ARE MY SPEAKERS INTENDED FOR GUITAR OR HIFI? (HOW DO WE IDENTIFY? )

[PROJECT 2501]

Despite my efforts in searching I was unable to find any relevant information on how one can identify or differentiate between instrument drivers and those which are designed for hifi reproduction so please forgive me if this topic has already been covered.

I would like to know if there is a way to determine the intended application of loose speakers when all that we have to work off of is the EIA code. For example, I have an Eminence 15" square back woofer with a 1979 dated EIA code. The cone has a smooth, non textured surface and ribbed or "accordion" like surrounds with a small dust cap thats vented at the center by a mesh material. I was inclined to believe that this woofer is the same used in the klipschorn bass bins but only having a standard Eminence part number instead of the klipsch K-33e designation. I would be content in believing that if it wasn't for the fact that everything that I find through internet searches comes back as being guitar related and or klipsch related which has me wondering if Klipsch speakers such as the Klipschorn actually use a guitar woofer instead of a hifi woofer.
So, is there a method for identifying the intended application of loose drivers and can this be accomplished without the necessity of using high tech and expensive testing equipment?

 

[turboyam]

Back in the 80's i was using RSC Ultimus 15B54 15inch bass guitar speakers in an enclosure similar to a JBL scoop and bass guitar speaker or not,
they were kicking ass!. I don't think it really matters, as long as it is used in an optimized enclosure and that you like the results!...

 

[elitopus]

Also I think there is a difference between a guitar speaker and a musical instrument speaker. I use Altec 421 and 921 (which are musical instrument speakers) in hifi cabs with no problems. Some of them have a midbass or midrange hump that can be EQ'd down. I would think true guitar speakers would sound bad in a hifi application. Too much midrange
I would test the speaker and see how it sounds. I think the only way to identify it is through the markings

 

[asilker]

Also I think there is a difference between a guitar speaker and a musical instrument speaker. I use Altec 421 and 921 (which are musical instrument speakers) in hifi cabs with no problems. Some of them have a midbass or midrange hump that can be EQ'd down. I would think true guitar speakers would sound bad in a hifi application. Too much midrange
I would test the speaker and see how it sounds. I think the only way to identify it is through the markings

That's a great point. There's a big difference between JBL 15's and something like a celestion greenback. Some of the best guitar speakers are low wattage and have crazy midrange peaks

 

[dr*audio]

In general, speakers with accordion surrounds are musical instrument or PA speakers. There are some that were made for audio for use in ported enclosures. The only way to tell for sure is to sweep it and see if it's flat. Musical instrument speakers will have an obvious midrange peak. It is audible.

 

[sheltie dave]

Bob Crites can tell you if your Eminence is a KHorn production number.

Many woofers back in the day performed double duty. As long as they met the spec, they could be slotted into home speakers. It was greatly to a manufacturer's benefit to have a single speaker pulling double duty, as it meant there would be no shortfalls or overages. For JBL and Altec, this philosophy sometimes meant changing the crossover point for a full ranger, or using a thicker cone or slightly different magnet structure for a bass woofer vs a full/extended range woofer. Eminence didn't delve as deeply into these matters.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Some Altec guitar speakers had a chamfered gap, so as to increase distortion and so give the speaker a voice.

 

[PROJECT 2501]

Are peavey sp-1 drivers adequate for hifi use?

 

[Dennis Gardner]

Are peavey sp-1 drivers adequate for hifi use?

They could be good for a garage setup or outdoor party rig, but they can be kind of shrill or shouty in a small room and their bass horn is muddy sounding.

 

[elitopus]

I agree those would be good for a party or garage system. They are very efficient and will get loud for sure.

I remember a while back someone here mentioned they tried running them with tubes and were not impressed. The same person tried modding them and finally gave up.

There are quite a few older horn loaded EV PA speakers that I think would be better candidates for HiFi conversion

 

[Gazdatronik]

Are peavey sp-1 drivers adequate for hifi use?

You might, but they may have to be reworked. The crossovers for PA use generally will have a higher crossover point on the tweeters, to protect them. This can be lowered for indoor use. Different diaphragms can be installed in the horns, but some of them that Peavey used were actually pretty good. Some Peavey cabs are similar to Klipsch cabinets, and I suppose that makes sense since they used Eminence drivers in them.

I think the user "moray James" here is educated better than I on vintage Peavey stuff, he has had some interesting stuff to say about that in the past.

 

[PROJECT 2501]

You might, but they may have to be reworked. The crossovers for PA use generally will have a higher crossover point on the tweeters, to protect them. This can be lowered for indoor use. Different diaphragms can be installed in the horns, but some of them that Peavey used were actually pretty good. Some Peavey cabs are similar to Klipsch cabinets, and I suppose that makes sense since they used Eminence drivers in them.

I think the user "moray James" here is educated better than I on vintage Peavey stuff, he has had some interesting stuff to say about that in the past.

These are the drivers I an referring to.

 

[Gazdatronik]

These are the drivers I an referring to.
View attachment 752247 View attachment 752247 View attachment 752249 View attachment 752250

That woofer definitely looks like a Klipsch K33 woofer from behind.

But still there may be differences.
Hi fi? Perhaps the pinnacle of Hi fi in 1960, but it's all in the application. I bet some folks here can tell you how to get the most out of that woofer. The smaller speaker I don't recognize.

Lucky for you, peavey documentation abounds.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/peavey-sp1-speaker.108001/

 

[VolvoHeretic]

For what it is worth, Altec speakers look alike, but they appear to be definitely not built the same. I bought a '70's father/son Altec home build and for some unknown reason, they used a 15" 418-8HII guitar speaker along with an 802-8D/32B horn in 8 cu. ft. boxes. They handle 250wpc instead of 30, but have an Fb of 44hz. Guitar solos sound great. The no lows is fine since I am augmenting them with a pair of Alpine 10" subs. The guy was upgrading to Bose, man do I love Bose.