Ampeg Bass Amp - Speaker Selection

[dawsonaudio]

I just finished my Ampeg SB-12 build and the speaker that I was going to use is buzzing when played, even with it out of the cabinet. I can't find where it's originating from on the speaker. The choices for replacement are either the Jensen c12n or the Eminence beta-12a-2. The Jensen reissue has some mixed reviews from what I can see online and the Eminence has some great reviews for the bottom end. Any suggestions? I'm not sure if the 250watt range of the Eminence will be a problem with my amp. The Jensen can handle up to 50watts. Maybe it'll break up a lot sooner than the Eminence.

Thanks for any help here.

Nate

[JMFahey]

If the speaker always buzzes, then the voice coil is damaged, or you have some large piece of debris inside.

In any case it involves reconing or replacement.

Jensen speakers are **excellent** but they were heavily badmouthed by Ted Weber, a case of sour grapes, he had been using their designations (C12N, etc.) and was forbidden to continue by the legal brand owner.

They are also Made in Italy, which incredibly for some is anathema.
Yet nobody complains about Chinese Celestion or Eminence

FWIW SICA, the Italian speaker factory is to old Jensen what Ferrari is to Ford or General Motors, but most people don't know that.
If anything, they are way too good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny-ZYiuoHp4

FWIW Fender uses the Italian ones .... there must be some reason for that

[dawsonaudio]

Thanks for the info. I did go ahead and order a Jensen C12N this morning. I'm sure it will sound great in my new build. Yeah, the speaker was buzzing out of the cabinet with almost any note played after I was messing with it for a while. I made sure there wasn't anything touching the speaker as it vibrated and could find anything.

I am looking forward to hearing the amp with the new speaker. I liked what I heard even with the Jensen F12N buzzing speaker so I'm sure the new one will be an improvement.