New 515-8G cones

[amh]

Has anyone figured out if Bill's new darker GPA cones are same TS parameters and sound quality as older lighter color ones? Spiders and surrounds the same?

[scott fitlin]

Well, Ill tell ya, I use twelve 421-8LF woofers in my system, and right now I have 1 original 421 with the grey colored cone in an 816, and 1 of GPA,s recones in the 816 right next to it!

Level wise they are even, sonically its very close, and very hard to tell if the paper sounds different, they pretty much sound the same!

I had my freind in here the other day, and I asked him to go over and listen, and he sais they sounded pretty identical, and they seemed to be pushing the same amount of air! An SPL meter and RTA will tell for sure, but Im happy with Bills recones, and so far I find them to be pretty identical, as did my freind!

Now for my own personal opinion! Either way, they sound good! It works, and works well! My freind Dave, who was here, he loves the Altec woofers, hes like 22 yrs old, and knew nothing of Altec other than the name! He tells me they are speakers from a different world, and very musical, fast, and snappy! My place is the FIRST time this kids heard Altec, and he couldnt get over how efficient they are, and the unique sound they have through the low mid!

[Russellc]

Similarly, I had both of my 515 8Gs reconed by Bill with the older grey cones. Then an unfortunate cat scratch accident required me to send one in for another reconing, and it came back with the newer darker cone. It drives me nuts that they are different colors, but not a difference can I hear.
On the other hand, I tried mixing a 416 8C with the other 515, and I couldn't tell much difference either! I do notice a difference between the 416 8c and 515 8g when two of the same are being used.
Russellc

[scott fitlin]

Hi Russell, I notice you have tried the 416-8C against the 515-8G, what are the differences you hear between the two differing woofers? I use the 421-8LF,s, I read Jims comments about them, others have told me the same things, they sound incredible though, but I want to try some 416,s and would like to hear from you what it is you heard when A/B,ing the woofers!

Thanks in advance!

[amh]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I knew Bill did good work, so I was just wondering if there were some subtle differences in sound or parameters. Newer materials and adhesives usually lead to different characteristics. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.

It seems to me that in most cases modern materials would produce cones that are thinner, stiffer and with less mass for a given size. This should definitely lead to different sound charachteristics.

Thanks again.

[Russellc]

Hi Scotty,
Yes, I have used both extensively in my 828 cabinets. both drivers sound wonderful, But If I only had one, I think I would go with the 416 8c. Again, both sound great but there seems to be slightly more transparency with the 416 8c and it seems to go slightly lower. The 515 seems to be a little more rich or powerful in the mid range. these differences are slight and I would be happy with either. The 416 8c would be slightly better in a reflex box, so is slightly more flexible if you ever went that way. I doubt I could consistently guess which was which in blind testing. Either sounds great, and the differences are slight.
Russellc