Thought xpmnt: which will be louder?

[lomo]

A thought experiment for the physics herd, since I no longer have a head that pushes 500w into 8 Ohms to test it empirically myself.

Which rig will be louder:

LDS 15/6 (fEarful type with long throw 15 and 18Sound midrange) and 500 watts

or

LDS 15/6 and Mesa PH112 with 300 watts into the 4 Ohm stack?

[lomo]

anyone ?

[Sartori]

The fEarful designs, from what I've read, are basically made to sound really awesome by themselves or with an additional unit of the same type (say, two 15/6 cabs). Pairing it up with a Mesa 112 might introduce phase issues and mess with the balanced sound of the 15/6, which seems to somewhat defeat the purpose of using one.

As for which setup would actually be louder, I have no idea. Also, that's just my speculation on the matter, and I'm no expert about anything, so take with a grain of salt. Bill or Greenboy would obviously have more knowledgeable opinions on the matter.

[lomo]

I realize the PH112 is a poor sonic choice to top the 15-6, which would pair best with another of the same cab, but I'm curious about the overall volume comparison between the 2 rigs. A 15-6 with a bigger amp is an easier haul than the 15-6 with another 45 lb cab and a small head.

[JimmyM]

instead of a 15/6 and a 212, add a second fearful 15 with no mid cone on bottom. or get it with a mid cone but make it able to turn off for when you have the two cabs.

[Petebass]

Originally Posted by lomo

A thought experiment for the physics herd, since I no longer have a head that pushes 500w into 8 Ohms to test it empirically myself.

Which rig will be louder:

LDS 15/6 (fEarful type with long throw 15 and 18Sound midrange) and 500 watts

or

LDS 15/6 and Mesa PH112 with 300 watts into the 4 Ohm stack?

If you're after a raw mathematical answer, we'll also need to know the sensitivity spec of each cab.

[Plstrns]

The Fearful alone will be louder. A 500 watt amp will give up way before it will.

[rpsands]

Like I said in the other thread the pair of them will be more sensitive, but you risk doing serious damage to the 12 -- it's not as sensitive as the 15, and has 1/4 or less the excursion limited power handling. Chances are good you would not hear it bottoming out and damaging the speaker.

With 300 watts total into 4 ohms, it won't be appreciably louder.

My experience with the PH112 suggests its sensitivity is around 95db, average, but that's a ballpark estimate.

[Sartori]

That's true, the PH112 might actually constrain volume in that it will bottom out before you can get everything out of the amp, depending on EQ. It says it handles 300 watts, but over-excursion might hurt it before then.

[lomo]

Thanks.