How will two 15's compare in volume to an 810?

[dukeisdog]

Hey guys, as some of you may already know, I recently picked up this beat up Ampeg 810e locally. The tolex is pretty torn up, it's missing a caster, and appears to have two blown speakers. I had every intention of restoring the cab, but I know a guy who is willing to trade me an Ampeg SVT 115e cab and cash towards the 810e in the condition it's in now.

I know for sure one of these 115e cabs won't cut it with the 200 watt power handling, but how will two of these cabs stacked sound in terms of volume compared to my 810e? The fridge is loud enough, I just don't know if I wanna deal will replacing speakers, etc.

[arthur31686]

I'd say keep the fridge if you really need the volume. Replacing the speakers is a hassle and a little intimidating at first but it isn't that much of a hassle. If you're really worried I'd say take it to a tech, have it looked at and ask them to replace the speakers. That costs more but its worth it.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by arthur31686

I'd say keep the fridge if you really need the volume. Replacing the speakers is a hassle and a little intimidating at first but it isn't that much of a hassle. If you're really worried I'd say take it to a tech, have it looked at and ask them to replace the speakers. That costs more but its worth it.

That might be the route I'll go. I really don't mind the size of the fridge, and surprisingly, I haven't had much trouble balancing it in one wheel and moving it around. I even got it up the stairs by myself .

When I bought the cab I was told that there was one speaker blown, not 2, and I haven't been playing at very high levels at all. Part of my reasoning for also maybe wanting to do this trade, is that my cab was dated as an 01, and I've heard that Ampeg had some bad years. The tone of the cab sounded fine, but it appears to be made of OSB, which to my understanding, isn't the greatest material.

[walterw]

2 15s will very much rock! (especially two bigger 15s like the ampeg boxes). in principle, a working 8x10 still has the edge, though.

a 2x15 setup is closer in "strength" to maybe a 6x10 cab (though the 6x10 still has more speaker area).

[walterw]

OSB is fine, maybe even good for stationary boxes (like home stereo speakers) since it's pretty non-resonant, but it's heavy, weaker than plywood, and swells when it gets wet.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by walterw

2 15s will very much rock! (especially two bigger 15s like the ampeg boxes). in principle, a working 8x10 still has the edge, though.

a 2x15 setup is closer in "strength" to maybe a 6x10 cab (though the 6x10 still has more speaker area).

Well I have been running the cab with the two speakers disconnected as a 6X10, and it seems to be working out fine.

Two of those 8 ohm cabs would be a 4 ohm load, and my amp is 700 watts at 4 ohms. I know that my amp has a volume knob, I'm just really not sure if these cabs will handle what I need them to. Currently not playing in a band, when I will be I will be playing medium sized venues and PA support most likely 1/2 of the time.

Edit: I will get the serial number of his cab so it can be dated as well. I think I'd like to shy away from OSB.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

I know for sure one of these 115e cabs won't cut it with the 200 watt power handling, but how will two of these cabs stacked sound in terms of volume compared to my 810e?

The 810 has both higher sensitivity and greater displacement than two 115, so it will go louder than two 115. BTW, the 200 watt power handling is moot.

the 6x10 still has more speaker area

Also moot.
What matters is what I just referenced, sensitivity and displacement.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

The 810 has both higher sensitivity and greater displacement than two 115, so it will go louder than two 115. BTW, the 200 watt power handling is moot.
Also moot.
What matters is what I just referenced, sensitivity and displacement.

But how much louder? Are two of these 115's gonna cut it in a loud rock/ metal setting possibly without PA? that's what it really comes down to.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

But how much louder? Are two of these 115's gonna cut it in a loud rock/ metal setting possibly without PA? that's what it really comes down to.

You need at least three 115s to equal the 810. Only you can say if two 115s are enough for what you do.

[Toastfuzz]

I'd expect the tone from 2 15"s would differ from an 8x10 fridge... I'd expect the 2 15"s set would do you fine volume-wise, but is it the tone you're going for?

(I currently run 4x10 cabs and really want to sell em off and go 15's, I A/B'd my Ampeg HE 4x10 against a Peavey 1x15 (both powered by Ampeg SVT3Pro) and prefer the tonal character of the 15. Can't really explain why, it just hit me right and my reggae-rock band agrees. However, the 1x15 couldn't match the 4x10 in max volume.)

EDIT: Just saw you mention playing rock/metal... for most rock applications I'd take the 15"s for their tone, but once you start getting into metal with 2 guitars and a very loud drummer, you're gonna need the clarity of 10" speakers' midrange to cut through. At least in my experience.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

That might be the route I'll go. I really don't mind the size of the fridge, and surprisingly, I haven't had much trouble balancing it in one wheel and moving it around. I even got it up the stairs by myself .

