Re-coned vs Old Cone

[7704A]

So I just picked up my EVM12S Pro-Line from Speaker Repair Pros after having it re-coned. I've recorded some riffs to compare it to another speaker of the same model that still has an original cone. In light of recent threads musing on whether re-cones are any good, I'm creating this poll. All I'll say ahead of time is that I'm happy with the results of the re-cone, and that the speaker with the original cone got a lot of use before I bought it so I don't know how it sounded when it was new. Recording was done on my phone, using a FM1202ER floor monitor cab that I've re-wired for guitar. Amp settings and guitar settings are the same, speaker cabinet and phone are in nearly the same positions in the room, the cab may have moved a few centimeters in the process of swapping the speaker, but it's not close mic'd so it should not be significant. I dialed in the amp for the speaker with the original cone, and then left things the same for the re-coned speaker.

 

[SBlue]

Thanks for posting that!
I have no idea which one is the recoded speaker, but I like 1b and 2b a lot better!

 

[psychodave]

Tough to say since the clips sound so different and there are no details regarding the amp. Also you are not playing the speakers loud....which is where they really shine. I literally pulled out my Mesa Thiele loaded with an original 12L hoping to get an idea, but my cab sound is very different from your clips (I know... I'm using an L vs your S). If I had to guess I'd say clips 1A and 2A are original based on the high end presence.

 

[7704A]

no details regarding the amp

I suppose if you have an original yourself you're trying to compare to though then you'd need to know the amp. I wrote the thread with the thought in mind that people would assume the one they liked best was the original cone, so I didn't think the amp details were needed.

But, since you brought it up, it's a Peavey VK100 I'm in the process of modding. Main filter caps are replaced, failure prone ceramic caps across rectifiers removed (except for low voltage supply), C106 (?) in the attenuator leading into stage 3 was removed to get rid of the tubescreamer-like voicing, lead tonestack slope resistor upped to 100k, mid pot wired like a rheostat so that more signal cut is available, and the plate resistors of the first two stages both dropped to 100k.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

They sound different, but I don't think one is better than the other. Both sound like they're in the same core realm and I could get a good working tone out of either.

 

[Racerxrated]

Tough to say since the clips sound so different and there are no details regarding the amp. Also you are not playing the speakers loud....which is where they really shine. I literally pulled out my Mesa Thiele loaded with an original 12L hoping to get an idea, but my cab sound is very different from your clips (I know... I'm using an L vs your S). If I had to guess I'd say clips 1A and 2A are original based on the high end presence.

This....

EVMs are WAY different when the juice is applied...which makes it hard to record, I'd bet...but the Mesa Halfback cabs I owned were amazing with the Coliseums I had, but only when I could turn way up. Those moments were few and far between though, but killer.

 

[Music&Chaos]

So I just picked up my EVM12S Pro-Line from Speaker Repair Pros after having it re-coned. I've recorded some riffs to compare it to another speaker of the same model that still has an original cone. In light of recent threads musing on whether re-cones are any good, I'm creating this poll. All I'll say ahead of time is that I'm happy with the results of the re-cone, and that the speaker with the original cone got a lot of use before I bought it so I don't know how it sounded when it was new. Recording was done on my phone, using a FM1202ER floor monitor cab that I've re-wired for guitar. Amp settings and guitar settings are the same, speaker cabinet and phone are in nearly the same positions in the room, the cab may have moved a few centimeters in the process of swapping the speaker, but it's not close mic'd so it should not be significant. I dialed in the amp for the speaker with the original cone, and then left things the same for the re-coned speaker.

Definitely different sounding. You can really hear/feel the frequency shift between the two. I'd bet they would fill out nicely if both were used at the same time but neither sounds 'bad' on their own, just different for sure.

 

[psychodave]

This....

EVMs are WAY different when the juice is applied...which makes it hard to record, I'd bet...but the Mesa Halfback cabs I owned were amazing with the Coliseums I had, but only when I could turn way up. Those moments were few and far between though, but killer.

I find EV’s at lower volumes to be bright and directional. When really being pushed, they fill out and sound great.

I use to run two Mesa halfback 4x12’s loaded with EVM12L’s. It sounded killer at just over TV volume.

 

[7704A]

Definitely different sounding. You can really hear/feel the frequency shift between the two. I'd bet they would fill out nicely if both were used at the same time but neither sounds 'bad' on their own, just different for sure.

The weird thing is I can swing between thinking one or the other sounds better sometimes in the same listening session. Ear gets used to one, then the other feels like it's missing something or has too much of something. That said, the recone fixed some issues I had with the way the floor monitor sounded previously, and it was a hit at rehearsal last night with others who played it too, so I definitely prefer the new cone.

 

[7704A]

I find EV’s at lower volumes to be bright and directional.

Huh, I haven't really noticed that myself, at least not to any greater extent than other speakers. I'm running things in (de)tuned cabs exclusively though, plus I'm using the S not the L, so perhaps not a direct comparison.

When really being pushed, they fill out and sound great.

It sounded killer at just over TV volume.

Just how loud is your TV?

 

[7704A]

Quick addition: Here is the spectral analysis for riff 2.

 

[7704A]

Alright, finally getting around to this. Clips 1a and 2b are the speaker with the original cone, and clips 1b and 2a are the speaker with the new cone.