multi-speaker cabinets - unequal distribution of sound?

c2thej2theizzo · #1 09-28-2011, 03:46 PM

I have always been a 2x10 and 1x15 guy. (mostly eden stuff) I have just always preferred the sound of a few speakers being pushed slightly. - and its easier to carry. But Im sick of replacing drivers and need to compete with two guitarists now.

I recently purchased used 4x10 and 6x10 Sonic brand cabinets. (because they were cheap ) and noticed alot larger amount of the sound being reproduced by just one speaker in the 4x10 and just 2 of the speakers in the 6x10. The other drivers are pushing just about 1/2 to 3/4 the sound of the louder driver(s). Both cabinets are being given the proper power and all speakers are the same in each cabinet. 4x10 is wired properly in series with 8 ohms drivers. 6x10 has 8ohm drivers in series/parallel for a 5.3 ohm load. To make sure the drivers were ok I swapped a few of the drivers in the chain - got the same result. I have even replaced all drivers with different new drivers in the 4x10 just to make sure and I still have the same result. Its mostly a problem when at medium to 3/4 levels. When I really push the volume, however, the drivers seem to distribute the signal a little more evenly.

Is this just electricity finding the least path of resistance? Maybe an air dispersion thing (6x10 is sealed and enclosed)? Is this common in multi - speaker cabinets larger than 2x10? Is this less of an issue in more reliable cabs like Ampeg, Swr, etc... Any suggestions on a fix?

billfitzmaurice · #2 09-28-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c2thej2theizzo

they were cheap

That's probably the main source of the problem.

c2thej2theizzo · #3 09-28-2011, 03:54 PM

Agreed. as a lifelong user of 2x10's I want to make sure this isn't a consistent issue amoung other multi speaker cabs before I foot the bill for something nicer.

billfitzmaurice · #4 09-28-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c2thej2theizzo

Agreed. as a lifelong user of 2x10's I want to make sure this isn't a consistent issue amoung other multi speaker cabs before I foot the bill for something nicer.

I've never experienced anything like what you describe, nor have I seen anyone else post anything similar.

c2thej2theizzo · #5 09-28-2011, 03:58 PM

thx, luckily I didnt spend much on these

will33 · #6 09-28-2011, 04:01 PM

I've never heard of that. There's really no reason it could even happen if everything's hooked up right. Are you sure that's what's happening? Not some bad room thing or just the speakers closer to your ear sounding louder? I'm not sure you could even make it do that aside from using some oddball combination of drivers like combining a 16ohm and a 4ohm.

c2thej2theizzo · #7 09-28-2011, 04:19 PM

Even had a friend look at my wiring. It happens with both cabs. In the 4x10 its always the second driver on the negative chain and in the 6x10 its the third on the negative side that take most of the load. I even wired it starting with a different space in the cab to make sure it wasnt air bouncing around inside the cab moving the driver etc... . sure enough no matter where in the cabinet I had it, it was noticeably louder than the others. I could even see it moving more air than the others. Thats why I'm here i've given up guessing.

will33 · #8 09-28-2011, 04:45 PM

Sorry man. I'm trying to think of a way to make that happen and coming up blank. Short of one of the drivers being blown and just reacting to air pressure changes caused by the ones that are working. When that happens, the blown one will usually move farther than the working ones. Have you checked all the drivers individually and confirmed they are all of the same impedance and all are working? I can't think of a way to make it do that with equal working drivers just using various wiring combinations.

grenadilla · #9 09-28-2011, 04:51 PM

Used cabinets could have reconed speakers,with a 16 ohm coil where there was an 8 ohm coil. Different cones,heavier or lighter may have been substituted.

Alex1984 · #10 09-28-2011, 05:24 PM

Just to be sure, when you said the 410's wired in series, that was a mistake right? It should be series/parallel at least. Though power might be unevenly distributed, I would imagine it being very hard to detect unless if they differ by a big amount.

RickenBoogie · #11 09-28-2011, 05:25 PM

+1 it's gotta be either someone replaced, or reconed some or all, or, mismatched or blown drivers. Weirdest thing I've ever heard. But no, if you buy a quality cab, (never skimp on your speakers), you will not have this issue.

BassmanPaul · #12 09-28-2011, 05:39 PM

Try the battery test and make sure all the cones move in the same direction. Usually with the positive battery terminal to the tip and the negative to the sleeve the cones will move out away from the magnet structure.

c2thej2theizzo · #13 09-29-2011, 01:20 AM

Thx all, it was reconed speakers!, Borrowed a multimeter and sure enough someone reconed half of the speakers as 4 ohm, one of em in the 6x10 was even a 16. I must have gotten lucky (or unlucky) when I switched them around in the cab. Guess I'll be getting some new drivers.

will33 · #14 09-29-2011, 02:58 AM

For now.....if you need one of these to play.......if you can find 4 that are the same, stick them in the 410......6 of the same, put them in the 610, etc.

That is strange indeed.