Recommend woofers for my DIY mains

[hbarcat]

I'm putting together a modest PA system for small venues (my classic rock band).

I want to be able to have mains + subs for small gigs (up to about 100 people) with instruments plugged into the board but use only the mains for when we play very small venues and don't need to mic instruments (vocals only or sometimes program music for between sets).

I have so far:

-Mackie VLZ board
-Carvin 3 way stereo active crossover
-Carvin 1000w amp
-Crown 800w amp
-Crest 500w amp
- (2) Carvin PS1100 (Hi Freq drivers)*
- (2) Eminence Kappalite 3015's (subs)
- (2) Carvin CMP210T passive crossovers (bi-ampable)*


So . . . I need to buy woofers and they need to keep up with the other drivers, volume-wise. I was thinking for each main cabinet a single 12" like the Eminence Beta 12A would be enough. When using the subs I would be cutting off around 80 or 90 Hz, anyway, and when not using the subs I would only need them to go down to about 55-60Hz.

Am I off base in thinking these will match up well or do I need to spend more money to get better/more speakers? Am I doing something fundamentally ill advised in trying to make up a system out of these things just because I happen to already own them? I've checked out numerous other threads on cabinet building as well as made a pair of 3 way cabs (15+6+1s) using Winisd and that project turned out okay.

Thanks, in advance for any advice/criticism.







* [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Zooberwerx]

I'm particularly fond of this Bill Fitzmaurice design and it appears to incorporate some of the components on hand, including the 15" drivers, and can be used without the need for subs (although some may be added as necessary).

http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/Omni15.html

Figure if you're going the DIY route, might as well do it right.

Riis

 

[GregShadoan]

Access to a complete wood shop, and cabinet maker would be a prerequisite IMHO.
The above mentioned designs look funny, but you can't argue with those graphs.
Building them correctly will be a BIG plus.
Good Luck. Make sure you account for all your fingers

 

[hbarcat]

Thanks.

 

[MuzikMan]

You probably want to use the Kappalite 3015LF version for the subs.

 

[MuzikMan]

I think your idea of using the betas for tops is good.

 

[rpsands]

3015LF for subs, 2510 IIs or 12s with horns for tops, is how I'd roll. Bridge one amp into the subs and biamp the mains. Use the entire 3-way crossover (or swap it out for a BBE DS24).

You'll get a lot more mileage out of tops if you biamp the mid-woofer and the horn, and use either DSP parametrics or a graphic eq to smooth it out.

 

[Zooberwerx]

You'll get a lot more mileage out of tops if you biamp the mid-woofer and the horn

I always wondered about that vs. using the built-in crossover (my Carvin 1503's offer both options).

Riis

 

[hbarcat]

Thread revival and update.


Decided to tri-amp.

Carvin 3 way stereo X-over

Bottom:
2- 3015LF's, mono sum
Crown XTi 2000 amp

Mids:
4- (2/side) 18Sound 6nd410's
Crown XLS 1500 amp

Highs:
2- PS1100 horns
Crown XLS 1000 amp


I've found that with the ultra compact mid/high cabs it means there's always room to bring two small 15 cabs and never have to worry about not having enough low end. I can also keep the lows in the same spot and stack them vertically.

These Crown class D amps are great. The entire 8 unit rack with 3 amps and X-over with cables and cords weighs less than 50 lbs and having the ability to easily set crossover points makes for much better sound and so much more efficiency. Am very pleased with how this is working out.