Speakers for a ported 2x12 cabinet?

[space pulse]

I have an old Ampeg SVT 212E cabinet that I found really cheap and am having a difficult time finding speakers to replace the old speakers that are all dried out and falling apart. One speaker is still somewhat functional and the cab sounds good, so I'd really like to get this thing fully operational again. I like the idea of the Eminence Legend BP122, but the specs are recommending it for sealed or vented enclosures, and my cabinet is definitely ported. Is that going to be a problem? I see these Invalid Link Removedbut worry that my little 300 watt mesa will have a hard time driving two 350 watt speakers. This is the cabinet I want to really rock out on. My Mesa Powerhouse 212 just has too much headroom as it is. Anybody got any advice? I know there are a few threads about 12" bass speakers, but nobody seems to ask about ported cabs in them as far as I could tell. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Maybe some one who has swapped the speakers in that particular cab will chime in.

Otherwise, you need to post accurate measurements of the cabs dimensions. Height, Width, and depth. Adjusted for material thickness as well as number of ports, diameter if round or height and width of slots and length of ports to get an ideal of total air space and cab tuning for modeling and suggestions of non OEM drivers.

 

[Passinwind]

I I see these Invalid Link Removedbut worry that my little 300 watt mesa will have a hard time driving two 350 watt speakers.

The power rating of the speakers doesn't tell you anything about how loud they'll get (or won't) with a given amount of power input. You need to look at the driver sensitivity ratings to suss that. The power rating is the maximum they'll take before melting, not how much they "need." Link Removed

 

[BogeyBass]

Blah blah blah
the cab is fine just put a pair of basslites so2012 or a pair of beta 12a2
and yes definitely stay away from the cheap mcms

 

[popcat]

I like the idea of the Eminence Legend BP122, but the specs are recommending it for sealed or vented enclosures, and my cabinet is definitely ported. Is that going to be a problem?

Not quite sure what you meant, but vented and ported are used interchangeably. However, sound performance and the porting (size/length) are interdependent with cabinet size and various speaker parameters.

You may be able to get your speakers rebuilt (re-coned) cheaper than buying new ones.

 

[basscooker]

I use those MCM's in my 212. They like a smallish ported box. IDK if they're a great match for that particular cab you have, though. I've got them in a 3.3 or so cuft box tuned just above Fs. They are a bit low in sensitivity, and don't have tons of high end. They do a really good job for an old school sound and get along really well with some grind. They are heavy. Also, by the time you get them into breakup, you're really moving some air. In my cab, they modeled under Xmax at 750 watts (as a pair). I've had them taking all a PF500 has to give before clipping. If they happen to be a good fit for your cab, I think you'll be happy with the results.

IDK why so much distaste for the brand, myself. I have had zero problems with any (even the $20 ones I use for my 1x10 and 1x12 cabs) being bad. They perform well when they are used in an appropriate box. Yes, they all come in low on sensitivity, but have nice Xmax and a really strong voice through the midrange. They do need to be pushed a bit to break in, though, unlike some other brands (one good loud rehearsal opens them up). That could just be a function of the larger manufacturers choosing to break them in during production though, dunno.

Every producer will have a failure rate. The MCM's are inexpensive Chinese-made drivers. No argument there. I personally have never had one of their woofers fail or arrive bad. I HAVE had a bad Eminence shipped to me by US Speaker, and two bad Dayton Audio woofers, though. Sure, the retailers took the returns and the situations were remedied, but I'm still waiting for these "cheap MCM" speakers to show me they're sooooo awful. YMMV.