Several months ago I posted a remark wondering why no manufacturers have progressed beyond the open back speaker enclosure (a design that dates back to the 30's and is outdated as far as modern technology is concerned). I suspected it was for reasons of cost and the fact that an open enclosure does not require a specific sized (tuned) cabinet to house the speaker(s). This would allow the manufacturers flexibility in designing combo amp size and shape.
I feel that musicians have come to accept the characteristic sound of open back combo amps without ever realizing the potential of a well designed, tuned speaker cabinet, as an integeral part of the combo amp design.
For a while a thought about building such a cabinet to use as an alternative to the speaker in my "Nashville 400". But I didn't know what kind of speaker elements to employ and was looking into my options. Then, I received my copy of Steel Guitar World magazine (Vol. 7, Issue 40) May 1999. On page 53 there is an advertisement/article on a new speaker design by Paul Graupp. His design incorporates eight 5", 50-watt speakers in a single cabinet. The speakers come with a choice of paper cones, or two types of aluminum cones. The speakers are given model names as follows A6/C6400W; E9250W, and E9400W. The A6/C6400W is a paper cone design rated at 400 watts/4 ohms; E9250W is an aluminum cone design rated at 250 watts/4 ohms; E9400W is an aluminum cone design rated at 400 watts/4 ohms. The efficiency range of these speakers is quite impressive. 6.25Hz to 17,000Hz for the E9400W.
The article mentioned that Bud Carter, Maurice Anderson and Bobbe Seymour all have had opportunities to use these speakers. Bobbe sells them at Steel Guitar Nashville. So, I contacted Bud Carter to ask his opinion of them. He said he's currently using two (model A6/C6400W, I believe) and really likes them. He told me they sound very good and they are "real loud so be careful" if I ever use them.
After much consternation, I decided to order one model E9400W from Bobbe Seymour. It arrived yesterday. It is a totally closed back (infinite baffle) design. The construction is solid with a crisp, uncluttered look to it. I promptly disconnected the Black Widow 15" in the Nashville 400 and connected the E9400W using the heavy-gauge cable (optional) that came with it.
My current rig consists of a Sierra S14 E9/B6 into an Evans ESPA preamp, into a Lexicon MPX100, into the poweramp section of the Nashville 400 and that is the configuration I connected the E9400W speaker cabinet to.
I spent several hours "A/B"ing it with the OEM speaker in the Nashville 400 and I find that the E9400W has a very "natural" (unforced) sound. As though the speakers are not being pushed to their limits at any time. Tonal separation is far superior to the 15" Black Widow (BW) without the (unknown to me until now) "honkiness" I had become accustomed to with the 15" BW. The best way I can describe the difference is to say that although the 15" BW is a very loud and reliable performer, it's characteristic sound is strong in low-mid and mid range and not as well defined in the low, upper-mid, and upper ranges. By comparison I found no discernible differences in output or tonal clarity in all of these ranges with the E9400W. Overall, a very balanced output. And, as Bud Carter says, it is LOUD!. Every bit as loud as the 15" BW. Now, I must clarify, these observations were made using my ears and not any electronic test equipment.
Although I've only played this speaker cabinet in my home, I'll get a chance to put it through it's paces this weekend. I'll be playing on Friday and Saturday at a rodeo and be setting up in an outdoor pavillion.
I'll let you all know what I think of this speaker system after that test.
In the meantime....
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
