15” speakers (any and all thoughts welcomed)

[Nick Fryer]

Let’s talk 15s

Gimme any and all thoughts.

Brands, pros/cons, 15 vs 12 vs 10, likes/dislikes, in open back vs closed back, classic 15s, modern 15s, sonic characteristics, you name it, gimme the goods!

- NF

[Kyle Van Koevering]

I'm about as far from an expert as you could be so take this with a grain of salt. I've got a Peavey BW-1501 and an Eminence PF-400. Both sound great and I don't have any complaints about either. I don't notice much of a difference between the two. I play a 12 string and they handle the highs and lows very well. I personally think they sound a bit better than the various 12" guitar speakers I tried before I bought these. I've only played them in an open back cabinet I got from Tommy Huff, and with a Stereo Steel amplifier.

[Dave Grafe]

OOOH a fresh can of worms

A JBL K130 or E130" 15" will get the most out of every watt you send it. Others may serve well but this is where the standard is set for efficiency, response, and clarity. The ceramic magnet E series are louder and heavier and can handle more power, some prefer them but I like the lighter Alnico. All this applies to the K120 12" as well.

Peavey's Black Widow series is designed after the JBL and has a distinctive tonality that many steelers cut their teeth on, well worth trying out.

Altec's 417 and 418 are in the conversation with slightly lower efficiency due to a 3" diameter voice coil as opposed to the 4" of the JBL and BW, but this is more than offset by an exceptionally clear, warm and smooth response with the high end topping out as much as two octaves above many popular guitar speakers. A big favorite of steelers and six-string-slingers alike, If you like shimmer in your sound this is your honey.

Eminence and Celestion both make a lot of guitar speakers that are not particularly stellar for traditional pedal steel guitars, and even the FENDER Custom "modeled after the JBL D130F" by Eminence falls a wee bit short when compared to those already mentioned.

Lighter weight Neomag speakers are increasingly popular as they cost less to make and reduce weight substantially. Weber and Telonics both have produced neo speakers specifically tailored to steel guitarists that pop up used on the forum regularly. A lot of steelers swear by the Eminence EPS15-C, and the newer Travis Toy signature TT12 is a keeper for its deep warm sound, although I am not as enthused by the TT15.

Impedance is another matter for another mind, my work here is done.

[Ian Rae]

I'm sure all the worms in this can are fresh. I have a pair of Telonics 15" open cabs which sound fantastic. I play a uni 12 through them with all manner of synth sounds that contain a lot of bass, and I also play my fretless bass through them and that sounds fantastic too. Would 12" speakers sound as good?
Possibly not, but I'm not interested in finding out

[Nick Fryer]

Any specific thoughts on the Weber Neo 15”?

What about JBL M30? I have one and it’s great at low volume but seems to not be able to hang in with a full band. Maybe it needs magnet recharge? Who are the “go to” people doing recone and magnet recharge?

Thanks for all the info and thoughts.
Very helpful

[Tim Whitlock]

Any specific thoughts on the Weber Neo 15”?

I tried a few speakers in my Twin Reverb. JBL D130F, Weber NeoMag 15, Altec 418b, Eminence Legend 1518 and Jensen Neo 15. By a wide margin the Jensen was the worst of the lot. Very harsh and spiky. To be honest, I did not give it a chance to get broken in because the sound was so unpleasant. On the other end of the spectrum the Altec was far and away the winner. Clear and warm with an addictive, silky top end. The only downside was I wasted a lot of practice time just noodling and basking in the tone.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I had an M31 JBL. It was very similar to the D130, so great sound but low power handling. The M30 is similar.

If you are looking for someone to recone/recondtition JBL's, Black Widows or any speaker, you can contact our forum brother Jeffrey Maxwell. You should be able to find his contact info either in electronics posts or in the members search. He has done drivers for many members and comes highly recommended. He can also tell you about his hybrid recones.

Concerning 15's and types of speakers, I have used the aforementioned M series JBL's that came in the old single channel Sho-Bud amps, D130 and D130F, D140...all with low power handling capability so afraid to drive them hard. Also the K130 which was a much more powerful speaker.