When I bought the cab I was told that there was one speaker blown, not 2, and I haven't been playing at very high levels at all. Part of my reasoning for also maybe wanting to do this trade, is that my cab was dated as an 01, and I've heard that Ampeg had some bad years. The tone of the cab sounded fine, but it appears to be made of OSB, which to my understanding, isn't the greatest material.

You can get direct replacements for those speakers at fliptops, and it's as easy as taking the others out and connecting in the new ones. Like I said, fliptops has them for $65, they're labeled as electro-harmonix, but they're made by eminence and are the same as the ones that came stock in that cab. Orange county speaker has some listed as direct from ampeg but they're $95 each.

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

But how much louder? Are two of these 115's gonna cut it in a loud rock/ metal setting possibly without PA? that's what it really comes down to.

In the end, THAT comes down to a host of factors, sone of which are out of your control: what your drummer and your guitards are doing, how you run your own EQ, the room acoustics and the audiences in your area, etc.

Unfortunately, no-one else can answer that question but you. There are guys getting by in clubs with a single 4*10 and 200 watts, and others that need kilowatt rack rigs and TWO 8*10's.

Is there any way you can rent or borrow a pair of 115e's in your area? Experience is the best teacher...

[rummy]

Depends on many factors, but i used to rock two SVT 15E cabs for a rock band. It definitely filled the frequencies, but the set up lacked focus and punch. Ditched them for a 410. The 810 is just unrealistic for my situation...

[dukeisdog]

I got pictures of the cab, seems to be in good condition. The serial number appears as: ASWDM20035

Based off of that, I believe the cab is a 2003. Did they change to better constructed cabinets before then? Or will it be made out of the same thing as my Ampeg?

[will33]

If you can operate a screwdriver you can replace speakers so that's a non-issue.

If your cab sounds loud enough running it as a 610, the 215 would probably get the job done too if it's got half decent speakers in it.

The years of osb cabs also had a little darker sounding speakers in them. If you like the sound of yours, replace them with the same kind. Some guys put some topend and grind back in it by putting a pair of Jensen Mod50 speakers in the top chamber. Something to consider if you've gotta replace a pair anyway.

I wouldn't use osb to build a cab but if yours hasn't gotten wet ever, like sitting in a wet basement or somebody once got rained on on the way home from the gig and didn't have a tarp or something it's probably in decent shape as far as the wood. Was the wheel taken off or did it break off? Osb is weaker than ply and banging it up and down stairs regularly could weaken that part over time so make sure the panel the wheels fasten to is solid and get another wheel.

I'd fix up the 810 and keep it if you're playing hard rock, especially if you're gonna have to carry the house one your own sometimes. That's pretty much the go to cab for that. You can always experiment with 15's and you might end up going that way but I wouldn't lose an 810 over it Who says you have to pick only one cab?

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

I'd expect the tone from 2 15"s would differ from an 8x10 fridge... I'd expect the 2 15"s set would do you fine volume-wise, but is it the tone you're going for?

(I currently run 4x10 cabs and really want to sell em off and go 15's, I A/B'd my Ampeg HE 4x10 against a Peavey 1x15 (both powered by Ampeg SVT3Pro) and prefer the tonal character of the 15. Can't really explain why, it just hit me right and my reggae-rock band agrees. However, the 1x15 couldn't match the 4x10 in max volume.)

EDIT: Just saw you mention playing rock/metal... for most rock applications I'd take the 15"s for their tone, but once you start getting into metal with 2 guitars and a very loud drummer, you're gonna need the clarity of 10" speakers' midrange to cut through. At least in my experience.

I play rock and various forms of metal, and I use 15"s. A good 15" speaker in a well designed cab has plenty of clarity and midrange.

Two 15"s probably won't be as loud as eight 10"s, though. Every player's situation is different, though, so it's hard to say whether they'd cut it for the OP's needs.

I say just fix the fridge.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I play rock and various forms of metal, and I use 15"s. A good 15" speaker in a well designed cab has plenty of clarity and midrange.

Two 15"s probably won't be as loud as eight 10"s, though. Every player's situation is different, though, so it's hard to say whether they'd cut it for the OP's needs.

I say just fix the fridge.

I'll take some better pics of the cab today and post them, you guys can check it out. It's in pretty rough shape, but still sounds pretty decent. The guy with the 115 also has a 210 cab I might be able to get him to throw in (maybe with cash on my end?) it would save me from having to buy another 115. What's everyone's opinion on that?

[Sartori]

Two 15"s would probably be better than one 15" and a 2x10".