2x15,4x10,6x10?

bobostein · #1 09-17-2010, 02:18 AM

would I get the same amount of volume out of a 2x15 that I would get from a 4x10/6x10? I like the idea of a 2x15 but I dont know if it would bring out the amps full potential, given Im using a 300w tube amp. Or shuld I just stay away from 2x15s? 6x12 would be cool

spaz21387 · #2 09-17-2010, 02:23 AM

you will get more volume out of having more speakers. But I find 15s give a better tone in my opinion.

gbarchus · #3 09-17-2010, 05:46 AM

A 2X15 and 300 watt all tube head is about as "old school" as you can get. What kind of sound are you looking for?

tlr1293 · #4 09-17-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarchus

A 2X15 and 300 watt all tube head is about as "old school" as you can get. What kind of sound are you looking for?

But can you snag that growly Blues-Rock tone that bites you in the a$$ and thumps you in the chest?

Not talkin 'front of chest punch' - talkin 'whole chest cavity wallop'!

That smooth to snarly tone (based on playing technique) is quite important too

Mo'Phat · #5 09-17-2010, 06:35 AM

The right cabinet, whether it be 2x15, 4x10 or 6x10, will give you whatever tone you're looking for.

I'm a big fan of sealed back cabinets (like the Bergantino NV series) for all-tube heads.

The old Mesa Diesel 2x15 with the EV cabinets + an all-tube head is a glorious match...or you can build a couple of TL-606 cabinets and drop in some Eminence 3015's in there...(hint hint).

RNV · #6 09-17-2010, 06:46 AM

I would love to slap an all tube head on the new Peavey VB215 loaded with Black Widows. *Drool*

tlr1293 · #7 09-17-2010, 06:56 AM

They say that Fender has gotten past their latest quaility issues and the Bassman 300Pro w/ 215 Pro cab is a knockout combination. Fender also has a 6x10 Pro cab - would I love to A/B those 2 cabs off the 300 Pro amp, just to get the feel for teh right one. (hate buying blind)

Din Of Win · #8 09-17-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlr1293

They say that Fender has gotten past their latest quaility issues and the Bassman 300Pro w/ 215 Pro cab is a knockout combination. Fender also has a 6x10 Pro cab - would I love to A/B those 2 cabs off the 300 Pro amp, just to get the feel for teh right one. (hate buying blind)

I've been eyeing the Fender 6x10 Pro.

bobostein · #9 09-17-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarchus

A 2X15 and 300 watt all tube head is about as "old school" as you can get. What kind of sound are you looking for?

70s sabbath, stoner/doom. Sounds like a 2x15 is somthing to look into

mcm · #10 09-17-2010, 02:06 PM

2 by 15 for sure. everybody does 4 by 10 just cause thats 'the thing to do'.

gbarchus · #11 09-17-2010, 07:58 PM

Back in the 70s I used a '69 SVT with two (2X15) Sunn 200S cabinets with JBL D140 speakers. What a delight! Flashback 5 years ago, I was using a Sunn 300T with two JBL Cabaret 1X15 (E140 equipped) cabinets. Can I say loud?

Now I'm using a Sadowsky SA200 with two EA CxL112E cabinets. Not as loud, which is good, but so much tube tone.

Gale

EatMoreCarrots · #12 09-17-2010, 09:35 PM

Funny I was doing the exact same comparison yesterday. In my case I was trying out the Mesa Walkabout (300watts into 4ohms, 165 into 8). I played it on a Mesa 8ohm 4x10 (because that's what I have) and on the 2x15.
Before giving my conclusions, let me know say that one thing that is critical to this conversation is your cab impedance. But with speakers, I have always preferred 10's to 15's. I have owned an SWR 6x10 and an SWR 2x15. I owned them a the same time. I have also owned a Mesa Powerhouse 1000 (4x10 + 1x15) to compare to my current 4x10. I've pushed them all with the same two amps: a Mesa 400+ and a solid state pre amp / power amp combo of a ridiculous amount of wattage. What I am getting at is that with all of those cabs and these two amps, I always had excessive amounts of power such that cab impedance was no issue. ALWAYS, the 15's had too much mids for my taste. Tens are generally more "scooped" sounded. The more tens you have the more this is evident. I'm sure its the same way with 15's but when have you ever seen an 8x15 cab? Anyway... so yea. I prefer tens.
HOWEVER, yesterday, I was blown away by the 4ohm 2x15 paired with the little 300 watt walkabout. And, contrary to my expectation (and contrary to what I really wanted to have happen), the 8ohm 4x10 really fell short. Unfortunately, I didn't have a 4ohm version of that 4x10 handy to really compare apples to apples so I can't say that the better sound of the 15's was due to the speaker pairing, or to getting full power from the amp with the 4ohm cab vs the 8ohm cab. Either way, I could have taken that 2x15 home with that 300watt Walkabout and been very very happy and satisfied.

