Eminence "Legend" Speakers Review by Steve "Big Daddy Bluzharp" Harvell bluzharp.tripod.com

I just want to say how every now and then in a musicians life you hit the next level in your playing and you have a revelation,well I had my last one when I played a "Eminence" Legend speaker.The speakers that I am referring to are the Legend 122 and the Legend 102. The 122 is a twelve inch and the 102 is a ten inch speaker,both have alinco magnets and have a paper bobbin that is rated at 20 watts (Blue Frame) and the new Kapton bobbin version is rated at 35 watts(Black Frame).

I built a cabinet to hold two tens and one twelve,I eventually ended up building a seperate cabinet for each because I am a big fan of overdriving small (usually 5 watts) amps and then micing them at gigs and this is where these babies really shine.The twelve inch Black Frame was especially enlightning when I first started playing harmonica thru it.My Crate VC-508 was water damaged very bad in Hurricane Floyd and I had to build another cabinet to install the chasis in.When I rebuilt the VC-508 I built in jacks so that I could drive an extension cabinet(Please take note Crate-this would be a nice addition in the future.

Anyway,when I first started jamming thru the Black Frame Eminence 12 inch it was like getting religion,the sound was so focused and smooth/velvety sounding.As opposed to the ceramic Celestion that came in the amp that gave distortion but not the kind that keeps things seperated.To me there is out of control distortion where you have only a wall of sound and not all of the notes,chords and solos are clearly heard.What I like as stated earlier is that velvety,smooth singing type of distortion that still leaves you room to make MUSIC and not just sounds and this is where the Legends stand out!.

One thing that stood out in the twelve inch is how the sound seemed to grow as it came out of the speaker,it was like seeing a grain of sand grow into a boulder,the music actually blossomed out of the cabinet.I sometimes refer to music like water,it needs to flow out of the musican and the 12 inch Legend has the effect of a water that is coming out of the side of a mountain,it feels so natural.

I used a "Matchless" Hurricane 210,a Pignose 60 watt tube amp, a Crate VC-508,a 1950's Motorola tube amp and a 1959 Bassman for testing thse speakers and each amp colored the sounds that the speakers would make.The ten inch Legend Blue Frame (20 watts) is especially tasty for you amplified bluz harmonica players,it took me to nirvana.It was like driving a Corvette,the ten inch is highly recommended for combos or a 4/10 ext. cabinet,these babies are like finding the Holy grail.If you like that bluzy sound and like speakers that overdrive tastfully,I personally believe that you will be hard pressed to find a better product.

I want everyone to know that I do not do reviews on all products or CDs that I get.I have sent back numerous products over the last two years because either they did not meet my standards or because of my style of playing or I felt like the product did not suit my style of playing.I am fanatical about my integrity in this area,so when you see me do a good review on a product it has met with my approval and standards and I use and play the product.

It has been a while since I have felt this strongly about a product and this is why I plan to start replacing as time and money permits the speakers in my amps with Eminence "Legend" speakers.What does Steve"Big Daddy BluzHarp"Harvell play without reservation,"Hohner" Special 20s and "Hardwood Harps" with "Hohner" reedplates,Shaker Harmonica microphones and Eminence "Legend" speakers.

I am 47 years old and have been playing harmonica for almost 40 years and have gotten to the point in life from experience/trial/error that I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt what I like,and you have just read what makes "Big Daddy BluzHarp" a happy man!!!!

Eminence http://www.eminence-speaker.com/ P.O. Box 360
838 Mulberry Pike,Eminence,Ky 40019 Phone # (502)845-5622




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