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new speakers for a 70s Ampeg 2x15

sickest beast

sickest beast

Apr 22, 2006
1,010
16
niagara falls, ON
#1
I'm going to be picking up a 1970s Ampeg 2x15 for $150.

It needs new speakers, I really don't know anything about speakers and would like some opinions on what to put in it.

I play some heavy music, stoner rock, doom, hardcore, noise. I need something loud but would also like a decent frequency range.

I would also like it to be 4 ohms.

I plan on getting some sort of all-tube bass head to run it. Anywhere from 200-400 watts probably.
 
#3
Try and get a high BTL, QTS, Xmax and sensitivity and look at the freqeuncy range [make sure its both low enough and high enough for your needs]

I used a pair of these for the exact same job you are doing with no modification of the cab or the ports... worked great - nice clean punchy mids and highs to go with a tight bottom.

http://www.usspeaker.com/eighteensound-15MB700-1.htm

These were also considered and I reckon they would also work OK

http://www.usspeaker.com/ev dl15x-1.htm

these look pretty good and seem to be pretty popular with the DIY builders here at TB

http://www.usspeaker.com/Kappa Lite-3015lf-1.htm

shop around for prices once you pick a unit.
 
#4
Stromrider said:
We would need to know the internal volume and the dimensions of any ports in the cab to make an informed decision on replacement drivers. Have you looked into reconing the originals?
Click to expand...

I've thought about it. Would that cost around the same as replacement speakers or more?

From what I've seen and read about 70's 2x15s is that they are pretty basic. Maybe someone who knows more about them could help me out.

I was looking more towards having the vintage look on the outside of the cab with more modern guts.

I would probably have the original 15s re-coned eventually then maybe save them for some other project or put them back in the ampeg one day.
 
#5
Pair of 3015s - not LFs. Most of those old 215s are right around 5-6cf internal volume, which is too small for a 3015LF, and the top end of the 3015LF is kind of "bleh."

Also, with a tube amp, the increased sensitivity of the 3015 will come in handy.
 
#10
Ok, the internal volume is a bit too big for the KappaLite 3015. It would work, but you'd want to shorten the ports to tune it a little higher.

As it is, I would recommend this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Especially since you said you wouldn't be using more than 200W per driver. But, they are 4ohms each so you'd end up with a 2ohm or 8ohm cab.
 
#11
Ah - NOW I get your pm...

Are you getting a folded horn V4-B cab like mine, or a regular 2x15 cab? If it's the V4-B cab I really advise you to not bother. They're huge, they're really heavy, and they just don't sound that good.

Any 8x10 Ampeg cab will smoke it, and you can find one pretty cheap. The V4-B cab makes the 8x10 look VERY manageable :D

If it's a regular 2x15 cab, forget what I've said and carry on...
 
#12
Stromrider said:
Ok, the internal volume is a bit too big for the KappaLite 3015. It would work, but you'd want to shorten the ports to tune it a little higher.
Click to expand...

That size cab is fine, but the duct size isn't, it will chuff like mad with any real power. 40 Hz tuning would do nicely, use two 4" PVC ducts each 8 inches long per chamber. I agree on using a 2515 with only 200 watts per driver, either the Basslite for 4 ohms or the Deltalite II for 8 ohms.
 
#15
cripula said:
Ah - NOW I get your pm...

Are you getting a folded horn V4-B cab like mine, or a regular 2x15 cab? If it's the V4-B cab I really advise you to not bother. They're huge, they're really heavy, and they just don't sound that good.

Any 8x10 Ampeg cab will smoke it, and you can find one pretty cheap. The V4-B cab makes the 8x10 look VERY manageable :D

If it's a regular 2x15 cab, forget what I've said and carry on...
Click to expand...

Luckily it's just a regular 2x15, perfect for what I want. I wouldn't want a folded horn cabinet after I saw the size difference!

As for speakers, I'm liking the specs for the EV DL15X. Good frequency response, lots of power.

Seems like it would be hard to go wrong with many of these speakers.

http://www.usspeaker.com/ev dl15x-1.htm
 
#16
sickest beast said:
As for speakers, I'm liking the specs for the EV DL15X. Good frequency response, lots of power.
Click to expand...
They weigh twice what the suggested drivers do, cost a lot more, and don't have as much output capability.:confused:
BTW, EV hasn't used the DL15X in their own high end cabs for quite a few years. That should tell you something.
 
#18
billfitzmaurice said:
They weigh twice what the suggested drivers do, cost a lot more, and don't have as much output capability.:confused:
BTW, EV hasn't used the DL15X in their own high end cabs for quite a few years. That should tell you something.
Click to expand...

400 watts is a lot isn't it?

what benefits do lightweight speakers have over heavier ones? I always thought the better connection with the ground (ei, the heavier the speaker cabinet is) the more easily the cabinet could push out stronger bass frequencies. this is probably bull, but it just always kinda seemed that way to me. Kind of like how I prefer rubber feet over wheels/casters.

I've heard good things about EV speakers, I know Bob Weston and Albini both use them in their homemade speaker cabs, both of whom use a very midrange heavy tone.

Like I said in my original post, I don't know much about speakers, so I appreciate what you guys are doing.
 
#19
Hey Foz,

What made you choose the Eighteensound drivers over the EV drivers? Specs are very close. Price seems close too.

It seems the EV have a slightly higher frequency range, although I wonder how big a difference 1.3Khz makes.

Foz said:
Try and get a high BTL, QTS, Xmax and sensitivity and look at the freqeuncy range [make sure its both low enough and high enough for your needs]

I used a pair of these for the exact same job you are doing with no modification of the cab or the ports... worked great - nice clean punchy mids and highs to go with a tight bottom.

http://www.usspeaker.com/eighteensound-15MB700-1.htm

These were also considered and I reckon they would also work OK

http://www.usspeaker.com/ev dl15x-1.htm

these look pretty good and seem to be pretty popular with the DIY builders here at TB

http://www.usspeaker.com/Kappa Lite-3015lf-1.htm

shop around for prices once you pick a unit.
Click to expand...
 

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