bassbins and a tight budget...

I'd build 4 ES18s in your position, the current drivers should work in a pair then load the others with any remaining budget. They're fairly easy on driver choice so theres plenty of choice of second hand drivers that should work.

Don't test the champignon sound

Fit everything into an estate car? try THAM12?

Box builder, pm for quote

If you have the room Tham15, The smaller versions will probably not drop quite low enough.
A pair of Tham 15 could be built with one of the recommended drivers for around £450 and would do you proud.

www.forteaudio.eu - BMS - db-Mark Processors

Would still go THAM15, the ES18 is genrally used as a kick cab above sub (great for hard dance though?)

Box builder, pm for quote

You mentioned estate car? If you have other DJ Kit to fit in, this doesnt give you a lot of space for your subs. What dimenions are your current subs? Im guessing you dont have much space beyond what you are already fitting in the car?

I suspect that size is going to be a limiting factor in what you can build, there are loads of great designs available, but for small cabs there is less choice. My guess would be a standard bass reflex design optimised is going to be the easiest (I suspect this is what your current subs are, but possibly not optimised) - the other possibility is a compact bandpass design.

If you arent getting the results you want from ther current 18" cabs, you might need to consider upgrading drivers as well as building new cabs.

You mentioned Eminence PS18s? That would be a fairly old driver, Eminence rebadged the 'PS' series many years ago. From memory I think the PS18-400 is the predecessor to the Sigma Pro 18, and has got to be getting on for 10-15 years old now? If they are PS18-600, current equivalent is the Omega Pro 18. Either way, certainly not cutting edge technology.

To get any significant improvement over what you already have, you may need to re-consider your budget (unless you are lucky and find some second hand bargains!)

You say you're going to be powered them on a pair of UKP1000s in bridge mode, these are approx 1000W into 8 ohms bridged, probably too much for your current drivers.

Im not sure if your original post was intended to be a new speaker building project, or an upgrade, but you may want to consider upgrading the Eminence drivers for something newer and better. Your budget would probably allow for that, particularly if you find some reasonable second hand drivers.

Happy to discuss more if you require more info.

Edited by Andy Kos - 25 June 2012 at 2:02am

www.bluearan.co.uk

patrickman123 wrote:

is there an 18" version available of the tham?

not being picky but id rather have an 18" bin than a 15", what drivers are best in the tham 15s on a tight budget?

I have designed two 18" Tapped horns and both work well however stick with the THAM15's these are an ideal compromise for what you want.

Tony

www.forteaudio.eu - BMS - db-Mark Processors