Speaker cab’s what to choose..

[fburke]

Loaded question guys..fire away educate me!

What are the advantages / disadvantages of different speaker combo setups? 1 4x`10 2 4x10’s a 4x10 and 1x15 or just 1 8x10,

Now I know the Head will have some influence over your choices but because this is a speaker question let’s pretend that it’s a perfect world and your power source size and brand will be perfect for whatever argument you are making.

Thanks!

[JimmyM]

All speaker cabs need to be judged on their own merits and size of the speaker is pretty well meaningless.

[rodl2005]

Yeah but 1x10" is best for metal!

[atomicdog]

Hmmm, I'll pipe in a bit. There are differences. The larger the speaker the longer the sound wave and larger speakers, as a rule, produce a deeper sound. Right? Wrong? Think about the subwoofer on your stereo. That's why a 1x10 isn't the same as a 1x15. I have an 8-inch speaker on a practice amp that is fine at low volume but you can't drive it hard or it distorts. A lot of 1x10 and 1x12 cabs distort. There's also a matter of surface area (Phil Jones combo amps have arrays of small 5-inch drivers that produce a lot of sound because when combined the surface area is considerable.) Typically, a 2x10 is punchier than a 1x15, which can be boomy, and 4x10 cabs or a stack of those will get you where you wanna go, though some folks mix a 1x15 and a 4x10 for a wider range of sonics.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by atomicdog

Hmmm, I'll pipe in a bit. There are differences. The larger the speaker the longer the sound wave and larger speakers, as a rule, produce a deeper sound. Right? Wrong? Think about the subwoofer on your stereo. That's why a 1x10 isn't the same as a 1x15. I have an 8-inch speaker on a practice amp that is fine at low volume but you can't drive it hard or it distorts. A lot of 1x10 and 1x12 cabs distort. There's also a matter of surface area (Phil Jones combo amps have arrays of small 5-inch drivers that produce a lot of sound because when combined the surface area is considerable.) Typically, a 2x10 is punchier than a 1x15, which can be boomy, and 4x10 cabs or a stack of those will get you where you wanna go, though some folks mix a 1x15 and a 4x10 for a wider range of sonics.

Good god, still with this stuff?

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by atomicdog

Hmmm, I'll pipe in a bit. There are differences. The larger the speaker the longer the sound wave and larger speakers, as a rule, produce a deeper sound. Right? Wrong? Think about the subwoofer on your stereo. That's why a 1x10 isn't the same as a 1x15. I have an 8-inch speaker on a practice amp that is fine at low volume but you can't drive it hard or it distorts. A lot of 1x10 and 1x12 cabs distort. There's also a matter of surface area (Phil Jones combo amps have arrays of small 5-inch drivers that produce a lot of sound because when combined the surface area is considerable.) Typically, a 2x10 is punchier than a 1x15, which can be boomy, and 4x10 cabs or a stack of those will get you where you wanna go, though some folks mix a 1x15 and a 4x10 for a wider range of sonics.

No.

Just... no. Please stop spreading misinformation.

[bigthor]

Thor Say:

I like 12" speakers in multiples of 2. 8x12 with a nice tube head (live an Ampeg) rules. IMO 15s bark too much, 10s are ok but a bit too much mid scoup for me, but 12z just seem to work. And thats just me. If you are ever having trouble hearing yourself on stage perhaps you should try 12z.

[bassboysam]

10 inch speakers don't have a "sound", nor do 12s, 15s, 18s. Speaker size alone determines nothing. It is a combination of dozens of factors. You can't even generalize about speaker size, like 15s are deep and boomy, 12s have great midrange etc. You can't think you know what a cab will sound like because you know what size speakers it has.

[AshdownMad]

Originally Posted by bassboysam

10 inch speakers don't have a "sound", nor do 12s, 15s, 18s. Speaker size alone determines nothing. It is a combination of dozens of factors. You can't even generalize about speaker size, like 15s are deep and boomy, 12s have great midrange etc. You can't think you know what a cab will sound like because you know what size speakers it has.

+1 altho u can generalise the technical limitations as in a 15" driver will have a lower (if only slightly) frequency response than a 10". But again this might amount to nothing.

A wall of 10s (8x10) will move more air then a 4x10 + 1x15 cabs together.

[rad bassman]

Originally Posted by bassboysam

10 inch speakers don't have a "sound", nor do 12s, 15s, 18s. Speaker size alone determines nothing. It is a combination of dozens of factors. You can't even generalize about speaker size, like 15s are deep and boomy, 12s have great midrange etc. You can't think you know what a cab will sound like because you know what size speakers it has.

+1

i used to think -
15" drivers produce more bottom end, 10" drivers produce a tighter sound, 12" somewhere between (a compromise between 10s and 15s), anything smaller than a 10 is too small for bass....

its all BS tho, a speaker of any size is designed with a specific purpose in mind, simple as!

15" drivers can be just as tight as perceived from 10s, 10" drivers (in multiples - generally) can produce just as much bottom end as perceived from 15s

[bigthor]

Originally Posted by bassboysam

10 inch speakers don't have a "sound", nor do 12s, 15s, 18s. Speaker size alone determines nothing. It is a combination of dozens of factors. You can't even generalize about speaker size, like 15s are deep and boomy, 12s have great midrange etc. You can't think you know what a cab will sound like because you know what size speakers it has.

