How can I get more volume and less cone excursion from my 300T and 2x15?

What cab and speaker brand?

High excursion is inevitable for low frequencies and high volume.

 

As said above, lots of cone movement comes with the territory in low bass / high volume applications. If your speaker cones are indeed nearing their excursion limits, it simply means that the cabinet is near the limit of how much low bass it can actually generate. If so, you still have a few options: turn down the low bass EQ (and/or don't play down on a B string so much), turn up the mids a bit (they will help you cut through better), and think about placing your cabinet as close to a corner of the room as possible. Corner placement is an easy way to boost the bottom end. If all of this still isn't enough (and you have to find out how it sounds out in the audience, not necessarily where you're playing), then you will quite likely need more cabinets.

The other thing is, maybe your bandmates are just too loud!

- Mike

 

I already thought you meant that, but I wanted more specific info, esp. on the speakers: Eminence or...? Power rating?

 

You said the cab is 8 ohms.
Does the 300T put out 300 watts at 8 ohms?

Also, does the speaker make exaggerated movement with just touching the strings? or do you mean playing a hard note makes the cones seem to strain?
Even with high volume, your speakers should be "in control"

I got an old SVT and with one 4-10 cab, (8ohms), I got lower volume/high speaker movement.
I added a 2-10(8ohm), and I got a lot more volume and no extra speaker flop.
The amp seems to really like 4 ohms, and the volume was worlds apart.Maybe it is the same for the Sunn.

There was a lot of recent discussion with this mentioned, but it was way over my head.

The techies will know the science of this. I just follow what my instincts tell me.

 

I got involved with a bud and his 2x15 cabinet when he blew a driver. He took his cab into a local Boston shop and had them do a sweep to determine the tuning frequency. It's been awhile, but I think it was around 45 to 50 Hz.

Q: are you seeing excessive cone movement below low G (49 Hz)?

If you are, I'll probably get whonked (again) for my commenting about not using the cab below its designed tuning frequency, but so be it. I'll go on record again: IMO, cabs should not be used below the tuning frequency at high power.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32506&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

 

Do the cones flap around, seemingly in no relation to the note you're playing? This would be the sign of pushing the amp too far, and more power could actually be what you need. Only if the speakers can handle the average you'd be putting through them however. Two 15s should be able to put out a very healthy amount of bass.

If that's not it, if it is really the lows (but you said you *don't* notice it below D on the B string?), and the cones are moving smoothly and consistently but a lot, then I'd try cutting the real lows and boosting the midbass. It sounds to me like it is the former problem though.

 

The low volume makes me think the speakers may be wired out of phase. Not sure if this would cause excessive excursion though. Techs?

 

You're right. Out of phase speakers kick each other around as they very effectively take away each other's air.

Maybe one speaker is already blown, causing the about same effect, and you would hardly notice.

Or maybe it's what Geshel said: excessive clipping. This would cause the speakers to clearly visibly "wave" around, like some amps do when you switch them on.

 

Cool! Well I'm glad we were wrong. That's the most easily fixed problem that was listed.

 

uhuh