_____________
EDIT:
I totally missed that you said "300 watt TUBE amp". I suppose if it is like most tube amps (like my Mesa 400+) it puts out the same wattage at 2, 4 or 8ohms. SO... just ignore my post all together. Or maybe you can gleam something from my comparison. I dunno. Good luck!

EatMoreCarrots · #13 09-17-2010, 09:44 PM

I second Mo Phat's post about sealed enclosures. I prefer sealed or front ported equally. I absolutely hate rear ported or otherwise ported enclosures. Among other things, they are WAY too particular about room acoustics and placement. If on a corner stage they sound different and if you're too far away from a wall, they sound like the low end has dropped sometimes.
But yes - the right cab does wonders. You may think you dislike one config or another but you try a different brand or line and it's night and day. Again, good luck!

eastcoasteddie · #14 09-17-2010, 09:59 PM

When I was selling one of my cabs, I couldn't decide on which one, the 1x15 or 4x10. I decided to keep the 4x10 because A-B'ing the two cabs, the 410 had a much tighter bottom, especially the B string. The 15 had more low-mids, though, but I went for tightness.

Check these vids out from Mesa, they run through all their powerhouse cabs starting with the 1x12's and they use a few different basses, which is nice. Make sure you listen with good speakers or headphones to get the full effect.

the 2nd one actually goes through the 2x15, 4x10, 2x12 and 6x10

3rd one does the powerhouse 1200 and compares that with the 2x15 and 6x10, then goes through a 4x12 and 8x10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfKy4...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y31t...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-GZL...eature=related

39-Bassist · #15 11-12-2010, 04:29 PM

Well forget the 6x10 and 2x15 individually....GET EM BOTH! With the 300 tube head...the 2x15 will rip off their legs and chest and the 6x10 will get the rest

Both have great tones 2x15 will give you that great "classic" tone and the 6x10 will give the more mid sounding but slightly less thump. Both are good choices though...good luck.

JimmyM · #16 11-12-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39-Bassist

Well forget the 6x10 and 2x15 individually....GET EM BOTH! With the 300 tube head...the 2x15 will rip off their legs and chest and the 6x10 will get the rest

Both have great tones 2x15 will give you that great "classic" tone and the 6x10 will give the more mid sounding but slightly less thump. Both are good choices though...good luck.

doesn't quite work like that. it all depends on the design of the cab. you can design cabs with any size of speakers to do anything you want now.

**Horny Toad** · #17 11-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Not tube powered, but I LOVE playing through two 1x15's.

Sifl · #18 11-12-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoasteddie

When I was selling one of my cabs, I couldn't decide on which one, the 1x15 or 4x10. I decided to keep the 4x10 because A-B'ing the two cabs, the 410 had a much tighter bottom, especially the B string. The 15 had more low-mids, though, but I went for tightness.

Check these vids out from Mesa, they run through all their powerhouse cabs starting with the 1x12's and they use a few different basses, which is nice. Make sure you listen with good speakers or headphones to get the full effect.

the 2nd one actually goes through the 2x15, 4x10, 2x12 and 6x10

3rd one does the powerhouse 1200 and compares that with the 2x15 and 6x10, then goes through a 4x12 and 8x10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfKy4...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y31t...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-GZL...eature=related

These videos are pretty cool.

billfitzmaurice · #19 11-12-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobostein

would I get the same amount of volume out of a 2x15 that I would get from a 4x10/6x10? I like the idea of a 2x15 but I dont know if it would bring out the amps full potential, given Im using a 300w tube amp. Or shuld I just stay away from 2x15s? 6x12 would be cool

It depends on the specifics of the cabs and the drivers in them.

39-Bassist · #20 11-12-2010, 09:48 PM

I know that JimmyM, I have a Accugroove "El Whappo" and LOVE that thing and can get ANY tone i want.....The Get em both statement was just tongue in cheek. Have a great weekend! Oh and I also had the 2-12 bottom, 2-10 top....and it sounded Great too.