I have compared and A/B' ed them with the Peavey Black Widow 1501-4 series back and forth several times. I guess I'm just not a JBL guy.

I also had a pair of Weber neomags of the rigid frame 75 W model. They sounded very similar to the JBL they are modeled after and handled the power of my stereo rig just fine without any worries of hurting them.

My favorite speaker is one recent edition of BW 1501 in my own built closed and ported kick back cabinet. People that know about such cabinet theory have told me the design wouldn't deliver good sound or be very efficient. They may be right, but I love it. I don't see any issues and the sound is terrfic.

PB270395.JPG

I also have a pair of 12" BW's in home built cabs that I use with the stereo rig. I also used a combination of 15 and 12 in a stereo rig for many years.

I find the 12's have something about the midrange that I like better and the bottom is also tighter. So either or, works for a particular situation with the 15 having the overall characteristics I prefer.

[Nick Fryer]

Jerry- thanks for all that great info. Good to know some info on the JBL M series. It’s strange because I have the M31 in my ShoBud single channel and it’s incredibly loud but the M30 in a cab powered by a Quilter amp just wasn’t cutting. Not sure what’s with that but must just be underpowered. I also really love 12s, both single and 2x12

[Lee Rider]

I've A/B'd a JBL D-130f, Altec 418B and Sica neo. For my ears (which are not pristine) the Altec is the most pleasing....

[Ian Rae]

I forgot when I was enthusing about my 15" cabs to mention that they are made by Telonics. I believe that means they are Eminence units

[Ian Worley]

I tend to favor 12" speakers for steel, but I have an old EV SRO15 "coffee can" from the early '70s that sounds really great. It has a very smooth character, probably just a product of it's age (and some hard miles in my bass rig when I was a much younger man). The caveat is that it weighs probably 25 lbs+, close to 40 lbs in the cab.

[Richard Sinkler]

My favorites are JBL K130 and Black Widow 1502.

[David Ball]

I've used JBL d130/d140s, Altec 417 and 418 (along with some of the 515s and others for hifi use), Eminence neos and others. My current favorite is a fairly recent Standel D130 clone. I really like using the 15 along with a 2-10 cabinet. Seems to get the best of both worlds.

I've never been that fond of the neo speakers, though I do have an Eminence neo 12 that I really like for electric guitar. And I definitely like the lighter weight.

To me, a good 15 is about the best.

Dave

[Tim Whitlock]

Any specific thoughts on the Weber Neo 15”?

Nick I forgot to mention the Weber Neo 15 I tried in my twin Reverb. I very much liked the sound. It's very close to a JBL D130F but smoother on the top end. However, rated at 75 watts, it would crap out when things got loud. It would probably be fine a 50 watt amp.

[Rex Magee]

I just joined the Steel Guitar Forum this morning have play a ShoNuff 3X4 by Growler Steel Guitars. I use my 1974 Vintage Tweed Peavey Classic 50 amp. It has two original 12” Emience speakers. I love the sound of 12’’s. But I’ve thought of getting an amp with a 15 but I don’t think it’s going to make much difference. I figure that the 15 would be good for the C6 neck or the Universal 12 steel’s. I have been researching and was looking at Trace Elliott amps. I have been thinking of going smaller because the Peavey I have is heavy. Gary Sill in Mt Zion Indiana talked about this Trace Elliott bass micro head with the Trace Elliott 10”bass cabinet. Perfect for small venues and even some big gigs. He said it would be a good system for pedal steel guitar. It has a studio quality XLR out direct to PA. I’m thinking seriously going this route. The 10” speaker will give you enough high end and the bass cabinet good low end as well. Not to mention how easy it would be to setup and take down at a gig. Here’s some specs:
Trace Elliot ELF 200-watt Micro Bass Head
200-watt, 4-ohm Micro Bass Head with 3-band EQ, Gain, and Volume Controls headphone jack on the front as well. I’m really considering going this route. There’s always new ways to do things. Steel guitar has been advancing in every area today. I like trying new things.

