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Peavey MF 2 X Mark III Tops and 115 SC Bottoms

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Posted on August 24, 2021 at 16:55:44
ka7niq
Audiophile

Posts: 3835
Location: Tampa, Florida
Joined: September 4, 2001



I have found a working pair of Peavey MF 2 X Mark III Tops and 115 SC Bottoms locally!
I have a photo, but dont know how to upload it here.
I want to use these for home stereo and home theater.
My room is 26 by 20 and I was thinking about placing these monsters in the corners, firing across the room.
But I could face them forward.
I do have an electronic crossover, and several amps with CD Equalization, if need be.
Has anyone ever run this setup, and if so, any advice you can give me, or any comments ?

 

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RE: Peavey MF 2 X Mark III Tops and 115 SC Bottoms , posted on August 24, 2021 at 17:19:30
ka7niq
Audiophile

Posts: 3835
Location: Tampa, Florida
Joined: September 4, 2001
 I found specs online for the Peavey MF1-X Series 3, but these are MF2-X Series 3, and I am unable to find any info on them. Anyone know the differences if any between these 2 Horns/Drivers ?

 

RE: Peavey MF 2 X Mark III Tops and 115 SC Bottoms , posted on October 29, 2021 at 07:38:46
Fried Jon
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Location: Northeast Pennsylvania
Joined: October 30, 2002
 Hi,
I know this is a bit old now, and maybe you already have the speakers. I have both the MF1-X tops as well as the SP1 speakers with the same horns, plus a 15" folded horn bottom (like a LaScala). I used the MF1Xs as part of a multi-cabinet large setup in my theater room until I replaced them with EV horns. The SP1s still are in use in my living room, though I fully restored and repainted them to match.

The SP1s needed a full restoration, so, I figured I'd share a bit I've learned along the way. The main thing to be aware of is the type of horns these guys use.

These old horizontal slot CD horns really are ancient technology, and some that I think is best forgotten. There are two main problems with these horns:
1. The usual CD horn HF roll off, which it sounds like you are already familiar with. The SP1s used a passive crossover to help mitigate this, which needs rebuilding at this age.
2. This is the ugly part: The undersized slot creates a lot of turbulence which manifests as a nasty sizzling sound (think frying eggs) when driven at anything over a whisper. I found this problem to be most evident with the MF1-Xs which is used as part of a multi-cabinet setup. I've tried and tried to EQ it out, but there's nothing that can be done. It's a fact of life, and it really is very nasty sounding- painful to listen to. I got frustrated enough with mine that I replaced them with EV DH2As running HP940s with ST350s on top, and haven't looked back. They're much easier on the ears with no sizzle.

Now I know the speakers you are looking at the MF2-X not the 1, but it's still the same basic technology, and I would expect similar results.

Another thing to be aware of are the aging crossovers. My SP1s had failed power resistors, and the electrolytic caps were out of spec. If you already bought the speakers, definitely check out the crossovers on the tops.

If you haven't bought them yet, I would pass personally, as there are better options out there, especially considering the size. These are not very desirable speakers, and you may have trouble finding a buyer if you decided to sell.

Good luck, I hope this was helpful.

-Jon

 

Aging Crossover Capacitors No Longer A Problem !, posted on October 29, 2021 at 08:25:30
ka7niq
Audiophile

Posts: 3835
Location: Tampa, Florida
Joined: September 4, 2001
 You are correct about the aging capacitors in the crossover. And, to make matters even worse, Peavey used a Transformer to reduce the level of the 22A Drivers, to better match the level of the extended bandwidth Black Widow.
The Black Widow driver has been quite a pleasant surprise!
This Transformer is known to modulate the horn driver. But, I have Bi Amplified these speakers, using a Mackie 1400 on the top. It has adjustable CD Equalization, so it makes the aging crossover capacitors a moot point.
I realize the old CH 2 Horn is not the best, but I only paid 100.00 for Both of these speakers! Right now, I am trying to find a better driver to screw on the CH 2 Horns to replace the Peavey 22A. I turned off the Horns, and listened to the Peavey Black Widow, all by itself. There is no reason it has to be crossed over at 800HZ. It goes pretty far up in frequency pretty smoothly. So, that opens up a whole new can of worms! Do I try to find a driver I can cross over at 800hz as the Peavey 22A was, or do I take the extended bandwidth 15 inch Black Widow up to 1500hz or so ? If I take the Black Widow up higher in frequency, there are a Zillion Compression Drivers and horns that will go from 1500 way up in frequency. I am not "married" to these CH 2 Horns, they are just what I have right now. I do not hear any "sizzle" as you reported, but the high end is missing/lacking. Or, I can even throw some Tweeters up there! I saw some P Audio Tweeters with their little horns for 20 bucks each! Of course, that will mean a 3 way system vs a 2 way, but that is another option.

 

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