15" or 18"?

TwinBass · #1 07-24-2011, 07:56 PM

I am looking at adding an extension cab to my stack, and I'm stuck deciding between a 1x15 and a 1x18 cab.

What would be the advantages/disadvantages of one size over the other? I'm looking at the Trace Elliot 1518 vs. the 1818. It looks like the 18 is tuned down to 28Hz and the 15 is tuned to 38Hz, but I never really boost those frequencies anyway. It also looks like the 18 is a bit heavier, but I would be using my dolly to move them anyway. Neither cab has a tweeter or anything, just a straight 15" vs. 18" speaker.

I play a 5 string, so I would like a speaker that could handle some serious lows. I'm looking to pair it with a 2x10 or possibly a 4x10 (ideally my 2x10). I know that I would be best served to actually try them both before deciding, but since I can't find a Trace dealer anywhere close to me, I would like to at least hear some opinions on the matter before I venture any further. For the record, money isn't necessarily an issue as I would rather spend a little more for the right cab and have the luxury of not always wondering "what if?", but if the less expensive option would be a better fit, I can always use the money in other places.

Is one size speaker going to have a noticeable difference over the other? If so, what?

runmikeyrun · #2 07-24-2011, 07:58 PM

what kind of music do you play? What amp? 4 string or 5?

Ric5 · #3 07-24-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinBass

I am looking at adding an extension cab to my stack, and I'm stuck deciding between a 1x15 and a 1x18 cab.

What would be the advantages/disadvantages of one size over the other? I'm looking at the Trace Elliot 1518 vs. the 1818. It looks like the 18 is tuned down to 28Hz and the 15 is tuned to 38Hz, but I never really boost those frequencies anyway. It also looks like the 18 is a bit heavier, but I would be using my dolly to move them anyway. Neither cab has a tweeter or anything, just a straight 15" vs. 18" speaker.

I play a 5 string, so I would like a speaker that could handle some serious lows. I'm looking to pair it with a 2x10 or possibly a 4x10 (ideally my 2x10). I know that I would be best served to actually try them both before deciding, but since I can't find a Trace dealer anywhere close to me, I would like to at least hear some opinions on the matter before I venture any further. For the record, money isn't necessarily an issue as I would rather spend a little more for the right cab and have the luxury of not always wondering "what if?", but if the less expensive option would be a better fit, I can always use the money in other places.

Is one size speaker going to have a noticeable difference over the other? If so, what?

10s plus 18s are a perfect combo.

The 10s give you the mids and highs the 18s miss and the 18s add some nice low end.

The 18 will help out your low B.

TwinBass · #4 07-24-2011, 08:05 PM

I play all sorts of music, most recently funky-pop type music with a bit of a rock/metal edge (tough to explain, naturally). I'm currently using a friend's Trace Elliot AH600-12 head (I think that's the model-- 12 band eq, dual band comp, tube circuit). I'm using a Peavey 4x10 cab, but I'm really looking to go 2x10 + 1x15/1x18 type setup. I play an EBMM Stingray5.

**fuzzy beard** · #5 07-24-2011, 08:47 PM

From the way i understand it if you dont bi amp you will have phasing issues! It is said to always be better to run same size driver when adding a cab.15+15, 410+410, that kind of thing!

Derek Kiernan · #6 07-24-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinBass

I play a 5 string, so I would like a speaker that could handle some serious lows. I'm looking to pair it with a 2x10 or possibly a 4x10 (ideally my 2x10). I know that I would be best served to actually try them both before deciding, but since I can't find a Trace dealer anywhere close to me, I would like to at least hear some opinions on the matter before I venture any further. For the record, money isn't necessarily an issue as I would rather spend a little more for the right cab and have the luxury of not always wondering "what if?", but if the less expensive option would be a better fit, I can always use the money in other places.

Frequency response is size-independent, and comes down to individual examples. If you're planning on using it with your 2x10, and you're not biamping, you'd probably want to just buy an identical 2x10, stack it vertically, avoiding phasing issues entirely. If you want serious lows and perfectly clear upper mids that are well dispersed through the room, check out the fEARful designs. Keep in mind the 12/6 and 15/6 have an identical tonality

Stumbo · #7 07-24-2011, 09:16 PM

fEARful 15+6 and a 15 sub should do it nicely. Another cab that's getting attention is the LDS long-throw 8x8.

Sartori · #8 07-24-2011, 09:24 PM

I'm a 15"s guy myself. Just because. I don't really have a reason.

**JxBass** · #9 07-25-2011, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

From the way i understand it if you dont bi amp you will have phasing issues! It is said to always be better to run same size driver when adding a cab.15+15, 410+410, that kind of thing!

+1. Tons of threads and comments on TB, many by cab builders, that matching speaker sizes when adding a second cab is best. So if your main cab will be a 2x10, add a second 2x10.

Or as referenced by Stumbo, get a fEarful/nEarful 15/6 and you'll never need a second cab

staindbass · #10 07-25-2011, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxBass

Or as referenced by Stumbo, get a fEarful/nEarful 15/6 and you'll never need a second cab

i would take that advice with a grain of salt. we cannot be sure how much low end he really wants. put that fearful 15/6 next to my 18's and it will sound like a small toy. try before you buy its very important.

**fuzzy beard** · #11 07-25-2011, 04:44 PM

Yeah but he can get a fearful i dont see ampeg doing to much custom work for him or me or any other average bass player.

BurningSkies · #12 07-25-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staindbass

i would take that advice with a grain of salt. we cannot be sure how much low end he really wants. put that fearful 15/6 next to my 18's and it will sound like a small toy. try before you buy its very important.

Have you done this? Who's 15/6 did you use?

grendle · #13 07-25-2011, 05:32 PM

In my experience I don't care for 18"s . They add some girth but too low of frequencies. You feel them more than hear them imo. 15"s will go almost as low , but have more useable low/low mid/mid range imo. You will be able to feel and also hear them better. For a 5er I think you hear more of the note from a 15, with an 18 you feel the rumble more than you hear the note.

BigOldHarry · #14 07-25-2011, 05:35 PM

I too am in the not caring for 18's camp. They sure SEEM like a good idea, but to me, they just don't sound good. Try to remember, what is actually heard in the mix is the midranges, and 15" speakers do a better job with those than 18"s.

will33 · #15 07-25-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

From the way i understand it if you dont bi amp you will have phasing issues! It is said to always be better to run same size driver when adding a cab.15+15, 410+410, that kind of thing!

This.

Find one cab you like the sound of by itself, then get another just like it.

will33 · #16 07-25-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staindbass

i would take that advice with a grain of salt. we cannot be sure how much low end he really wants. put that fearful 15/6 next to my 18's and it will sound like a small toy. try before you buy its very important.

What's the Vd spec on one of your 18's? That'll go a long way towards telling you how they compare in the lows.