Custom DIY 2x15 cab build

[johnk_10]

the cab's actual internal volume is 5.652 cu ft, less the volume of the bracing, the speakers, and the port tubes comes out to 4.588 cu ft, so i went with the port tube length of 3.9" (the way that they come from reliable hardware) which tunes it to 46.3Hz, and it seems to work great tuned at that freq.

 

[johnk_10]

it'll have to be a little later before i can make some clips of the 2x15 K140 JBL cab since it's buried in my storage room right now, but here's two clips of the new 3015 cab with the STM900 and my SVT. please excuse these quickly made clips, complete with clam since i slammed my middle finger on my left hand in a door yesterday and it's bandaged up (i think the nail is going to fall off eventually-ouch!)

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[rpsands]

Man, call me crazy but I like the streamliner a little better

 

[dukeorock]

Great sounding clips!

 

[johnk_10]

Man, call me crazy but I like the streamliner a little better

i slightly prefer the SVT, but i can easily see how you could say that. the STM900's a little more open on the top end and has a little more girth on the low notes than the SVT. IMO, the SVT's strength is in it's response (feel) and in the mid bass with a slightly less harsh top end.

for the STM clip, the controls are bass 12 o'clock, mid set at 220 at 10 o'clock (cut a bit), and treble at 12 o'clock. gain and volume at 12 o'clock. it's tubes are 1 NOS mullard ecc83 in V1, and two NOS RCA 7025's in V2 and V3.

the SVT has all the tone controls at noon.

for both clips, the bass is a 7 3/4lb maple neck/alder p bass with fender 9050SL flats/duncan spb-1 pickup & all controls wide open.

 

[Joe Louvar]

The new “JohnK Starliner 215” is a 4ohm front loaded reflex bass cabinet loaded with two Eminence KAPPALITE 3015 drivers for full range bass with smooth low, mid & highs.

Specifications
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Usable Frequency Range: 40Hz to 4Khz
Power Rating: 900 Watts
Sensitivity: 101+dB (really loud)
Dimensions: 36” high x 24 1/2” wide x 14” deep
Weight: 46.5lbs

 

[rpsands]

Barefaced Bass - Super Fifteen

 

[johnk_10]

Barefaced Bass - Super Fifteen

yep, that's exactly what i'd compare my cab to. mine's just wider and shallower so an SVT, or another 24" wide head wouldn't hang over the sides. (and mine's 2 1/2lbs lighter )

 

[rpsands]

yep, that's exactly what i'd compare my cab to. mine's just wider and shallower so an SVT, or another 24" wide head wouldn't hang over the sides. (and mine's 2 1/2lbs lighter )

Only other huge difference is port area - think BF's got something like 50-68 inches of port frontage.

 

[Joe Louvar]

The clips sound good - how does your new Starliner 215 stack up against some of your other 215 cabs - IE Sun, Baseman, etc and I think you already said you liked it better that the 810?

 

[3rdcurve]

sounds good!

 

[johnk_10]

The clips sound good - how does your new Starliner 215 stack up against some of your other 215 cabs - IE Sun, Baseman, etc and I think you already said you liked it better that the 810?

the 3015's are nice, but the JBL's have more transparency and detail, especially in the mids and high end.

 

[Jim C]

Like the SVT track much better; if you tell me that they were labeled backwards then I will buy a Strmlnr.

Do the 3015 offer more volume due to increased XMAX?
Haven't used a JBL in many years and am most interested in clear, 3-D sound stage but also needs to get loud and be light.

 

[Joe Louvar]

yep, that's exactly what i'd compare my cab to. mine's just wider and shallower so an SVT, or another 24" wide head wouldn't hang over the sides. (and mine's 2 1/2lbs lighter )

I’m guessing the weight difference is from the round plastic ports verses the tuned wood port.

 

[johnk_10]

i think that the JBL's feel a little more efficient than the 3015's, especially in the mids and top end, but the 3015's seem to have more low end so it's a toss up.

 

[Hantke]

Thats awesome! i didnt know you could do this kind of stuff on your own! at-least not cost efficiently. Now you get to make your own logo to put on the side lol

 

[kraigo]

I liked both clips. I was surprised how well it held up through the mids and highs. I suppose it's really a question of how well it holds up off axis with the two 15's. One of the things I really like about my BP102 + mid cab is how well I can hear myself off axis (as well how nice the low end comes through). Given the clips, I think I could easily live with a 3015 based 2x15 run full range! Good job!!!

KO

 

[ScottTunes]

Nice cabinet JohnK!!

Size and shape (dimensionally) remind me of the "smaller" 60s Fender Showman 2x15 (which replaced the fancy ported single Showman 15"), with just enough depth added to accommodate front loading the drivers. Used to be my favorite cab, loaded with 2 EVM15Ls. Seeing your cab makes me want to build another...

I have a Vox chrome T-100 Trolley... Maybe I should build a sealed cab for that?? Very similar dimensions, and similar sound...

John, did you compare yours with ports closed?

 

[johnk_10]

here's four clips (the previous two and a new two with the dual K140's). i didn't touch the amp or bass settings from the previous two 3015 clips:

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now after listening to them, the 3015's actually have a little MORE top end but, IMO, they're a bit clankier about it, whereas the JBL's are smoother, but they do have less low end........ so it turns out that i'm really digging the 3015's really just as much as my beloved old JBL's. too bad that neo's are so expensive these days, since the 3015's cost as much or more now as a used K140.

 

[johnk_10]

John, did you compare yours with ports closed?

i actually preferred the ports closed but i left them open for now. and the clips that i posted are of the 3015's with them open.