Blew a sub last night - need input on a replacement

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

Mac Daddy DJ
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
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www.rickryan.com
Had a rockin' reception going last night. Have a powered sub, 15", 4-ohm eminence kappa driver, 600-watt built-in amp and blew the driver. This is the 2nd time this brand has died on me so I'm going to replace it with something else.

Kinda leaning towards either a Peavy lomax, but can't find a 4-ohm version. I'm seeing a black widow in 4-ohms but it's only $155. Wondering if it's worth the difference in price. Anybody here got an expert opinion on these two (Thunder maybe)?

Thanks in advance.
 
What are the specs of the Eminence driver (RMS/PROGRAM/PEAK)and the amp (RMS or PEAK output) ?
 
Also, you can't just replace with any driver. It must be designed for that size and type of box or you won't get optimal performance from it, or it might even be worse.
 
DJ SVO said:
What are the specs of the Eminence driver (RMS/PROGRAM/PEAK)and the amp (RMS or PEAK output) ?
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It's a kappa 15C, 4-ohm. The cabinet is a pretty standard, ported 15" box, nothing special. The amp is from speakermax:

http://www.speakermax.com/pages/201amp1200l.html

Funny, I could've sworn that amp was saying 4-ohm on cheaplights.com. On this page it's saying 600-watts at 8-ohms. I put an 8-ohm load and it seemed more like a 300-watt box. Maybe I'm just loading it wrong? FWIW, I had been driving my first eminence kappa from a QSC GX5 amp and it toasted after a couple of nights. I'm usually pretty careful to keep it out of clipping so had just chalked this up as trying to use a speaker that was maybe designed for maybe a full-range cab. Thoughts?
 
At this point, I'm a little confused about two things...

1 - How did you match the amp to the speaker driver? You've got to look at the resistance (4 or 8 ohms) as well as the power (wattage) somewhat higher than PEAK, not program or continious. If your amp cant drive clean power up to peak, you're gonna clip and send destuctuve dirty power down the line and destroy the driver.

2 - How did you match the driver to the cabinet? Internal volume, ports, and construction all go into the decision of what driver to use and how effective / efficient it will be.

Flat out, a single 15inch sub isn't my favorite because a sub needs to move a lot of air to make thump. 18s are better choices, but pairs of 18s are even better.

So until you can figure out what your amp and cabinet can do, I really recomend that you consider getting a loaded cabinet. Its so much easier!
 
Are you using a Maximizer or Exciter?
 
CCLark is correct, the first thing you need to determine is what the size of the enclosure is and the port tuning then you can go from there.

As far as using a Peavey BW they are pretty forgiving as to the above but on the power hungry side! The lowmax would be a good choice for a replacement for the kappa but will eat a lot more power!

As for your crossover points drop to 90 or 100 hertz for the sub and let the mains handle anything above that!

As someone else mentioned don't expect tons of heavy bass rumble from a 15" sub, punch you will get deep rumble you will need 18" for that! listen for slap and the first signs of it back off the level on the sub! Your speakers will last a lot longer!

If you want huge sub bass then get at least 4 18's to go with your pair of mains, 15" subs will not perform to the levels you are probably pushing them!
 
Thunder said:
As someone else mentioned don't expect tons of heavy bass rumble from a 15" sub, punch you will get deep rumble you will need 18" for that!..........

If you want huge sub bass then get at least 4 18's to go with your pair of mains, 15" subs will not perform to the levels you are probably pushing them!
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Wrong!:sqrolleyes::sqrolleyes::sqrolleyes::sqrolleyes:

My JBL Scoops have the kind os SPL to give you PUNCH, THUMP & RUMBLE. They are all 16Ohms and the cones hardly move when in operation!
 
ahoustondj said:
Wrong!:sqrolleyes::sqrolleyes::sqrolleyes::sqrolleyes:

My JBL Scoops have the kind os SPL to give you PUNCH, THUMP & RUMBLE. They are all 16Ohms and the cones hardly move when in operation!
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I guess it depends on what you call punch thump and rumble, if you think a Bose table top radio kicks butt, then yes 15 inch 30 year old failed technology may be just the thing for you!:trirolleyes:
 
Thunder said:
I guess it depends on what you call punch thump and rumble, if you think a Bose table top radio kicks butt, then yes 15 inch 30 year old failed technology may be just the thing for you!:trirolleyes:
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D'oh yo:Annoyed::yoDur:

That was a bit harsh.....
 
Can someone call someone else a pirate already? It's only been a week, and already I miss the karaoke people.
 
Okay, so I can spend 3 bills on a lomax and MIGHT end up with a usable (for a while) cab. I'm wondering now if it might be a better choice to pay $1k and get a 1000 watt b-52 cab? BTW, I know 4X18 is a much better choice but I can't haul it. Gotta keep it small and looking for something I can hide under my dj table. I don't want to become known as that wedding dj who hauls in huge p.a. Just looking for dance-able thump for the dance floor.
 
rickryan.com said:
Okay, so I can spend 3 bills on a lomax and MIGHT end up with a usable (for a while) cab. I'm wondering now if it might be a better choice to pay $1k and get a 1000 watt b-52 cab? BTW, I know 4X18 is a much better choice but I can't haul it. Gotta keep it small and looking for something I can hide under my dj table. I don't want to become known as that wedding dj who hauls in huge p.a. Just looking for dance-able thump for the dance floor.
Click to expand...
recently 18"s are not that big,the boxes have gotten a lot smaller over the years.
 
rickryan.com said:
Okay, so I can spend 3 bills on a lomax and MIGHT end up with a usable (for a while) cab. I'm wondering now if it might be a better choice to pay $1k and get a 1000 watt b-52 cab? BTW, I know 4X18 is a much better choice but I can't haul it. Gotta keep it small and looking for something I can hide under my dj table. I don't want to become known as that wedding dj who hauls in huge p.a. Just looking for dance-able thump for the dance floor.
Click to expand...

Is this the one you mean? Sounds like a good choice. Get the newer model shown on the B52 website.

http://www.b-52pro.com/products/ACT18XV2.html

http://www.nlfxpro.com/cart/product.php?productid=572&cat=1018&page=1
 
MIXSIRS said:
Is this the one you mean? Sounds like a good choice. Get the newer model shown on the B52 website.

http://www.b-52pro.com/products/ACT18XV2.html

http://www.nlfxpro.com/cart/product.php?productid=572&cat=1018&page=1
Click to expand...

I love Ben, but that same sub is listed at DJHouse.com for $699. Not to mention, you linked the V2 series on the b-52 website but the 18s on Ben's page. Anybody up on the difference between the 18s and the V2? BTW, that $699 includes free shipping.
 
The ACTPRO18S is a different subwoofer. It doesn't look like NLFX carries them. $699.00 is the going price. Its a more compact sub than the ACT-18X.


ACT-18X differences:

The difference is cabinet dimensions and amplifier class. The new version uses a class H and the old version used a class D. I would buy the new version.
 
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