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Replacing speakers for Ampeg SVT 210 AV
- Thread starter WeaponX
- Start date
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,008
- 5
- 220,832
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
There’s no way for you to determine the original speaker’s most important specs.
I recommend waiting for the original replacements.
I recommend waiting for the original replacements.
What amp head were you using when the speakers failed? Were you trying to get this 210 cab LOUD and found out it could not do it anymore?
I am asking these questions because you might make the same mistake again. I highly suspect your tone settings and volume goals are not aligning. You might need a bigger rig.
I am asking these questions because you might make the same mistake again. I highly suspect your tone settings and volume goals are not aligning. You might need a bigger rig.
I was using the Ampeg micro VR Head , it was pretty loud, I used this setup for a year and a half and have been taking good care of it i usually adjust it while playing. It was all good until it blew up during a jam session with my band, I guess I let it go for too long while it was hitting the limit.
In over 25 years of playing, I have NEVER damaged a cabinet and/or looked into replacing speakers. I highly suggest you do not replace the speakers and look into a used 410 cab. You should also look into a higher wattage head.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,008
- 5
- 220,832
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Are you positive it’s the speakers and not the amp or speaker cable? Have you tried the amp with another known good speaker and cable?
Now that I think about it, it could be the amp, I forgot to add this but it might’ve gotten too hot? It had a burning smell to it. Haven’t tested out with another speaker, I don’t have another one to test it out with but I have tried with another cable, I could try it with another cable and see how it sounds.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,008
- 5
- 220,832
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
It would really suck to replace the speakers only to find out that you replaced perfectly good speakers and you still have a problem. That’s an expensive way to attempt a repair
Definitely need to check the amp IMHO. The burned smell is a pretty strong indicator of damage.
The SVT210AV is not really the right tool to pound out massive volume. It's an 8 ohm cab rated for 200W. However it should be relatively safe with the Micro VR. Per BGM's Amp Lab, the Micro VR can deliver about 160W at 8 ohms and 259W at 4 ohms. I would think one SVT210AV should be relatively safe at 160W. If you run two, they will split 259W evenly, so 129.5W per cab. Even better, adding a second cab should give you about 5dB more headroom. However there are posts that suggest the Micro VR tends to struggle when pushing two cabs hard.
FYI the SVT210AV rolls off the low end pretty high:
Notice the frequency response graph. The cabs appears to roll off at 12dB per octave starting about 130hz.
The test results say that average sensitivity 200hz to 900hz is 103.52. By 65hz, the sensitivity should be down by at least 12dB (probably closer to 15dB): 103.52 - 12 = 91.52dB 1W/1m.
So the cab is pretty inefficient below 100hz. This is why it's not a good cab for heavy lows.
I believe the official Ampeg Sensitivity rating for the SVT210AV is 97.8dB, but as you see in the frequency response graph, it varies by frequency.
Here is where I got the "Official Sensitivity."
The SVT210AV is not really the right tool to pound out massive volume. It's an 8 ohm cab rated for 200W. However it should be relatively safe with the Micro VR. Per BGM's Amp Lab, the Micro VR can deliver about 160W at 8 ohms and 259W at 4 ohms. I would think one SVT210AV should be relatively safe at 160W. If you run two, they will split 259W evenly, so 129.5W per cab. Even better, adding a second cab should give you about 5dB more headroom. However there are posts that suggest the Micro VR tends to struggle when pushing two cabs hard.
FYI the SVT210AV rolls off the low end pretty high:
Notice the frequency response graph. The cabs appears to roll off at 12dB per octave starting about 130hz.
The test results say that average sensitivity 200hz to 900hz is 103.52. By 65hz, the sensitivity should be down by at least 12dB (probably closer to 15dB): 103.52 - 12 = 91.52dB 1W/1m.
So the cab is pretty inefficient below 100hz. This is why it's not a good cab for heavy lows.
I believe the official Ampeg Sensitivity rating for the SVT210AV is 97.8dB, but as you see in the frequency response graph, it varies by frequency.
Here is where I got the "Official Sensitivity."
You ALWAYS check through the path from bass to speakers.
Plug that head into known good speakers and see what it sounds like.
Plug a known good amp into the 210's and see what you get.
You only want to fix what's broken. Start just changing parts willy-nilly is expensive.
BTW, if at all possible, you always replace blown speakers in a bass cabinet with replacement originals, not just something that fits in the hole(s).
Plug that head into known good speakers and see what it sounds like.
Plug a known good amp into the 210's and see what you get.
You only want to fix what's broken. Start just changing parts willy-nilly is expensive.
BTW, if at all possible, you always replace blown speakers in a bass cabinet with replacement originals, not just something that fits in the hole(s).
Experience is a cruel teacher - you get the test first, and then the lesson.
If they are Eminence speakers, contact Eminence for the specs. I did that for my PF210 cab and they sent the TS specs. There should be some sort of model/part no. on the back of the speakers. If not, they can ID the speaker from the cab model. This is the PF210 spec.
Great cab but long out of production and heavy by today's standard. Make sure it's healthy as factory drivers and recone kits are no longer available.
