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Differences between BFM Jack 10 , 12, 15

Which format is better for the BFM Jack

  • 2x10" (or pair of singles)

    Votes: 6 40.0%

  • 1x12"

    Votes: 4 26.7%

  • 1x15"

    Votes: 5 33.3%
  • Total voters
    15
DangYankee

DangYankee

Jul 11, 2017
389
786
Texas
#1
Hello,

I am seriously considering building some BFM Jack cabinets. I currently use a fEARful and absolutely adore its sound, but I have been curious about the Jacks for the longest time and finally might break down and build one to see what all the hype is about.

My main reasoning for the build is that I use a 500w amp which sometimes struggles to get enough volume out of the power hungry fEARful in live situations. (I know getting a bigger amp is the most logical solution, but I want to build something dang it!) Jacks are known for their higher efficiency, and I expect that design will be able to achieve higher volume levels with the same power.

Now to my question. Is there any tonal difference between the different cabinet sizes other than volume? I really like the form factor of a pair of 10's, but worry they will be anemic in comparison to a single 12 or 15. (I don't expect to get the massive lows like the fEARful, but still want some heft to my tone.)

My current debate is whether I should build a pair of 1x10s, or if the 1x12 would better suit my needs. (I play lots of 2000s rock, emo, and punk)
 
#4
No, @DangYankee, that isn't it. Jacks are very highly regarded I think.
Most threads about driver size get flooded with posts like "the only difference is the size of the hole in the baffle board". It's a lot like "tone is in the fingers" when the topic is strings or pickups or just about anything. I think it's a kind of ridicule.
 
#5
Ah, gotcha. The main reason I ask about the tonal difference is because BFM explicitly states "Need more bottom and output than Jack 10? Build the Jack 12" but there's no additional frequency charts to illustrate the "more bottom" he mentioned. He even says the same about the jump from the 12 to the 15 "more bottom end".

I'm curious how big of a difference there really is, or if he's just adding fluff to his descriptions for the sake of marketing.
 
#8
BFM is no longer active on this forum, if I'm not mistaken, which is a shame because he has a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and experience.
I'm sure there are some BFM users here who can share their experience with you but I imagine you might glean more insight from the BFM forum where Bill still participates and where I suspect most questions like this have already been answered.

As for the question of driver size, I know there are intrinsic, physical differences between driver sizes that can lead to tonal differences between them but I also believe that cabinet design has evolved to a point where those differences are compensated for in many designs, making the driver size less influential to the voice of the cabinet. This is how so many modern speaker manufacturers can offer entire series of cabinets with an assortment of driver sizes that all have very similar voicing and all work well together. I know that's not a direct answer to your question but I think this boils down to bass frequencies requiring more surface area to be transmitted efficiently so, yeah, bigger drivers will have more volume and, therefore, more bass even though the basic voicing of the Jack series is more or less the same. A pair of 10s will have slightly less surface area than a single 15 so I think that's pretty much your answer, all other things being equal.
 
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#9
If you check on the BFM forum, you will see that Bill isn't that keen on the J15, and almost always recommends the J12. The J15 is a big box and not that easy to transport. I think he designed it to have a complete "family". There are a couple of threads there of J15 builds that might provide more insight, but there's no question that the J12 is the most common build.

A local "rock school" had a show where the bassist was using a single J10 and I was impressed. Not super low but it was distinct in the mix. A pair would have been too loud for the outdoor courtyard.
 
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#10
I have a Jack 10 with an Eminence 2510 in it. It's pretty darn loud and musical for a 1x10 and I'd love to get another for louder live situations.
I'd agree that a Jack 15 is an awkward size (22 x 22 x 20). The Jack 12 would probably be a great one cab solution though.
 
Last edited:
#11
I have a jacklite 10, a fearful 12/12/6, and @Arjank 's cyclops

I also have a Ampeg PF115 and Genzler 110BA for reference.

The jack sounds awful IMO

Yes it's efficient, but it gives you terrible tone, really loud. There is no low end and in order to get a balanced tone I had to scoop all the midrange out of my amp which negates any benefit in efficiency you get. If you like the sound of the fearful, there is no way the jack isn't going to be disappointing.

I've really enjoy the cyclops. It has a more traditional sound than the fearful and is efficient. It is punchier than any other 15 I've played. It's the cab I leave pugged in most of the time. I haven't had the chance to really crank it up but I have no doubt it would hold up.
 
