NCD!

[7704A]

Picked up a Peavey XXX 4x12 Slant for $130. The speakers aren't horrible sounding, but I only really got the cab 'cause I just want the cab itself. Gonna drop my pair of Force 12's into it and run it "detuned" until I can get around to building my own ported cabs for 'em. Will probably do some recordings along the way to compare changes. As it stands, the Force 12's in the 4104 combo are noticeably quieter. Not sure if that's the 99dB efficiency rating vs the XXX's presumably higher rating, or the 2 vs 4 speakers, or open vs closed back, or all the above. Aside from that volume difference though, I overwhelmingly prefer the Force 12's. The XXX's seem too aggressive and almost toy-ish in a papery way in comparison. Did a room recording, but it didn't capture my perception very well.

 

[Shask]

I have one of these. I put V30/T75 in X-pattern in it, and I keep it laying on its side.

 

[7704A]

I have one of these. I put V30/T75 in X-pattern in it, and I keep it laying on its side.

When I had a 412MS I did a similar blend, Sheffield 1290 (ostensibly a T75 clone) with Marshall Vintage ("detuned" cab config). Rocked pretty hard. Ran it until I got bit by the EV bug.

 

[Techdeth]

Good score

 

[VonBonfire]

As it stands, the Force 12's in the 4104 combo are noticeably quieter. Not sure if that's the 99dB efficiency rating vs the XXX's presumably higher rating, or the 2 vs 4 speakers, or open vs closed back, or all the above. Aside from that volume difference though, I overwhelmingly prefer the Force 12's.

All of the above. A 2x12 open back pretty much has nothing on a 4x12 closed back with higher efficiency speakers. The amount of air forced to move forward is pant leg flapping with a 100 watt head. As for the Force 12's they are the best deal on a vintage speaker right now. They are a neutral sounding speaker. Never tried the actual EVM but Force 12's definitely have that characteristic. What's nice is they don't lose composure with a 85-100 watt Twin cranked since they are 150 watt rated so they have been serving me well. I would be ok if Force 12's was all the speaker I ever owned.

 

[7704A]

Never tried the actual EVM but Force 12's definitely have that characteristic.

I'm supposed to be getting some EVMs reconed soon, at which point I'll try to record some comparisons. They'll definitely be louder though, at a 103dB rating.

 

[BenoA]

Congrats! I used to own a pair of these. A straight and slant. They sounded great.

 

[JackBootedThug]

Personally I think peavey cabs are great. Speakers….no…cabs…

 

[JackBootedThug]

And killer score. Swap them speakers out and pure win….

 

[7704A]

And killer score. Swap them speakers out and pure win….

That's the plan. First order of business though, some cosmetic changes. Flipped the peavey emblem, sharpied in a different logo, and removed the mudflap girl. Now I'm actually starting to like the aesthetics.

 

[D-Rock]

I run a similar detuned cab with a Crate 412 and 2 150w Texas Heats for 300w. You'd be surprised at how loud and thick that cab is. It's not like an open back cab where the sound is basically exhaled and lost out the back without reflecting off anything. With the detuned you're getting that sound reflection and rebound off the back panel still and then it's shooting out the front again. Speaker choice as always will dictate it's performance though.

Those XXX speakers are very efficient and modern voiced so going from them to a more mild or neutral speaker will be quite noticable in contrast. Especially in a detuned cab. Maybe try just 2 XXX speakers for reference (?) they will breathe a bit better and smooth out in a detuned application.
Also make sure your impedance and wiring is correct going from 4 speakers to 2 because if a mismatch doesn't cause damage it can still cause bad speaker sound or performance.

 

[7704A]

You'd be surprised at how loud and thick that cab is. It's not like an open back cab where the sound is basically exhaled and lost out the back without reflecting off anything. With the detuned you're getting that sound reflection and rebound off the back panel still and then it's shooting out the front again. Speaker choice as always will dictate it's performance though.

Yup! Similar prior experiences with detuned cabs. The difference between it and a fully loaded 4x12 was actually enough to make me prefer a detuned cab with speakers I didn't like over a fully loaded cab with my then-favorite blend.

Those XXX speakers are very efficient and modern voiced so going from them to a more mild or neutral speaker will be quite noticable in contrast. Especially in a detuned cab. Maybe try just 2 XXX speakers for reference (?) they will breathe a bit better and smooth out in a detuned application.

Yup, the plan is to do some apples-to-apples comparison recordings.

Also make sure your impedance and wiring is correct going from 4 speakers to 2 because if a mismatch doesn't cause damage it can still cause bad speaker sound or performance.

Will do, thanks!