HD15's or HD215's for midbass cabs?
Printed From: Speakerplans.com
Category: Plans
Forum Name: HD 15 horn
Forum Description: Discussion / Questions about the HD 15 horn
URL: https://forum.speakerplans.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9200
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 8:53am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.08 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: HD15's or HD215's for midbass cabs?
Posted By: Kevin James
Subject: HD15's or HD215's for midbass cabs?
Date Posted: 24 March 2007 at 3:10pm
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Hi first time poster here. My name is Kevin, I'm from San Jose CA and I'm a small time weekend warrior building a medium size rig for dj use (no live musicians). I am interested in the HD15 or HD215 horn as a possible solution for a midbass cab. Good strong midbass in the 100-200hz range is my highest priority at the moment.
Is this design a good choice as a cab dedicated solely to the 100-200hz range?
I already have everything under 100hz covered by 6 Kappalite 3015LF loaded 24" wide Tuba 36 subs and will be adding 2 more for a total of 8 subs in the next 6 months. These will be powered by QSC PLX3602's and all processing will be handled by my DBX Driverack 260.
I am looking at 2 options to cover 100hz and up right now:
1. 4 HD15 (or 2 HD215) horns to cover 100-200hz topped with 4 EV QRx112/75 single 12 tops to handle 200hz and up. all would be powered off two seperate PLX3602's.
or
2. 4 EV QRx 212/75 dual12 tops covering everything from 100hz all the way up and powered off of 2 PLX 3602's.
Which would be the better option? ------------- Download my latest mixes www.musicv2.com/artist/kevinjames New mix added 3/14/07 |
Replies:
Posted By: Timebomb
Date Posted: 24 March 2007 at 7:56pm
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HD15s are great for upper bass but they dont sound great upto
200Hz, upper cutoff is best arround 160-180 max. You dont
really want to let any vocals though them, 200Hz might be alright if
you only play dance music though. Im not familier with those EV cabs but you should get more kick with 4 HDs rarther than an extra 4 reflex 12s, personly id go with the HDs. |
Posted By: ceharden
Date Posted: 24 March 2007 at 9:50pm
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Yeah, HD15's will do what you want. Run them more like 70-160Hz, single or dual 12" tops will be fine from there up. Obviously you can adjust the crossover points once you're up and running to get the best balance. |
Posted By: SmokeyJoe
Date Posted: 03 April 2007 at 6:04pm
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I realise that the HD15 may not sound too good up high due to the nature of the cab, but:
I want to build this system over the summer - me and a mate are doing it together and money is taken care of... 4 X SuperScoopers loaded with either PD186 or Void V18-1000 2 X HD215s loaded with either PD156 or PD1550 2 X Long-throw 10"/1" Mid/Hi's of http://zmatek.jinak.cz/diy/pbaudio/top_hornloaded_10-1/show_construction.asp.html - this design... Will the HD215's meet the Mid/Hi cabs ok?? I am guessing a crossover point of about 190Hz is ok? Also, the system is intended to play old skool speed garage/drum n' bass/grime/breaks/dub/anything danceable really but nothing live - how's it going to sound outdoors with 4000w through the scoops and about 3400w through the 215's?? Can i expect chest thumping and body rattleing basslines??  I hope so...
Thanks, Joe. |
Posted By: ceharden
Date Posted: 03 April 2007 at 6:45pm
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It will work, but as you suspect the HD15's might start sounding a bit rough at the top end of their range. Certainly wouldn't use it for live. Something straighter for the mid-bass might be better or even a non-hornloaded 15" or two, especially as the 10" will probably want to be crossed over more like 200-250Hz. It's a very short horn. |
Posted By: norty303
Date Posted: 03 April 2007 at 7:32pm
What is it with people steadfastly refusing to use the recommended drivers...?
Especially as the 1550 is a lot more expensive than the 154. Or do you have the drivers already? ------------- My laser stuff: http://www.facebook.com/SubsonicSystems" rel="nofollow - Frikkin Lasers |
2 X HD215s loaded with either PD156 or PD1550Posted By: Mark James
Date Posted: 05 April 2007 at 8:10am
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ive noticed alot of mention of pd1550 in a hd15. ive only heard of one person actualy doing it, and they changed to pd154 not long after as the 1550 seemed to do weird things, by weird i never heard but im guessing he meant bottoming out..... ------------- insert silly sentence here |
Posted By: C-Audiofreak
Date Posted: 12 March 2015 at 9:51pm
| Has anybody ever tried using hd15's for kick section in a live rig? I've had people ask me if they can be used for dance and live music and I always tell them they are not meant for live sound but I can never tell them why any reason? I only tell them no because that seems to be the general view on the matter |
Posted By: geoSal
Date Posted: 12 March 2015 at 11:17pm
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I've been using them for live gigs for years.It all depends what you have above them.Lots of people claim that you shouldn't let vocals come out of them but I disagree.I use them 75-160hz for kick section and everything sounds great.The usual honky sound from them exists but I dont find it annoying , unless you are used to line array's sound which in my opinion those kick frequencies are missing if you dont have enough units per side. Kick drum,bass and guitars sound fast and accurate.Vocals may need some hard equalizing from 100hz and up,especially if you have people standing in front and close of the speakers. Hd 's prosuce a rather flat response if loaded and tuned correctly so I dont see any reason why they cant be used for live music.All pa speakers have have colored sound and hd's have their own. |
Posted By: njw
Date Posted: 14 March 2015 at 11:21pm
I've said before that Eminence Omegas absolutely hammer it out in these cabs, the recommended Kappas just don't compare, I've tried both and a Kappa compared to an Omega sounds gutless, I've not tried any PD drivers in the HDs because after loading mine with Omegas they did everything I needed them to do.
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Posted By: C-Audiofreak
Date Posted: 14 March 2015 at 11:55pm
| I've since found megaton em15 looks simple and folk are saying they wipe the floor with HD15's think I may build those for my kick section and load them with some P.Audio 15's |
Posted By: all bass
Date Posted: 16 March 2015 at 8:27am
They are bigger cabs so they should have a little more output because of the bigger horn mouth. ------------- https://www.instagram.com/my_modular_journey/ |
Posted By: mini-mad
Date Posted: 16 March 2015 at 2:08pm
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Looking at them, you should get 3 hd15s in the same space as to megatons laying down. ------------- If it sounds like a gorilla is trying to escape, turn it down. |
Posted By: C-Audiofreak
Date Posted: 16 March 2015 at 7:53pm
| Yes mini and if I'm stacking them ontop of X1's then they fit nicely one ontop of the other layed on there sides then my EV mid top cabs on top of them |