• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best 15” speaker

#181
I once looked at building speaker and started reading the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook then I quickly realized how complicated bass speaker cabinets are.
There a lot of math involved and that was clearly more involved than I had ever imagined. There's a lot of calculation and math involved; way too much for me anyways!

It makes one appreciate a good sounding bass speaker and some of the work the Bergantino, Mesa Boogie and Euphonic Audio people do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueTalon
#182
jnewmark said:
Except for a brief time in the early '70's, when I had a Fender Bassman and 215 Bassman cab, I don't think I've ever had a matching head/cab rig. Some were good, some were great, but not too many sucked.
Click to expand...
I have also, more often than not. In fact, these days my usual rig is a GK or GB head into a Phil Jones cab. Mixing rigs can be very good. But IMO the chance of getting less-than-optimum results is higher with mixed rigs than it is with matching rigs.

Not that everything that has a particular logo necessarily works well with everything else that has the same logo. But when they belong to the same design family, then yes, the chances of success are better with matching rigs.
 
#183
Hmm, 10 pages, and no mention of the only logical choice?
B35D906C-5DF9-42E4-9ED8-FE0E495FDC0A.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geri O, TN WOODMAN, pglaser01 and 2 others
#188
Here's the short answer. Although it isn't, lol!

Buy the following 15's

mesa subway 115 and 215 and PH series 115 and 215
greenboy 115 and 215
Revsound 115 and 215
Hartke 15, all models
Berg NV115

No one is being an azz here... the fact of the matter is what you hear in your ears and feel from a cabinet can and will be greatly different than any other player.

You're sticking with a 15, what about 12's?? I have a pair of Bergantino HDN 212's that will crack peoples walls (true story) and I've finally found a cab that I won't sell and do not need to look for others.

Thing is, there are so many manufacturers, many which are excellent pieces of gear, but they will not work for everyone.

I owned a pair of Barefaced Four10's. They were great except for when I needed to carry them through doors. They were awkward so I immediately looked for something to replace them. The 212's are easy to pick up, walk them through doors, carry them up and down stairs when I give them a bear hug.

That's what worked for me, may not work for you!!

This forum has a lot of smart players that have tons of varied experience.

I suggest you look at some of the brand specific forums and read a lot. That is how I came to purchasing a lot of different gear, selling a lot and getting to the point where I'm very happy with my current rig.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueTalon
#190
medievalrhyme said:
Great question!

Not sure why, but with all the attention on 10s and 12s, 15s have kinda gone by the way side, which is a little odd given how much classic stuff was done with B15s.

Personally, I'm not aware of a better 15 cab than the AudioKinesis: Hathor 1533

Maybe you can ask him what kind of speakers he uses? Owner and builder there Duke LeJeune is wonderful!
Click to expand...

No need to ask, it says this right in the description:

"Woofer is a custom 4 ohm Kappalite variant with more output in the upper mids than the stock Kappalites."
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueTalon
#191
The Eminence Kappalite 3015 is a fantastic bass speaker. Eminence actually calls it a Pro Audio speaker which is heavier duty than thier Neo bass guitar speakers. Handles 450 Watts RMS, Very lite weight and The cone can travel much further than regular bass guitar speakers. Given the same magnet size a 15 will produce considerably more volume than a 12 or 10". Check them out. You need to be skilled if you are building a cab and it needs the proper dimensions.
 
#192
I am a former electronics technician who spent a career modifying guitar amps, among other things. One of my closest friends is an audio engineer (we are both Cal Poly grads) who had a long career with Disney, upgrading the ride sounds at many of the parks. Between the two of us, we probably have forgotten more about electronics design than many people will ever learn. Neither of us will even attempt to build a speaker system.

The OP came up with a question that cannot be answered without further qualification.

It is a well known "secret" in the audio business that many excellent sounding speaker cabinets were designed by trial and error. Trust me, those systems are in the very minority. Most DIY results end in disaster, because the so-called "designer" is not truly designing anything. There are just WAY too many things that can and usually will go wrong when you guess.

Speakers are designed for specific applications - bass reflex, folded horn, sealed back, open back, etc. etc. etc. You can't just pick one and go for it.

The common "wisdom" when I was coming up in the mid-60s, that bigger is better (more surface area = more air moved = more bass produced) is no longer true. There is a great video on YouTube by Phil Jones (of PJB - Phil Jones Bass) that goes into the physics of sound reproduction. Have a look at that hour long chat, and still see if you want to go searching for your mythical "best" speaker, 15" diameter or otherwise.

Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gideon K, BlueTalon, monkeyfinger and 3 others
#193
Yes OP likely long gone. If you want to build something the obvious choice is to replicate a proven design. No R&D required. Of course you will be limited to designs that do not use a proprietary speaker and designs with plans available. Its a short list. I went through all of this and realized there was no money to be saved unless you already have all the tools and woodworking skills and want to get into it.
 
