Best Empty PA Speaker Cabinets for Custom Setups and Upgrades
When building or upgrading a live sound rig, empty PA speaker cabinets offer the flexibility to customize tone, power handling, and compatibility with your preferred drivers. The selections below focus on sturdy, professional-grade empty enclosures from trusted brands, ideal for DJs, bands, and installations. Each option is designed to be loaded with your own woofers or cabinets, with features that support durability and easy wiring.
| Product | Brand | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Seismic Audio Baby-Tremor Empty Pair | Seismic Audio | Pair of 15″ empty sub cabinets; rugged build |
| Seismic Audio Empty 212 Cabinet | Seismic Audio | 2×12 empty PA/DJ cabinet; includes hardware for loading |
| Seismic SAP-18SFFEmpty | Seismic Audio | 18″ empty sub cabinet; top-mounted speaker option |
| Seismic Audio Empty 18″ Subwoofer PA DJ Pro | Seismic Audio | Empty 18″ sub cabinet; ready for your drivers |
| American Sound Connection ASC SC12E | American Sound Connection | 1×12 empty cabinet; versatile and durable |
Note: All products listed are empty enclosures intended for users who will install their own drivers, crossovers, and wiring. Specifications focus on cabinet design, mounting options, and build quality to ensure optimal performance with chosen components.
Seismic Audio Baby-Tremor Empty Pair
The Baby-Tremor Empty Pair consists of two 15″ empty subwoofer cabinets ready for your own drivers. Model designation is Baby-Tremor_Empty-Pair. This new condition pair provides a straightforward platform for building a custom sub-bass solution for PA, DJ, or live sound applications. The design focuses on solid enclosure construction to support deep bass without rattling panels.
Seismic Audio Empty 212 Cabinet
Model SA-212Empty describes a two-by-12 empty PA/DJ cabinet designed to be loaded with your own speakers. It does not include woofers, allowing precise driver selection. The cabinet comes with the necessary hardware and is intended for users seeking a custom, high-output stage monitor or subwoofer setup with their preferred components.
Seismic Audio Baby-Tremor Empty 15-Inch Subwoofer Cabinet
This item is described as an empty 15″ subwoofer cabinet suitable for PA, DJ, or band live sound applications. The enclosure is sold empty, with the expectation that users will install their own 15″ subwoofers and related hardware. It emphasizes new condition and readiness for custom wiring and configuration.
Seismic SAP-18SFFEmpty – 18 Inch Empty Pro Audio Subwoofer Cabinet
Model SAP-18SFFEmpty is an 18″ empty pro audio subwoofer cabinet designed to be loaded with your own speakers. The package includes speaker wire, a jack plate, and recessed metal handles. The cabinet is designed to accept two 1/4″ and two Speakon inputs, with a practical layout for high-power sub installations and top-mounted speaker options for flexible configurations.
Seismic Audio Empty 18″ Subwoofer PA DJ Pro
Seismic Audio’s Empty 18″ Subwoofer cabinet is a no-driver shell built for professional use. The model SA-18SE features a 3/4″ plywood front panel and includes a handle, grill, wire, and jack plate. It is advertised as a complete empty cabinet ready for your 18″ subwoofers and associated hardware, designed for venues like bands, bars, and weddings where custom sub configuration is desired.
American Sound Connection ASC SC12E
The ASC SC12E is a 1×12 empty guitar speaker cabinet, designed for electric guitar amplification. While marketed for guitar use, its empty enclosure design makes it suitable for custom loading with a variety of speakers and configurations. The cabinet emphasizes precision assembly, durable materials, and flexible connectivity via a 1/4″ jack input to accommodate different head or combo setups.
Sound Town 1 x 12″ Empty Guitar Cabinet
Sound Town offers a 1 x 12″ empty guitar cabinet with birch plywood construction and a black tolex exterior. Designed to be loaded with Celestion or Eminence speakers, this cabinet provides a sturdy, professional-grade platform for achieving your preferred guitar tone with an empty, customizable interior for driver choice and internal routing.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations For Empty Cabinets
- Material and Construction: Look for plywood or birch construction with solid internal bracing to minimize resonance and maximize tonal clarity.
- Internal Volume And Porting: Ensure the cabinet’s internal volume suits your intended woofer or driver size; verify whether it is ported or sealed as this affects bass response and efficiency.
- Speaker Compatibility: Confirm the cabinet’s cutouts, mounting depth, and hardware compatibility with your preferred drivers, including impedance and power ratings.
- Wiring and Connectivity: Check for shared jack plates, input options (1/4″ vs. Speakon), and ease of internal wiring for a clean, reliable build.
- Durability And Transport: Consider metal corner caps, casters or handles, and overall stackability for road use or studio deployment.
- Finish And Aesthetics: A durable exterior (tolex or coating) protects the enclosure and matches on-stage aesthetics.
- Intended Use: Choose cabinets sized and shaped for your application (live sound, DJ sets, studio monitoring, or permanent installation).
- Assembly And Customization: Some enclosures are fully empty; others include grill inserts or hardware; assess how much assembly is required for your build timeline.
When selecting empty cabinets, balance the enclosure quality with your planned drivers and crossover design. Consider how the cabinet’s acoustical footprint, mounting options, and durability will perform in the environments you typically work in, from small clubs to larger venues. Always verify compatibility with your existing gear and ensure safe, secure mounting and wiring practices during installation.