Hello folks, new member here. At a gig last night our trusty Ampeg 806HE completely stopped outputting sound during the very first song of the set (It was our album release show too) Anyway I thought it was the amp so today I plugged it in and all is well. Turns out the cab is the culprit. Four of the little 6" speakers labeled SLM Electronics are fried. I checked them all about a month ago when I was hearing one of the speakers buzz and only one was sort of bad. I say sort of because it still worked just not great. So now I'm looking to replace 4 of these guys and am looking to source them. Much to my chagrin there's no more SLM Electronics and not much info about the 806HE so I'm hoping someone here has some advice. Also I'm wondering if there is a crossover somewhere as I would like to make sure it's not fried as well.
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Lost 4 drivers in 806HE looking for replacement
- Thread starter Russ Arteaga
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- drivers replacement
It's highly unlikely that only 4 of them are damaged. If you drove it hard enough to damage 4 speakers, then the others won't be far behind so I'd plan to replace all of them.
But, are you dead set on keeping that cabinet? There's only so much a 6" speaker can do, especially an older design. It may be cheaper to get a modern cabinet design that can handle what you're putting through it, while being louder, lighter, and sounding better. What amp are you running?
But, are you dead set on keeping that cabinet? There's only so much a 6" speaker can do, especially an older design. It may be cheaper to get a modern cabinet design that can handle what you're putting through it, while being louder, lighter, and sounding better. What amp are you running?
Last edited:
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Agreed, I would expect all 6 to be damaged. Just because a driver makes noise doesn't mean that it's still good.
Clearly you do not have enough rig for the gig, maybe this is a good time to revisit your speaker choice.
Clearly you do not have enough rig for the gig, maybe this is a good time to revisit your speaker choice.
Russ I have to question your use of a cabinet with suspected problems at an important event such as the release of an album. You can rent stuff fairly easily to cover such.
I too think that your choice of speaker cabinet is questionable. You certainly need to re-evaluate that choice.
If four of your drivers are dead it certain that the remaining ones are damaged too.
I too think that your choice of speaker cabinet is questionable. You certainly need to re-evaluate that choice.
If four of your drivers are dead it certain that the remaining ones are damaged too.
Its definitely an old cabinet I think they stopped making them in the early 00's. Guy we got it from never played it out and it's gotten quite a good bit of gigging usage since we purchased it in early 2017. But it was like new when we bought it. Also it gets used by the two bands I'm in. I'm the audio geek but I play drums. Also the amp we use is a SVT Pro 3 which has new tubes and was recently gone through by a tech. It's an older model with the blue and red writing.
As for the cab, I'm wondering if the crossover went out. It does seem to me that since four of the eight 6.5's are fried that either an impedance issue from the drivers being fried or something with the crossover. I haven't been able to score a wiring diagram of the 806he but I have pulled the top four drivers. The tweeter/horn does still output sound. But even with the four dead drivers pulled, the bottom four aren't outputting anything. I tested the amp by plugging into a small pa cabinet.
I managed to find a speaker made by eminence that's called the Beta6A and they run about 60$ that should do the trick but for 240$ that's halfway to a new cab or at least a used one.
I really do love this cabinet though. It's got a pretty interesting sound profile and since it's small and lightweight it's been great for touring around with my small 3 piece rock band.
Anyway thank you for the response. I've got some thinking to do.
Russ A
Four are definitely fried. I haven't tested the other four but will do tomorrow. And power wise it's never been an issue. I've read the amp and cab to be a great match. But will look at all my options before replacing all eight! Anyway thanks for the response.
Russ A
Point taken but we're certainly not a pro band with regards to renting. Both bands that use the gear have only been playing shows for 1 to 2 years. The folks that own this cab have spoken mostly highly of it other than having super lows. Which neither of the bands I play with need. We're mostly indie rock! Anyway I'm definitely going to think about cost for speaker replacement vs new/used but more modern cab.
Thanks!
Russ A
- Feb 12, 2006
- 52,447
- 176,650
- 14,248
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Replacing all of them is a lot of money for mediocre performance.
Welcome to TalkBass @Russ Arteaga !!!!!
Roughly where are you? (We have members from all over the world. That's why I ask.)
If you are determined to keep that cab, call the guys at US Speaker. Give them the interior dimensions of the cab. They will give you suitable options. But change all of them if you change any. Mixed drivers in one cab (that isn't designed for them) is bad news.