#194
My suggestion would be RCF. If you like heavy cabinets get an old one. If you like light weight get a modern one. If you want a fancy aluminium center cap get JBL. If you want it to sound good don't. This is what people are saying by do your research. No one can recommend something "good" because good to each person is a personal choice.
 
#195
BQFS said:
I am a former electronics technician who spent a career modifying guitar amps, among other things. One of my closest friends is an audio engineer (we are both Cal Poly grads) who had a long career with Disney, upgrading the ride sounds at many of the parks. Between the two of us, we probably have forgotten more about electronics design than many people will ever learn. Neither of us will even attempt to build a speaker system.

The OP came up with a question that cannot be answered without further qualification.

It is a well known "secret" in the audio business that many excellent sounding speaker cabinets were designed by trial and error. Trust me, those systems are in the very minority. Most DIY results end in disaster, because the so-called "designer" is not truly designing anything. There are just WAY too many things that can and usually will go wrong when you guess.

Speakers are designed for specific applications - bass reflex, folded horn, sealed back, open back, etc. etc. etc. You can't just pick one and go for it.

The common "wisdom" when I was coming up in the mid-60s, that bigger is better (more surface area = more air moved = more bass produced) is no longer true. There is a great video on YouTube by Phil Jones (of PJB - Phil Jones Bass) that goes into the physics of sound reproduction. Have a look at that hour long chat, and still see if you want to go searching for your mythical "best" speaker, 15" diameter or otherwise.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Lots of good points, especially about trial and error methods of speaker design. Trial and error hasn’t really been a design method amongst professionals since the 1930’s.

I have a couple of friends who have had good, long careers with Disney. One in the theme parks as an engineer and the other in the theatrical touring side as an automated rigging specialist.
 
#196
geeveebee said:
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.
Click to expand...
Black Widow 15
Duke
 
#197
BQFS said:
I am a former electronics technician who spent a career modifying guitar amps, among other things. One of my closest friends is an audio engineer (we are both Cal Poly grads) who had a long career with Disney, upgrading the ride sounds at many of the parks. Between the two of us, we probably have forgotten more about electronics design than many people will ever learn. Neither of us will even attempt to build a speaker system.

The OP came up with a question that cannot be answered without further qualification.

It is a well known "secret" in the audio business that many excellent sounding speaker cabinets were designed by trial and error. Trust me, those systems are in the very minority. Most DIY results end in disaster, because the so-called "designer" is not truly designing anything. There are just WAY too many things that can and usually will go wrong when you guess.

Speakers are designed for specific applications - bass reflex, folded horn, sealed back, open back, etc. etc. etc. You can't just pick one and go for it.

The common "wisdom" when I was coming up in the mid-60s, that bigger is better (more surface area = more air moved = more bass produced) is no longer true. There is a great video on YouTube by Phil Jones (of PJB - Phil Jones Bass) that goes into the physics of sound reproduction. Have a look at that hour long chat, and still see if you want to go searching for your mythical "best" speaker, 15" diameter or otherwise.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Would you have a link to this presentation handy? Sounds like a popcorn hour to me!! :)
 
#198
geeveebee said:
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
Click to expand...
Just an opinion. I like ElectroVoice SRO or EVM 15L or 15B, either one will work, the L goes a little higher. They are sensitive & handle 125 watts RMS. The best cabinet for them is the TL-606. Look for a Mesa 1 x 15 cabinet, there are several on Reverb. Not real light, but not too bad to move and I've played a lot of clubs with one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DavidEdenAria and StereoPlayer
#199
I understand the thing about building something, but….. to see how much goes into tuning a “box” and speaker, watch on u-tube Mr. Gallien( GK )talk about building their products and what goes into it. I’m sure all top companies have engineers that design their gear, and it’s “made” to what they want it to “do” / sound. It’s worth watching no matter if you like GK gear or not if your into the knowledge.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueTalon
#200
I built my own cabs and love them but I also did a lot of homework before I built them.Like Aged Horse said what are you trying to accomplish so I will offer my 2 cents here.Do you have a solid state amp that puts out more wattage into a 4 ohm load.If so you may want to buy your speaker with that in mind.Is your amp low in wattage then you may want to choose a driver that has high sensitivity so you get the most out of what power you have.Do you need a 15 that has decent mids and highs or are you going to run a high frequency driver/horn/tweeter with it.What/who are you playing with as in are you trying to keep up with some 100 watt half stack metal heads or playing country or low key coffee house music.This can go on but I hope you understand what Im saying.There is a lot more to making a good cabinet than just throwing a 15 into a box.If you mention how loud you want to get,what amp you plan on using.As for speakers you can go to the Parts Express website and look at a variety of 15 inch drivers.I prefer USA made Eminence speakers.Look at some of their 15s and they also include box plans and offer advice.Good Luck
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back