Fearful 12/6 Owners Question

[SickAura]

Hi All - I am thinking about having a fEARful 12/6 cabinet built - and I am trying to understand the mid-driver differences

My understanding is you can use either an Eminence Alphalite 6A or an 18Sound 6NM410

Outside of weight - can anyone share the differences between these drivers?

Or

Simply comment on why you choose one or the other?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Foz]

Use the expensive mid if you expect to add a sub - you need the hotter speaker to keep up - or use the cheap one and plan on building a mirror image 12/6 with a second cheap mid if/when you go double woof.

The cheap mid comes in two flavors - the cheaper cheap one is heavier than the alphalite version.

 

[SickAura]

Use the expensive mid if you expect to add a sub - you need the hotter speaker to keep up - or use the cheap one and plan on building a mirror image 12/6 with a second cheap mid if/when you go double woof.

The cheap mid comes in two flavors - the cheaper cheap one is heavier than the alphalite version.

Thanks - this will be a stand alone cab - no future subs or second cabs.

Also - cost is not really an issue - I want to do what will sound best

Does the 18Sound bring something the Eminence doesn't?

 

[Interceptor]

May I suggest moving right to an authorized builder and getting a Fearless 112?

 

[Hotblack]

With the 18Sound, you'll have to wire in a switch to change between standalone use and use with a sub.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I'm looking at your avatar and wondering what the plan is for 12/6.

 

[SickAura]

I'm looking at your avatar and wondering what the plan is for 12/6.

I play in a few bands and need a smaller cab option for band practice and times when I need to leave my gear in my trunk for a few hours. So the cab needs to be small and handle power

 

[jnewmark]

I would say the 18Sound mid is a " hot " sounding one, while the Eminence is a little more mellow sounding. When I had my 12/6 with the 18Sound, it came with an attenuator, which, imho, you really need with this mid. It can almost overtake that 12 if you use it wide open.

 

[SubNoizeRat3691]

I built a 12/6 with the Alpha 6a. I considered the 18sound, but after some research, determined the Alpha was the way to go. It's said to be a more mellow sound, vs the 18sound, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper. This was going to be a standalone cab for me. But, if in the future I needed more, another 12/6 with a mirrored baffle was still going to be cheaper overall. I'm very happy with my choice. The 18sound very much needs an attenuator in the 12/6 cab, it's a very powerful mid.

 

[gpx1200]

the 18 sound mid can sound a little harsh bepending on your eq setings but nothing you can't tame with good eqing, the alpha sounds a little smother to me when using a lot of drive or distortion.
if your using any kind of tube driver or distortion id go with the alpha.
I run my 1212/6/1(18sound) or a 12/6/1(alpha) with a rb700 and with the boost cranked up the 18sound can get a little rough wear the alpha has a smoother grit to it

 

[paparoof]

I play in a few bands and need a smaller cab option for band practice and times when I need to leave my gear in my trunk for a few hours. So the cab needs to be small and handle power

Well you sure picked a good choice!

My 12/6 has the 18sound mid in it (and the pad switch) and frankly, I usually leave the mid wide open even when I'm not running the sub with the 12/6. Of course I'm playing a P with flats and it doesn't really generate any clank - so I'm sure that's part of the equation. If I was playing my J with rounds on it, I bet I would pad the mid back.

So it's not like choosing the 18sound would be a complete waste - it'll still give you options down the road. If you need to save money on the build though, from what I've read, most folks who use the alphalite are plenty happy so it doesn't sound to me like you'd really be losing anything.

 

[SubNoizeRat3691]

I also agree with the suggestion of the fEARless 112. If you're having it built anyways, I'd go fEARless for the tilt-back option. They have a switch for a couple mid voicing options too, iirc. Great cabs!

 

[SickAura]

Well you sure picked a good choice!

My 12/6 has the 18sound mid in it (and the pad switch) and frankly, I usually leave the mid wide open even when I'm not running the sub with the 12/6. Of course I'm playing a P with flats and it doesn't really generate any clank - so I'm sure that's part of the equation. If I was playing my J with rounds on it, I bet I would pad the mid back.

So it's not like choosing the 18sound would be a complete waste - it'll still give you options down the road. If you need to save money on the build though, from what I've read, most folks who use the alphalite are plenty happy so it doesn't sound to me like you'd really be losing anything.

Thanks - I am also primarily playing a P with Flats - what type of music are you playing? Also what kind of amp are you using and how do you find the 12/6 on its own in a jamming situation?

 

[synaesthesia]

The raw efficiencies are different. The 18Sound to my memory is 102dB at 1Khz at 1W and the Alphalite 96dB. If you use a passive crossover without a pad the Alphalite matches the output of the Kappalite 3012LF better, and the 18Sound will require a pad to bring it down to match, i.e. if you want to match the outputs - a flat as possible freq. response is what I remember was a design goal of the these cabinets. The 18Sound was the choice with the Kappalite 3015LF as that woofer had a higher efficiency (or so was thought of at the time, some people say the reality is closer to 97dB than the published 99 or 100dB)

 

[Foz]

Thanks - this will be a stand alone cab - no future subs or second cabs.

Also - cost is not really an issue - I want to do what will sound best

Does the 18Sound bring something the Eminence doesn't?

Not really since most would pad it back / EQ it to more or less match what the alpha is doing anyway. In your situation i would do the Alphalite [drop a couple bucks for a lighter small package of dynomite cab for the man on the go].

Good Luck!

 

[4Mal]

I have a 12.6 and 12 sub. I used the Alpha and added a fixed pad. 6 or 12 db. I personally so not need more mids than I have even when the sub is engaged - which is not often.

Lakland 44-01's with flats. GK MB-Fusion. I like round full but defined tone with big punch...

I've heard the gucci driver and it was way too bright for me.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I would do the first one with the 18sound. Stacking on a sub puts the mids up nice and high. And it's a go anywhere, all occasions rig.

 

[Monkey]

I have two 12/6s with Alphalites (one with mirror baffle). The level and tone of the Alphalites match well with the 3012LFs and I don't have to worry about a pad. Also, I like having two identical cabs, in case I need to leave one at rehearsal. I rarely use both cabs together these days, but I played an outdoor reggae gig today and the two 12/6s sounded nice and full. I've been very happy with my choice of Alphalites.

 

[CL400Peavey]

I have used the majority of greenboy's cabs. If you are buying, the F112 is the way to go. If you are building the alphalite driver is the way to go.

 

[popgadget]

I have used the majority of greenboy's cabs. If you are buying, the F112 is the way to go. If you are building the alphalite driver is the way to go.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^