But, like others have said, there are so many options for cabs out there these days that this one likely isn't worth the money you would put into speakers.
Best of luck with it either way.
Roughly where are you? (We have members from all over the world. That's why I ask.)
If you are determined to keep that cab, call the guys at US Speaker. Give them the interior dimensions of the cab. They will give you suitable options. But change all of them if you change any. Mixed drivers in one cab (that isn't designed for them) is bad news.
But, like others have said, there are so many options for cabs out there these days that this one likely isn't worth the money you would put into speakers.
Best of luck with it either way.
Thank you kindly! I'm from the Bay Area CA. Living in beautiful Oakland Lake Merritt area.
I think most folks haven't ever heard one of these cabs and I've heard a fair amount of different cabs being that I do live sound and record for a living. I just really loved this thing from a size and sound standpoint. It's really like a mini fridge. I suppose if I were to replace it with something I'd go with the 610HLF which is 600W and definitely more power than most of the gigs we play. Also I have no desire to change amps I love my SVT 3, I've had two.
Thanks for the heads up about US Speaker. I give them a call and see what they might suggest.
Cheers,
Russ A
When you say mediocre what are you referring to? The amount of air being pushed or the sound quality? I'm just curious because everyone has different opinions about performance. I'm not really interested in something too big or that handles many more watts then my current combo. But yeah replacing them certainly isn't going to be a cost effective solution. I almost wish my amp died then I could justify getting it fixed
Thanks for your help!
Russ A
Last edited:
- Feb 12, 2006
- 52,447
- 176,650
- 14,248
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
It's a shame your on the wrong coast. The whole cab can be had on the opposite end of the country for $300.
Ampeg 806 cabinet
Ampeg 806 cabinet
Sure you love the sound but if it was up to the job it is needed to do it would not have blown. Spending the money for like performance (Not up for the job your players require) you will most likely have the same results.
Russ, welcome to Talk Bass. As a newcomer you will not know some of the folk who reply to you. you will identify who to listen to and who to dismiss with time. @agedhorse is a Design Engineer who currently works with Mesa. He previously worked with Genz Benz and still does product support for them. Anything he says you can take to the bank as accurate. We, as a group, are very lucky that such a resource is available to us. If he labels your cabinet as mediocre then that is what it is.
Russ, welcome to Talk Bass. As a newcomer you will not know some of the folk who reply to you. you will identify who to listen to and who to dismiss with time. @agedhorse is a Design Engineer who currently works with Mesa. He previously worked with Genz Benz and still does product support for them. Anything he says you can take to the bank as accurate. We, as a group, are very lucky that such a resource is available to us. If he labels your cabinet as mediocre then that is what it is.
Well, "mediocre", that is highly subjective - with regards to what? Before any such opinion is stated, one must of course establish a reference.
That said, in terms of sheer volume and bass extension, the SVT-806HE is hardly as loud or capable as some more modern alternatives. It is also fairly heavy due to all the metal in the 8 drivers.
I do believe that Agedhorse can be considered an expert on the subject of bass speaker cabinetry.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 52,447
- 176,650
- 14,248
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Considering the OP has already run well past the limits of that cabinet, it's not suitable for his application. It's a mediocre performer for any application that requires higher SPL, higher sensitivity, greater low frequency extension and lower weight.
If you happen to like the tone and the other items are not limiting factors, it's fine.
If you happen to like the tone and the other items are not limiting factors, it's fine.
+1. Chances are the stock drivers are similar to the Beta 6. How loud a cab can go is limited by the sum total driver cone displacement. Eight Beta 6s have a total displacement of 490cc. One Kappalite 3015LF has 846cc of displacement, so it will go nearly as loud as two 806HE cabs, and a lot lower too. One Kappalite 3015LF driver costs about $200, eight Beta 6s cost about $480. That's why you don't see 8x6 cabs anymore. I can understand liking the midrange tone of sixes, but to get it don't look for an 8x6 cab, look for a 1x15/1x6 cab.
Apples to oranges... If comparing cost, you should better compare reconing the actual number of defective transducers, vs buildng a new 15/6/1 from scratch...
As for 8x6, you might have seen products from Phil Jones, based around the concept of using large numbers of small drivers (often 4" or 5"). Those cabs are highly regarded by some very discriminating users.
PJB Cabinet