2 10's vs. 1 15 for a combo...

mtman1 · #1 08-27-2010, 06:28 AM

I am looking at buying a new combo amp in the 300 watt range. Lot's of options out there but I want to figure out first if I should go with a 1x15" or a 2x10". I currently have an Acoustic b200 with a 15" speaker. Lot's of punch but it seems to lose it on the mid to high frequencies. Would the 2x10's take care of that without sacrificing the low end? Is it just that my amp isn't the greatest? Thanks.

T. Alan Smith · #2 08-27-2010, 07:30 AM

In my experience, 15" combos tend to get the job done better in a more dense/louder situation like a typical rock gig. Think of the typical Peavey TNT or Ampeg B15.
I prefer the sound of 2x10" combos though(SWR Redhead or Eden Metro, for example), but would only go that route if not in the above type situation.
You need that punch if your playing in a more dense/louder situation. Much of that sweetness of the typical 2x10" combo gets lost in those situations.
What is your budget and playing situation? There are lots of options.

GregDunn · #3 08-27-2010, 09:03 AM

Keep in mind that (all other things being equal) you need cone area to move air at low frequencies. Two 10" drivers have roughly 90% of the cone area of a single 15", so they'll have to have a slightly greater excursion to move the same amount of air, which translates to (possibly) higher distortion in a similar driver, or (very slightly) more power required if the driver is of similar efficiency and can handle the extra excursion.

In a practical situation, these are not deal breakers because the numbers aren't much different. What matters is how well the system is designed, and whether it delivers the sound you need.

I don't think the 10" driver will have that much more high frequency extension than a 15". If you need true highs, you'll want a separate mid and/or HF driver anyway. It will "beam" less than a big driver and sound better off-axis. The 10" driver should have better transient response than the 15", but again, in practice it's more a function of how well the cabinet and driver work together.

Hopefully one of the speaker designers on TB can speak to the real-world results if you need more details...

clubdude · #4 08-27-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

In my experience, 15" combos tend to get the job done better in a more dense/louder situation like a typical rock gig. Think of the typical Peavey TNT or Ampeg B15.
I prefer the sound of 2x10" combos though(SWR Redhead or Eden Metro, for example), but would only go that route if not in the above type situation.
You need that punch if your playing in a more dense/louder situation. Much of that sweetness of the typical 2x10" combo gets lost in those situations.
What is your budget and playing situation? There are lots of options.

Interesting.. Just shows you that different ears hear different things, and everyone has their "favorite". Nobody is completely "right", or completely "wrong". It's subjective.

I feel pretty much the opposite, based on my experience. There's nothing I like about a single large speaker better than multiple smaller ones. And there's a lot about muliple smaller speakers I like better than one large one. I find the 10's range better, the recovery time much better, more mids and highs, and equal, but clearer bottom end. They just cut through better and distort less. Disclaimer: That is if everything is equal, for comparison sake. Same brand, same head, etc. Lot's of possible variables.

But I am the "the ten man".

1n3 · #5 08-27-2010, 11:14 AM

Tens vs fifteens is a common topic. Check out the sticky. Spend some time in the threads following "Speaker Size Discussions".

Consider also the ability to add an extension speaker. If the minimum impedance of the amp is 4 ohms, and the internal speaker load is 4 ohms, you're done.

mtman1 · #6 08-27-2010, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the input. I was interested in an Ampeg BA 300 with either the 15 or 2 10. But just found a sweet deal on a '95 MIA P Bass, so the amp may have to wait!

billfitzmaurice · #7 08-27-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtman1

Lot's of punch but it seems to lose it on the mid to high frequencies. Would the 2x10's take care of that without sacrificing the low end? .

Not necessarily. A single ten goes higher with better dispersion than a single fifteen, but that's squandered when you place a pair of tens side by side, as nearly all 2x10 combos do. The resulting midrange dispersion is about the same as a 1x21, which is mighty poor.
All things considered with the proliferation of micro heads there's very little benefit to combos these days. I'd be looking at one of those 6 pound wonders to use along with a 2x10 cab with vertically mounted drivers that can take advantage of the midrange that tens can give.

mtman1 · #8 08-27-2010, 02:15 PM

Good point! Might look into going that route as well.

MysticMichael · #9 08-27-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtman1

I am looking at buying a new combo amp in the 300 watt range. Lot's of options out there but I want to figure out first if I should go with a 1x15" or a 2x10".

Neither one. Get a 2x12...

MM

PunkSweeper · #10 08-28-2010, 07:35 PM

A small part of the fat 15 sound is how larger cones are better impedance matches to the air. With a 15" it will be easier to get some air moving. On the other hand, The 15" will be more directional and (most likely) limited in the high midrange region.

If you want mids to be audible over a wider area, go for a 2x10" on its side or with vertically aligned drivers. If you want to fill a room with bass, go for the 15.

Mind you, the differences are slight, and whatever you do, don't use two 10"s arrayed horizontally. Worst of both worlds.