Avatar cabs - What's the deal with the 210 + 212 stacks?

TigerInATrance · #1 03-01-2013, 09:19 AM

I've been thinking about ditching the pair of 10.2 Carvins I recently got in favor of some Avatar 210s or 212s, but in doing some research I've seen quite a few 210 and 212 stacks. I'm just wondering what that combo will offer. I'm not looking for the typical TB response of mixing cabs is bad. This is obviously working very well for some and I wonder if maybe it will work for me.

Phlipper · #2 03-01-2013, 09:39 AM

Weird ... I was running thru all the TB pics last night via Google and saw a bunch of Avatar B212s with a B210 on top, and I was wondering the same thing. I just got my 4 ohm B212 and was going to grab a second one to squeeze all 700 watts out and to get more speaker area for larger shows. After reading and posting about cab configs the consensus was that it is usually better to run a second cab of the same brand, same speakers, ohms, etc. But the B210/B212 combo seems to be very, very popular. Since both cans contain full range speakers it shouldn't provide more punch by stacking a 210 on top, but maybe it defies the general 'rules' for stacking cabs? I'm curious, too.

If I don't wind up with a perm practice space next go round (just left a band after 8 years) a B210 would be easier to carry back and forth than the B212.

Love'n the B212 so far with the Peavey Max ... punchy and clear with the SR 370 while still rattling windows and flapping my pant legs.

MysticMichael · #3 03-01-2013, 09:51 AM

I wouldn't say that I agree with your assumptions/premises...

It's not that mixing cab sizes/configurations is "bad". It's that the results are unpredictable - and sometimes unmanageable. If that's not a potential impediment to you, then I guess mixing would be no problem.

Also, I'm not convinced just how obvious it really is that the Avatar 2x12 + 2x10 stack is working well - for anybody. A lot of that assessment could very well boil down to the scope and scale of one's personal experience - or lack thereof - not necessarily to any universal standard of tone & performance.

If, for example, one had never heard truly high-end performance from a bass cab, then one would never think to look for it or expect it. If one's only experience was with playing a beat-up, ratty old bass cab with a blown driver, then practically any half-way decent new rig would sound like total sonic bliss by comparison - even if it did have serious problems with phase alignment, due to a cab mismatch.

I'm just sayin'...

MM

chaosMK · #4 03-01-2013, 09:55 AM

When I had a few different cabs from the same manufacturer/product line, I tried a 2x12/2x10 combo. It was my least favorite of all of the configurations. If I had to mix, I like 2x10/1x15 a little more.

BassmanPaul · #5 03-01-2013, 11:21 AM

Point is, there is no real reason to mix and a lot of reasons not to. OP find a cabinet that fits your needs and that you like the sound of. If you need more, then a second identical cabinet will offer the least amount of potential problems.

TigerInATrance · #6 03-01-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Point is, there is no real reason to mix and a lot of reasons not to. OP find a cabinet that fits your needs and that you like the sound of. If you need more, then a second identical cabinet will offer the least amount of potential problems.

My intention was to get a matching pair of 210s or 212s (in the delightfully whimsical purple tolex), but seeing as how I saw this particular combination more than a few times, I thought perhaps there was something to it that was worth looking into.

NYCbassist · #7 03-01-2013, 11:36 AM

My setup sounds great. It's Avatar B210 atop of a B115(Each 4 ohms). If I had it to do over I'd go for 2 2X12's But I am pretty happy. I still haven't gigged it but played some pretty loud practices. I would gladly trade my 1X15 for a matching 2X10.
Might as well match 2 cabinets up while you have the chance. I am always second guessing my choice but it sounds great to me.

BassmanPaul · #8 03-01-2013, 12:13 PM

I feel that a lot of folk have miss matched cabinets because they are buying on the used market. Only so many things are available at any one time. There is also the impression that a larger cone means more lows which is a myth. As our friend from NYC says he would prefer a pair of the same cabinets rather than the miss match he now uses.

An odd pairing can sound good but there are a lot of variables at play. it's more likely to sound poorer than matched cabinets. Said another way an odd pair can sound good but a like pair will sound better.

xUptheIronsx · #9 03-01-2013, 12:16 PM

I use a B410 with a (homemade using Emininence eois)) 2x15, and as far as I am concerned it sounds great. I have never had any complaints about having a bad sound at gigs...and many of my peers would be very up front about it.

that being said, I am wanting a 2nd B410 I think to "tighten up" the sound a bit. I think the 2x15 spreads the sound too much now, after a couple years of using it

Zoa · #10 03-01-2013, 01:32 PM

I'd be a bit concerned about power handling mismatches with that setup, though I have no experience with it. Two Avatar 2x12s sound great though

Phlipper · #11 03-01-2013, 03:54 PM

The B212 has sorta impressed me. I've played the Max 700 thru it beside an older Nitrobass head thru a new Eden 410 (XLT? The big one) and the Avatar seemed able to do anything the Eden could do. I could dial in similar tones at the same volume levels with them, and both sounded what I've always described as "HiFi" in guitar amps: punchy, articulate, etc.

The differences could possibly be more apparent with a high end amp (both these were Peaveys), but we couldn't find $500 worth of difference (give or take). At least not banging out classic and southern rock thru Mississippi's finest.

I'll definitely be ordering a second B212 next month. The Max really THUMPS thru this cab, and at less than $400 and free shipping it's a steal.