Electro-Voice Model 15W, Alnico Magnet, 15" Woofer, New in Original Box, NOS

Offered for your consideration is one (1) Electro-Voice Alnico magnet 15 inch woofer, model 15W . First introduced in the mid 1950’s, this superlative bass driver was developed by E-V in cooperation with Paul Klipsch. Two versions were marketed—the 15WK for use in the fabled Klipschorn and E-V folded-horn speakers, and the 15W which was designed for conventional speaker baffles. Both models retailed for $130.00 which was huge money to spend on a single driver in the 1950’s. Still impressive today, the 15W is one of the most desirable bass drivers from the “Golden Age of HiFi” and is highly sought-after by audiophiles.

I purchased this woofer in a barn sale of someone who, based on the barn’s contents, may have been a retired audio engineer, or studio owner. It was packed chock full with gear of all types! This speaker is NOS (new old stock), still in its original Electro-Voice box, with all the inner packing intact! It looks like it’s never been removed from the box! Every part of the speaker looks new. It’s immaculate! The chromed basket is in perfect condition—very shiny with no oxidation—and the factory paint on that sizeable magnet cover is also perfectly preserved. The box even still has the original shipping label affixed!

I have no way of knowing for sure, but I believe this 15W is a 1960’s model. The serial number is 15728, though I’ve been unable to find out exactly which year this number corresponds with. Like all 15W’s, this one features a tastefully chromed heavy cast basket and “hammertone” paint finish on the substantial steel cover. Please see the photos I’ve taken for your review.

The first thing you'll notice is the massive size of the 15W. Featuring a five+ pound Alnico V magnet slug contained in a 22 lb. pot, the overall weight of this stalwart driver is some 35 lbs. By far, it’s the heaviest woofer I’ve ever handled, which kind of makes it too heavy to ship, but if you simply must have it, I’ll ship it for $100! Before you complain, trust me, I did too, but I don’t set the rates. USPS, UPS, and Fedex do! I’m just telling you what they told me.

Most of the E-V literature I’ve encountered refers to the 15W as rating a “nominal” 16 ohms, though some versions were 8Ω. Even the Klipsch-specification 15WK is referred to as 16Ω, though they published its DC resistance as 3.2Ω (what we know today as a 4 ohm driver). I’m not certain if this woofer left the factory as a nominal 8 or 16Ω. My guess would be 16, but I would test it.

The sound of these woofers was potent and clear with the detailed presence and warm vintage tone that keeps Alnico magnet speakers in such high demand (decades after they became too expensive to produce in quantity). The 1950’s E-V specs for the 15W show a 50 watt maximum rating, but this was honest wattage that equaled what the strongest amps could deliver in the dawn of HiFi. It can likely support double that wattage without issue, but most would be scrambling to turn the volume down—this efficient woofer is very loud even at 15-20 watts input!

Lastly, E-V suggested a crossover point of 800 cycles (what Hz was still called back then) whereby it would hand over to a wide-range horn in a two-way system; or, more ideally for today’s thinking, to a midrange driver and tweeter in a three-way configuration.

So, if you’ve been looking for a superb condition 15W to replace in a large vintage E-V or other brand cabinet, or for a special vintage speaker project, you’ve found the right listing! This woofer model is still listed online with some frequency, but most examples I’ve seen aren’t nearly this nice. Check out my pics and you be the judge!