SaschaReynders
Joined: Dec 26, 2013
Posts: 251
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Posted on Sep 03 2015 12:33 PM
Hi Everybody,
I'm thinking of changing the speaker in my '74 Vibrosonic Reverb, and based on availability on the European market and the fact that it has to be a 15" 8ohm speaker that can handle the 100w output of the amp, I've narrowed down my options to 2 Eminence speakers: the Legend 1518 (rated at 150w) or the Big Ben (rated at 225w).
Based on the info on the Eminence website, I'm leaning towards the Legend at the moment but I admit it's mostly because the Big Ben is described as "British voiced" and I haven't got a clue to how that might sound in a big 'ole Fender amp... I'm a bit in the dark about this whole "American vs British" voiced thing anyway, 'cos this site for instance has the Big Ben listed as an Eminence replacement speaker for the JBL D130F in various Fender amps, with the Legend as an alternative, but I consider the JBL to be "American" (not that I expect any other speaker to sound like a JBL though).
I won't be able to A/B them before buying, and sound clips and YouTube vids haven't been very helpful either, so if any of you have experience with one (or preferably both) of these speakers, your opinions and advice would be very welcome and much appreciated. The Legend looks like the safest choice, so I guess I would be most interested in more info and opinions on the Big Ben.
One more thing: the reason I'm looking to swap speakers is that the amp is currently fitted with an Eminence Delta 15-A, which is actually a PA/(sub)woofer speaker and I can't imagine that it brings out the best in the amp, or am I wrong on this ?
Thanks in advance for your input, cheers !
Sascha
— "Duck Tape is like The Force: it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together"
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speedball-JR/151771678181829?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/SPEEDBALLJR
https://itunes.apple.com/be/artist/speedball-jr/id389972205
Last edited: Sep 03, 2015 12:34:45
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2687
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Sep 03 2015 01:40 PM
I put the Legend 1518 in my Excelsior and am very happy with it. I use it for low volume gigs with a reverb tank, it sounds great and it's loud, the magnet is massive.
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Sep 03 2015 02:36 PM
I have a pair of 151s in my practice cab (through a Bandmaster) and I LOVE those speakers. Highly recommend... especially for the price/value
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duncanjames
Joined: Dec 20, 2011
Posts: 156
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Posted on Sep 03 2015 08:03 PM
I've had a Big Ben as well as what I think was Eminence's predecessor to the 1518.
The Big Ben seemed to have a bit more midrange as you might expect out of a British style speaker, but it really was not overbearing like you'd find on some 12" Celestions and the like.
The extra midrange might actually be nice, given that you're using a SF Vibrosonic which is probably a little scooped. Either speaker will likely sound great though.
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SaschaReynders
Joined: Dec 26, 2013
Posts: 251
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Posted on Sep 04 2015 03:34 AM
Thanks for your input guys, sounds like the Legend would be a safe bet, that's good to know.
duncanjames wrote:
I've had a Big Ben as well as what I think was Eminence's predecessor to the 1518.
The Big Ben seemed to have a bit more midrange as you might expect out of a British style speaker, but it really was not overbearing like you'd find on some 12" Celestions and the like.
The extra midrange might actually be nice, given that you're using a SF Vibrosonic which is probably a little scooped. Either speaker will likely sound great though.
That eases some of my doubts about the Big Ben's voicing, never been a big fan of Celestions, at least not for the sound I'm after. I was a bit worried the BB would be similar in the midrange, thanks for clearing that up.
One thing I didn't mention in my original post is that I also use quite a bit of overdriven sounds in my music, through a TS-808 or TS-9 amongst others. How would the already present midrange hump of those pedals translate through a more midrangey speaker?
Please keep the info coming guys  cheers!
Sascha
— "Duck Tape is like The Force: it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together"
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speedball-JR/151771678181829?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/SPEEDBALLJR
https://itunes.apple.com/be/artist/speedball-jr/id389972205
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spy
Joined: Mar 29, 2007
Posts: 815
Athens, Greece
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Posted on Sep 07 2015 05:11 AM
I love my Eminence Legend 151 in my 1x15 cab! Both clean and overdriven sounds are awesome with this speaker.
— Every word is like an unecessary stain on silence and nothingness.
