Question about swapping speakers

[TheVoiceless]

Hey Tb,

So I have a 1x15 and 4x10 GK bass cabs. I would have to guess they are close too 8 years old (from 2001-03). I was debating on whether it was cheaper/smarter to replace the speakers or just get new cabs? I really have no idea of what "good" or what speakers I would replace them with. I would usually just get GK Neo's. But they are pricey and want to see if I can create my own Frankenstein that may give me my own unique sound.

I use a GK1001RB-II for amplification an the cabs are set at 8ohms. A couple of things I have considered were that if I do just switch the speakers I should be saving money. Also I can pair two different types of 10's to create a unique tone, also possibly get better low end from a better 15" speaker. These cabs are 1/2" so I could also upgrade them to speakon possibly. But from what I understand there is no difference form speakon to 1/2" except the locking device. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I play metal in a drop tuning (cgcf) with an Alembic Elan through a Keeley 4 knob compressor with a customized Voodoo Labs sparkle drive through the effects loop for distortion/grit. Just to give you an idea of the application.

So if anyone has an opinion I would really like to hear what some options are.

Thanks!!!

 

[rpsands]

You'd need to measure the cabinets and figure out their tuning frequency, and whether you can change it. If the box size and tuning is right, replacing them with modern neos could really improve your sound.

I don't think you should be striving for a Frankenstein with a unique sound but for something with a good sound, just this man's opinion.

The big question you need to ask yourself is: What is wrong with the current boxes? Are they not loud enough, not low enough, not working? What's the deal?

 

[rbonner]

Wasn't it just last week a guy had an 810 with a board across the bottom 4 speakers and somebody shoved in 15"? Have at it; it appears to be a proven modification. Seen first here on the Internet.

 

[TheVoiceless]

well basically I would like my 15" to push a little more low end and my 10"s to have better clarity. I am assuming that the speakers are worn at this point and would be more cost efficient then getting speakers and cabs. Also I know NEO's are lighter which would be nice in the 4x10.

I would not be apposed to getting a custom setup (cabs and speakers) which I had originally planned on doing, DR.BASS to be exact but I thought I could save some dough and get a nice result by switching speakers

 

[rpsands]

I think you'd spend around 400 bucks replacing all the speakers.

To get a fairly close sensitivity match, I would get:
4 basslite s2010's for the 4x10 (wired series/parallel to 8 ohms)
1 kappalite 3015 (non-LF) for the 1x15

That said you really want to measure the cab tuning and be sure.

I expect you would gain quite a bit of max SPL and also quite a bit of clarity if you're drop tuning.

 

[Thor]

Your best result will be to do the following.

Measure the internal dimensions of each cabinet. Calculate
the internal volume.

Down load WinISD linked in the Amp FAQ's.

Load the T/S parameters of your speaker choices into the
program and model the resulting frequency curves. Make choices
based on the resulting curves.

Randomly putting drivers into a cab is like throwing crap at
a wall, you have no idea of the result and it's probably
going to stink.

If the existing drivers are working and not farting out,
they are fine. The voice coil is suspended in the slot
of the magnet and does not touch the magnet unless
you overdrive the drivers resulting in overexcursion.
That is a typical cause of failure though, so if they are
still working, no problem.

A better bet is just sell your cabs and buy something else
you like.

 

[TheVoiceless]

Your best result will be to do the following.

Measure the internal dimensions of each cabinet. Calculate
the internal volume.

Down load WinISD linked in the Amp FAQ's.

Load the T/S parameters of your speaker choices into the
program and model the resulting frequency curves. Make choices
based on the resulting curves.

Randomly putting drivers into a cab is like throwing crap at
a wall, you have no idea of the result and it's probably
going to stink.

If the existing drivers are working and not farting out,
they are fine. The voice coil is suspended in the slot
of the magnet and does not touch the magnet unless
you overdrive the drivers resulting in overexcursion.
That is a typical cause of failure though, so if they are
still working, no problem.

A better bet is just sell your cabs and buy something else
you like.

The speakers in the cabs are fine, just not up to par for what I am listening for. I believe they are the weak link. So its more a matter of preference. I will try that tonight. See what dimensions I am working with. Also based on my descriptions if you have any cab/speaker combos that you would suggest I wouldn't mind taking a look at other manufacturers. But then again if I would go that route I would probably just get newer GK Neo's so they were matched with the GK1001RB-II.

 

[TheVoiceless]

I think you'd spend around 400 bucks replacing all the speakers.

To get a fairly close sensitivity match, I would get:
4 basslite s2010's for the 4x10 (wired series/parallel to 8 ohms)
1 kappalite 3015 (non-LF) for the 1x15

That said you really want to measure the cab tuning and be sure.

I expect you would gain quite a bit of max SPL and also quite a bit of clarity if you're drop tuning.

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah $400 is a good price range. I will measure my cabs tonight. And download that file from the amps page. This is not an emergency so I would like to do what is best. If it means spending the money on new cabs/speakers so be it. Just looking to save some dough for other bass toys

 

[Thor]

The speakers in the cabs are fine, just not up to par for what I am listening for. I believe they are the weak link. So its more a matter of preference. I will try that tonight. See what dimensions I am working with. Also based on my descriptions if you have any cab/speaker combos that you would suggest I wouldn't mind taking a look at other manufacturers. But then again if I would go that route I would probably just get newer GK Neo's so they were matched with the GK1001RB-II.

The fallacy there is that the drivers need to be matched
to the cabinet, the amp is not the design issue in the inherent
frequency response of the box.

Thus the use of the computer modeling program. Prior to
the development of Thiele/Small parameters, cab designers
used trial and error to see what performed best. You are
in a postion to avoid that with current technology and to
maximize the performance of your cab; if you choose to
explore this path, your chances of a successful outcome are
MUCH better.

 

[Wes Whitmore]

I have the internal measurements of the 4x10 sbx and 2x10 rbh combos. Both are pretty much 1ft3 per driver.
Wes