[Nick Fryer]

I’m thinking about trying either the PF or TT Eminence 15”. Anybody have any thoughts on how they compare? I’m sure both are great. Curious what is different about them.

[Tim Toberer]

I realize this isn't a popular choice these days but I have a Weber 15A125 which is a replacement for the Jensen P15Q. I really enjoy this speaker and it seems to work just as well for guitar. These are considered severely underpowered by todays standard, but I don't need a ton of volume, and I want a bit of breakup when it is pushed. At lower volumes it is a very clean and pure sounding speaker. I am no expert, but I have heard that these behave similar to old field coil speakers. I try not to obsess over this stuff anymore, so for better or worse, I am sticking with this one! It is also very light for a 15" at 6lbs.

[Mark Perrodin]

i am glad that Ian W. brought up the EV SRO15. i was afraid i was the only one using a coffee can. it replaced an Altec 415B in my brownface Pro. the amp is ridiculously heavy but has a very sweet tone. sounds fantastic with steel or 6 string guitar.

[George Piburn]

Hello from George Boards

In 1995 I become a certified JBL and Certified EV along with many other brands Reconer as well as warranty service center operator. Long speech means I'm supposed to know about the 120 - 130 - 140 variations over the decades. Same deal with EV - SRO Cans , SRO ceramic L-15 and so on.

SRO Cans , - have a lifetime transferable warranty contact EV Buchanan Michigan and request a return authorization to get FREE service. L-15 and others recones ar readily available in aftermarket suppliers and pretty easy to install.

JBL's 1960's through 90's for the most part all use the same magnet with some having narrower VC gaps on older items particularly D series Alnico. The visual tip off is the narrows tend to have a more golden color to them at the Voice Coil plate. These can be reconed with modern kits , but extra care is required to keep them from rubbing the coil. The Later Ceramic Series same magnet different frames for 12 - 15 -18 have wider gaps an a more forgiving to recone. The Magnet is the same for all 12 - 15 -18 only the frame is different. Same thing on EV Ceramics, 1 magnet several frames.

M designations are a JBL thing from way back for models sold to OEM amp manufacturers, same thing with Orange colored frames, sold mostly to Fender.

Now back to the Question about the Current M series you have. -- It is unlikely to need a magnetic recharge.

A modern Recone is the ticket - there is a forum member in Texas I believe , Jeff Maxwell, currently doing recones, If you want to do it yourself, contact Simply Speakers and get a 130 Kit.
It used to be the big place to go to called Orange County Speaker , I am fairly certain they sold to another company I do not know the name.

For Altec there is a place in Oklahoma City Called Great Plains Audio, that bought out ALTEC and Gauss - those folks still service and sell all sorts of Altec goodies.

Hope this helps you.

[Nick Fryer]

Thanks George. Very helpful info.

Part of me also thinks I just want to get a totally modern high powered neo 15” like the TT and just leave the JBL as is for home practice as it sounds really great a low-moderate volume.

Thanks again.

[Tony Oresteen]

I have a number of Weber 15s - the ceramic California 15. It's a great sounding speaker that I use with my Plexi 50 clone, my Deluxe Reverb RI, my Carvin VT50, and with a 1959 Rickenbacker M12 amp. Good all around speaker. My bass rig has a BW15 - it sound sweet.

[Jim Pitman]

I prefer the original 1501-4 black widow with the spider decal on the back. It has it all for me. It sounds a bit better than the later era BW to me. I've tried neos and own an original JBL D130 in a cabinet too. I still prefer the original BW.

[Donny Hinson]

With everything else being equal, a 15" will sound louder than a 12" because it has more radiating area. There is also usually a bit more low end because the larger 15" cone size has a lower resonance.

Like Ian, I find the EV-SRO series the best, tonally...but they're unGodly heavy! I also like the fact that they don't have aluminum domes which can make a speaker "ice-picky" in an open-backed cabinet.