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SaschaReynders
Joined: Dec 26, 2013
Posts: 251
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Posted on Sep 09 2015 02:51 AM
Thanks for the info spy !
In the meantime, google'ing away on the Net, I came across a post on some or other forum by a guy who picked up a Vibrosonic with a Big Ben in it, and he said the amp sounded great. He ended up replacing it, but only 'cos he scored a JBL 130F.
Ahhh...choices, choices...
— "Duck Tape is like The Force: it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together"
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speedball-JR/151771678181829?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/SPEEDBALLJR
https://itunes.apple.com/be/artist/speedball-jr/id389972205
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LosVenturas
Joined: Feb 10, 2011
Posts: 443
Antwerp, Belgium
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Posted on Sep 09 2015 03:24 PM
Sascha,
how about a Weber Michigan 15", 8 Ohms @ 100W?
Guess you're not using the Vibrosonic at the full 100w all the time,
the Michigan should do the job.
Getting one in Europe for a decent price is another question..
Good luck with the search, cabron!
Cheers,
Andy
— www.LosVenturas.be
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mad_dog
Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 349
Montclair, NJ
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Posted on Sep 11 2015 07:46 AM
Both of those speakers would probably sound great in your amp. I've used both, in various amps. The Legend 151 is more in the old Jensen C15N camp tonally, but better. A big, clear sound. Sounds good at low and medium volumes too, drives nicely at higher volumes.
The Big Ben is different. A little stiff at lower volumes, really comes alive as volume goes up. Has a throaty kind of growl when you push it. Really roars wide open. Not sure what "british" voicing means with this speaker. It's nothing obvious, like the vintage 30. I can't stand most "british" voiced stuff, and love the Big Ben if that's any help.
As to which is better. No way to know until you try.
MD
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SaschaReynders
Joined: Dec 26, 2013
Posts: 251
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Posted on Sep 12 2015 07:20 AM
LosVenturas wrote:
Sascha,
how about a Weber Michigan 15", 8 Ohms @ 100W?
Guess you're not using the Vibrosonic at the full 100w all the time,
the Michigan should do the job.
Getting one in Europe for a decent price is another question..
Good luck with the search, cabron!
Cheers,
Andy
Hi Andy, thanks for chimin' in but I ruled out Weber (and Warehouse Guitar Speakers for that matter) in advance 'cos it would be a PITA to get one over to Europe, not to mention the fact it would be a costly affair due to shipping costs, VAT and import taxes...
And I might not run the amp at full bore all the time, but you know from experience things can get quite loud with Speedball, so I doubt a 100w Weber would last very long considering the sonic abuse it would have to suffer 
Cheers buddy, hope to catch up with you and the others in Los Venturas real soon !
Sascha
— "Duck Tape is like The Force: it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together"
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speedball-JR/151771678181829?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/SPEEDBALLJR
https://itunes.apple.com/be/artist/speedball-jr/id389972205
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SaschaReynders
Joined: Dec 26, 2013
Posts: 251
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Posted on Sep 12 2015 07:44 AM
mad_dog wrote:
Both of those speakers would probably sound great in your amp. I've used both, in various amps. The Legend 151 is more in the old Jensen C15N camp tonally, but better. A big, clear sound. Sounds good at low and medium volumes too, drives nicely at higher volumes.
The Big Ben is different. A little stiff at lower volumes, really comes alive as volume goes up. Has a throaty kind of growl when you push it. Really roars wide open. Not sure what "british" voicing means with this speaker. It's nothing obvious, like the vintage 30. I can't stand most "british" voiced stuff, and love the Big Ben if that's any help.
As to which is better. No way to know until you try.
MD
Thanks a lot for the info mad_dog, it's good and really helpful to hear from someone with hands-on experience with both speakers 
You confirm once more that the Legend would be a good choice, but your description of the Big Ben's characteristics has got me more and more interested in that speaker. Like yourself, I haven't got much love for most "british" voiced stuff, and it's good to hear that label doesn't really apply to the Big Ben as that was my main concern about chosing it for my Vibrosonic. So thanks again for clearing that up.
Cheers !
Sascha
— "Duck Tape is like The Force: it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together"
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speedball-JR/151771678181829?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/SPEEDBALLJR
https://itunes.apple.com/be/artist/speedball-jr/id389972205
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