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Just in case you forgot.....15's RULE
- Thread starter Lowactnsatsfctn
- Start date
I think the serious reasons why 15s rule have been covered and now were just having fun talking about cars, PA's, 2, 3-way cabs, Frankenstein rigs and hopefully hot chicks.
That's all good stuff
some possible up (and down) sides for 15's:
1)They are bigger than required for many gigs, a 112 is often enough for Jazz or smaller gigs and the box does not have to be so large.
2) Dispersion in the mid frequencies is worse than a smaller driver (But would be better than multiple horizontally aligned drivers).
3) In general, they cost more than an equivalent 12 but in the UK, the 3015LF is cheaper than the 3012LF.... possibly due to rarity.
4) Larger cone area gives greater broadband efficiency (on axis). Off axis, not much in it.
5) A 15 is more likely to require a mid to sound "nice" between 2 and 5 kHz due to its size alone. Having said that, there are many with extended frequency responses but these tend to have smaller X-max.
6) If you like the look of a big stack they are great. However, you will not get people coming up to you and saying "how on earth do you get all that bass from such a small box?" so often as with a 112 or 210.
7) The cabinet is wider than for many smaller speakers taking up valuable floor space in pubs.
At the end of the day, the speaker that rules is the one which moves the most air for bass at any size. If you are prepared to use a mid and want a large driver, get an 18 to 24 incher
Last I checked, an Eminence Kappalite 3015LF cost a few dollars LESS than a 3012LF...just one more good reason
And significantly higher sensitivity, 99.8 vs. 95.5.
In & of themselves, 10s are no less flabby than 15s & 15s are no less tight than 10s. It all comes down to the specific speaker.
410s move more air than what? A single 15? LOL.
Even that isn't so when the 15 in question is the 3015LF. It will move more air than any commercially available 410. And in addition to air movement, you need to factor in sensitivity. The 3015LFs number is 99.8. Pretty darned good.
some possible up (and down) sides for 15's:
1)They are bigger than required for many gigs, a 112 is often enough for Jazz or smaller gigs and the box does not have to be so large.
2) Dispersion in the mid frequencies is worse than a smaller driver (But would be better than multiple horizontally aligned drivers).
3) In general, they cost more than an equivalent 12 but in the UK, the 3015LF is cheaper than the 3012LF.... possibly due to rarity.
4) Larger cone area gives greater broadband efficiency (on axis). Off axis, not much in it.
5) A 15 is more likely to require a mid to sound "nice" between 2 and 5 kHz due to its size alone. Having said that, there are many with extended frequency responses but these tend to have smaller X-max.
6) If you like the look of a big stack they are great. However, you will not get people coming up to you and saying "how on earth do you get all that bass from such a small box?" so often as with a 112 or 210.
7) The cabinet is wider than for many smaller speakers taking up valuable floor space in pubs.
At the end of the day, the speaker that rules is the one which moves the most air for bass at any size. If you are prepared to use a mid and want a large driver, get an 18 to 24 incher
You have some points, yes. While I don't personally consider them super strong ones, they're certainly considerations nonetheless. In almost every instance though, I'd still go with a 15/215.
Regarding the highlighted portion, the Eminence 3015, Faital Pro 15PR400, & Ciare 15NDH-3 (all pretty tremendous drivers) have respective Xmax numbers of 5.9, 5.75, & 6.5. How many full-range 10s/12s can match these Xmax's. I think the answer is an extremely small number.
He said this in reference to extended range speakers designed to handle the 2k-5k range without reliance on a dedicated mid driver.
Bass Direct in the UK will have a couple ML112's in stock shortly. I would talk to Mark about it if your'e interested.
I'm torn between the Tri-115 and the Whappo Jr. - but you can't beat the 42 lbs my Tri-115 weighs! Maybe we should have a "slam per pound" rather than a "bang for the buck" ratio.
Dan K.
Good point.
IDK why people insist on comparing 410's to 115 When the OP said VS the same series of speaker, but a smaller size. 4 bouncers could probably take almost any UFC fighter, but we're talking about a one on one here. I've yet to see a single 10" driver that could keep up with a 3015 or a 15FX560. If it happens, I'll change my opinion, but for now 15's RULE
I would let my 35 pound 15/6 go up a weight class for that match up...
And your 15/6 will crush the 12/6. Why - because 15s Rule!!!
You're speaking heresy in the church of the ten-inch speaker.
I wouldn't say "15s rule". Sometimes portability and volume requirements favor a smaller speaker. I have 110 and 112 cabs that work well for me. But I agree that *in general*, performance/weight and performance/dollar criteria favor the 15. If you need more than two smaller drivers can give, it's usually better (in terms of weight and cost) to go to a larger speaker size; at least until you reach 15", which seems to be the sweet spot.
I think the popularity of 410, 610, and 810 cabs has more to do with tradition and marketing than anything else. Judging from the number of "what 410 should I buy" posts from new members, I doubt that will change any time soon.
I wouldn't say "15s rule". Sometimes portability and volume requirements favor a smaller speaker. I have 110 and 112 cabs that work well for me. But I agree that *in general*, performance/weight and performance/dollar criteria favor the 15. If you need more than two smaller drivers can give, it's usually better (in terms of weight and cost) to go to a larger speaker size; at least until you reach 15", which seems to be the sweet spot.
I think the popularity of 410, 610, and 810 cabs has more to do with tradition and marketing than anything else. Judging from the number of "what 410 should I buy" posts from new members, I doubt that will change any time soon.
But not more than a 3015LFbut thanks for the info.
EDIT: PS - I added "generally" to my post.
Also not more than a standard (yeah, right, standard) 3015. And the Kappa Lite has a much larger frequency response (so it can much more easily be used by itself as opposed to the expense of adding a mid or tweet to the 3012LF) & has a much higher sensitivity rating. And the price is the same.
The 3012LF is quite good. Quite good. But it & the 3015 are apples & oranges. In fact, the 3015 almost isn't even a fruit, lol.
The 3015 & 15PR400 both go to 4kHz & don't need mid/tweet help. The 15NDH-3 reaches 3.5kHZ. The list of 10s that goes beyond 4kHz is a pretty short one.
they're great players, and great players make anything sound good.
plus, the great acoustic engineers you expect these guys to hire can also make anything work out front.
i don't know about wooten (i doubt he's doing stadium shows) but i still suspect flea's backline probably has as much to do with the sound anybody including him hears as geddy's does!
...anyway15srule
