Downsizing, what's the best light cab??

[patientboy99]

Due to back issues and extreme end of night frustration, I am downsizing from my beloved 410HLF. Doctor says 95 lb. cabinet isn't helping. I just bought an Eden WTX-260. I have an Ampeg 1x15 Classic I got cheap a while back, and it performs ok with the Eden, but it's 8 ohms, so my power is getting sucked. I am contemplating a Hartke Hydrive 1x12, and if it's cool, running two for medium shows. '71 SVT plus 8x10 for big ass shows, but as you know it's BEYOND heavy. but big shows are occasional at best. If not the Hydrive or the Eden equivalent 112xlt, what do I do??

[patientboy99]

Or do I build a cabinet and drop, say, and Eminence LAB12 in it?? Speaker choices?

[DONZI97]

Fearful

[Handyman]

Try looking into a Thunderchild 1x12 cab. Don't know what your volume requirements are, but one of these should crank out quite a bit more than a traditional 1x12.

If you need something REALLY loud, most fearful builds should be well lighter than 95lbs.

[IvanMike]

what's your budget?

honestly, go try a bunch, and go LIFT a bunch. I think 2 8 ohm 1x12 cabs of some sort would fit the bill. fEarful are very popular these days, I use BE, but they are heavy, aggie 1x12 cabs sound great and are very light, the epifiani and bergantino 1x12 cabs are also very light, as are a zillion more. there has never been a better time for those of us who like to go small and modular. I can think of 15 cabs at least i would not mind gigging with.

[mupchu]

You might want to check out an Avatar speaker (http://www.avatarspeakers.com/) . . . you can get a 1x12 in either 8 or 4ohm versions . . and they sound great. I bought mine right as other companies were coming out with smaller cabinets so there was not a lot on the market to compare . . . but I love my avatar. It's also 37 pounds so my back loves it too.

[patientboy99]

I'm not locked in on a 12". It just seems most practical. I assume the Hydrive is a POS? I'd really rather not break the bank until I can sell off the big stuff. but I ain't scared either...

[patientboy99]

it seems the prices for the lighter 12's aren't really bad for even the highest end stuff, which is nice and will make two possible

[Siepel]

Ebs neo 112

[Raymeous]

How about one of these?



The dirt:
- BRX10.2 & BRX10.4 designed for low B - subwoofers not required
- Premium Neodymium 10" 300 watt lightweight drivers
- Professional 1" Titanium HF driver for crisp-slap highs up to 22k Hz
- Multi-ply hardwood construction (It's 9-py birch if memory serves correctly)
- Heavy-duty Crossover with high current Speakon™ connectors
- 6-position horn attenuation: -3, -6, -12, -24dB, off, or full on
- DuraTex™ scratch resistant, weatherproof polyurethane finish
- Deep recessed steel handles for easy handling

The stats:
- 2 Neodymium 300w 10" woofers
- 1" Titanium compression HF tweeter
- Imp: 4 ohms, power handling: 600 Watts
- Reproduces Frequencies from low B (28 Hz to 22k Hz)
- Sensitivity: 101dB @ 1w and 129 dB @ 600w
- Size: 24.5" wide x 15" deep x 17" high
- Weight: 46 lbs- Made in San Diego, California

The link...
Carvin.com :: BRX10.2NEO


...and it's currently on sale for $369 new!


I have the 4x10 version and absolutely love it. These things are desceptively beefy on the low end for a 2x10, but you have to consider your application. A "twin axe attack" metal show will bury ANY 2 x 10 just due to the amount of air you're moving (or not moving). I do know of a few people at the Carvin forum that are using two of these cabs for lighter cabs and greater gig flexibility, with good results and happy backs.

It's just an idea and no I don't get kick backs from Carvin. I just like there stuff. Quality gear at a great price made 20-30 minutes away from my house.

[seamonkey]

As mentioned fEarful
Or for high efficiency Bill Fitzmaurice
Some manufacturers are catching on.

[bass12]

I recently "downsized" because my lower back has been acting up. I'd been using an Eden 410XLT and 210XLT and switched to a Bergantino AE410 and AE210. No regrets whatsoever!

[bobcruz]

The WTX260 head doesn't have the juice to run anything but the most efficient, loudest cabs available and needs a 4-ohm load to do it. Two Eden 112XLTs will work well. Fearfuls and any other deeply voiced cabs including the Avatar 12s won't be loud enough for many situations. (I own all of these--260, Eden and Avatar 12s.)

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by patientboy99

Due to back issues and extreme end of night frustration, I am downsizing from my beloved 410HLF. Doctor says 95 lb. cabinet isn't helping. I just bought an Eden WTX-260. I have an Ampeg 1x15 Classic I got cheap a while back, and it performs ok with the Eden, but it's 8 ohms, so my power is getting sucked. I am contemplating a Hartke Hydrive 1x12, and if it's cool, running two for medium shows. '71 SVT plus 8x10 for big ass shows, but as you know it's BEYOND heavy. but big shows are occasional at best. If not the Hydrive or the Eden equivalent 112xlt, what do I do??

I have no idea what kind of music you're playing, or what your tonal preferences are, but the first 1 X 12 cab I thought of after reading your post is the Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12M.

[MysticMichael]

For big gigs, when you want/need to use the SVT, get help. Seriously. Don't try to move that monster on your own with a bad back. It's just not worth it...

MM

[patientboy99]

I play mostly countryesque classic rock. Like if Merle Haggard and Tom Petty had a love child. Sometimes venturing into blues, slap soloing occasionally.

[Pandabass]

I love my Aguilar GS112's. Played some fairly big decks with them. If the deck is too big, that's what monitors are for.

[cavedweller]

+1 raymeous, those brx cabs are great.They sound fantastic and are built very well.

[JimmyM]

don't buy into this "i have to run at 4 ohms" bs. your power is not getting sucked with the 115e. you're not running at 4 ohms but that cab can only take about 200w anyway, so who cares? if it does the job, it does the job. (edit: yes, i mean that even for the wtx-260, which probably gives you 150w at 8 ohms...that's plenty)

but if you decide to go 12"s, get two for sure.

[will33]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

don't buy into this "i have to run at 4 ohms" bs. your power is not getting sucked with the 115e. you're not running at 4 ohms but that cab can only take about 200w anyway, so who cares? if it does the job, it does the job.

but if you decide to go 12"s, get two for sure.

+1

You'll be getting a lot more useable, real volume by doubling up on your speaker count than you will by squeezing another 100 or whatever watts out of the amp and pumping it into a single speaker that probably can't make use of it anyway.

There are a lot of 12's out now that can hit the combination of light, easy to carry and deep sounding enough so you don't feel like you're missing something in the sound. 1 for coffeehouse/restaraunt gigs, 2 for anything else. A pair of 210's is another option as is adding another 15 like the one you have now. If you can build, or have one built, BFM horn cabs are about as much volume as you can achieve out of the smallest/lightest unit.