(2) 4x10 Vs. (1) 8x10

Mike_G · #1 09-21-2011, 06:00 AM

Hi everyone, I have been playing bass for about a year now and have been looking at the 'high end' cabs. The 8x10 really intrigues me but i'm afraid it will be too much to drag down stairs before and after every gig. What would the differences between getting one 8x10 or 2 4x10's be? Please keep in mind I'm a newbie so try to keep your answers as simple as possible!

Thanks so much in advance
Mike

WillyPop · #2 09-21-2011, 06:28 AM

You may not know it yet but a 8x10 is also called a refrigirator. Its big, bulky and as you know hard to move around or to stuff in a car. (especially if you drive a 78 chevette like I do!)

Keep it as flexible as possible, 2 4x10 = still got 4x10 if one cab stop working. You can leave one a the rehearsal place and bring one back home. At the gig you bring one and the singer bring the other!

And as far as i'm concerned, there is no much sonic difference between the big one and the 2 4x10s.

JimmyM · #3 09-21-2011, 06:30 AM

if they're similar cab designs, an 810 and two 410's will sound the same. If they're not, they won't.

Slowgypsy · #4 09-21-2011, 06:40 AM

If you've got roadies get the 8x10, if not get (2) 4x10's.

Son of Bovril · #5 09-21-2011, 06:46 AM

if there are no stairs involved and you drive a van or truck, the 810 is easier than the 410's otherwise anything that requires actually lifting the cab, the 810 will be a mission

bassgod0dmw · #6 09-21-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

if they're similar cab designs, an 810 and two 410's will sound the same. If they're not, they won't.

+1

And moving around (2) 4X10's is generally easier for most people. Plus you have the added ability to take only (1) 4X10 to smaller gigs...

JGR · #7 09-21-2011, 06:52 AM

If you have the space to haul an 810, I think it is generally easier to move because you don't have to lift them. The form factor of 410's is tougher and you will generally be carrying rather than rolling them.

bluesbass99 · #8 09-21-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

if there are no stairs involved and you drive a van or truck, the 810 is easier than the 410's otherwise anything that requires actually lifting the cab, the 810 will be a mission

JimmyM made the same point when I was contemplating whether to buy an 810. I have found that my 810 is very easy to maneuver since it is very well balanced and on wheels. I have actually loaded and unloaded the 810 in my SUV by myself. A 410 requires dead lifting. Of course if stairs are involved the 810 is going to require some help.

MontanaBassDude · #9 09-21-2011, 08:16 AM

At age 30, I was 6'0" when I started playing bass.

Now at age 57, I'm 5'10"

I attribute that to the many tons of bass cabs I've loaded in and out and up and down stairs. Now I say, "The smaller, the more Neo, the better!"

And plug in your earplugs every time, sonny boy!

georgestrings · #10 09-21-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

+1

And moving around (2) 4X10's is generally easier for most people. Plus you have the added ability to take only (1) 4X10 to smaller gigs...

I disagree - I found two separate cabs to be more of a hassle to gig with than one larger cab...

- georgestrings

ustabawannab · #11 09-21-2011, 10:07 AM

This all fits in my Volkswagen CC. No way an SVT 810 would. (each cab is 60lbs, BTW)

Note my avatar. It's behind me

klejst · #12 09-21-2011, 10:09 AM

I used to use two Fender Bassman 410's (basically a 8x10), it sounded alright, loud as you would expect, however despite having two separate cab's to use one when needed and both when needed I hated traveling with them and having to lug both of them, bass, and amp around. So I sold them and bought my Mesa 610 cab. As Jimmy said as long as they are the same they should sound the same.

Tracebassplayer · #13 09-21-2011, 10:20 AM

I have 2 4x10 , a 6x10, a 8x10 and 2 1x15 cabs.
I can tell you it's easier to slide the 8x10 up the stairs than carrying the 4x10.
I use a hand truck for the stairs like moving a fridge - hence the term fridge referring to the bigger cabs.

Yes. When stacked the 2 4x10's will sound the same as a 8x10 if they are the same type. I.e.
Trace Elliot 1048h x2 (8 ohm/2=4ohm)
vs.
Trace Elliot 1084h (4 ohm).

Gearhead17 · #14 09-21-2011, 10:29 AM

Having the two cab option on bigger stages and the one cab option for smaller stages is quite helpful. Of course, if the 810 you are playing is wired so you can use the bottom or top half only - then it will be pretty helpful.

Almost every 810 I have played sounds incredibly massive - not just because of the speaker surface area, but because of the way it is built. Many 810's have more low midrange and do not sound as articulate as their 410 counter parts. Nothing wrong with that, I just prefer more articulation with my bass tones.

Eric Moesle · #15 09-21-2011, 11:01 AM

Count me in with those that think moving an 8x10 is easier than two 4x10's. I got rid of my 410's for that reason.

No bending over to roll them in. No deadlifting to get them in and out of vehicle or up/down stairs. The 810 glides down stairs, and you can pull it up stairs without having to bend over. For the vehicle, I tip the top end in, and the rest just slides easily. Much less effort than with my 410's.

**Faderoktopus** · #16 09-21-2011, 11:39 AM

The biggest factor when moving an 8x10 is actually practice. You can't get it up or down stairs by yourself, but if there is someone else around to lend a quick hand who knows whether to lift on 'three' or on 'go' then it's no big deal. All other situations, low doorsteps, ramps and such, I usually handle myself. Since the 'fridge' is on wheels, there is little to no actual lifting going on, something that would be unavoidable with two 4x10's.

As for sound, there are those who claim that the construction of the box itself makes a difference to how the cab sounds, just like Gearhead17 said. I have never had the chance to a/b an 8x10 vs. 2 similarly designed 4x10's, so I can't comment on that.

By the way, I might have misunderstood your post but just to be clear, 'high end' has nothing to do with speaker configuration, it has to do with quality (and, perhaps, price).

Good luck in your search!

Martin

Mike_G · #17 09-21-2011, 11:43 AM

Awesome thanks everyone. I forgot to mention the two amps I was looking at were the ampeg 4x10 HE and the ampeg 8x10. Another question I had was with the two 4x10s would I have to use up 2 outputs where as on a 8x10 I would only have to use one and is that a problem? I don't really know a whole lot about how that works because I have only Really played on my combo amp (Ampeg BA115HP)

Mike_G · #18 09-21-2011, 11:45 AM

And yes I ment 'high end as quality

Gearhead17 · #19 09-21-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_G

Awesome thanks everyone. I forgot to mention the two amps I was looking at were the ampeg 4x10 HE and the ampeg 8x10. Another question I had was with the two 4x10s would I have to use up 2 outputs where as on a 8x10 I would only have to use one and is that a problem? I don't really know a whole lot about how that works because I have only Really played on my combo amp (Ampeg BA115HP)

Speaker cord from the head to the 410he then go from the back of the 410he to the other 410he. That is called daisy chaining and it works well without issue.

2 410he's versus the 810e - the 410he's are ported aren't they? Regardless, the tone is going to be quite similar. When you are on stage with the band with two 410he's, I think you would be hard pressed to hear the difference between that rig and the 810e. Solo the two rigs and you will hear the difference - you should give it try one day and see what you think. Both setups will serve you well though.

ustabawannab · #20 09-21-2011, 11:50 AM

Aren't most 8x10 cabs really 4 2x10 enclosures?