Sound/tonal difference between 210 + 210 rig and a 210 +115 rig??

madsheep#1 · #1 12-04-2010, 02:27 AM

Could not find any straight forward answer on this. I'm looking at the Ashdown ABM cabs and am wondering what are the tonal differences between these two combinations. Can someone please describe for me the tonal differences between the two set ups. The 115 apparently assists with the bottom end where as another 210 will have more punch yeah?? Either of these set ups is going to pair up with a Hartke LH500. Any advice is appreciated. Any thoughts on the head and ABM cabs are also welcome

.

JimmyM · #2 12-04-2010, 03:09 AM

hard to say. they could match up well or they could cause phasing. you don't find a lot about that type of pairing because the results are unpredictable. however, two 210 cabs or two 115 cabs of the same style never cause phasing and often do what you're trying to accomplish with the two mismatched cabs.

madsheep#1 · #3 12-04-2010, 03:24 AM

Thanks for that. I think I'll go with the 2 210's. I'm not 100% sure on the phasing issue, if they phase what does this do to the sound exactly? Is it worth the risk?

JimmyM · #4 12-04-2010, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsheep#1

Thanks for that. I think I'll go with the 2 210's. I'm not 100% sure on the phasing issue, if they phase what does this do to the sound exactly? Is it worth the risk?

some notes will sound normal, some will sound overemphasized, some notes will sound washed out and faded. is it worth the risk? not if you're buying sight unseen, as the results are always unpredictable. some mixed setups have little or no phasing, some have a lot.

kosmicwizard · #5 12-04-2010, 06:06 AM

Also, when you get them, stack your two tens vertically. Cheers.

billfitzmaurice · #6 12-04-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsheep#1

am wondering what are the tonal differences between these two combinations.

Since tone isn't defined by driver size there is no answer except to try the two side by side and decide for yourself if you have a preference.

greenboy · #7 12-04-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsheep#1

Thanks for that. I think I'll go with the 2 210's. I'm not 100% sure on the phasing issue, if they phase what does this do to the sound exactly? Is it worth the risk?

It's not that risky. Just use STUN.

OK, seriously now. Matching drivers is a safe bet, more bettah... mixing cab designs, not so much.

lomo · #8 12-04-2010, 09:47 AM

Simply put: a pair of 210s or 15s will be more likely to sound better in more situations than a 210 on a 15. In a store, you will not be able to play them loud enough in a large enough setting to really know how they'll sound on a gig. This sucks, but is just plain true. Also, the pair of 210s stacked on their ends will be the easiest to hear of any of the combinations because it'll get a driver closest to your ear and will also have the smallest footprint. If you're buying based on logical principles, rather than looks or marketing, the best choice is a pair of 210s, next is a pair of 15s, last is a mix. This doesn't mean the 210/15 may not sound good, but simply that the others are highly likely to sound better IF SAMPLED AT VARIOUS POINTS IN THE AUDIENCE. They'll all sound good from 3 feet away in the store.

Dbassmon · #9 12-04-2010, 10:15 AM

210 or 115 in combo, the main difference will be mid range response. I find that 10s have a bit more mid range presence in general.

If you mix two size cones you will get some difference in the overall mid range presence, it could very well be a good thing. Try both combos and let your ears decide. Get a few feet away so the drivers at ear level will dominate your perception

topcat2069 · #10 12-04-2010, 10:38 AM

I only used mixed drivers if I'm bi amping....... otherwise all matched or made to go together.

madsheep#1 · #11 12-04-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

Also, when you get them, stack your two tens vertically. Cheers.

I've heard of this method being effective but from my understanding is the handles on the 210's pop out a bit judging from pics so the vertical methos wont work i think. But if i stack 2 210's horizontally it will sound still acceptable? The Ashdown cabs Im referring to.

Florox · #12 12-04-2010, 05:48 PM

It would sound the same if you stand in front of them. You start noticing comb filtering when you move around. Stack them vertically, the dispersion will not only be excellent, but they will stand higher and you will hear yourself better. Really, apart from looking cool, there is no benefit from stacking horizontally and it worsens your sound.

billfitzmaurice · #13 12-04-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsheep#1

is the handles on the 210's pop out a bit judging from pics .

So?

madsheep#1 · #14 12-04-2010, 06:12 PM

When you guys say stack it vertically do you mean each 210 vertically next to each other or one on top of each other?

eg;

0l0
0l0

or

0
0
-
0
0

lomo · #15 12-04-2010, 07:29 PM

the last option, otherwise it's just like a std 410

JimmyM · #16 12-04-2010, 11:53 PM

ya...

O
O
O
O

height so you can hear yourself, better dispersion of highs and mids than a 410.

dbase · #17 12-05-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsheep#1

Could not find any straight forward answer on this. I'm looking at the Ashdown ABM cabs and am wondering what are the tonal differences between these two combinations. Can someone please describe for me the tonal differences between the two set ups. The 115 apparently assists with the bottom end where as another 210 will have more punch yeah?? Either of these set ups is going to pair up with a Hartke LH500. Any advice is appreciated. Any thoughts on the head and ABM cabs are also welcome

.

I have had both.. my rig now is the lh500 plus 2 2x10's ... I can really push them .. thought of going with 1 2x12 for a little more low end .. but these 2x10 can put out when you need them ..

madsheep#1 · #18 12-06-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ya...

O
O
O
O

height so you can hear yourself, better dispersion of highs and mids than a 410.

How about if i put one 210 flat on the bottom and the other 210 stacked vertical on top (an upside down T shape)?

eg,
--- O
--- O
---OO

JimmyM · #19 12-06-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madsheep#1

How about if i put one 210 flat on the bottom and the other 210 stacked vertical on top (an upside down T shape)?

eg,
--- O
--- O
---OO

good question. it's something i wouldn't do just because i like to have a tall stack behind me, and because i think speaker stacks sound better when the cabs are in line. but as far as what happens on a scientific level when you do it, i'm not sure.

Florox · #20 12-12-2010, 02:24 PM

Why would you do that for? Really there's no mistique or magical arrangements when it comes to speakers. Completely vertical is the way to go, otherwise you'll have a rig that not only looks really silly, but you'll have one cab dispersing correctly, and the other one comb filtering. Comb filtering = bad. Stack them both vertically.