Who owns a 15" and why do you use em?

[jinithith2]

Sounds great and when I first started out, I couldnt handle the string height needed to avoid fret buzz so 15 inch with no tweeter disguised the buzz perfectly xD. I have since grown the hell away from that habit, but the 15s just stuck. I also like 4X10s when available, but in general I avoid tweeters.

 

[zac2944]

I grew up on 15s too. My first real bass amp was a Fender BXR300 15" combo. I probably weighed 100lbs! I never liked the tone from that amp so sold it and bought a head and a SWR S.O.B. 15". I don't play it much anymore, but I still have that cab. The S.O.B. is great. Very punchy. I hope to get back into playing with a 15" really soon.

My next composite build is going to be a Kappalite 3015LF with a 6" mid driver similar to what Alex has going on. That driver combo is pretty hard to beat. Great even response that goes really low and doesn't hit x-max before thermal limits. Packed in a composite cab it should weigh less than 30lbs.

 

[black_labb]

Nevermind, I REALLY don't need to be adding any more bass to my setup, and to be honest I could do with the 10s/8s for a bit of decent off-axis response when I'm near it, as much as adding a little more attack and mids. The NV isn't all that vintage sounding, it's more one of those kinda modern vintage kinda designs, where you get a nice colourful sound, but made with all the tech knowledge Mr. Bergantino has to offer to improve it. As opposed to a flat lifeless all out hi-fi design. The thing really kicks in the mids for what it is, and has a really nice low punch to it, and some good high mid/low treble definition, could just do with a little more punch and a little more defined mid mids to cut through. Just not quite working out for heavy rock yet, but I didn't wanna go with the 10s cos I'm more of a 15 guy. I'm sure the mid cab will sort it out, if I ever find one I like that is...

I'll probably end up goin with 8s, cos your probably right about the 10s and mid thing. Unless their very low tuned 10s (which I wouldn't want them to be) they would cross over to the mid for alot of what I wanna put through it, so 10s would probably be pretty pointless.

Can appreciate it's very hard work to build properly though, especially by yourself, both look like sweet cabs.

someone should really make a small box with a crossover and mid driver (maybe a tweeter if neccesary) and an output to drive a regular bass cab (used for the lows). only issue would be matching the sensitivity.

 

[zac2944]

someone should really make a small box with a crossover and mid driver (maybe a tweeter if neccesary) and an output to drive a regular bass cab (used for the lows). only issue would be matching the sensitivity.

Probably not an issue if you used a high efficiency mid driver like the 18Sound 6ND410 and a L-Pad. You could just dial it down to match the 15".

 

[GabeN]

I've already got an Acoustic 2x15 but I saw these on craigslist yesterday.

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I'm thinking if I can get them both into my hatchback I'll take 'em. They'd look great ripping off faces under my new Peavey mark 4 which I got for free. 300 watts out of 4x15" for $300 (or less if I can talk him down on the price)!

 

[Passinwind]

someone should really make a small box with a crossover and mid driver (maybe a tweeter if necessary) and an output to drive a regular bass cab (used for the lows). only issue would be matching the sensitivity.

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I've tried these DIY top boxes with commercial bass cabs underneath. The one on the left does have a low pass output for the woofer built into the top box. I have L-pads on both the mid driver and the tweeter. The one on the right is biamped, so sensitivity matching and crossover topology are not big issues unless I try to put a really loud cab underneath. Both sound much better with a matched, purpose-built cab underneath though IME.

 

[Tired_Thumb]

I'm using a Peavey 115BX BW as a standalone right now. At first, I thought it'd be a one trick thump pony, but after hooking my gear into it, I found it's actually a very versatile cabinet, and even some of the sounds I thought would barely counter the envisioned woofing ended up sounding like an army of tweeters. My original plan was to use it with a 210, but it looks like I won't need one, at least for now. So yes, it can get the old school thump, but it can get plenty of modern tones also.

 

[alexclaber]

That Big One cab looks pretty doggone interesting as well. Sounds like you actually use concepts of good audio design rather than throwing speakers in a box. Again, though, too bad you live in the UK for me.