Hmmm, well, yes....Size matters. I played through a single 15 last night and the week before it was a 2x10. Similar amp section and it sounded different. Factors schmactors, I like to play through 12z. If you play in a different club every time your out, unless you tote around your own amp, you will notice this strange occurrence. If I am lucky and the soundman has enough lines to give me a mike along with my DI, I would want it on a 12. The PAs and monitors in most clubs now are good enough that running direct, most of the time works best. No amp. One less thing to worry about. Monster cable-Fender-Di-PA.

[bassboysam]

Originally Posted by bigthor

Hmmm, well, yes....Size matters. I played through a single 15 last night and the week before it was a 2x10. Similar amp section and it sounded different. Factors schmactors, I like to play through 12z. If you play in a different club every time your out, unless you tote around your own amp, you will notice this strange occurrence. If I am lucky and the soundman has enough lines to give me a mike along with my DI, I would want it on a 12. The PAs and monitors in most clubs now are good enough that running direct, most of the time works best. No amp. One less thing to worry about. Monster cable-Fender-Di-PA.

of course it will sound different, they are completely different cabs. your error is attributing the differences solely on the size of the speakers. a 12 may have great midrange, but take that same exact speaker and throw it in another enclosure and you could get a cab with not mids at all. there are waaaaaaaay too many parameters in speaker cab design to try and generalize what a cab will sound like based on the diameter of the speaker.

the point is, play a cab and if you like it great, who cares what size speakers are in there? and if this cab that you liked used 10 inch speakers, don't assume that you will like all cabs that use 10 inch speakers.


i guarantee you i can record some clips with a 1x15 and another with an 8x10 and you wont be able to tell which is which by just listening to what you believe the characteristics of a 15 inch speaker are compared to a 10 inch speaker.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bigthor

Hmmm, well, yes....Size matters. I played through a single 15 last night and the week before it was a 2x10. Similar amp section and it sounded different.

That's because they were different cabs designed to sound differently, and speaker size was one of many different factors that went into that.

Factors schmactors, I like to play through 12z. If you play in a different club every time your out, unless you tote around your own amp, you will notice this strange occurrence. If I am lucky and the soundman has enough lines to give me a mike along with my DI, I would want it on a 12. The PAs and monitors in most clubs now are good enough that running direct, most of the time works best. No amp. One less thing to worry about. Monster cable-Fender-Di-PA.

I can find you 12's you wouldn't let your dog play through just as easily as I can find 12"s that sound like yours. And that's the whole point...you cannot judge the sound of a cab on speaker size.

[bigthor]

There is no error on my part. I said I liked 12z. That being said, I don’t really give a ##@$ about amps, pedals, preamps ect. I would rather go direct both live and studio. Try it, it’s the real truth.

[AshdownMad]

Originally Posted by bigthor

There is no error on my part. I said I liked 12z. That being said, I don’t really give a ##@$ about amps, pedals, preamps ect. I would rather go direct both live and studio. Try it, it’s the real truth.

Really honestly? I could neva imagin hvin tht mentality...

[skysos]

From a pure "experience" standpoint because I don't know much about the technical aspects of speakers, my 2X12 Aguilar seems at least 2 or 3X louder than my 1X10 Eden at the same amp setting. The 2X12 seems to have a cleaner low E, F, and F# sound too. I don't think the 1X10 has the frequency response down low. I use it for acoustic gigs (coffee shops). The 2X12 goes with me to the rock shows. Amp is a Markbass LM II. The practical aspects are that I would much rather take the 1X10 with me if I can get away with it because it's 1/3 the weight. It's also surprisingly good sounding for the size.

[Denny Coon]

i dont know anything about the mathmatics of all this. With all the cabs ive tried, it just depends on how the cabs are made and designed. Ive ended up with a 2x10 and a 4x10. I started with an Ampeg 8x10 and although they are different enclosures inside that cab, it sounded loose and floopy compared to the diesels i use now. +1 on the just trying them out until you find the sound you like. Who cares what size the speaker is. There are tight sound cabs and loose sounding cabs on the market. if you wanna know how low they go read the specs. in the end if your playing out it just ends up being a moniter if you run direct to the front of the house anyway. Dont overthink it....trial and error

[runmikeyrun]

I've played 810s, 215s, 410s, 115s, and even a peavey 1516 (one 15 and two 8s). Right now I have (2) 412s. I like them the best. Whatever cab sounds good to you is what is best, but don't totally rule out speaker size because it does have something to do with the sound. Otherwise there would only be one speaker size for all speakers.

Also to consider- what do you feel like moving? An 810 or 215 is really heavy (my ampeg 810 was 160 lbs) and after a while bandmates might get sick of helping you move it. I know mine did, and so did I. moving (2) 412s is a lot more manageable. You'll be able to carry a 210 by yourself.

[masonsjax]

Get fEarful cabs. They can sound however you want them to, and will handle as much or as little power as you want to give them (compared to all other commercially available offerings), so you just choose the cab that's right for you based on volume needs, cab dimensions, and price.

[335guy]

More than the size of the speaker, it is the cabinet design that matters. One can build a cabinet where a single 12" speaker will sound very low ( depending on the individual speaker ). Also, the efficiency of the speaker factors into how loud it will sound with a given amount of watts. Some are very efficient, where others require more wattage to equal the same output. All that said, the greater the speaker area ( all things considered equally ), the greater the overall volume and clarity. Outside of the fearful designs ( and those similar ), I prefer the overall sound of 4 x 10's generally speaking, as most manufacturers ( not all ) make them to cover the lowest fundamentals. But what matters most is the sound YOU are attempting to get.