Speaker upgrade for GK MB150E

[NHM]

I own a GK MB150E-lll combo, and it is a fantastic amp with a perfect balance between practicality and sound. I have been considering purchasing the extension cab to get a little more volume and headroom. However, I'm reluctant to have to carry more gear around as I can manage the amp, my bass and a cable bag in 'one trip' - OK, may be a bit lazy, but gigging has to be as practical as possible - these are nimble times.

So as an alternative I'm considering upgrading the speaker in the MB to a 4 Ohm 200W to maximise the amp's power output? Has anyone any experience of this? Will adding a new speaker with extra wattage capacity make any meaningful difference to loudness / clarity in a sealed cabinet? 

[jrixn1]

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Edited 23 hours ago by jrixn1

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

3 hours ago, NHM said:

Will adding a new speaker with extra wattage capacity make any meaningful difference to loudness / clarity in a sealed cabinet? 

Probably not, as most speakers are limited in their output by the size of the cabinet and the excursion limit of the driver, not the driver thermal power limit. To get a worthwhile increase you need to double the driver excursion and increase power by a factor of four to make use of that excursion.

[BassBod]

When I replaced the 12” speaker in a 200MB (older version of the MB150) I did some research - essentially, it’s such an unusually small cabinet for a 12” driver that virtually nothing but the GK one will work well (very stiff cone).  I doubt they make a 4ohm version. The GK extension cab makes sense for the times you need it. 

[Owen]

Been there, done that.

 

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/296142-new-speaker-in-gk-mb-combo-options/"]http://basschat.co.u...-combo-options

 

 

 

 

 

[NHM]

Thanks for all these comments, this is a brilliant website for advice. So it looks like not such a good idea to try any mods and stick with the status quo (oh, err, those lc Va cadences!). 

 

[Owen]

If I was to do it again, I would just buy a drop in replacement. Thomann do it for a good price.