dual 2x10s or a 2x15

[JoshuaTSP]

I know most of it is preference, and the cabs themselves make a difference.

....but which would you choose?

I've got a pair of 4 ohm Carvin 2x10 Neo cabs and a 4 ohm SWR 2x15 with one ceramic stock speaker and one Kappalite.

Been looking for larger cab, but couldn't find anything......got rehearsal Wednesday, and 2 gigs this weekend.
We're a louder type stoner rock type band.....

It crossed my mind that I could use one 2x10 and the 2x15?

My 400+ goes down to 2 ohms...so it should work?

Thoughts? ideas?

[Gearhead17]

I am worried about the 215 having two different speakers and the possibility of those two speakers canceling each other out in certain frequencies.

Using the 210 with the 215, well, the 215 is most likely going to win the volume war, but since you have mismatched speakers, it could end up sounding terrible. I would use the two 210's. Loudest combination out of your gear and the Mesa 400+ should push those cabs hard. Watch the low end content! It will probably sound best too.

I suggest replacing the other speaker with another Kappalite. If you are adventurous, find a used 810e and your Mesa 400+ will be plenty happy.

[walterw]

i dunno, a good 2x15 under a 400+ is a classic combo.

the problem with mixing those 4Ω cabs is that the 2x10 will get half the power while the 2x15 gets the other half, keeping the big cab from really "pulling its weight". (an 8Ω 2x10 cab would shunt more power into the 4Ω 2x15 cab, making for a better power distribution.)

try both 2x10s, then try the 2x15 by itself; whichever one sounds better, use it.

[Sartori]

I generally think 2x15"s are more cool, but I also don't like SWR stuff.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I generally think 2x15"s are more cool, but I also don't like SWR stuff.

I think that in stock form, that SWR 215 is pretty good, and with top quality drivers that are properly selected, it *could* be as good as anything out there... It's certainly not performing up to it's capabilities with mismatched drivers in it...

- georgestrings

[PSPookie]

Clearly, 4x15s is the answer. Just sell your current cabs, pick up two Bag end S15D-Bs, and two Bag End S15X-Ds and you're set

[drdunwoody]

I'm playing a pair of the 15" Bag Ends and love 'em. I would like to try the 2x10 pair though. Most indoor gigs have me just bringing a single 15". From what you say, I would add ear plugs to your list so that you can still enjoy music in your later years.

[JoshuaTSP]

Hmm...I didn't know having not having identical speakers was an issue?

It sounds basically the same.

The 2x15 seems to have a beefier low mid, but the 2x10s are clearer.
the speaker area is only a little less with the 2x10s.....


Thank you, but earplugs are a must.

[JoshuaTSP]

I've been trying to buy a new used cab, but haven't had much luck so far.

Almost got a 810e, ampeg 6x10, vintage ampeg 8x10.....but all fell through.

I'm starting to think about ordering one online.....maybe a Traynor?

[JoshuaTSP]

It also crossed my mind that I could rewire my 4 ohm 2x10s for 16 ohms each......run them in parallel (daisy chain into the amp) at 8 ohms.

By doing that, I could get a single 8 ohm 4x10 (hook it up to the amp as well), and have a full 4 ohm 8x10 stack....

What do you think?

Would I be smart to get another Carvin Neo cab to match?
or just get something else entirely?

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

I think that in stock form, that SWR 215 is pretty good, and with top quality drivers that are properly selected, it *could* be as good as anything out there... It's certainly not performing up to it's capabilities with mismatched drivers in it...

- georgestrings

Certainly not. It needs either another stock speaker or another kappalite.

[selftitled907]

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

the speaker area is only a little less with the 2x10s.....

i believe you actually get 5" more of actual speaker surface if your using both of your 210s...

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

Hmm...I didn't know having not having identical speakers was an issue?

It sounds basically the same.

The 2x15 seems to have a beefier low mid, but the 2x10s are clearer.
the speaker area is only a little less with the 2x10s.....