That was the first design, which evolved over the past few years as Greenboy and I kept throwing ideas at each other. We both went through tons of different concepts, speakers, etc before settling on roughly the same design. The Big One differs from the fEarful by a small amount in various dimensions, different midrange speaker, passive crossover (that's taken a lot of work to get right), thinner plywood, different bracing. The Compact evolved from me noting that The Big One sounded pretty good without the midrange speaker, just lacking some top, which the different woofer in The Compact gets you back, plus it's far louder than I need most of the time so why not use something even smaller and lighter.

Nevermind, I REALLY don't need to be adding any more bass to my setup, and to be honest I could do with the 10s/8s for a bit of decent off-axis response when I'm near it, as much as adding a little more attack and mids...

Though of course you could simply replace the NV215 with The Big One! (Sacrilege!) Big bottom from a nice 15", midrange punch, attack and off-axis reponse of the wicked 6.5" Beyma midrange I'm using.

You've got a lot going on there...lightweight, loud, and one great looking cab to boot. If the way it sounds is commensurate with the way it looks, you've got a winner there, mate. If you were on this side of the pond, I would seriously consider placing an order. FWIW, what IS shipping like on something like that stateside? Feel free to PM, thanks.

Thanks! It sounds great - much clearer and punchier than hearsay would have you believe a 15" can. I don't know how much shipping would be but I don't think it's economical due to the USD:GBP exchange rate. Fortunately in the US there's already a host of nice cabs at decent prices, unlike here!

Alex

 

[JimmyM]

That was the first design, which evolved over the past few years as Greenboy and I kept throwing ideas at each other. We both went through tons of different concepts, speakers, etc before settling on roughly the same design. The Big One differs from the fEarful by a small amount in various dimensions, different midrange speaker, passive crossover (that's taken a lot of work to get right), thinner plywood, different bracing. The Compact evolved from me noting that The Big One sounded pretty good without the midrange speaker, just lacking some top, which the different woofer in The Compact gets you back, plus it's far louder than I need most of the time so why not use something even smaller and lighter.

Does that mean Greenboy will be building and selling them in the US? He always yells at me and calls me an idiot, but I'd still buy a cab from him if they sound as good as they look

 

[alexclaber]

Does that mean Greenboy will be building and selling them in the US? He always yells at me and calls me an idiot, but I'd still buy a cab from him if they sound as good as they look

I doubt it, he seems pretty busy as he is! We were both just wanting to make the best speaker for our own needs - I seem to have found myself going into limited production by accident (home improvement avoidance perchance? )...

Alex

 

[Johnny StingRay]

In my younger days I owned a Lab Series amp and a twin 15 Fender cab. I loved that sound. Deep and powerful. It shook my pant legs when I stood in front of it. Now I own a Fender Rumble 100/15 and I love it, too, although I would love to get a bigger head/cab setup. The Rumble is perfect for the venues I play, but if I had the money I'd like to get the Fender TB-600 head and Fender 215 Pro cabinet...............that set-up sounds as close to my old rig as anything I've ever played..........come Lotto, gimme those numbers!!!!! Daddy needs a new rig!

 

[PaulMacCnj]

A 2-10" cab on a 1-15" cab works for me. The 2-10 produces a tight sound and the 1-15" gives that nice, fat bottom end.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

I used a Mesa/Boogie RoadReady 2x15 for 11 years before I traded it in on a SWR Megoliath 8x10. I loved the 2x15 for the smooth, warm low end, and the case itself was ultra-tough. I still think that a train could hit that cab and it would still function. The tone was pretty good with my SWR Studio 220. The only reason that I sold it was because it weighed around 200 lbs. with only side-mounted handles, and I was moving to a second floor apartment! The 8x10 doesn't go quite as deep as the 2x15 did, but it is 50 lbs. lighter and has top and bottom mounted handles. It has a bit less of a low end, but a better punch and tighter top end. I don't regret the trade, but do miss the 2x15!

 

[darkrider1]

Through Trial and error I've put to gether what I think is a Good sounding, Extremly reliable and versitle, low cost rig.

That's some beautiful Peavey gear you've got there!

