EVM 12L

[FourT6and2]

So what's the history of this speaker? Different versions? 12L vs 12L Classic? I see lots of different looking versions of this thing. Are some better than others?

 

[benduncan]

I don't know the differences, but I'll chime in. I've owned a couple of the classics and I didn't like them. They were far too mid heavy for me. It's been a while, but I think that it was the low mids in particular, 400-800 range??? I put them in my Splawn 4x12 with a couple of Alnico Golds, the Classic Leads went right back in. A lot of people love them though. Sold them to some guy in Brazil who paid $200 shipping for them, lol.

Edit, found these:

Second edit, that's the 12S

 

[Anonymous]

Different versions... I think the 12L is a reissue of the original

I got one in a Wizard 1x12
They don't add anything to the sound, they're supposed to be flat and that's what I'm hearing
Loud, clear, in your face
I'm not sure how they sound with gainy or british type amps, but with Fender cleans/drive, it's the best speaker I've ever heard. A/B with a G12K100, which is supposed to have the same qualities, and it made the Celestion sound like a total joke.

 

[FourT6and2]

I've played some Mesa Mark III combos that had the EVM 12L in them and they always sounded pretty damn good. And the application I'm thinking of would be with an SLO clone, which is a fairly bright amp. Other option would be the Eminence V12. I have a Diezel ported 1x12 sitting around that I don't really use. And I figure a 200 watt EVM 12L might be nice to put in it for the SLO. But looking at Google image search of that speaker, there are a bunch of different versions that I'm seeing.

 

[FourT6and2]

And here is a photo of two EVM 12L Mesa speakers. Look how different they are. One is even much taller.

 

[petejt]

I don't know the differences, but I'll chime in. I've owned a couple of the classics and I didn't like them. They were far too mid heavy for me. It's been a while, but I think that it was the low mids in particular, 400-800 range??? I put them in my Splawn 4x12 with a couple of Alnico Golds, the Classic Leads went right back in. A lot of people love them though. Sold them to some guy in Brazil who paid $200 shipping for them, lol.

Edit, found these:

Second edit, that's the 12S

I have a pair of 12S 200 watt speakers. They sound massive, but otherwise I don't really know how to describe them.
Overall, I really like them. They weigh a ton and have huge magnets on them.


In a few weeks I'm going to close mic them and post the clips here.

 

[mjtripper]

I have 2 old 12s, 1 old 12l, 2 new 300watt 12l and one new 200watt classic 12l. I guess you could say I like them The 300 watt which is the black label version is the same as the 200 watt classic version except some internal parts are teflon coated so it generates less heat and can therefore handle more power according to EV. After the new black label and classic versions are broken in they sound the same as the older 12l models that were oem for brands like mesa, rivera, fender, etc and look like this:

They do take a long time to break in. There were also the sro that had an alnico magnet and lots of other 12" models that looked similar but weren't the same speaker. The 12l in the picture is the one most guitar players prefer. They really do sound great in a thiele 1x12.

Physically the 12s is a little shallower then the 12l and sonically is much more mid forward. The 12l does great for anything but the closer to high gain (like modern really high gain) the more you will like the 12l over the 12s but the closer you get to clean or slightly breaking up the more you will like the 12s. What I usually tell people is if you really like greenbacks try the 12s otherwise try the 12l. That's why I have a couple of each

 

[FourT6and2]

Thanks, mjtripper. So I guess if I can't find a good older 12L, a new 12L Classic should do the trick fine after it's broken in?

There's also the new Eminence EM12, which is a clone/copy of the EVM. Although based on the specs, maybe a little darker. And half the price.

 

[jlbaxe]

I have a Pair of 12L BL 300w, Black Label also. My Mesa Mk III clean does not break up nearly as much as with the origin Mesa C90. Doesn't sound bad when I run my 20th Ann XTC into them.

I have them in the Cameron/Friedman Cubes. They are hefty

Ended my speaker hunt/Swapping

 

[mjtripper]

I haven't tried the em12 yet. As to the price of the ev models most places will heavily discount them if you call.

 

[billboogie]

I have a 200w OEM from 1989 in a Bogner Shiva ported 1x12 with a Mesa DC5 combo on top and I can comfortably leave my 4x12 at home...They are heavy with the massive magnets but a great compliment to the 30w speaker in the combo (Cel. Anniversery)....

 

[locoed]

I have 2 of the old Mesa EV 200 watt speakers, I love the lows but the highs
Seem to be a bit much for my taste, and I couldn't dial them out.
I'm still on the fence with the older 200's.
I still have the cab but I haven't used it in several years.

 

[tripstan]

Thanks, mjtripper. So I guess if I can't find a good older 12L, a new 12L Classic should do the trick fine after it's broken in?

There's also the new Eminence EM12, which is a clone/copy of the EVM. Although based on the specs, maybe a little darker. And half the price.

I have a pair of Eminence Delta Pro A's (which I think is the same thing EM12 before they called it that). Great speaker. But it took FOREVER for them to break in. I ended up playing a guitar loop thru them when I came home from work a few hours a day for like 2 weeks. They sounded like ass brand new.