EMINENCE KAPPA 15

The Eminence Kappa 15 speaker driver is a highly regarded component in the professional audio industry, celebrated for its ability to deliver strong, clear mid-bass and bass frequencies. It is part of Eminence’s American Standard Series, designed for durability and excellent sound quality in demanding applications.

Key Features and Specifications:

Driver Size: 15 inches (381mm) nominal basket diameter.

Impedance: Available in both 4-ohm (e.g., Kappa-15C) and 8-ohm (e.g., Kappa-15A) versions, allowing flexibility in system design.

Power Handling:

RMS Power Rating: Typically 450 Watts.

Program Power Handling: Typically 900 Watts.

Frequency Response: Generally ranges from approximately 52 Hz to 2.3 kHz (for the Kappa-15A) or 63 Hz to 2.8 kHz (for the Kappa-15C). This broad range makes it suitable for both mid-bass and some mid-range duties.

Sensitivity: High sensitivity, around 100.5 dB (1W/1m), means it can produce significant sound pressure levels efficiently, requiring less amplifier power.

Voice Coil: Features a 3-inch (76.2mm) copper voice coil wound on a Kapton former for excellent heat dissipation and durability.

Magnet: Typically utilizes a large 80 oz ferrite magnet.

Construction:

Basket: Pressed steel basket (some “Pro” versions might have cast aluminum).

Cone: Paper cone with a cloth cone edge for responsive and controlled movement.

Dust Cap: Solid composition paper dust cap.

Thiele & Small Parameters: These parameters (like Fs, Qts, Vas) are crucial for designing optimal speaker enclosures. For example, the Kappa-15A has an Fs of 33 Hz and a Qts of 0.32, indicating suitability for vented enclosures.

Applications:

Professional Audio: Ideal for vented mid-bass or bass enclosures in PA systems.

Bass Guitar: Well-suited for bass guitar cabinets, providing a punchy and articulate sound.

Monitors: Can be used in stage monitor designs.

DIY Speaker Builds: A popular choice for custom speaker projects.

Variants:

Kappa Pro-15A: A professional series version with a cast aluminum basket, often rated for 500W RMS / 1000W Program, and a slightly different frequency response and enclosure recommendation.

Kappa-15LFA: Specifically designed for low-frequency (LF) applications, offering higher RMS power (600W) and a lower frequency response range, often with a stamped steel basket and higher magnet weight.

Kappa-15C: Often a 4-ohm version, with similar power handling and sonic characteristics to the Kappa-15A.

The Eminence Kappa 15 series offers a compelling combination of power, efficiency, durability, and sound quality, making it a trusted choice for musicians, sound engineers, and speaker builders.