Which 15s for a 2x15 sealed cab

[AstroSonic]

Actually, I have a bit of a question here. I have a Traynor YS-15, with what I imagine is a CB-158 in it. It honestly sounds amazing for bass, though I think it's a bit big internally for "ideal" with that driver (about 2.5 or so cubic feet gross internal volume, sealed). I'm about to pursue some pretty big career changes, and won't be pursuing music much in the near future. That said, I'd still like to play into a rig with some mojo, hence why I got the cabinet. Anyways, I'd like to pop in another driver that could do well in this kind of cab with both bass (up to the 300 watts my PF500 would put out), and guitar (with a Valve Junior). Now, I wouldn't be using this thing full throttle with the PF-500 very often if at all, and if somebody offers me enough I might not even have the PF-500, might get a smaller 200 watt one or a PF-350, or even a PF-50T after a few paycheques.

Anyways, would a Delta 15a have a bit more high-end to work for guitar (acoustic and electric), but still have decent power handling for bass? My other idea was honestly to get a really cheap 15" driver, and replace the cone on it with a much lighter one to help with high-end - but that's an immense crapshoot, though I've found parts that could work.

I think the Beta 15a would be a better match for that sealed cab - deeper bass, more Xmax and more highs. Not sub-lows, but lots of punch. A Delta 15LFA would also work well, but would have less prominent highs - maybe not so good for guitar.

Sorry to hear you will not be playing as much. Hope your career change works out for the best.

 

[pie_man_25]

I think the Beta 15a would be a better match for that sealed cab - deeper bass, more Xmax and more highs. Not sub-lows, but lots of punch. A Delta 15LFA would also work well, but would have less prominent highs - maybe not so good for guitar.

Sorry to hear you will not be playing as much. Hope your career change works out for the best.

It's also cheaper and I think a bit lighter to boot. I'm just not sure if 700 Hz is enough extra high end. I'm not asking for the shelter highs out anything Marshall-esque, just a bit of bluesy top-end. Maybe I should make a separate thread about it or something.

Also, I'm happy to have my employment opportunities, and don't regret the extent to which I've been able to practice music, I've been in some bands, played in some sessions, and was offered a contract to play in some pretty high tier cities in China, but turned it down for my current offer. I'm honestly a bit excited to take a bit of a break to re-assess my skills and write and release some of my own material at a pace with which I'm comfortable.

 

[kringle77]

Im currently running 3 beta 15's and they sound great. I'll have a new pair of bp1525 woofers with aluminum dust caps to assess next week. Can't wait.

 

[pie_man_25]

Im currently running 3 beta 15's and they sound great. I'll have a new pair of bp1525 woofers with aluminum dust caps to assess next week. Can't wait.

I'm pretty stoked to hear some soundclips or at least see some pics.

 

[kringle77]

There will be some coming along. I'll probably build the cabs first instead of using the bag ends as test cabs. I'm waiting to try the recapped bp1525 to see which driver will go in the new cabs.

 

[mobax]

I have two custom built sealed cabinets with one EVM-L speaker in each. I used these cabinets with a 1970's SVT with good results. That said, I definitely prefer my Epifani ul115 cabinets to the sealed cabinets loaded wth the EVM-L speakers.

 

[kringle77]

I'm at a gig right now. The betas sound great but, the band I'm filling in with us craking loud. The betas are getting a little dirty. I'll hopefully try the recapped bp1525 woofers next week. Way more power handling. I'm not kidding, this band is loud. My ears are ringing, and I'm using earplugs!

 

[AstroSonic]

I'm at a gig right now. The betas sound great but, the band I'm filling in with us craking loud. The betas are getting a little dirty. I'll hopefully try the recapped bp1525 woofers next week. Way more power handling. I'm not kidding, this band is loud. My ears are ringing, and I'm using earplugs!

You think it's the drivers and not the amp or the cab alignment?

 

[kringle77]

If you need more bottom, you would need to add more cab volume. Plenty of watts. I've got the betas in small cabs. I'm rethinking my design and putting the bp1525 in a 2.5 to 3 cuft box.

 

[kringle77]

That's why live gigs must be done. I don't normally use much bottom but, the band I sub'd with last night and the room we were in could have used a fatter, flatter bottom.

 

[bassboysam]

what about the Legend CB15? I have 4 of them in 2 2x15 sealed cabs. they sound quite good, lots of power handling and don't distort.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I too am curiouser and curiouser about sealed fifteens. I may get into cabinetry.

I have an Ampeg 2 x 15 sealed folded-v cabinet, great punch and throws the volume while keeping stage volume reasonable, not useful in some places.

 

[kringle77]

The bp1525 is THE best sealed driver eminence makes.

 

[Bass 45]

I just built a 2x15 (thumbnail image below) and used two Beta 15a's. The cab sounds great - very punchy and can get pretty darned loud.

I have used the 15a's in other cabs and always had good experience with them - I thought that they always sounded good and I never blew one out - they are cheap and lightweight. Some of the cabs that I've used them in include: Ampeg B15E/B15R (sealed), Ampeg B115E (ported) and an Ampeg SVR215 (ported).

I did install the Betas and did a sound check before I cut/installed the ports in my 215 build - but I think it sounds better with the ports - it has remained tight - but bigger sounding.

 

[kringle77]

Nice job! The betas are a very good off the shelf driver for bass. I just got a pair of bp1525 drivers with custom aluminum dust caps last night. I'm currently building a pair of sealed 15/6 cabs that are similar to the nv115 but lighter. I have a pair of stock bp1525 on order and will be comparing the two. The cabs will be 2.5cuft.

 

[BadExample]

I just got a pair of bp1525 drivers with custom aluminum dust caps last night.

No sound clips yet? Oh, yah, some people sleep at night (it only took me 7 or 8 months to complete my last one month project ).

 

[kringle77]

I can crank out a pair of cabs like these in about 7 days. I have to wait a day for each coat of duratex and prefer to do 3 coats. This includes running for materials. The first 3 days are a lot of work. I played the aluminum capped driver for a minute and then put some low frequency break in noise on it for about 30 minutes. The sound started to develops but I can tell it is nowhere near its potential yet. I'm looking forward to comparing it to the stock version. The stock will go into the 15/6 cabs and the aluminum capped ones will be for another project or may eventually be sold. I'm going to sell my 3 beta15a's because the bp1525 will have the same low and mid profile but, handle much more power. The 6" mid of course, will go higher and improve dispersion. I think the aluminum capped bp1525 will end up sounding like a much more powerful beta, the top end may be a bit nicer. This is fun!

 

[Rick James]

I definitely prefer my Epifani ul115 cabinets to the sealed cabinets loaded wth the EVM-L speakers.

You should, the EVM15L specs are the exact opposite of what you want in a sealed cab. They're not all that great ported either, the Qes is too low for good bass response. Of course now we'll hear from a few guys who'll rave over how much they like them, but compared to what?