I’m looking to build a 15” cabinet. I’d like some opinions on the best speaker out there for this project. Much obliged.
Gregg
Gregg
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Best 15” speaker
- Thread starter geeveebee
- Start date
There isn't a single "best speaker". There are 15s designed to work with parts, and ones designed to work with sealed cabs. There are 15s that will tune better to lower frequencies.
It's all about the physics. What kind of cab are you building? Inside dimensions? Ports?
It's all about the physics. What kind of cab are you building? Inside dimensions? Ports?
Ha. I like that rig. And you’re probably right. Let me be more specific: I don’t know anything. I have a friend who is a lot of casings that can put the thing together for me. I play in a 60s 70s rock and roll band and like that 70s tone the best. I would like what you would consider to be the best speaker for this project. I can’t give you dimensions as of yet. I’m just looking for some recommendations as a jumping off point.
From my own experience if you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t start with some random box with a random 15” speaker. Buy something already built that sounds good. And don’t assume that 15” gives you the most bass, a common myth.
I hear you. I’ve been playing through an Ampeg cabinet. I’m fine. Could someone just recommended a speaker? I appreciate that none of you think this is a good idea. Be that as it may, can someone answer the initial question?
Sorry, but I believe the question to be answered can’t be answered…
I’m not looking for the best. I’m not looking for random. I just want some recommendations so I can do my own research. Why is this so hard?
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I agree about the nebulous definition of "best".
But - if you want a good starting point, I built one of @Arjank's Cyclops cabinets with the Dayton PN395-8. It sounds awesome.
That driver is relatively inexpensive, is lightweight, has decent top-end extension, and will handle a good amount of power.
But - if you want a good starting point, I built one of @Arjank's Cyclops cabinets with the Dayton PN395-8. It sounds awesome.
That driver is relatively inexpensive, is lightweight, has decent top-end extension, and will handle a good amount of power.
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- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
It’s so hard because you don’t know what you don’t know.
You need to do the research FIRST, learn how speakers work, what the tradeoffs are, and WHY one speaker may be better (or worse) than another for a particular goal.
Part of this “research” involves playing many different speakers to see what YOU prefer and what YOU don’t like.
That said, if you like ‘70’s type tone, and you don’t mind a larger, heavier cabinet, there are a lot of screaming deals on good used cabinets that will get you good results (for less than it would cost to build). If smaller size and lighter weight are important, costs go up as the drivers and construction will be different.
I thought asking people on forums was research. My mistake
Those are Radio Shack. Your really don’t want to use those. I was kidding.
For the “best” return on your money… buy a good used quality bass guitar speaker cabinet.
Oh. Funny. I have a sweet sweet rig. I’m good. I just thought I’d try a little project. I didn’t know you experts would be so peeved at my audacity. Never mind. What an unbelievably helpful forum! You go to people who know what they’re talking about and they tell you that you don’t know what you’re talking about! Brilliant.
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Research is learning how something works, so that you understand what questions to ask, and what the answers mean.
For example, asking what’s the best car to build. Without knowing what you intend to do with the car, how fast you need to go, how many people it needs to carry, priorities about straight versus curves performance, and your driving/building skills, no answers will be valid. You will get a bunch of random, conflicting suggestions.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
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Sorry, but not without at least a few more crumbs of information please. You clearly asked for "best for this project" in your first post, now you say you're not looking for the best. And I haven't seen any definition of what "this project" is so far. Cost no object or what budget ballpark? Size and weight limitations? Full range or multi driver? Standard tuned bass, downtuned, or extended range? Available amplifier power, and do you play with fornt of house support (bass through PA) or have to carry the room on your own? If the latter, what size rooms? Throw us a bone or two and just maybe we can be more helpful. Or not, your choice...
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I’m sorry I bothered asking. Jeez. I asked for a measly speaker recommendation. Forget it.
You’re right. I asked for the best. I was hoping 10 people would say: this is the best. And then I could try them. Instead…Sorry, but not without at least a few more crumbs of information please. You clearly asked for "best for this project" in your first post, now you say you're not looking for the best. And I haven't seen any definition of what "this project" is so far. Cost no object or what budget ballpark? Size and weight limitations? Full range or multi driver? Standard tuned bass, detuned, or extended range? Throw us a bone or two and just maybe we can be more helpful. Or not, your choice...
