Im in a pickle!

autodidact · #1 10-01-2011, 01:12 PM

I've found a Behringer 4x10 on Craigslist that a guy is willing to let go for $125. Normally I would just look past it but I've been looking for a cab that would be able to handle the 1,100w that my Hartke can put out in bridge mode. The Behringer handles 1200w and it would also be more convenient to move compared to my 4x10/1x15 stack I use now that gets me to 675w.

Basically is the cab worth it just out of convenience and loudness factor? I know Behringer amps get a bad rap but for the most part but how about the cabs?

autodidact · #2 10-01-2011, 01:13 PM

Update: he just stopped it to 100

johnk_10 · #3 10-01-2011, 01:14 PM

IME, behringer's specs have always been very optimistic to say the least, but you'll never know until you try it yourself.

Slackerprince · #4 10-01-2011, 01:15 PM

Best thing for you to do is to play it and see if you like it.
Maybe, offer him $100, if you think it sounds good.
Your Behringer feedback will be mixed here, as you already know.

S

autodidact · #5 10-01-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autodidact

Update: he just stopped it to 100

*dropped it to 100

AwkwardLoudness · #6 10-01-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

The Behringer handles 1200w

Power handling data is typically meaningless for bass cabs. Speaker excursion, useful frequency range, and cab design are far more important factors.

BassmanPaul · #7 10-01-2011, 02:02 PM

The cabinet will never be able to handle your Hartke in bridge. I doubt it will be able to handle even one channel. Even at $50 it's still s sow's ear and not a silk purse!

Eric Moesle · #8 10-01-2011, 02:15 PM

Three problems here:

1. Never buy a Behringer product solely based upon its "specs". If you're on a strict budget and the price is right then fine, but their specs tend to be more fantasy than reality.

2. You already have a 4x10 and you want to replace it with a Behringer. Your existing cab would have to be the cheapest thing made for this to be an "upgrade".

3. Do you think its really a quality cab if the person is trying to unload it for $100 ????

scottfeldstein · #9 10-01-2011, 02:15 PM

I think your reasoning is wrong from the get-go, autodidact.

I'd be willing to bet that your current 4x10 + 1x15 stack can handle more watts than the Behringer 4x10 cab will by itself. It absolutely does not matter what the ratings are on the cabs. What a cab is rated at is not what it "can handle." What it can truly "handle" is a lot less than its stated rating. This is because the speakers will reach their maximum excursion and start farting out long before you've put the stated amount of watts into the speaker.

Turn the volume up until the speaker starts distorting then back it off a bit. That's "what it can handle." And I guarantee that won't be anywhere near the cab's stated maximum wattage.

Finally, your 4x10 + 1x15 rig has one additional driver and significantly more cone area and cone movement than a single 4x10 cab alone (especially a Behringer one). Ergo, your current stack is going to handle more volume (more watts) than the Behringer cab.

BassmanPaul · #10 10-01-2011, 03:10 PM

IMO you should get a second identical cabinet to the one you like the most by itself between the 4x10 and the 1x15. The 4x10 plus 1x15 is a poor match at best.

billfitzmaurice · #11 10-01-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autodidact

I I've been looking for a cab that would be able to handle the 1,100w that my Hartke can put out in bridge mode. ?

Bridging should only be used when you have a high impedance load, 8 ohms or higher, and as a result the voltage swing of one amp channel is insufficient to drive the speakers to full output. If you don't know what voltage your speaker needs to reach full output or the voltage swing of your amp don't bridge, all you'll accomplish is to double the chances of blowing your speakers.

Quote:

The Behringer handles 1200w... stack I use now that gets me to 675w.

Watts mean nothing. Output is limited by the total displacement of your drivers, not a wattage rating that's quite likely over-inflated anyway.

autodidact · #12 10-01-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

IMO you should get a second identical cabinet to the one you like the most by itself between the 4x10 and the 1x15. The 4x10 plus 1x15 is a poor match at best.

Any particular reason its a "poor match at best"?

scottfeldstein · #13 10-01-2011, 05:15 PM

Because a) they'll have a different upper limit for volume and b) they might actually interfere with each other. (Not entirely sure about how that latter works, but sound waves can cancel each other out. Experts want to chime in?)

GrowlerBox · #14 10-01-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Because a) they'll have a different upper limit for volume and b) they might actually interfere with each other. (Not entirely sure about how that latter works, but sound waves can cancel each other out. Experts want to chime in?)

