What attributes do you seek most in a cabinet purchase?

Phendyr_Loon · #1 10-10-2011, 07:46 PM

Since joining TB I've been able to experience all difference types of cabinets, which has given me a lot of insight on MY ideal cabinet.

Ive seen cabinets of all shapes, sizes, and built with various materials and techniques to fit my criteria for this poll.

I think I've covered all the "bases" of ideal cabinet features, number of drivers could be many or few, and buying 2 210's with the intent of vertical stacking ( for example), is a viable senerio for a "small footprint" rig.

This is meant to cover both ends of the spectrum from small gigs to arena size venue players. I've omitted a "tone" option for various reasons including that it's too subjective per opinion.

fourfinger · #2 10-10-2011, 08:58 PM

I went for the vertical stack-small footprint, a-la Mesa Walkabout w/extension cab. nice setup and fits in the trunk.

brendanbassist · #3 10-10-2011, 09:06 PM

Where's the option for "tone"?!

steamthief · #4 10-10-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

Where's the option for "tone"?!

Carrots, just carrots!

bassteban · #5 10-10-2011, 09:19 PM

Like sound, can lift w/o blowing my O-ring & can afford.

Sartori · #6 10-10-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

Where's the option for "tone"?!

Yeah, this.

The chief reason I play the cabs I do is because I think they sound good. My big one also happens to be ear splittingly loud, if I want it to be, so there's that, too. And the top driver is closer to my ears than in a lot of cabs. It's also really really heavy, though, and has a large footprint.

Silver9692 · #7 10-10-2011, 11:49 PM

Carrots

dhomer · #8 10-11-2011, 12:07 AM

It has to deliver the tone I want at the volume I need. It used to been size and weight were not huge considerations.. tone is everything.. Fortunately perfection is now available in a smaller footprint.. fEARful™ enclosures for bass/drums/keys

mazdah · #9 10-11-2011, 05:41 AM

The sound. One and only.

jnewmark · #10 10-11-2011, 05:52 AM

Weight issues and drivers closer to my ears. Pretty much get the tone from the amp, but being an easy schlepp and being able to hear myself onstage is #1. My compromise ( there is no free lunch ) is an LDS 212/horn cab, all vertically aligned and raised on a 12" tall riser.

Phendyr_Loon · #11 10-11-2011, 06:22 AM

Oppps! I've fixed the OP though originally meant to clarify why "tone" doesn't exsist as a poll option. Here are a few reasons behind my choice;

Tone is way too much of an opinion, where as weight and size are comparable physical traits of cabinets. Plus I didn't want a thread full of what everyone's ideal tone is.

I don't know too many bassist that will buy a bad sounding cabinet, but folks will sacrifice portability for number of drivers (ex. 810's), or will choose light weight over power handling (ex. mini rigs).

Just for an example from me, I generally use my ideal rig for practice and small gigs. So I aire on the side of small a footprint and lightweight (to save my back). Which by effect also filters out my desire/need for high wattage handling and a large number of drivers.

staindbass · #12 10-11-2011, 06:25 AM

it should reproduce everything from my fundamental to the metallic zing. (30hz-10khz)

John Webb · #13 10-11-2011, 07:15 AM

Tone?? Is tone the major consideration?

Cost??

Liam Wald · #14 10-11-2011, 07:31 AM

Another vote for tone. To me finding "the sound" I like is the most important thing.

Phendyr_Loon · #15 10-11-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Webb

Tone?? Is tone the major consideration?

Cost??

I considered price too. But much like tone, it is far from a fair comparison. Mainly because cabinets are sold used at varying price points. Only these physical attributes will remain constant for this poll to be concise.

NKBassman · #16 10-11-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Tone is way too much of an opinion, where as weight and size are comparable physical traits of cabinets. Plus I didn't want a thread full of what everyone's ideal tone is.

Yes, tone is a personal opinion, but why would I buy an unltra lightweight vertical 410 rig with 20,000W power handling if it sounded like crap? I would much rather lug around the heaviest 8x15 cab in the world if it got me the tone I was looking for.

HolmeBass · #17 10-11-2011, 07:50 AM

I voted carrots - I look for the tone I want *first* when selecting a cabinet, all other optimizations or compromises come after that.

JP Morin · #18 10-11-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

Where's the option for "tone"?!

Yes... after carrots and tone first, I check for the power... But it must sounds good first...

Smallmouth_Bass · #19 10-11-2011, 08:04 AM

Ideally, it's a combination of all those attributes you mention.

fokof · #20 10-11-2011, 08:08 AM

For me , a speaker should reproduce as close as possible what's thrown at it. Having to buy a speaker cab now , I would listen to a well recorded CD through it and the one that sound better I'd buy.

As for the choices of answers , for me it's (all as important):
-Size
-Weight
-Fidelity
-power
-Ability to put at ear height