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#12
Jared Houseman said:
I have a jacklite 10, a fearful 12/12/6, and @Arjank 's cyclops

I also have a Ampeg PF115 and Genzler 110BA for reference.

The jack sounds awful IMO

Yes it's efficient, but it gives you terrible tone, really loud. There is no low end and in order to get a balanced tone I had to scoop all the midrange out of my amp which negates any benefit in efficiency you get. If you like the sound of the fearful, there is no way the jack isn't going to be disappointing.

I've really enjoy the cyclops. It has a more traditional sound than the fearful and is efficient. It is punchier than any other 15 I've played. It's the cab I leave pugged in most of the time. I haven't had the chance to really crank it up but I have no doubt it would hold up.
Click to expand...

Woah! That cyclops looks incredible! That might be exactly what I'm looking for. How efficient is it in comparison to the fearful? Keep in mind I just have the 12/6.

And your comments about the jack are exactly what I was worried about. I've heard they're ridiculously middy and have read about lots of people ditching them for exactly that reason.

I assume I need to reach out to @Arjank for the cyclops plans?
 
#16
I had a BFM 210 I used with a Bassman 135. Sounded good. Projected nicely. If I was doing the Jacks, I’d use a pair of 12’s, but you’ll definitely need to EQ differently.

If you have a fearful 12/6 and a 500w head, you’re at 8 ohms so you’re only using 250-300. Also might need to lower the bass and bump up the mids. I’d agree building another and going with a pair might be a good way to go.

Id also say if you’re using a 500w amp and a fearful and your not loud enough, holy crap you guys must be incredibly loud! Maybe the rest of the band should turn down a bit.
 
#17
6thplanet said:
Why not just build another Fearful 12/6?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I've had 3 different sets of fEARful cabs, including a 12 sub stack. I love their sound, but am getting the itch to give something new a shot. I loved the stack, but it was a hair awkward to transport two medium sized cabs. The 12/6 was occasionally not enough volume and the pair was always more than enough. I'm hoping to find a single cab solution that hits the happy medium (cyclops looks like a strong contender)

eniac said:
Bill has SPL charts for various models here:

SPL Charts - BillFitzmaurice.info
Click to expand...

I totally missed that! Thanks!


rogypop said:
Arjank posted the plans in cyclops thread. Cyclops would blow fearful 12/6 out of the water IMO.
Click to expand...

Awesome to hear, I'll check it out now! I think that's going to be a winner. It's a hair bigger than I like, but if it can hit the happy medium between the output of a single 12/6 and a stack, I think it'll be perfect for my needs.
 
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#18
kbakerde said:
I had a BFM 210 I used with a Bassman 135. Sounded good. Projected nicely. If I was doing the Jacks, I’d use a pair of 12’s, but you’ll definitely need to EQ differently.

If you have a fearful 12/6 and a 500w head, you’re at 8 ohms so you’re only using 250-300. Also might need to lower the bass and bump up the mids. I’d agree building another and going with a pair might be a good way to go.

Id also say if you’re using a 500w amp and a fearful and your not loud enough, holy crap you guys must be incredibly loud! Maybe the rest of the band should turn down a bit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I had a fEARful stack at one point and just got tired of lugging two midsized cabs around all the time. One was never quite enough (just barely) and the pair was overkill. I'm hoping to find a single cab solution that splits the difference.
 
#19
The Jack's tone might not be everyones cup of tea but they are a good way to squeeze out the most spl out of speakers. The more complex build is a tradeoff.
Jack 112 with kappalite 3012ho or other potent driver would be very loud cab for given size and weight, probably more than enough for 90% folks playing rock on 4's. It is 4x10 kind of loud but with different tone profile.
Different strokes..
 
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#20
rogypop said:
The Jack's tone might not be everyones cup of tea but they are a good way to squeeze out the most spl out of speakers. The more complex build is a tradeoff.
Jack 112 with kappalite 3012ho or other potent driver would be very loud cab for given size and weight, probably more than enough for 90% folks playing rock on 4's. It is 4x10 kind of loud but with different tone profile.
Different strokes..
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input!

All: I think this thread can be closed. @Jared Houseman introduced me to exactly what I have been looking for. While it wasn't the original intent of this thread, I think I am going to ditch the jack's in favor of building a Cyclops. That design appears to be a louder cab than the 12/6 while maintaining comparable tonal properties. The Jack's are appealing from a volume and modularity standpoint, but I don't think their middy tone would have been my cup of tea after spending so many years with the fEARful.
 
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