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fearful 15/6 vs lds 15/6

#21
Ukiah Bass said:
Specifications:

15/6 - 23.5" W x 22.0" T x 18.0" D, about 45 pounds
Emminence Kappalite 3015LF and 18Sound 6ND410
Crossover @ 800 hertz; padding about -3db, L-pad on side
Black Tolex, metal grill, fixed-bar handles, 2 Speakon jacks, plastic corners

12/6 - 16.0" W x 23.5" T x 18.0" D, about 35 pounds
Emminence Kappalite 3012LF and 18Sound 6ND410
Crossover @ 800 hertz; padding about -7.5/8db, L-pad on back
Black Tolex, metal grill, fixed-bar handles, 2 Speakon jacks, tilt-stand, plastic corners

LDS 15-6 and 12-6 - front.jpg


LDS 15-6 and 12-6 - rear.jpg


LDS 12-6 and rack on floor.jpg


LDS 12-6 and rack on top.jpg


LDS 15-6 and 12-6 stacked - front.jpg


LDS 15-6 and 12-6 stacked - rear angle.jpg
Click to expand...

curious how does the the 15/6 sound by itself crossed @ 800Hz? Some people on here made it seem to me that 800Hz would be too high for a 3015LF
 
#22
mcapote said:
curious how does the the 15/6 sound by itself crossed @ 800Hz? Some people on here made it seem to me that 800Hz would be too high for a 3015LF
Click to expand...

It sounds wonderful to me. Very complex process to analytically compare crossover variations as each of us hears sound differently, and of course there are the variables of instruments, strings, amps, EQ settings, room variations, bodies in the room, how the other band members play, etc. etc. etc.. I have no inclinaton to crack the cabs open and play around. They perform great for me. Sometimes I think we split too many hairs on this forum haggling about which setting is better. I'd rather spend time playing these babies....
 
#23
CFclef said:
Both designs are well thought out. fEarful would probably win a volume contest
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that's purely speculative as no one has done that comparison. I'll gladly put mine up for the Pepsi challenge.

CFclef said:
Don Oatman likes the circle ports, because they are a quick way to move air and get the low end coming out in sync with the rest of the sound.
Click to expand...
He doesn't use round ports in the tall form factor 15/6 cabs.
 
#24
Hey silky smoove.

It seems like the taller one is his version of the fEarful. I spoke with him, and he said that he doesn't do an exact recreation of the plans, but pretty close. So for that one he would probably stick with the slot design.

I'm having an LDS cab built, and I'm opting for a kind of crossbreed. Tall and wide, but with the circles as opposed to the slot. Let's see how that turns out :)
 
#27
I will absolutely guarantee the fEarful will win the volume contest. The increased port area will allow it to be pushed harder. Period. No question there.

Both are capable of obscene volumes but the port area really does make a difference, particularly at extreme volumes. So if you're a one-cab guy and going to hit it really hard, the fEarful with the 15/6 makes a lot of sense.
 
#29
rpsands said:
I will absolutely guarantee the fEarful will win the volume contest. The increased port area will allow it to be pushed harder. Period. No question there.
Click to expand...

I agree with that based on the shorter/wider form factor with round ports. The taller version with slotted ports, like mine, will no doubt be different than a true fEarful design, but my suspicion is that differences between the two are going to be VERY slight.
 
#30
rpsands said:
I will absolutely guarantee the fEarful will win the volume contest. The increased port area will allow it to be pushed harder. Period. No question there.

Both are capable of obscene volumes but the port area really does make a difference, particularly at extreme volumes. So if you're a one-cab guy and going to hit it really hard, the fEarful with the 15/6 makes a lot of sense.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the definitive answer. I agree, if one is going to be with a single cab, then the fEarful makes a lot more sense. Taller, midrange is closer to the ear.

It seems like the LDS is better for stacking though. Maybe I'm being a wuss? I would rather have that wider base just in case someone knocks into it...
 
#31
silky smoove said:
I agree with that based on the shorter/wider form factor with round ports. The taller version with slotted ports, like mine, will no doubt be different than a true fEarful design, but my suspicion is that differences between the two are going to be VERY slight.
Click to expand...

I believe yours is the exact same as mine, which is basically a fEarful with 3/4" ply and slightly adjusted bracing.
 
#32
rpsands said:
I believe yours is the exact same as mine, which is basically a fEarful with 3/4" ply and slightly adjusted bracing.
Click to expand...

I agree, but I just wanted to put that out there as it sounds like the implication of this thread is that the standard 15/6 from Don is the short/wide form factor when in fact he offers both the short/wide form factor and the fEarful'esque tall/skinny form factor and makes that adundantly clear when ordering. At least he did when I was ordering.

The ply difference and bracing adjustments, I'm sure would result in some minor tone/volume difference with a true fEarful, but my suspicion, again, is that it would be very slight. That's purely speculation though as I've not, and don't know of anyone who has done an A/B with a tall/skinny LDS 15/6 and a fEarful 15/6.
 
#33
GB fEarful owner here...playing Reggae is my main squeeze (Dingwall Voodoo/Z-1 5 string), and I can say that the 15/6 is a GREAT cab for reggae. Because of its sensitivity down low, you'll find that you'll boost less low on your amp and get more bottom anyway.

Its clean, clear and hearable on a loud stage, and I would put it up against most 2-cab rigs without fail. I've 'shared' mine as backline for 3 or 4 other acts and ALL the bassists have loved it. One even told me months later that he's been losing sleep over the sound...since he doesn't have one for his own.

What's better than a 15/6 fEarful?...TWO of them...clean clear LOUD and low. :)
 
#34
bass7858 said:
I have been following all the 15/6 threads and see there are 2 different designs. The Greenboy Fearful design which seems to be larger and has a large port across bottom of cab, and Dons LDS design which appears somewhat smaller and utilizes round ports.
Can any of you guys who may be familiar with both cabs opine on the tonal differences as well as any percieved volume or output differences?
Would greatly appreciate any insight.
Click to expand...

Hello.

There is no such thing as an 'LDS 15/6'. Don is a pure custom builder and has no set models. He's been doing cabinets with mid drivers for many years, including 15/6's. Recently, has has built some 15/6's (based on customer requests) using both the Greenboy specs (or pretty close to it), or building a variety of 'LDS 15/6's' based on customers size, weight, and size preferences.

I've played 6 or 7 different designs now, and they all sound relatively similar and VERY good. My favorite so far is a little 12/6 with a Faital mid driver (owned my DBer Deb). GREAT sounding cab.

Just FYI. If you see an LDS cab in the mega thread that strikes your fancy, Don can replicate it, of course, but that's not really his thing.
 
#35
So the general consensus i am hearing is that the fearful design may be able to do higher volume better, although the lds design (round ports) owners have no complaints.
Additionally, if i understand Kjung correctly the lds round port design is not a set in stone design. More over, a basic design that is then implemented to the owners specs/taste/wishes?
 
#37
bass7858 said:
So the general consensus i am hearing is that the fearful design may be able to do higher volume better, although the lds design (round ports) owners have no complaints.
Additionally, if i understand Kjung correctly the lds round port design is not a set in stone design. More over, a basic design that is then implemented to the owners specs/taste/wishes?
Click to expand...

Nail 1: Oww!
Nail 2: What happened?!
Nail 1: A hammer hit me on the head!

:p
 

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