If the OP is really an autodidact, he/she may wish to search!

autodidact · #15 10-01-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

If the OP is really an autodidact, he/she may wish to search!

Or maybe he can't because he's on the mobile app. Otherwise he probably would have.

Sartori · #16 10-01-2011, 08:47 PM

Okay, for one, for the Behringer cab to be worth it, you'd have to be playing through the crappiest cabs ever made.

Behringer has a such a poor reputation on here for a reason. Their specs are extremely inflated, and their amps and cabs have a reputation for being unreliable.

Now then. About your 410/15 stack.

Driver size has little to no bearing on sound. There are a whole host of aspects of driver design that have way more to do with how a driver sounds than the diameter.

Thus, the idea that a 15 automatically adds more lows is not accurate. Many 410 cabs go lower than many single 15 cabs.

Mixing driver sizes for the same frequency range can cause phasing issues.

As well, a single 15 only has just over half the speaker area of the 410. If they're of comparable design, this will result in it not being nearly as loud. So you'll mostly be getting the sound of the 410 anyway, with just enough 15 to cause phasing issues.

Additionally, the 15, since it is a smaller speaker system than the total of the 410, will likely be able to handle less power. So it will crap out when your 410 is still going strong, and because it's nowhere near as loud, you might not even be able to hear it doing so.

And last, because they are different speakers, you won't get the benefit of speaker coupling.

This is why some have advised you to pick whichever you like best between the 410 and 15, and get another one of those.

autodidact · #17 10-02-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

Okay, for one, for the Behringer cab to be worth it, you'd have to be playing through the crappiest cabs ever made.

Behringer has a such a poor reputation on here for a reason. Their specs are extremely inflated, and their amps and cabs have a reputation for being unreliable.

Now then. About your 410/15 stack.

Driver size has little to no bearing on sound. There are a whole host of aspects of driver design that have way more to do with how a driver sounds than the diameter.

Thus, the idea that a 15 automatically adds more lows is not accurate. Many 410 cabs go lower than many single 15 cabs.

Mixing driver sizes for the same frequency range can cause phasing issues.

As well, a single 15 only has just over half the speaker area of the 410. If they're of comparable design, this will result in it not being nearly as loud. So you'll mostly be getting the sound of the 410 anyway, with just enough 15 to cause phasing issues.

Additionally, the 15, since it is a smaller speaker system than the total of the 410, will likely be able to handle less power. So it will crap out when your 410 is still going strong, and because it's nowhere near as loud, you might not even be able to hear it doing so.

And last, because they are different speakers, you won't get the benefit of speaker coupling.

This is why some have advised you to pick whichever you like best between the 410 and 15, and get another one of those.

Sounds like a plan, I don't know too much about cabs and whatnot so that actually just helped me a lot, thank you. Looks like I should be trying to invest in another 4x10 here shortly, to the Craigslist! However, my current 4x10 is a Legion (I know its not great, I'm on a budget) do I need to try and track down another Legion cab or will any 4x10 do the trick?

P.S.- The Behringer is out of the question I turned it down. now I just need the above question answered haha.

Gearhead17 · #18 10-02-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autodidact

Sounds like a plan, I don't know too much about cabs and whatnot so that actually just helped me a lot, thank you. Looks like I should be trying to invest in another 4x10 here shortly, to the Craigslist! However, my current 4x10 is a Legion (I know its not great, I'm on a budget) do I need to try and track down another Legion cab or will any 4x10 do the trick?

P.S.- The Behringer is out of the question I turned it down. now I just need the above question answered haha.

Needs to be the same Legion 410. Two different brand 410's will generally NOT sound good together. Two identical cabs are 99% likely to work well together.

Keep your eyes open and you may find two used 410's for a decent price.

Munjibunga · #19 10-02-2011, 10:48 AM

I'd bet that the 1200-watt power rating is peak power, if there's any relation to reality at all in their spec. That would be 600 watts rms, again, if their numbers aren't just pulled out of a dark place.

Sartori · #20 10-02-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

Needs to be the same Legion 410. Two different brand 410's will generally NOT sound good together. Two identical cabs are 99% likely to work well together.

Keep your eyes open and you may find two used 410's for a decent price.

This.

There's a huge amount of variation in the design and therefore sound of 410 cabs.