2x15 vs. two 1x15s

[Dustin Teel]

My next purchase is going to be an Ampeg PF-500 head. After having used one a few times now, the tone is remarkable and the price is unbelievable.

I do not want to continue using my old beat up Peavey 412 TVX with this new head. I do not feel that it would do the amp justice.

Also, based on your opinions and the advice of our pros, I have determined that a vertical arrangement of speakers is superior to a "square" of tens or twelves. This got me interested in the 2x15 setup.

I went to a friend's house (who happens to be a 60 year old blues bassist who toured with a 2x15 cab during the 70s). He still had his old Kustom 1972 2x15 cab. We plugged an Ashdown 300 head into it, plugged in my bass, and started rockin. The tone was outstanding and, to my delight, the tone was maintained and sounded just as good (if not better) 20-30 feet away from the rig. This is not the case with the 412 cab.

Therefore, I'm certain that my next cab will consist of two 15s. I know a lot of you played when 2x15s were the standard. I, unfortunately, was born during the "square of 10s" fiasco and don't have much experience with the former configuration.

Thus the question: Is there an advantage in tone/sound/dispersion etc. to having both the drivers in a single cabinet? I'm sure this varies per brand, but I'm looking for a general answer. Two 1x15s in my situation would be easier to transport and generally more convenient. However, I have absolutely no qualms about using a 2x15 cab if there would be even the slightest improvement in sound.

Also, I'm looking for a cab(s) that will faithfully reproduce the tone of the PF-500, so brand suggestions are welcome as well. I figured the new Portaflex 115 cabs that are designed to go with the heads would be ideal. Input from any of you using the new PF-500 head with two of the new 115 cabs would be great.

Thanks in advance!

[jnewmark]

I'm sure the cab Gurus will chime in on the scientific side of things, but, I don't think there is much sonic difference, but, schleppabilty issues, probably. I played the same Kuston rig back in the '70's also, and have actually found that a 215 cab on casters is very easy to schlepp. It's of a size to perfectly tip into the back of a hatchback. If you are talking stairs, well, ya got me there, two cabs might be easier. I still drag out my LDS 215 loaded with JBL's just for the sheer joy of it.

[sanderic]

I still have my Kasino 215 (same as a Kustom), and it is the best sounding cabinet I have. Just wish I could figure out why the Peavey 215 cabinet doesnt sound as good, It has Black widows, while the Kasino has CTS speakers.
What you need to realize is that a 2 15 cabinet is realy two cabinets built into one. Those old cabinets have an internal board splitting the cabinet in half, so two 115 cabs should sound the same as a 215 cabinet. I do agree that my 215s are easier to move, as they tilt over and slide into the back of my jeep, while a 1 15 cab must be dead lifted from the ground into the back.

[will33]

Assuming all else is equal it would be the same.

For example having two cabs that each contain one "abc" 15 in "x" size box tuned to "x" frequency would be the same as 2 of the same speakers in exactly double the box size tuned to the same frequency.

[xed]

All of my "band days" were spent using a Kustom 2x15. I loved that cabinet. As was already said it wasn't to bad to tote around; I had a Ford EXP liftback in the early 80's and that cab fit nicely in the back. Plus with all the tuck-n-roll it was impossible for it to really hurt anything else or be hurt itself. I bumped my shins plenty of times lugging it around (just like any cabinet) but I was always thankful that it had that great padding.


EDIT: If I'm remembering correctly my Kustom 2x15 did not have any divider between the speakers. It was fully open with 2 round ports in the front.

[taurus1]

I might be wrong here but, wouldn't a TVX4x12 absolutely destroy your average 2x15?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

Is there an advantage in tone/sound/dispersion etc. to having both the drivers in a single cabinet?

No.

[singlemalt]

I wish I still had that rolled and tucked Kustom 2-15, just for the cool factor. It was my first rig, with the matching head. Oh well.

I've still got one of the old Peavey 2-15 cabs but I replaced the drivers with Force 15's from EV. Better, but still not doing what modern cabs can do. I tried 3015's in it too, better still, but still choking the lowest notes. Not handling the B string notes at all.

Built a couple TL-606's for the 3015's, better still, and here's the best part: the transport and weight issues went away. As fun as two 15's can be most times you don't need that much and for lower volumes you can take just one cab. I could get both 1-15 cabs in the back seat of the Corolla. Try that with a 2-15 cab.

So, while I'm behind you on the 2-15's, I'd say make em two 1-15 cabs. Each at 8 ohms, both together get you 4 ohm.

If you are a DIY kind of guy, build yourself two fEarful 15/6 cabs, or a 15/6 and a 15 sub. fEARful™ enclosures for bass/drums/keys That's a seismic event waiting to happen.

Here's a fEarful 15/6/1 to wet your appetite. I'm building the second one to go with it this week. That will provide me with complete and total overkill!




Yep, I'm old and the 2-15 is my idea of a bass rig. But they don't have to be your dad's 2-15 cab. They can be fEarfuls!

As far as tone, these cabs are as true and uncolored as it gets. Plugging in the 15/6/1 for the first time was like getting a new amp head. I'd never heard everything the GK 1001 was capable of doing, either the lows or the highs. I tune down a half step, and I can get the low B flat with no loss of power. These are super efficient cabs, you get everything your amp has to offer.

[etechstan]

I prefer the two 1x15s for versatility. If I only need one 15, I just bring one cab. I can leave 1 cab at the church and one at home. I really don't hear a difference between the two regardless what amp is driving them.

[johnk_10]

i love playing thru two 1x15 cabs (especially vintage showman tone ring cabs with JBL K140's).

[lokikallas]

2 1x15s. You can choose to bring only one if that is all you need. I suggest a 3 way with a 6 inch mid.

[Joe Louvar]

The new GK115MBE cabinet is only 32lbs.

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

The Kustom Tuck n Roll 215 was good enough for Jamerson live. Sometimes I miss my ole Kustom rig lol. But now I'm rockin a Traynor YBA300 with 2 Traynor TC115's and it's just awesome. Two cabs give you more options to gig.

Rezdog

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

Thus the question: Is there an advantage in tone/sound/dispersion etc. to having both the drivers in a single cabinet? I'm sure this varies per brand, but I'm looking for a general answer.

No particular advantage whatsoever. Two 1x15 cabs, vertically stacked, is in general a fine rig.

Rock those babies and don't look back!

MM

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

No particular advantage whatsoever. Two 1x15 cabs, vertically stacked, is in general a fine rig.

Rock those babies and don't look back!

MM

+1000!

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Rezdog

The Kustom Tuck n Roll 215 was good enough for Jamerson live.

Let's not get into that. Jamerson live was like 40 years ago...

MM

[johnk_10]

IME, a 40 year old Kustom 2x15 w/JBL's sounds better than most cabs do today.

[Lowbrow]

I love the 2x15, but today this does the trick for me. No tweeter, low-power cabs that cop that same great vibe.

[Jack-Jack]

I'd go for two PF-115s

[NKBassman]

Lowbrow, that's a pretty snazzy looking little rig.