 

[greenboy]

Does that mean Greenboy will be building and selling them in the US? He always yells at me and calls me an idiot, but I'd still buy a cab from him if they sound as good as they look

Naw, I don't always yell at you. Often I at least partially agree, and even if I didn't, I wouldn't care to be posting all the time ; }

Anyway, I made the cab design and what drivers belong in it available, and there are a number of commercially available crossovers that work in it for those who do not know how or wish to roll their own. To get one made find a cabinetry specialist or a friend with decent woodworking skills to build it for you - all the dimensions are there, and he can pick whatever joinery and gluing methods he is most comfortable with.

Even when I have the time, I hate the woodwork part of the equation, so if I ever went in to production with this and other designs, I'd be subbing out the nasty part so I could play my bass more often ; }

 

[jinithith2]

I grew up on 15s too. My first real bass amp was a Fender BXR300 15" combo. I probably weighed 100lbs! I never liked the tone from that amp so sold it and bought a head and a SWR S.O.B. 15". I don't play it much anymore, but I still have that cab. The S.O.B. is great. Very punchy. I hope to get back into playing with a 15" really soon.

My next composite build is going to be a Kappalite 3015LF with a 6" mid driver similar to what Alex has going on. That driver combo is pretty hard to beat. Great even response that goes really low and doesn't hit x-max before thermal limits. Packed in a composite cab it should weigh less than 30lbs.

another composite build? I will be sure to keep an eye out for that!

 

[JimmyM]

Naw, I don't always yell at you. Often I at least partially agree, and even if I didn't, I wouldn't care to be posting all the time ; }

Anyway, I made the cab design and what drivers belong in it available, and there are a number of commercially available crossovers that work in it for those who do not know how or wish to roll their own. To get one made find a cabinetry specialist or a friend with decent woodworking skills to build it for you - all the dimensions are there, and he can pick whatever joinery and gluing methods he is most comfortable with.

Even when I have the time, I hate the woodwork part of the equation, so if I ever went in to production with this and other designs, I'd be subbing out the nasty part so I could play my bass more often ; }

Dang, always a catch with the efficient designs! Well, who could blame you? Rocking out in Montana is far greater than building a cab in Montana

 

[SwamiRob]

Though of course you could simply replace the NV215 with The Big One! (Sacrilege!) Big bottom from a nice 15", midrange punch, attack and off-axis reponse of the wicked 6.5" Beyma midrange I'm using.

If I had the money, and I could convince my band and have an amp powerful enough to drive 4 of them that might be tempting. We're pretty heavy and i'm up against 2 guitars and need the whole wall of speakers effect to manage...

someone should really make a small box with a crossover and mid driver (maybe a tweeter if neccesary) and an output to drive a regular bass cab (used for the lows). only issue would be matching the sensitivity.

that'd be pretty cool, although I wouldn't wanna do it cos of the NV215s awesome mid driver.

 

[rhyharmel]

Thanks! It sounds great - much clearer and punchier than hearsay would have you believe a 15" can. I don't know how much shipping would be but I don't think it's economical due to the USD:GBP exchange rate. Fortunately in the US there's already a host of nice cabs at decent prices, unlike here!

Alex

I bet it sounds great. Hmm...true, there are some nice cabs around, but a really good cab with a 15" is hard to come by, not to mention to find one that is light, clear and punchy. Very nice.

Don

 

[anonymous101511]

Where's Vail Johnson for this thread?

HI!
I prefer the 15's for their more 'natural' sounding bottom end than any 10" I've heard. They can be quite a bit quicker than 10's as well, since they don't have to utilize such extreme excursion to get the low end. I like the GK neo 15's though I wsh they made a double 15 cab. I use a couple single neo 15's for club work. I use the 4x12" neo cabs for live gigs as the PA is taking the load for bottom end; there, the extra mid clarity of the 12's is helpful for a large stage.
A great 2x15 cab without a tweeter would use EVM 15L speakers, nice and bright without any harshness you get from a lot of tweeters. Some people say 'well I have 8 or 16 10's so it gets a lot of bottom', but that's not really true. What you have is a lot of low mid/high bass; having more speakers that only give you 80hZ is just a lot more 80 hZ. When you try to get 40hZ out of 10's you compromise the response of the rest of the spectrum to a degree that the speakers sound artificial and just plain strange.
Never ever seen a PA with 10's for the low end; what does that tell you???? Heck, guitar players even use 12's; why would a bassist use a smaller speaker? This is such a no- brainer, I am amazed we're even talking about it.