Best Markbass Ext. Cab For CMD 102P Combo?

sal4bass · #1 03-06-2013, 08:19 AM

What is the best Markbass extension cab for CMD 102P Combo? I like the light weight and sound of the combo but am concerned it seems to lack a bit of bottom end.

On their website Markbass states the CMD 102P "stacks with any 8 ohm Traveler or Standard cab."

I've read some say you should try to pair combos with cabs that have the same design (front ported 2x10 in this case). Following that guideline in the Markbass line the Standard 102HF would be best? Does that mean the Traveler 102P would not match up as well? Both have the same sensitivity rating of 101dB, but the 102P is rear ported.

For improved bottom response I was thinking one of the Markbass 1x15 cabs might be a nice match (Standard 151HR or Traveler 151P). Both are rear ported and slightly less efficient at sensitivity ratings of 100dB.

What have your experiences been matching Markbass cabs to this combo?

Thumper · #2 03-06-2013, 08:37 AM

Playing in a Country band with heavy B string use. The 102HF filled the bill for me, it really brought the B string into focus. Plus, I have a spare LMII head. The 102HF is so light, I can easily move it, if needed, to jams, filling in, etc.

I bought based on similar threads/research. I did not try other MB cabs, but do not regret this pairing. FTR, my band is not a high volume band.

Biggbass · #3 03-06-2013, 08:50 AM

102P is hard to beat for compact, light, and efficient.

Russell L · #4 03-06-2013, 09:59 AM

As Thumper said, I'd think the best bet would be the 102HF cab. You can mix cabs, but it's taking a chance. Matched cabs are a definite win.

sal4bass · #5 03-06-2013, 10:33 AM

Thanks for the replies. That is exactly the type of feedback I am looking for.

Has anyone tried the Standard 151HR or Traveler 151P with the CMD 102P combo? I'm wondering how those combinations work.

My local store does not stock many of the MB cabs for me to audition.

I have normally played 410 + 115 or even 410 + 118 biamped systems. If adding a 210 cab to the CMD 102P will give me solid lows, then I am certainly open to that, but was thinking adding a 115 cab would provide better lows and nice contrast to the internal 210 arrangement of the CMD 102P combo?

Russell L · #6 03-06-2013, 10:38 AM

Speaker cone size doesn't indicate whether or not the cab will go low. It's all about the total design, type speaker and cab design all in one. Some tens can go lower than 15s. Just depends. Alex Claber of Barefaced Bass says that the only thing the size of a speaker can tell you is how big it looks.

sal4bass · #7 03-06-2013, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Speaker cone size doesn't indicate whether or not the cab will go low. It's all about the total design, type speaker and cab design all in one. Some tens can go lower than 15s. Just depends. Alex Claber of Barefaced Bass says that the only thing the size of a speaker can tell you is how big it looks.

Good point! I wish my dealer had more of the MB cabs in stock so I could hear the various extension cab combinations with the CMD 102P.

Thumper · #8 03-06-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sal4bass

Good point! I wish my dealer had more of the MB cabs in stock so I could hear the various extension cab combinations with the CMD 102P.

My local GC has some used heads and cabs (got my 102hf for $350) wish I could justify a feather weight 102p but that only saves 10 lbs or so. Unfortunately no 15s new or used

sal4bass · #9 03-08-2013, 08:45 AM

Update - I contacted Markbass to ask their opinions on how the various MB extension cabs work with the CMD 102P combo. Here is what they stated:

"Thanks for writing and for choosing Markbass. Really you can pair the CMD 102P combo with pretty much any 8 ohm Markbass cabinet, and it works well sonically with differences due the different speaker configurations. Rear/Front tuned port as extension cab is not an issue, many players choose to use HR or HF cabinet... both work correctly with great results, it’s only a personal preference matter.

The most common choices for CMD 102P extension:

Traveler 102P: light, very cohesive sound with the combo since it has the same speakers and tweeter-- By far the most popular choice to match with CMD 102P combo.

Standard 102HF: a bit bigger, but more bottom end.

Traveler 151P: 1x15 gives a warm, low-mid emphasis for a slightly more old-school sound.

Standard 151HR: similar but more bottom end

Standard 104HR: 4x10, biggest sound of all of these.

Slightly less sensitivity of our 15” is not an issue, different design of the cabinets give good balanced results."

