New Eminence Speaker... (UPDATED July 29th w/ product links)

[john widgren]

Can't wait, gotta have some. 4 ohms? 8 ohms? or both?

[Travis Toy]

Travis has a winner here, folks! The new speaker was A/B-ed with a 1201. Let me say, I love 1201s and have used that speaker for years. I'm just reporting on what my ears heard. With the volume pushed, the 1201 exhibited a bit of clarity loss in the lows, subtly. Travis' new speaker had very clear lows and note definition, along with silky highs…and PUNCHY through the volume spectrum. I did not detect any offensive frequencies, whatsoever. So lightweight, too. I must say that this is the first neo speaker that has flat-out impressed me. Nice work, my friend. I am looking forward to the release.

Thanks Dan. I'm sure glad you got to play it, and your opinion means a lot to me.

[Tim Marcus]

it would be nice to have it in either 4 or 8 ohms.

Also, you should see if you can get eminence to use a frame with a smaller flange. A lot of folks with Fender amps would probably like to use them, but the current aluminum frame neo speakers Eminence makes do not fit.

[Travis Toy]

it would be nice to have it in either 4 or 8 ohms.

Also, you should see if you can get eminence to use a frame with a smaller flange. A lot of folks with Fender amps would probably like to use them, but the current aluminum frame neo speakers Eminence makes do not fit.

Hey Tim. The current version is 8 ohms. I'll inquire about a 4 ohm variation. I assume that changing the ohms would change the tone, and I'd probably have to go back to testing for that version. FWIW, the current version sounded excellent with your amp, and every other amp we tried it with. We'll see how it goes.

[George Macdonald]

Will there be a 15" version in 4, or 8 ohms?

[Travis Toy]

Will there be a 15" version in 4, or 8 ohms?

George, I am not personally working on a 15" version of this speaker. I think Vic Lawson is loosely working with Eminence to make a 1501 replacement, since Peavey is no longer making that speaker. I am not currently a part of that process though. This 12" speaker will be my own signature series speaker with Eminence since I have put so much time and energy into the creation and testing of it. You should give this 12" a try when it becomes available. You'll never go back to your 15".

[Eddy Dunlap]

I would totally love to try this out sometime in the near future! Especially with my road cabs and the Quilter.

[Travis Toy]

Just wanted to update the thread, since I know a lot of people are waiting on this speaker to become available. The speaker itself is done. I am working with Eminence on all of the other details that have to be ironed out before it can be released...naming, pricing, etc.

This speaker is so far beyond anything a neo speaker has ever been, it's gonna blow people away. I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on one. I think it's a game changer for the steel speaker market.

Sit tight. It's coming. You're gonna like it. A lot.

[Jack Stoner]

I think Vic Lawson is loosely working with Eminence to make a 1501 replacement, since Peavey is no longer making that speaker

The Eminence EPS-15C was designed to be a direct replacement for the 1501-4 BW speaker.

When I did field testing for Eminence on the EPS-15C, one of the comparisons I did was to the 1501-4 in a Nashville 1000 that I had at the time.

[Travis Toy]

I think Vic Lawson is loosely working with Eminence to make a 1501 replacement, since Peavey is no longer making that speaker

The Eminence EPS-15C was designed to be a direct replacement for the 1501-4 BW speaker.

When I did field testing for Eminence on the EPS-15C, one of the comparisons I did was to the 1501-4 in a Nashville 1000 that I had at the time.

Interesting. I would certainly submit that those two speakers sound considerably different. The EPS series as a whole has a very harsh high end...the "zing" or "eek" factor with those speakers is pretty off the charts. The guy that designed the EPS line is no longer with the company. Anthony Lucas, the engineer I'm working with at Eminence, is one of the most notable speaker designers in modern amplifier history.

[Jay Ganz]

Since you originally got the ball rolling on this speaker, I think they should name the it after you!

[Travis Toy]

Since you originally got the ball rolling on this speaker, I think they should name the it after you!

It will be Jay. It's a signature series speaker.

[Tim Marcus]

I never noticed a "zing or eek factor" with the EPS line. They seem to do the opposite - not much sparkle on the top end at all.

If your amp is bright, the eps 15 will certainly dull it down - probably why people like them for their peavey amps.

[Travis Toy]

I never noticed a "zing or eek factor" with the EPS line. They seem to do the opposite - not much sparkle on the top end at all.

If your amp is bright, the eps 15 will certainly dull it down - probably why people like them for their peavey amps.

You're the first guy I've heard that observation from...that it is a darker sounding speaker. Myself and many peers of mine have quite the opposite opinion. Everybody's ears are different. If you saw a response graph on the EPS 12 vs a 1201-8, or my new speaker, you'd see what's really there. The high end is out of control on the EPS 12.

