Add 210MBE or 115MBE to my new GK MB210?

scottfeldstein · #1 06-20-2011, 02:10 PM

I've done some searching here and on other sites, but can't quite find a concise explanation of the tradeoffs involved in this choice, so maybe someone here can help.

I've got a new GK MB210 combo amp and it sounds gorgeous, but it's not enough to cut through my very loud bandmates. I would like to get one of the matching GK MBE cabinets and I'm trying to decide between the 115 and the 210 cabs.

The specs say there's a frequency response difference of like 51Hz versus 53Hz. Both are around 100db, I think, and they both are rated to handle the 500w at 8 ohms of the amp.

Practically speaking, what's going to be the difference between them? Will there be much of a tonal difference, with the 15 giving more woof? Will one of the choices allow me to turn the amp up a little louder without distorting?

Years ago I used to play out of a homemade 18-plus-2-10s cabinet, so that makes me inclined to do the 15. Common wisdom of audiophiles I know says that if you like the sound of the 2 10s in the amp, get the matching 2 10 cab to go with it.

Thoughts?

will33 · #2 06-20-2011, 02:20 PM

Always better to add another one of the same than start mixing it up. You described the sound as gorgeous....so get another 210. It'll keep the same sound you like just be fuller/louder.

stflbn · #3 06-20-2011, 02:21 PM

Whatever cab is absolute closest to taht original MB210 in my honest opinion. You'll get much more out of similar speakers than you will 1 large speaker that's unmatched.

And stack them vertically, IMHO.

RickenBoogie · #4 06-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Yes, the matching 210 is the BEST choice, though the 15 would work, it won't be as good as 2 matching cabs.

scottfeldstein · #5 06-20-2011, 05:22 PM

Your advice tipped the scales and I have now ordered the 210MBE extension cabinet. I can't wait!

For posterity, I suppose I will return to this thread and let everyone know how I'm liking it.

Florox · #6 06-20-2011, 05:28 PM

The 15 will disperse the midrange worse; get the 210, stack vertically.

scottfeldstein · #7 06-23-2011, 03:17 PM

UPS delivered my 210 cab today and, wow. I'm just loving this rig right off the bat. It's light, small, modular, adequately powered. It could be the mini-stack of my dreams.

I'll know for sure tomorrow night when I take it to a very loud band rehearsal. If it cuts through alone, I'll be way pleased. (These guys love volume and everyone wears earplugs religiously. Don't know why they do this, I think it's dumb.) If it can't cut it and I have to drive thier 8x10 with the combo amp, I'll be sad.

Tonally, though, I'm really loving the GK growl. I really should post a real review of this combo amp in the reviews area once I get a better feel for it.

Bassmunnky · #8 06-23-2011, 03:23 PM

Great Question, as I'm trying which way to go too...

Dumb question: My drummer likes to "feel the bass"...Yes..this subject has been kicked to death. By feel he means he wants to feel that low end rumble almost enough to make him take a quick trip to the lav..

Are the 2x10 stacks going to deliver that wallop...cuz my Knee Jerk thinking is...get the 15...thanks for your feed back!

RickenBoogie · #9 06-23-2011, 05:23 PM

Speaker size is irrelevant. What is important is having enough power to project, and enough speakers to handle it.

scottfeldstein · #10 06-25-2011, 09:04 AM

For posterity: I went to the very loud rehearsal with the heavy metal guys last night. Here is my report.

I found that I could just be heard with my settings thus:

Master: 3/4
Gain: 1/2
Contour: off
EQ: flat (all 1/2)
Horns: off

This is 500w through 4x10s, as I had the 210MBE cab with me. (Having the 115MBE cab instead would have made no difference. It might have even been worse, IMO.)

On the positive side, it sounded fantastic. No distortion, great GK sound.