I was able to play a CMD 102P + NY 151RJ that I thought sounded great (Traveler 151P was out of stock). I want to hear the Traveler 102P and Traveler 151P and before making a final decision.

jaibeau · #10 03-19-2013, 10:27 AM

Has anyone tried the 104HR markbass under that combo?

TN WOODMAN · #11 03-19-2013, 03:50 PM

Can't address adding a second cab to this combo, but recently added the NY151 to my Berlin combo and am blown away by the improvement.

Loved the combo to begin with but now-wow . Can't help but think a second identical cab would be great with the 2 10 combo.(close second when I bought my Berlin. Just like 15s)

I bet the 4 10 cab would be awesome as well. I am of the mind to use like drivers.

sal4bass · #12 03-19-2013, 06:36 PM

After auditioning the CMD102P with the TRV102P, NY151RJ, TRV151P, and STD104HR extension cabs, I ended up ordering the TRV151P (the NY151RJ does not allow the CMD102P to stack properly). I prefer the added bottom of the 1x15 cab over a second 2x10 - just personal preference - they all sounded very nice.

The STD104HR was very good (great punch and rated to 35hz), but I prefer the 1x15 + 2x10 sound. Also, the main reason I downsized my rig was to save size and weight, so I ruled the STD104HR out for my needs.

UPS delivered the TRV151P today. The GC store near me doesn't have Speakon cables in 5ft length in stock, and I refuse to use 10+ ft length with all that extra cable laying around to trip over. I'll go to another GC tomorrow that has the 5ft length in stock, so I'll get to try the new cab tomorrow.

Chazinroch · #13 03-19-2013, 07:55 PM

I have the CMD 102P Combo and paired it with the traveler 102P and it works great. Cuts through with no issues. Haven't tried the other cab combinations, have no desire to do so. I use it more than my Aggie DB750 and Berg NV610. So easy to move.

cchorney · #14 03-20-2013, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sal4bass

After auditioning the CMD102P with the TRV102P, NY151RJ, TRV151P, and STD104HR extension cabs,

I am guessing you didn't audition the 102HF because they didn't have it in stock? When I was checking out cabs, I found the difference between the 102P and the 102HF was the 102HF has a lot more bottom to it, with the 102P having a more mid focused and tighter sound. Plus it was smaller and lighter.

In my case the extra size and weight of the 102HF is more than offset by the tone I want, and so it is the right choice for me. When I do get up the bones to buy my extension cab for my CMD102P, it will be a 102HF that I will be ordering.

What's important here is that you got the cab you like best, so for that I say congratulations and happy NCD!!!

sal4bass · #15 03-29-2013, 06:52 PM

UPDATE: After playing the TRV151P with my CMD102P at home for several days, I began to think the sound was not quite what I was looking for. The TRV151P is a great cab, but I realized I am more drawn to the tighter sound of 10" drivers. I would say Markbass described the sound of the TRV151P pretty accurately in their email to me (see above post).

Given that several people recommended the STD102HF in various posts, and the fact it is a front-ported 2x10 cab like the CMD102P (with compression horn rather than piezo tweeter), I ordered one for comparison. I am glad I did! For my style of playing, I prefer the sound of the STD102HF. It produces plenty of bottom (I was concerned it might not) while maintaining the tight punch of 10 inch drivers. The STD102HF extended the low bass response noticeably over just the CMD102P by itself. And to my ears it seemed to "blend" with the CMD102P's tone better. For instance when playing scales from the low register on the E string (I play 4 strings) through the high register on the G string there was a smooth cohesive sound throughout the range. Put another way, there was no change of tone or "thickening" of the sound in the low register. Neither was there a "thinning" of the tone in the high registers.

We are not talking about night and day differences between the TRV151P and STD102HF. And I did not dislike the TRV151P, it's a great sounding cab. I just preferred the voicing of the STD102HF for my style of playing, and the cohesive tone it has with my CMD102P. After switching back and forth over a few days my mind was made up, so I returned the TRV151P.

Also, I found this site which contains sound files of Markbass cabs for comparison. Though not the same as hearing them "live" it does give some idea of the sonic differences.

TRV151P: http://tinyurl.com/coumxvx

STD102HF: http://tinyurl.com/cfhhpt4

I wish I had found this site prior to ordering the cabs initially, as I would have been better informed considering GC does not stock either cab in retail stores close to my area.