2x12+1x12 vs 2x15 cabinet

leshok · #1 09-11-2010, 04:41 AM

Hey guys. I am looking to pick up a sensible cabinet for shows. The venues we play in are around 600-900 sq/ft. My band has two guitarist, both with 4x12 cabinets. Our music is on the heavier size (D tuning) so I am looking for lows/mids. What should I go with in terms of size?

I am looking at the Avatar 2x12 + Avatar 1x12. As for 2x15" I am still reading up on them. So what would you guys recommend to me brand wise as well as size?

Thanks!

bassman1185 · #2 09-11-2010, 06:49 AM

You definitely do not want to go with a 2x12 and a 1x12 unless the 2x12 is four-ohm and the 1x12 is eight, which would mean you would need an amp able to go down to 2 ohm loads, or at least 2.76 ohm loads. If you run an 8-ohm 2x12 with an 8-ohm 1x12, both cabs will receive the same level of power, making your rig functionally not much louder than if you just used the 2x12, and also potentially damaging the 1x12 because the one speaker will receiving twice as much power as either of the drivers in the 2x12.

RickenBoogie · #3 09-11-2010, 07:46 AM

Big +1 and I'd rather do the 2x15 anyway in this case. Look for an older (used) Mesa Deisel 215 loaded with EV's. The 800 watt version. Killer cab. load and proud, great tone.

leshok · #4 09-11-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

You definitely do not want to go with a 2x12 and a 1x12 unless the 2x12 is four-ohm and the 1x12 is eight, which would mean you would need an amp able to go down to 2 ohm loads, or at least 2.76 ohm loads. If you run an 8-ohm 2x12 with an 8-ohm 1x12, both cabs will receive the same level of power, making your rig functionally not much louder than if you just used the 2x12, and also potentially damaging the 1x12 because the one speaker will receiving twice as much power as either of the drivers in the 2x12.

Thanks for the response! I am using an Ampeg SVT VR which is 300 watts tubed. So regardless of 2 ohms or 4 ohm I will be at 300 watts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Big +1 and I'd rather do the 2x15 anyway in this case. Look for an older (used) Mesa Deisel 215 loaded with EV's. The 800 watt version. Killer cab. load and proud, great tone.

Yeah I was checking those out. I will keep my eyes open.

bassman1185 · #5 09-11-2010, 12:30 PM

Leshok, the problem isn't so much the wattage, but how the wattage is divvied up between the cabs. Unless you're running an eight-ohm 1x12 and a four-ohm 2x12, you will have half of your given wattage going to the single 12, with a quarter of your wattage going to each of the drivers in your 2x12.

Din Of Win · #6 09-11-2010, 01:05 PM

2x15 all the way.

I love mine!

Though, i just love that size of cabs (because they fit in my car!)... 2x15, 6x10, 4x12...

If you like the 12' speakers, you're better off with a 4x12. I use a Peavey TVX(iirc) 4x12 at one of my practice spaces. Nice cab!

I Forget · #7 09-12-2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

You definitely do not want to go with a 2x12 and a 1x12 unless the 2x12 is four-ohm and the 1x12 is eight, which would mean you would need an amp able to go down to 2 ohm loads, or at least 2.76 ohm loads. If you run an 8-ohm 2x12 with an 8-ohm 1x12, both cabs will receive the same level of power, making your rig functionally not much louder than if you just used the 2x12, and also potentially damaging the 1x12 because the one speaker will receiving twice as much power as either of the drivers in the 2x12.

While this is pretty good advice I don't completely agree with it. Take for example some typical gear - a 300w 112, a 600w 212 and an amp rated at 300w into 8ohms and 500w into 4 ohms. With both cabs being 8 ohms the power distribution per driver is admittedly not ideal. But the 112 will see 250w which is within it's rating of 300w, for what that's worth. When it comes to volume, the 3x12 rig will be quite a lot louder than the 212 cab, courtesy of an extra 200w from the amp and 50% more speaker area. So while it's not ideal, it works, it avoids the 2 ohm 'problem' and may prove to be a useful purchase, especially if you have other gear you mix/match with.

That said a 3x12 rig is roughly equivalent to a 410 - might not be enough for leshok's circumstances methinks. A 412 or a pair of 212's might be a better idea all around.

DavePlaysBass · #8 09-12-2010, 12:28 PM

Based on what you describe, if you are looking for portability, I would look into the GK Neo series. There you could get a pair of 2x12s (1200W at 4 ohm) for around a grand. Or a pair of 1x15s (800W @ 4 ohm) for less than a grand. Or maybe a 1x15 and a 2x12 (400W rating on the 15, 600W rating on the 2x12). I just picked up a 1x15, but I am not looking for the volume you are except for the occasional outdoor jam.

FooHead · #9 09-14-2010, 03:28 PM

Your band situation sounds pretty much like mine.
I also run with two 15" cabs at 300 watts (4ohm) with great results.

Bag End cab's are pretty light, thump really well, loud and are super portable.

I love my S15-D / S15X-D stack with my Tech21 LM300 head.

Lazarus.Bird · #10 09-14-2010, 03:53 PM

Why not run 2 212s? That's what I'll be doing soon

andertone · #11 09-14-2010, 04:49 PM

I run a 2 x 12 (Epi T212) and a 1 x 12 (Epi T112) at outdoor shows, the trick is to use a stereo power amp (mine is a QSCPLX2402/Alembic F2b) so you can use one channel per speaker cabinet and match them. I also stack them to get three speakers in a line, helps to cut through the drums on stage and project out into the crowd

Much louder than my EV B215M 2 x 15 setup, not even close.

Phil Anderson

Zitch · #12 09-14-2010, 04:56 PM

Take a solid look at GK's 4x12. Its awesome, I have no trouble keeping up with two down tuned guitarist's running 150watt tube amps.

jeffgnr90 · #13 02-19-2013, 07:04 PM

i'm going to be running a stack of 210's and a 1x15 either on top or bottom. anybody with this combo experience?

mcm · #14 02-19-2013, 08:21 PM

2 by 15 all the way. Bag end stack

ezstep · #15 02-19-2013, 08:50 PM

I've always said that if my wife got smart and put a gun to my head and told me to choose one cab and one cab only.... I'd have to go with a 2x15. Seriously. I've run 2x12's, 4x12's, 1x12, 1x15, 4x10, and 2x15. The last cab was not the best in ever single category (volume, tone, highs, mid-highs, mid lows, lows, etc.) but it would win all-round. I gigged about 19 years with an old Peavey 2x15 with BW's, the deep cabinet (Peavey made two 2x15's... one about 11" deep and the other about 15" deep, IIRC).

Mostly during that 19 years, I had a 150 wt MusicMan HD150. I never once needed more power with that rig.