Neodymium speakers in FET 500

Bud Harger · Post by **Bud Harger** » 10 Dec 2016 12:39 pm

In an effort to lighten the load of my FET 500, LV, I am considering replacing the 15" JBL with a lightweight neodymium speaker.

Has anybody tried that? Do you like it?

As it is, this amp is just too heavy for me.

I would appreciate your advice.

bUd

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 10 Dec 2016 12:55 pm

The amp might sound a little different, but nobody besides you will notice.

We're all getting older and need lighter gear.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 10 Dec 2016 2:01 pm

I've used and loved both the Eminence Kappalite and the Sica Neo.
Do they sound exactly like a JBL or the Black Widow? No.
But I had zero difficulty in getting my sound out of them.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 10 Dec 2016 7:08 pm

Click Here

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 11 Dec 2016 3:19 am

Last time I checked, Ken was no longer selling the SICA speakers as they quit drop shipping them.

I have a 12" SICA and was considering another a year or so ago but they were no longer listed, at the time.

I had an Evans SE-200 and it came with an Eminence 2515 neodymium speaker.

Bud Harger · Post by **Bud Harger** » 11 Dec 2016 5:24 am

The speaker in my Evans is 4 ohm.

An 8 ohm neodymium Eminence is available from a steeler locally.
Would an 8 ohm speaker be a problem? There's plenty of power in the FET 500.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 11 Dec 2016 6:58 am

The SE-200 was rated 200 watts into 4 ohms but the stock factory speaker was an 8 ohm. It did cut the max power output down to 134 watts.

I don't know how much it will affect your amp.

I think the reason Evans used the 8 ohm speaker was so another external 8 ohm could be used (parallel and that would equal 4 ohm load).

Bud Harger · Post by **Bud Harger** » 11 Dec 2016 7:43 am

I love this Forum!!!!

bUd

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 11 Dec 2016 8:30 am

Antique Electronic Supply offers Sica Neo 15" speakers. Some are available with 4 ohm impedance.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/

Bill Rowlett · Post by **Bill Rowlett** » 15 Dec 2016 7:04 am

Are the Peavey 1501-4 Neo speakers still available as replacements? My Peavey dealer says that Peavey quit selling Neo speakers or magnets, yet the new steel amp specs list the 1501-4 Neo...

I want to build a light cabinet to fly with.

Bill

Walter Killam · Post by **Walter Killam** » 15 Dec 2016 8:17 am

I have both in my studio right now, I prefer the EPS 15 for Guitar, & the original Eclipse for steel, that said, there's not enough difference between them (to my ears) to warrant the extra weight of the Eclipse. If I had to choose I'd go with the EPS in a heartbeat.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Dec 2016 2:13 pm

I was one of the "field testers" for the Eminence EPS-15C speaker. I dealt directly with the engineering department. The EPS-15C was designed to be a light weight replacement for the Peavey 1501-4 Black Widow speaker. According to what Mike Brown has said/posted the 1501-4 was designed because the JBL they originally used in the Session 400 would not handle the Session 400 power. Thus the 1501-4 is a higher power handling "clone" of the JBL.

The first time I tried the EPS-15C, I thought "This sounds like the JBL K-130 I had in a Fender Twin Reverb". The EPS-15C sounding like a JBL is no accident, since it is a replacement for the Peavey 1501-4 which is a high power clone of the JBL.

The EPS-15C, like most new speakers requires a break in period. As I was field testing it, I didn't try to break it in by connecting it to my stereo and playing music for an extended period. I just used it with Steel and after about 3 weeks I noticed it starting to drop the "new edge".

The Steel Guitar Forum

Neodymium speakers in FET 500

Neodymium speakers in FET 500

4 ohm or 8 ohm

Thanks everybody...

Are Peavey Neo Speakers Still Available