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Originally Posted by sanfordandsonny  I'm also confused when people say mismatched. |
It can mean a number of different things, some of which overlap each other...
- Using non-identical drivers to cover the same frequency range
- Using different size drivers to cover the same frequency range
- Using non-identical cabinets together, in the same frequency rage
- Using cabinets with very different power requirements together
- Using cabinets with very different output capability (volume) together
The "frequency range" issues have to do with the way different speakers reproduce sound... if they are covering the same frequency range (no crossovers or hp/lp filters involved), they can reinforce each other in some ways and cancel each other out in others. While the result might possibly sound good, there is no way to tell without trying it. And even if it does sound good, it is probable that adding more of the same (rather than mixing) would sound better yet.
The other issues are simpler... the power handling of different cabinets can vary, as can the output. (Duh.)
Pairing a single 15 with a 4x10 is likely to get pointed out as problematic, because it can tick ALL of those boxes, depending on how you run it.
The best case... on separate amplifier channels (to mitigate power handling and volume differences) after a crossover (lows to whichever handles them best, and highs to the other, to eliminate the frequency overlap). Note that by doing this, you aren't exactly running the most efficient rig on the planet. Whichever cab is taking the high range is way oversized. (Hence the comment about using a 410 to do the job a single 6" mid can handle.)
If you skip the crossover, running them full range on separate amp channels... you are still packing a lot of dead weight. The 15 just can't keep up with the 410. If you try to turn the 15 up to match it, you'll probably blow it. If you turn down the 410 to match the 15, you're leaving most of the capability of the 410 unused. Plus you now have the aforementioned frequency overlap issues on top of it.
If you just run them both on a single channel, full range (most likely scenario that people warn about), you are rolling dice. The 15 is getting just as much power as the 410... you stand a good chance of blowing it unless you never turn up beyond what that 15 can handle by itself... leaving the 410 going mostly to waste.
If you have a single 15, and feel you absolutely must pair some 10's with it, don't use 4... you only need 2 of them to keep up. If you have a 410, and just gotta run some 15's with it, you'll probably need 2 of them to keep up. It's still an acoustic "mismatch", but at least isn't as much of a power/volume mismatch.
I think that covers most of what people are talking about when they say "mismatched".
