Advice on finding the right driver for a combo - the right way.

[agedhorse]

Ok so I've been doing some reading, got WinISD to work through Wine, and am now reading up on how to use it

The speaker in that enclosure. It's the combination of the two.


Is this something inherent to the existing enclosure, or the speaker?

 

[agedhorse]

I'd really like to find one that works for me... The big heavy stuff is not great for the back of a working player. I've tried heaps of MarkBass models, the Aguilar Tone Hammers, the Warwick LWA's, the Fender Rumbles and Bassman 800...
The big problem I have is they just don't feel right. They don't seem to have transient power. Great for smoother styles of playing, but not for my needs.

Anything you can recommend?

There are plenty of discussions on this topic, look at what players are using and what they have found that works for them.

 

[BobbyPoulton]

Thanks for that. I've thrown those various speaker combinations into WinISD, the big differences seem to be that the current speaker has a massive dip in maximum power & maximum SPL in that 60-100 Hz range, as well as the cone excursion being far above the Xmax in this same range at 300 watts. Of the recommended drivers, the Delta is a little above, the Kappas are all on or within, with the 3015LF being well within.

I'm thinking the standard non-LF Kappalite 3015 may be good. It's not exceeding the Xmax at full power, it doesn't suffer a huge max power dip and can still deliver the full power at 8 ohms, as well as knocking a few kgs off... However it has the lowest Transfer function magnitude of the bunch... Thoughts?

I also realised my calculations were off... I hadn't counted the wood thickness at both sides! So it's a 75.3 litre / 2.66 cu ft enclosure.

 

[agedhorse]

What's the 8 ohm rated output power of the head you are using?

If it's 200 watts (RMS) or less, don't worry about anything related to the driver's inability to support above this. It may be better due to average sensitivity. The (slightly) smaller box volume increases mechanical power handling a bit too.

 

[BobbyPoulton]

It's 575 watts at 4 ohms, so I'm guessing that it's probably 300 - 350 watts at 8 ohms. I actually can't find official specs for rated power at 8 ohms... It's an Ashdown ABM Evo II.

 

[BogeyBass]

I emailed Eminence to ask their recommendation, they recommended these options:

Delta-15LFA
Kappa-15LFA
Kappa Pro-15LF-2
Kappalite 3015
Kappalite 3015LF

Those in the know, what would be the benefits / drawbacks of these different models?

None ,all mud buckets with low sensitivity

Except the 3015 be best full range option. Neo driver so cost is higher.

I always get confused when people mention Kappa 15 between the Kappa Pro 15.

Stamped kappa 15 is not a very exciting driver at all. Muddy. Weird tone. Might average 99 dB but majority lies 96/97

I thought you had a Kappa Pro so I'd be surprised if your not happy with it. And sensitivity would be much higher.

2.8 or 2.6 is on the small side. I understand why eminence recommend some of those drivers but no just no lol

Be more worried about drivers being too boomy in 2.6 so I'll assume it's why eminence recommend what the did.

Transfer function being low on the cast frame 3015 is a good thing. Probably does ok in 2.6
Like some of the other stamped suggestions from eminence less likely to be boomy but otherwise stale low sensitivity drivers.

Classic good old legend 158 was probably not suggested cause it tends to like bigger boxes but has decent tone n sensitivity. Probably bit boomy in 2.6

Out of the other cast frame drivers Kappa Pro or Delta Pro likely acceptable or slightly boomy in 2.6 but very very good sensitivity and mid clarity clear highs. Should have good power handling in 2.6 around 250watts above 100hz closer to 160 / 180 below

I'd check out the following cast frame 2.5inch voice coil drivers

Delta Pro 15a
Deltalite II 2515

And the following 3" voicecoil cast frames

Kappalite 3015
Kappa pro 15a

The neos have slightly more power handling. But the delta and kappa Pro
Have more sweeter mids and tone
And the delta is brighter on top with extremely high sensitivity.

 

[BobbyPoulton]

Yeah. The Kappa 15A is what is in there currently. (Non pro)

I’m looking at the Kappalite 3015.