Thank you, but earplugs are a must.

Originally Posted by selftitled907

i believe you actually get 5" more of actual speaker surface if your using both of your 210s...

Not even close....................

You cannot look at a 2X10 as having 20" of speaker area.

Speakers are CONE SHAPED, and their total displacement is far more than just their "area". You have to figure in the 3D cone part, AND how much it can move in/out.

A normal 2X10 is close to a normal 1X15. When dealing with Kappalites, a 2X15 loaded with them can keep up with/out do your average 8X10 fridge.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by Sartori

Certainly not. It needs either another stock speaker or another kappalite.

Why is this?

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Not even close....................

You cannot look at a 2X10 as having 20" of speaker area.

Speakers are CONE SHAPED, and their total displacement is far more than just their "area". You have to figure in the 3D cone part, AND how much it can move in/out.

A normal 2X10 is close to a normal 1X15. When dealing with Kappalites, a 2X15 loaded with them can keep up with/out do your average 8X10 fridge.

Well, calculating still gives you a valid ratio......
(right? )

It doesn't mean anything.....I have .11111111111% more 15" speaker.....yippee!

Anyway.....I didn't find the 2x15 with Kappalites all that comparable to a Carvin 8x10 in my experiences.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

Anyway.....I didn't find the 2x15 with Kappalites all that comparable to a Carvin 8x10 in my experiences.

Yours also blew rather quickly too, so there may have either been a problem with the one that failed, or with the cab they are loaded in.

I'll put my Mesa 2X15 loaded with 3015's up against a commercial 8X10 any day.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Yours also blew rather quickly too, so there may have either been a problem with the one that failed, or with the cab they are loaded in.

I'll put my Mesa 2X15 loaded with 3015's up against a commercial 8X10 any day.

It lasted probably.....6 months......probably 40 gigs or so?

I'm glad you enjoy yours....I have been interested in the Mesa cabs as well.

[christw]

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

It also crossed my mind that I could rewire my 4 ohm 2x10s for 16 ohms each......run them in parallel (daisy chain into the amp) at 8 ohms.

By doing that, I could get a single 8 ohm 4x10 (hook it up to the amp as well), and have a full 4 ohm 8x10 stack....

What do you think?

Would I be smart to get another Carvin Neo cab to match?
or just get something else entirely?

I like this idea! I rewired my Bag End 210 so that it plays nice with the 410 and they slaughter together.

You could run the 215s beside a 210/210/410 stack if you really wanted to kill people.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

It lasted probably.....6 months......probably 40 gigs or so?

I'm glad you enjoy yours....I have been interested in the Mesa cabs as well.

Hmmmmmm - for some reason I thought it was less time/gigs Time flies


The Kappalite really seems to like the Mesa TL606 type cabs (the older road ready and deisels)

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by christw

I like this idea! I rewired my Bag End 210 so that it plays nice with the 410 and they slaughter together.

You could run the 215s beside a 210/210/410 stack if you really wanted to kill people.

How is the bag end stuff? good enough for loud and heavy?
I've always seen them as jazz cabs. lol

That's a great idea!
8x10 and 2x15!
Plus it's ultra modular.

[svtb15]

For years my main cab was a Bag End D15D-B.. Basically two of the S15D-Bs that you described all in one cab.I used that and an SVT 810 with a Crown PSA2... Huge but i had a crew to move it..
I later used a S15D-B.. To me it was the best sounding 115 cab that i have ever played.. It had the stock BE speakers in it.. Just wonder what it would sound like with a 3015 in it these days..Or if the 3015 would even work in that cab..
The s15D is the deep cab.. and its tall too. not that cube thing they make... The S15D-B is not boomy at all. just large fat smooth lows that tapers up to the mids nicely...

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Clearly, 4x15s is the answer. Just sell your current cabs, pick up two Bag end S15D-Bs, and two Bag End S15X-Ds and you're set