I will clarify with this statement though...I only have experience with the 12" line. I don't use 15's. The only 15 that I have recently used, was the 15 that comes in the Quilter Pro combo...which Eminence makes. It's a slightly modded version of the EPS. It was, to my ears, unusably bright. I installed an adapter into the cabinet and mounted a 12 in it.

[Kerry Johnson]

Hey Travis ... I can hardly wait to put your speakers on stage, pointing at them and saying to another band mate, "Hey man, check out these "Toy" speakers I'm playin through. They sound awesome ! "
Yeah

[Travis Toy]

Hey Travis ... I can hardly wait to put your speakers on stage, pointing at them and saying to another band mate, "Hey man, check out these "Toy" speakers I'm playin through. They sound awesome ! "
Yeah

Haha! Nice.

[Lee Holeman]

Hey Travis, I'd sure like to talk to you. Is it possible?
Lee Holeman
theholemans@aol.com
H: 956-399-7485
C: 956-592-9359

[Tommy Mc]

FYI...I replaced the 1501-4 with an EPS-15C in my Session 400. I've built an open backed cabinet for the 1501-1 using the Session as a template. It's not quite as wide, but the height and depth are identical. So acoustically similar cabinets.

This has made it simple to A/B the two speakers....which I've done several times. With the same settings on the amp, I've found that the 1501-4 has more bass response than the EPS-15C. In that respect, I'd describe the 1501-4 as darker....and I do have the treble backed off to tame the brightness of the EPS-15C. The EPS-15C may have been "designed" to be an exact replacement for the 1501-4, but at least in my experience, they each have a different character. YMMV

[Steve Spitz]

I find the Emminence 15 in my Quilter to be brighter than my JBL K series, and I found my JBL E brighter than my 1501 - 4.
Using the amps EQ, I could mostly get rid of what I found objectionable.Even After doing some knob twisting, I still feel they all sound different from one another. As Tommy Mc stated, they each have a different character. I agree.

I don't know much about the speaker manufacturing biz, but if you spent the dough on the R.& D. , it seems to me like you would need to offer more than just a 12" 8ohm. I hope they offer a 12 and 15 " @ 4 ohms.

I think the Quilter offers a 4 and an 8 ohm out, so I'm guessing that's no issue. I'd be curious to know how that combination worked for you, as well as if Emminence has plans to offer it as a 15" as well.

Thanks in advance for the updates.

[Paddy Long]

The Telonics Neo 12" speaker is also available in both 4 and 8 ohms.

[Les Cargill]

I will clarify with this statement though...I only have experience with the 12" line. I don't use 15's. The only 15 that I have recently used, was the 15 that comes in the Quilter Pro combo...which Eminence makes. It's a slightly modded version of the EPS. It was, to my ears, unusably bright. I installed an adapter into the cabinet and mounted a 12 in it.

The EPS15C drops like a stone ( -30dB ) from 2 to 5Khz. Just right for steel, IMO. I have a Quilter Steelaire combo and it's punchy without being shrill - I still have to keep the top treble knob at 11 o'clock.

http://www.eminence.com/pdf/EPS_15C.pdf

[Travis Toy]

The Telonics Neo 12" speaker is also available in both 4 and 8 ohms.

Paddy, the Telonics speakers are made by Eminence. Just FYI.

[Travis Toy]

I find the Emminence 15 in my Quilter to be brighter than my JBL K series, and I found my JBL E brighter than my 1501 - 4.
Using the amps EQ, I could mostly get rid of what I found objectionable.Even After doing some knob twisting, I still feel they all sound different from one another. As Tommy Mc stated, they each have a different character. I agree.

I don't know much about the speaker manufacturing biz, but if you spent the dough on the R.& D. , it seems to me like you would need to offer more than just a 12" 8ohm. I hope they offer a 12 and 15 " @ 4 ohms.

I think the Quilter offers a 4 and an 8 ohm out, so I'm guessing that's no issue. I'd be curious to know how that combination worked for you, as well as if Emminence has plans to offer it as a 15" as well.

Thanks in advance for the updates.

Changing the ohms on a speaker design from 8 to 4, completely changes the tone, not to mention changing the size from 12" to 15". A 4 ohm version might happen down the road, as well as a 15" version, but I'll have to approve it, and put the time in again to make it sound how I want it to. We went through a LOT of samples and tweaking on the speaker that's coming out. One thing at a time.

I have used the Quilter with this speaker. It sounds awesome. Bruce Bouton and I played my new model 89 Little Walter Tube Amp through it yesterday. It was some of the best tone we've ever heard. Crazy good.

If you insist on a 4 ohm load...buy two.

[George Redmon]

The EPS series as a whole has a very harsh high end...the "zing" or "eek" factor with those speakers is pretty off the charts.

Amen to that.......

[Miguel Saldana]

Travis - Interested to hear the fruits of your labor. It's nice to see more options for pedal steel guitar.