2x10 and 1x15?

[Ironderby]

is a 2x10+1x15 cab enough for metal gigs? i understand a 4x10 is, but is 3 speakers one being a 15" enough?

[prd004]

Most will tell you that mixing different speaker configurations is not the way to go. Thus, two 2x10's will work better than the combo in question.

As for the amount of volume you'll need, that is a case specific question. Each band is different. Volume level starts with the drummer and there is a wide variety of levels here. Then it depends on the guitar(s) rigs being used. You'll have to taylor your needs to your specific situation

[rummy]

+1 for matching, and 10s for volume.

[Son of Bovril]

yeah it's a little difficult to predict your volume needs over the internet, but as a starting point, for a small metal gig I would suggest a minimum of a 210 + 115 and a 300watt amp.

You don't want to have to run bass through the monitors and you need to be able to hear yourself over the drums and guitar amps which will be coming through the monitors most likely.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 it's not possible to gauge your situation, but more speakers = more volume. Matching 2x10's are better than mixed cabs.

[bassdood]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Matching 2x10's are better than mixed cabs.

This seems to be an article of faith, more and more. What is this presumed fact of its-always-better-to-match cabs based on?

[Munjibunga]

I used to have a D-210XLT and D-115XLT stack in my practice room, and it sounded mediocre at best. Actually it fairly sucked. When I ditched the 15 and got a D-210XST, it ruled.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by bassdood

This seems to be an article of faith, more and more. What is this presumed fact of its-always-better-to-match cabs based on?

The facts as presented by speaker cab designers and engineers.

Since different speakers have different specs, mixing them is a crapshoot at best and can lead to frequency cancellation, comb filtering, phase issues, etc.

Using matching cabs ALWAYS insures speakers are sharing the same amount of power, same specs, same sensitivity, etc.

[ItsMichaelYeah]

Now that the matching question is already out in the air. I can use one of my 2x10/1x15 cabs for a show with no problem. I play metal/punk and haven't had a volume problem. also using the SVT-CL to power both.

I just want to state that I don't Disagree with the mixed speaker question. but I do like the sound of my cabs.

[Rafael]

Originally Posted by bassdood

This seems to be an article of faith, more and more. What is this presumed fact of its-always-better-to-match cabs based on?

As a bit of an iconoclast myself, this religious litmus test always makes me smile......I don't buy the comb filtering, phase canceling, etc claims about this combo, and in fact played for years with a 1x15 and a 4x10 and it sounded GREAT.

The main issue I will agree with is that the cabinet/driver combinations do not max out at the same point [usually four tens can take more watts than a single 15] but on the other hand I seldom play at 100% of my rigs capabilities. Thus, I think in most situations that particular mismatch argument is specious. What I did like was the fact that I could have three different sounds, the 15 alone, the 4x10 alone, and the combo, each distinctly different.

At practice I run through the house rig which is a 210 on a 115 and it too sounds great, whether powered by the 300watt SS head or the Bassman 100.

What you will hear are lots of folks making the case for the worst case scenario [max power through the stack] and make a blanket claim that therefore under no circumstances would anyone want to run such a rig. I prefer real world experience and mine tells me as long as you aren't over-driving either cab you should be just fine.

[scottfeldstein]

Matching issues aside, those speakers wouldn't cut it with the metal guys I jam with on Friday nights. Even though the guitar player uses a 50w tube combo, I literally have to use my MB500 to drive an 8x10 Ampeg cab to cut through. Let's not even get into the fact that the drummer likes to mic his double-kick riffs even in rehearsal...

These guys are ridiculous, I know. And not all metalheads are. But I have a hard time seeing two 10s and a 15 cutting it in a lot of scenarios. I think a 4x10 is a minimum, 6x10s are better (or possibly 4x12s).

[bassdood]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

The facts as presented by speaker cab designers and engineers.

I haven't noticed cab companies saying this. Maybe i've missed it. Anybody seen Ampeg, GK, or other top cab companies recommending this?

The rest of the statement doesn't look real compelling. Who says an optimal output is always obtained by exactly equally splitting power, or having the same sensitivity?

This ignores the possible upside of having addional freq range, etc, added. I guess all those guys that stacked a 410 on their 115 had screwey sound for a long time, and just didn't realize it, eh?

I'm not saying its wrong; I'm just wondering if this isn't just another passing fad concept. Anybody else care to weigh in?

[ItsMichaelYeah]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Matching issues aside, those speakers wouldn't cut it with the metal guys I jam with on Friday nights. Even though the guitar player uses a 50w tube combo, I literally have to use my MB500 to drive an 8x10 Ampeg cab to cut through. Let's not even get into the fact that the drummer likes to mike his double-kick riffs even in rehearsal...

These guys are ridiculous, I know. And not all metalheads are. But I have a hard time seeing two 10s and a 15 cutting it in a lot of scenarios. I think a 4x10 is a minimum, 6x10s are better (or possibly 4x12s).

I was in a band with 2 Marshall jcm 800s 100 watts each. I didn't have a problem being heard.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by ItsMichaelYeah

I was in a band with 2 Marshall jcm 800s 100 watts each. I didn't have a problem being heard.

Yeah but they were sissies.

Kidding!

[madmatt]

The absolute best 2x10/1x15 combo I have ever heard is my Hartke 2.5XL teamed with my GK 115RBH. And, believe it or not, I only push it with a Hartke HA2500 (250 Watts).
This combo is devastating, ie: it is literally painful to turn it up at all because I feel my eardrums are in mortal danger.
I could only imagine how loud it would be with another 100 Watts behind it, like an HA3500.
Just thinking about it makes my head hurt.

[Santraginus]

I use two Glockenklang cabs - a 115 and a 210. And to my ears, it works just fine. Even better: the band likes that combo quite a lot!

[colcifer]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1 it's not possible to gauge your situation, but more speakers = more volume. Matching 2x10's are better than mixed cabs.

Actually, more speaker area gives more volume.

[Rickengeezer]

[quote=bassdood;11339986]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

The facts as presented by speaker cab designers and engineers.
/QUOTE]

I haven't noticed cab companies saying this. Maybe i've missed it. Anybody seen Ampeg, GK, or other top cab companies recommending this?

The rest of the statement doesn't look real compelling. Who says an optimal output is always obtained by exactly equally splitting power, or having the same sensitivity?

This ignores the possible upside of having addional freq range, etc, added. I guess all those guys that stacked a 410 on their 115 had screwey sound for a long time, and just didn't realize it, eh?

I'm not saying its wrong; I'm just wondering if this isn't just another passing fad concept. Anybody else care to weigh in?

Something tells me that the PA system isn't all comprised of the same speakers, either.

I've been using the 115/210 for years (matched cabs) and couldn't be happier with it.

[lpdeluxe]

I used this rig for about a year, until I got my Mesa/Boogie Walkabout Scout. No problems with mix and match. It had a deep bottom and sweet top end. I almost wish I had kept these speakers and bought the head-only Walkabout -- but these days it has morphed into a much lighter rig.

[ItsMichaelYeah]

Oh no... This thread is going down THAT route.