How much volume gain by adding a second cabinet?

jonathanhughes · #1 07-17-2010, 08:47 PM

Currently I play through a GenzBenz Shuttle 6 and an Epifani PS 210 (8 ohms). I recently played some outdoor gigs where I ended up pushing the GB more than I'd like ( I love the tube preamp, but I'd like a little more headroom so I'm not overdriving it constantly). If I were to add another cabinet (most likely an Epifani PS115), how much more volume could I expect to get?

I know that this is all subjective, and quantifying the increase in volume is difficult with out a dB meter (and even then, it's hard to extrapolate what those numbers mean), so even a vague idea would be helpful.

thanks!

Jonathan

M0ses · #2 07-17-2010, 08:51 PM

A whole heck of a lot more than if you doubled the wattage.

levis76 · #3 07-17-2010, 09:00 PM

Well, you will be adding an 8 ohm cab. That will have two major effects. First, you will be running the head at 4 ohms, which bumps output from 375W to 600W. Second, you're adding another speaker therefore pushing more air, so yeah it's gonna be louder. A lot louder.

groove pump · #4 07-17-2010, 09:05 PM

I'd also bet that you'll really start to throw your tone around with another cab. I've got a preamp/power amp rig with a pair of 2x10's (not as nice as your Epifani) and they're plenty for me without PA support at small-medium shows.

Even with 1,000 watts handy to drive only one of my cabs, I'd need to really lean on it to get enough sound going. With my pair of boxes working together, I run my rig with zero strain and more headroom than I can use.

Johnny Crab · #5 07-17-2010, 10:33 PM

Possibly: Almost 3dB for almost doubling power, maybe more(almost 6 dB) if the cabinets get acoustically coupled(i.e. drivers line up right and cabinets close to act as one).

Louder 4 sure.

somedumbguy · #6 07-17-2010, 10:35 PM

I would venture a guess as to being almost "twice" as loud.

This is completely subjective, and has no math involved...

Bass_Pounder · #7 07-17-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somedumbguy

I would venture a guess as to being almost "twice" as loud.

This is completely subjective, and has no math involved...

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

Most likely somewhere around +5db

greggster59 · #8 07-17-2010, 10:44 PM

When I added a 4ohm 1x15 to my 350W combo 2x10 things changed from seeing the clipping light while barely being heard to having to dial down on some songs with the gain set a tad over midway.

Plstrns · #9 07-17-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

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

Most likely somewhere around +5db

+1

That's about half again louder.

alexwittscheck · #10 07-17-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

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

Most likely somewhere around +5db

To play devil's advocate, twice as loud would be +3 dB.

But sounds "seem" twice as loud at around +10.

To the OP. I ran my 300 watt head at 8 ohms into a 2x10, and it was loud enough. Now I run my 300 watt head into 8x10 at 4 ohms and I hardly turn the master past 9 o'clock. So, yeah, it was much louder,

M0ses · #11 07-17-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanhughes

I know that this is all subjective, and quantifying the increase in volume is difficult with out a dB meter (and even then, it's hard to extrapolate what those numbers mean), so even a vague idea would be helpful.

Tru dat. It's a much more complicated question than it seems. Basically, though, it's easily the best way to get more volume.

iamthebassplayr · #12 07-17-2010, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexwittscheck

To play devils advocate, twice as loud would be +3 dB.

Thank you for this.

JimmyM · #13 07-18-2010, 12:32 AM

ya, my b-15n rig will get almost twice as loud if i use two cabs. not quite but definitely noticeably louder. highly recommended, especially if you're using small cabs.

but add another cab just like yours for best results. eliminates possible phasing issues.

billfitzmaurice · #14 07-18-2010, 07:43 AM

With two identical cabs the increase will be 6dB. With mixed cabs the result is unpredictable.

Quote:

To play devil's advocate, twice as loud would be +3 dB.

Twice the power is 3dB. Twice as loud is 10dB.

RickenBoogie · #15 07-18-2010, 07:56 AM

+1, add an identical 210, and know for sure you'll maximize your output.

BassmanPaul · #16 07-18-2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1, add an identical 210, and know for sure you'll maximize your output.

Agreed and stack them vertically to bring the cabinets closer to your ears.

Paul

ProfGumby · #17 07-18-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1, add an identical 210, and know for sure you'll maximize your output.

What about adding a 4x10 or a 1x15? Just looking at all sides...

**bassybill** · #18 07-18-2010, 09:30 AM

If you're using a 210 and add a 115, it will blow your socks off. Don't worry about using different driver sizes, in my experience they'll work together fine.

Bassflute · #19 07-18-2010, 09:58 AM

A **** load. A **** of a lot!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Cameron

PS - generally, with cabs, 1 + 1 = ~2.5

and the 2x10 + 1x15 was a standard mid-sized rig for many years...my old Trace rig...{tearing up, snif, snif...}

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanhughes

Currently I play through a GenzBenz Shuttle 6 and an Epifani PS 210 (8 ohms). I recently played some outdoor gigs where I ended up pushing the GB more than I'd like ( I love the tube preamp, but I'd like a little more headroom so I'm not overdriving it constantly). If I were to add another cabinet (most likely an Epifani PS115), how much more volume could I expect to get?

I know that this is all subjective, and quantifying the increase in volume is difficult with out a dB meter (and even then, it's hard to extrapolate what those numbers mean), so even a vague idea would be helpful.

thanks!

Jonathan

JimmyM · #20 07-18-2010, 02:06 PM

some people love their mixed cab rigs, and that's cool. but the science of audio doesn't magically stop applying to a mixed cab rig just because you like it. i love my old 810 but audio science will tell you that it beams mids and highs, and sure enough it does. and a mixed cab rig is going to have possible phasing issues as well. doesn't mean it won't sound great, but it does mean that the possibility of phasing issues is greater, and the results are unpredictable, whereas using identical cabs guarantees uniform results.

however, the 410/115 combo just makes no sense on any level except looks, imho. most 410's go as low as any 115, and have about twice the output with the same amount of wattage. the reason it became popular is because of ads where they'd put a 410 and 115 together to show off more of their product line in the same ad space, and people would see it and say, "hey! little speakers for highs, big speakers for lows...brilliant!" thats what you call "engineering by looks."