Single 2X15 cab or two 1X15's?

[4001]

So, what would be the best choice?
A single 2X15 or two 1X15 bass cabs?

Just wondering what the pros and cons would be.
Any opinions would be helpful.

[muddycreek]

2 1-15's; more modular, don't have to bring both, probably an extra five pounds of wood and hardware.

1 - 2-15; a tiny bit less weight, bigger restrictions on where it fits.

Personally, I still like 2-15's better for no good reason. But I'm not real smart like that.

[YogaBear]

It all depends on your Bass logistics(I like saying that).
215 more resonance, more solidness, more wood in cabinet.
2x115 more portability, less woofy bass(if sizes were the same as 215), better articulation.
I like 2x115 and 412 cabinet to compliment things, NO horn, maybe a 210 but NO horn, please, my ears.!

[rpsands]

If you're using top end drivers, 1x15s are the way to go. Almost any gig can be done with a single 1x15 with a Kappalite 3015 in it.

[NKUSigEp]

Go big or go home - 2x15. Sounds better, looks cooler, ya can't lose.

Edit: so there actually some reasoning behind the 2x15 - I played a show in 2003 and had to use the headliner's bassist's cab - Ampeg SVT215. I still can't get the sound out of my head, it was so juicy and fat and round. I tried their 1x15's - totally not juicy, fat and round. At least not as much as the 2x15.

[rpsands]

If tuning and interior space are the same, a 2x15 and 1x15 will sound the same. You could get a marginal decrease in vertical dispersion (really not a huge deal) because of the extra inch or so the drivers are apart, but that's it.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by 4001

So, what would be the best choice?
A single 2X15 or two 1X15 bass cabs?

Two 1x15. The sound is identical, but you can't leave 1/2 of a 2x15 at home when you don't need it. Easier to pack and carry also.

[Jazzdogg]

One advantage a 2X15 or two stacked fifteens has is that the added height positions the drivers closer to ear-level; a HUGE advantage in my book.

That said, the cabs I gig with the most are 3-way designs, so if I could obtain a great 1X15 that incorporated a mid driver on an angled baffle aimed up toward my ears, I might be satisfied with a 1X15.

[4001]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone. I really would like to have two 2X15's with an amp for each one. I was just wondering if the sound is different with four single cabs or with both 15's in each of the two cabs.
So far, the opinions are mixed. I understand the portability issues with having single cabs. That is something I like but I don't want to sacrifice sound quality if the singles don't, or are not capable of producing a great tone.

I like the looks, specs and reviews of the Mesa powerhouse 2X15's personally.
What do you think are the best 2x15's and the best 1X15's?
Keep in mind that I'd like 4 15's total with one head for each two.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by 4001

I really would like to have two 2X15's with an amp for each one.

Brother, I'll give you ten years and this will get old real fast. If you don't have roadies shlepping gear for you this amount of equipment will be exhausting!!!!

Paul

[rpsands]

It's not an opinion. If the internal space and tuning are the same it will sound the same. Some cabs, when they go from 1x12 to 2x12, are modified (either different tuning or more space) so it can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Or, sometimes the drivers are offset -- offsetting drivers is bad news. Far worse than two 1x cabs aligned vertically.

There are no 15" cabs that can touch what you can do custom right now. Most vendors are still using drivers which are way behind the times. And most are crazily overpriced.

If I were going to buy a commercial one it'd probably be a PH115. But I wouldn't. I'd either build my own (which took me an afternoon and a trip to Lowes to have plywood cut), have someone build it, or buy an old 1x15 from ye old megapawn and retrofit it with a Kappalite 3015.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by 4001

Keep in mind that I'd like 4 15's total with one head for each two.

If you plan on using them at the same time no, you don't. That would mean placing the cabs side by side, which will halve the midrange dispersion. Always have all your drivers on a single vertical line.

What do you think are the best 2x15's and the best 1X15's?

Those loaded with Eminence Kappalite 3015s. Two are sufficient for any sane person, three overkill big time.

[michaelgilleran]

In regards to previous posts, it's worth mentioning hat kustom g series cabinets come loaded with eminence speakers. However they only make a 410 an 810 and a 215

To TS. The 115's are nice because they are more portable and you can stack them vertically which will improve your sound. The 215 is a little safer though because you don't run as big a risk with phasin issues. I would imagine that to be negligable though if your using two of the same cabs

[wave rider]

FS/FT 2 - 1x15" Cabs 3015 loaded

I wonder about these?

=wr=

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Two 1x15. The sound is identical, but you can't leave 1/2 of a 2x15 at home when you don't need it. Easier to pack and carry also.

To pack, yes, but carrying one big cab is easier than two smaller ones (IME). Tho that is a matter of personal perspective.

[dannster]

I currently have no 15's as I have explored other style cabs over the years but I always hark back to my 215's I've owned or played through. I am seriously considering going back with a fEarful 151566. Might just be the ticket.

Unless you have wheels on both single 115's it would be easier to just wheel around a 215. One trip. Someone mentioned 2 cabs 2 amps. One could always road case both heads into one unit on wheels as well.

[rpsands]

The 3015 single driver cabs can come in at 35lbs or so with arauco ply. Carrying one in each hand is absolutely easier than carrying one 70lb cabinet, for almost anyone. As long as you can one-hand 35lbs, anyway, it's a lot easier on your back too.

[4001]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Brother, I'll give you ten years and this will get old real fast. If you don't have roadies shlepping gear for you this amount of equipment will be exhausting!!!!

Paul

I used to have more than that before I sold a lot of it years ago.
If I get ten years out of it, cool. I'm 44 now. When I'm 54 I don't see me playing live anywhere anyways. It's just for the here and now. In the next 5-10 years.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

To pack, yes, but carrying one big cab is easier than two smaller ones (IME).

Only until arthritis sets in, the result of decades of schlepping overly heavy gear. I used to be able to clean and jerk 250 pounds. My limit now is 40, and I pay dearly every time I do that much.

[sabre79]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Those loaded with Eminence Kappalite 3015s.

I want to make a 2x15 or 2-1x15's myself. I Don't want a tweeter. Do I use the Kappalite 3015's or the 3015lf's?