2 cabs vs. 1?

[smgleitch]

Just wondering if anyone else has tried this. I am wanting to use a set of 210 8 ohm cabs instead of 1 410 8 ohm in an attempt to get more power from my amp. Will the end result be any louder? Does it produce a better sound? Or is it best to just buy a 410?

[Mr. Foxen]

Two 2x10s are better, you have more options, but the max volume right in front will be the same. The extra power probably won't make much difference, but what will make a difference is stacking the 2x10s on their sides into a single line of speakers, the top one is now high and close to your ears, and the sound will be spread more evenly around, so it is louder off axis than the 4x10. Plus you can use a single 2x10 is space is a problem. Pair of 2x10s = better option for better sound, the watts part isn't nearly as important as people think.

[KJung]

Depends. First, most 410's come in 4ohm version, so mostly it is a matter of if you want the simplicity of a large box on wheels, or the advantage of modularity with two smaller boxes and a cart.

Second, given the large number of drivers and relatively high power handling of multiple 10 loaded boxes, the difference between a 4ohm 410 (or two 8ohm 210's) and an 8ohm 410 is quite noticable WITH MODERATE POWERED AMPS, all other things being equal (i.e., the brand, design and voicing of the 8ohm versus 4ohm 410).

Put another way, if you are using a micro head that puts out 300 or so watts into 8ohm and 500 watts into 4ohms, you will notice a difference with a large cab like a 410 in 4 versus 8ohms. It will be a little louder, but will be much more open in the low end... less compressed when pushed down low. If you have a big wumpin' amp that puts 500+ watts out at 8ohms, not so much.

Of course, speaker SPL matters also. A very low SPL cab (i.e., one that is very deeply voiced) can even benefit from the 4ohm impedance with a very powerful head. It is NOT as simple as some make it, saying doubling the wattage only results in a couple extra db's.... that is only part of the story (and even using the 'couple of db's' formula, that can still be the difference between 'just enough' versus 'not quite enough'!

It all depends

[Kingkananga]

yeah they are more flexible for gigs and playing around. on the power issue it depends how your amp works, I would get more power and volume from my amp if I were to use 2 210's rather than 1 410.

It would generally be louder anyway, as you would be running at a total impedence of 4ohms rather than 8ohmswith your 410 cab.

typically an amp puts out more power at 4ohms than 8 ohms, so I thnik you would get more power and more flexibility. probably a good call.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Two 2x10s are better, you have more options, but the max volume right in front will be the same. The extra power probably won't make much difference, but what will make a difference is stacking the 2x10s on their sides into a single line of speakers, the top one is now high and close to your ears, and the sound will be spread more evenly around, so it is louder off axis than the 4x10. Plus you can use a single 2x10 is space is a problem. Pair of 2x10s = better option for better sound, the watts part isn't nearly as important as people think.

I continue to find the vertical stacking to be a VERY minor issue in amplifying a bass guitar. First, the 'comb filtering' thing with a 410 only really impacts near field in the upper mids, and since most 410's have a tweeter that kicks in at the lower treble, we are talking about a very narrow range of frequencies that are impacted by this.

Many players are 'fooled' into thinking this is a big issue by the fact that having a driver up by your ear results in better near field monitoring, and also more of the 'directional mids' pounding in your ear versus shooting through your legs (not a bad thing), resulting in the impression that the sound is 'more even'. Once you get out front of the cab at 'audience distance', this issue IMO and IME is relatively trivial.

Again, the wattage difference can be HUGE IF you take into account cab SPL and the absolute wattage of the head.

[smgleitch]

I was planning on stacking them on their sides to get the speakers up and spread the sound out. Space is not an issue but the weight is. I was thinking that having the ability to bring just one cab to practice or small gigs would be nice while having the flexibility to have the headroom for a larger show. I am using the GK Goldline glx210 and was thinking that the 410 is a 8 ohm cab. The amp is the matching goldline head that puts out 500 watts at 4 ohms so I am assuming I am getting probably 300 watts at 8 ohms now running with just the one 210. Any thought on putting a single 15 under it? For some reason I keep getting drawn into the second 210 cab idea. I think in the end it will sound better.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by smgleitch

I was planning on stacking them on their sides to get the speakers up and spread the sound out. Space is not an issue but the weight is. I was thinking that having the ability to bring just one cab to practice or small gigs would be nice while having the flexibility to have the headroom for a larger show. I am using the GK Goldline glx210 and was thinking that the 410 is a 8 ohm cab. The amp is the matching goldline head that puts out 500 watts at 4 ohms so I am assuming I am getting probably 300 watts at 8 ohms now running with just the one 210. Any thought on putting a single 15 under it? For some reason I keep getting drawn into the second 210 cab idea. I think in the end it will sound better.

+1 on your wattage figures. A 115 will most likely work fine in conjunction with your 210, however, there really isn't an advantage over a second 210. The feeling that 'a 15 will give me more low end than a 210' is a leftover concept from the bad old days of crappy drivers and poorly designed cabs in the 70's and 80's. Now, many 210's put out more low end DB's than many 115 cabs. Unless you are able to try and really have a 'plan', it is always a safer bet to add a second identical cab.

[lbwdog]

I'd consider something other than those Goldlines though. That's the only G-K products I can't recommend (low power handling, heavy, etc). Avatar is much better for similar money.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I'd consider something other than those Goldlines though. That's the only G-K products I can't recommend (low power handling, heavy, etc). Avatar is much better for similar money.

+1

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by smgleitch

Just wondering if anyone else has tried this. I am wanting to use a set of 210 8 ohm cabs instead of 1 410 8 ohm in an attempt to get more power from my amp. Will the end result be any louder? Does it produce a better sound? Or is it best to just buy a 410?

From a sensitivity standpoint the 2x210 option will be 3dB higher, but that doesn't necessarily translate to more output. From a dispersion standpoint stacked 210s will be much better, twice as wide, if the 210s are stacked placing all four drivers on a vertical line. You'll hear them better too, with the stack being higher.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I'd consider something other than those Goldlines though. That's the only G-K products I can't recommend (low power handling, heavy, etc). Avatar is much better for similar money.

Another +1

Though I think the Goldline cabs are significantly better than the Backline cabs.

[smgleitch]

Well they are heavy!!!! Have been playing on and off for about 15 years but finally bought my first real rig just a few weeks ago. Got the head and one cab. Liked the way they sounded in the store and thought they looked good. Not playing with any one right now and just need a good sounding amp for home practice. Picked up both used for $300. So price was right and plenty of volume for home. Didn't know how heavy they are until I had paid for it and went to carry it out to the truck. Oh well still love the sound live and learn.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

From a sensitivity standpoint the 2x210 option will be 3dB higher, but that doesn't necessarily translate to more output. From a dispersion standpoint stacked 210s will be much better, twice as wide, if the 210s are stacked placing all four drivers on a vertical line. You'll hear them better too, with the stack being higher.

Bill is 100% correct...
I've been gigging two 210 cabinets stacked as a vertical 410 for some time now.
I've NO desire to return to a standard 410 configuration.