane 250, the PDF
wont download.
I was going to experiment with these:
Invalid Link Removed
if I can blag a set off the old employers, half the Vas of the Eminence CB15 and a lot lower Fs might be very interesting.
Glad you love the Sovreigns in yours, you dont have the TS params by any chance do yer?.
:bassist:
 

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