For comparison, they had an old Peavey Mark VI (800w, I think) and an Ampeg classic 8x10 cab. That sucker cut through these loud guys like buttah. But that's almost double the watts, double the speakers and a lot heavier. Plus I didn't care for the tone as much as the GK.

I wish there was a way to drive the big cab with the MB210, but I think that cab is rated at 4 ohms. The MB210 says 8 ohms minimum, so... I'll either have to play through the Peavey or push the GK system to the limit if I'm going to continue to play with these guys.

Anyway, I'm not sorry I bought the GK rig. It's cheaper, more modular, lighter and has better tone. Even if it's not an ideal rig for playing with these guys, there's a universe of future gigs where it will be. (Most people just don't play this loud.)

scottfeldstein · #11 06-25-2011, 10:34 AM

Based on my post just above, does anyone think it would give me more volume to trade in the 2x10 cab for a 4x10 one? GK makes one that is only around $50 more.

southpawpa · #12 06-25-2011, 11:13 AM

I think it would be worth switching to the 410.

RickenBoogie · #13 06-25-2011, 11:19 AM

I don't, because you're still using the internal 210 of the combo, and that's where your limit is. With 2x 210's, power is even between the 2, but with a 210/410, HALF the power is going to the 210, the other half through the 410. The 410 handles it easily, but the 210 cannot keep up, thus putting the combo's 210 in danger of being pushed too hard. If you back off and spare the 210, then the 410 is not being pushed hardly at all. Makes no sense.

scottfeldstein · #14 06-25-2011, 11:26 AM

Interesting. Suppose I hooked it up to a 4 ohm cab, though. I think the Ampeg classic 8x10 cab in the rehearsal space is rated at 4. Wouldn't that be driven at twice the watts as the internal 2x10? Or will that damage the amp?

RickenBoogie · #15 06-25-2011, 11:59 AM

Yes, you'd be pushing a load UNDER 4 ohms, and your amp would overheat, and possibly die. If you could disconnect the internal 210, then you could use the 810, and be much louder.

GRAHAM SG1 · #16 06-25-2011, 01:18 PM

Why not just change your band for a less loud one, I can never see any point in playing that loud anyway, it only ends up with damaged hearing not only of the band members but the audience as well .
I have been to gigs that have been ruined by the main band playing at stupid volumes-think Motorhead, they sound really bad with no sound quality at all, the last time I saw them they had Girlschool and The Damned as support acts, they sounded brilliant but as soon as Motorhead came on all volumes went up to 11 and then gig was ruined by white noise and distortion, why do these bands think its cool to play so loud, do they have to make up for having small genitalia ?

scottfeldstein · #17 06-25-2011, 02:44 PM

I quite agree. The only reason I'm hooked up with these guys is because I've been out of music so long I no longer have any connections. And having spent a pile of money on new gear on a whim, I really want to justify it by having someone to play with and a gig. We'll see where it all goes. But part of me suspects I'll be playing with someone else before long.

GRAHAM SG1 · #18 06-25-2011, 03:01 PM

Its often guitarists that are too loud, can you ask them too be reasonable with their volume, I understand that some amps do sound great when cranked but there are ways to sound good at safe levels, my band has two guitarists, one is on rhythm and the other is a very talented lead player who does get very loud, I ask him to turn down a bit and he is fine with that, its about being reasonable, if a player will not turn down then he does not respect his band mates

I found my band mates using a local musicians wanted web site, there are usually lots of other players in your area, its finding the right ones that takes time .

fourfinger · #19 06-25-2011, 03:09 PM

Don't mix a 210 cab with a 410 cab. It just won't work, unless you have megawatts of headroom, which you don't. Been there, done that!

I'll bet your current stack will hold up great with PA support, or without it at slightly lower volume. You like the tone. I say keep the current setup of a pair 2x10s; it really is matched well.

S.B. · #20 06-25-2011, 03:16 PM

If it were me I would talking to my band mates about volume. That should be enought rig to cut through. IMHO