Do I need two 210s?

Joeymarshmallow · #1 07-27-2010, 01:20 AM

I'm planning on buying a Carvin BX500 and either 1 or two Avatar 210's to go with it. The output of the BX500 is 500 watts, and the Avatar 210s are rated at 500 watts each (I would get the 4 ohm version if I were to only get one, to get the full 500w from the Carvin).

My question is: Is there any reason to have two of them? Would the rig be louder/sound much different with 2 cabs getting half the power as opposed to one getting near it's maximum capability?

BTW - I'm considering two 210s instead of a 410 so that I could only bring one along to smaller gigs/practice/rehearsal.

David1234 · #2 07-27-2010, 01:26 AM

Two cabs which, combined, give 4 ohms will be louder than one cab at 4 ohms. The same power will go into the combined speaker setup, but the setup will deliver loudness more effectively and more efficiently, especially at low frequencies, if you have the bigger combined cabinet size and bigger speaker area of two cabs. If you do both large and small gigs, get a pair of 210's in 8 ohm as you've suggested.

Son of Bovril · #3 07-27-2010, 03:32 AM

I would suggest getting two 210's if you can afford it, it will definitely be louder and provide more options ie. sometimes you'll only need 1 sometimes you can stack them vertically or sometimes you could split them to opposite sides of the stage...

rogypop · #4 07-27-2010, 03:41 AM

the best thing about 2 x 2x10 is that you can stack them vertically and have better mid projection than almost any 10' loaded commercial cabinet

rogypop · #5 07-27-2010, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

I would suggest getting two 210's if you can afford it, it will definitely be louder and provide more options ie. sometimes you'll only need 1 sometimes you can stack them vertically or sometimes you could split them to opposite sides of the stage...

you dont want to split bass cabs on two ends of the stage

Son of Bovril · #6 07-27-2010, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogypop

you dont want to split bass cabs on two ends of the stage

yeah I know they lose their coupling effect etc.

but sometimes the drummer or guitarists want a bass monitor their side too

lomo · #7 07-27-2010, 04:41 AM

Yes-you want 2 stacked vertically. Louder and clearer.

derrico1 · #8 07-27-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

but sometimes the drummer or guitarists want a bass monitor their side too

...and sometimes the venue's monitor system isn't up to handling bass guitar, but the FOH is run stupidly loud and spills all over what becomes a very loud stage.

In that case, running a second bass cab across stage can help keep overall stage volume manageable while giving guitars/keys/whatever a way to hear a bit of bass. (Much better than cranking your stack of cabs loud enough for the cross stage musicians to hear them through a wall of FOH subwoofer spill.)

This works best when the cross-stage cab is used as a spot monitor and run at relatively low volume--so ideally it should be driven by its own side of a power amp (so that its volume is independent of the volume of the cab on your side of the stage).

3506string · #9 07-27-2010, 06:28 AM

Do you need two 2x10s. No

Do you want two 2x10s. Yes

Do you want three 2x10s indubitably

Seriously the best rig for me. Would be perfect if it wasn't for the heavy EP2500 but I am going to trade up for their lightweight series soon.

Livewire · #10 07-27-2010, 06:55 AM

i woudl get two 210s. I have one 210 in 8ohms with my GK700RBII and it's not loud enough in a full band situation, plus I feel like I'm pushing that one cab a little too hard. It can get farty if you boost certain frequencys too much. With two 210 8 ohms cabs, you'll be louder, cover more surface area, and shouldnt be worried you're pushing the cabs too hard.

PSPookie · #11 07-27-2010, 07:09 AM

You will be much better off with two 8 ohm 210s.

First, though the thermal rating of the Avatar 210 is 500W, you will not be able to push 500W through that cab without it farting out. Next, you get the same increase in volume by doubling your speaker surface area as you do by doubling your wattage -- i.e. 500W through 2x210s will be just as loud as 1kW through a single 210 (assuming that it can realistically handle this much power). Finally, by stacking the two 210s vertically, you will get better horizontal dispersion and you will be able to hear yourself better because the speakers will be closer to your ears than your knees.

If you can afford two 210s, go with that. If not, get a single 210 at 8 ohms and add another later. You won't get any more volume out of a 4 ohm 210, even though you would be getting the full wattage out of your head.

BTW, I have owned an Avatar B210 Neo and it is definitely one of the best cabs on the market in that price range.

billfitzmaurice · #12 07-27-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeymarshmallow

I'm planning on buying a Carvin BX500 and either 1 or two Avatar 210's to go with it. The output of the BX500 is 500 watts, and the Avatar 210s are rated at 500 watts each (I would get the 4 ohm version if I were to only get one, to get the full 500w from the Carvin).

Power is moot. Where output is concerned what matters is displacement (one of those critical factors that manufacturers keep secret far more successfully than does the Pentagon) and sensitivity.
As for whether you need two, if you find one isn't loud enough the answer is yes. If one is loud enough the answer is no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrico1

...and sometimes the venue's monitor system isn't up to handling bass guitar, but the FOH is run stupidly loud and spills all over what becomes a very loud stage.

In that case, running a second bass cab across stage can help keep overall stage volume manageable

Bass sources should never be split. And since low frequencies are omni-directional there's no reason to split them. What isn't omni-directional are mids and highs, so if the bass needs to be in the monitors you high-pass the feed to put only the mids and highs through them. Another option with dual cabs is to stack them vertically, aiming the lower cab across the stage to spread the mids and highs.

Bmorefoozler · #13 07-27-2010, 07:37 AM

The carvin is 2 ohm stable, with no increase in power from 4 to 2 ohms.

So, theoretically, you could get 2 4 ohm 2x10's... but I don't recomend it. Either get 2 or 3 8 ohm 2x10's, or an 8 ohm 2x10 and a 4 ohm 4x10.

As a single cab sollution, I doubt you could notice a differecne between an 8 and 4 ohm 2x10.

megadan · #14 07-27-2010, 07:52 AM

BassmanPaul · #15 07-27-2010, 09:29 AM

I own four Acme B2 4Ω 2x10s. I use one for rehearsals, Always two for gigs and all four for really big gigs or outdoors. I would never use just one at a gig. Stacking them vertically takes up the same stage room and brings my amp up to eye level. I recommend that you go for the pair. Your speakers will last longer that way.

Paul

Joeymarshmallow · #16 07-27-2010, 09:35 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm definitely going for the pair!

David1234 · #17 07-27-2010, 09:23 PM

Lucky for you, a TBer is selling some:

FS - Two Avatar 2x10 bass cabs

Jimmy Stump · #18 07-28-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeymarshmallow

I'm planning on buying a Carvin BX500 and either 1 or two Avatar 210's to go with it. The output of the BX500 is 500 watts, and the Avatar 210s are rated at 500 watts each (I would get the 4 ohm version if I were to only get one, to get the full 500w from the Carvin).

My question is: Is there any reason to have two of them? Would the rig be louder/sound much different with 2 cabs getting half the power as opposed to one getting near it's maximum capability?

BTW - I'm considering two 210s instead of a 410 so that I could only bring one along to smaller gigs/practice/rehearsal.

I opted to go from a 4x10 setup to a lighter, more modular 2 x 2x10 setup.

You will likely want a pair of 2x10. Hard to imagine that a single 2x10 would be enough in a full band setting.