What would happen if I did this?

Evil Undead · #1 08-28-2011, 03:19 PM

I use a Promethean P500H (250W into 8 ohms, 500W into 4 ohms)

I'm currently using an 8 ohm markbass 2x10 cab.

I'd like to add an 8ohm markbass 1x15 cab

Please could someone advise me, and explain why I should/shouldn't do this?

Thanks

billfitzmaurice · #2 08-28-2011, 03:24 PM

Another identical 2x10, the two cabs vertically stacked, will work better.

Evil Undead · #3 08-28-2011, 03:26 PM

I agree that it would work better. I just really like the sound that I get from a 15" speaker. 10's have a lot of the high end, I wanna cover all ground - if that makes sense.

rodl2005 · #4 08-28-2011, 03:43 PM

Not really. If you like 15"s, as I do, grab 2, the 2x10 might actually give you more lows-depending on the cab-but, sure,15"s sure do have a unique sound

ButtUglyJeff · #5 08-28-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Another identical 2x10, the two cabs vertically stacked, will work better.

This will make you very happy...

...at least it would for me.

Evil Undead · #6 08-28-2011, 03:51 PM

So will a 210 and a 115 cause problems with the ohms and stuff? Is it possible to put them together?

ButtUglyJeff · #7 08-28-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

So will a 210 and a 115 cause problems with the ohms and stuff? Is it possible to put them together?

Ohms no, but frequency cancellation issues maybe...

Do you like the tone from your 210?

Evil Undead · #8 08-28-2011, 03:59 PM

I do. At times it seems a little trebly although it's nice and punchy. I just want to get some fatter tones through in addition.

I don't know what frequency cancellation issues means. Would you be able to enlighten me?

BassmanPaul · #9 08-28-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I do. At times it seems a little trebly although it's nice and punchy. I just want to get some fatter tones through in addition.

A 15 will not necessarily do that for you. As Bill posted you will be better with an identical cabinet and stack 'em vertically.

Eminor3rd · #10 08-28-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I agree that it would work better. I just really like the sound that I get from a 15" speaker. 10's have a lot of the high end, I wanna cover all ground - if that makes sense.

This is a myth, my friend. Speaker technology is well within the realm of producing 15's with more high end than 10's and 10's with more high end than 15's -- and it is common practice with full range cabinets. That isn't to say that there are no instances of cabinets that adhere to the stereotypes, but the overwhelming majority of today's enclosures don't so you should always judge each enclosure based on your own ears, or at the very least without the '15's are low, 10's are high' mindset.

The problem with mixing driver size is that you almost always end up getting lopsided distribution of power to the individual speakers. This tends to lead to one of the cabinets being way louder than the other, minimizing the usefulness of the setup and sometimes causing some weird phase issues. Because both cabs are designed to be full-range, you're generally better off choosing the one you like the best and just doubling it. Two 1x15's or two 2x10's will give the most efficient use of your power, and will give you more of everything you like tonally from the single enclosure.

All of the above is oversimplified, of course, and the engineer-types can probably add much more detail.

billfitzmaurice · #11 08-28-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I just really like the sound that I get from a 15" speaker. 10's have a lot of the high end, I wanna cover all ground - if that makes sense.

On the surface it makes perfect sense, and it is the argument for mixing speakers. But the truth of the matter is that tens don't necessarily go higher than fifteens, and fifteens don't necessarily go lower than tens. If you like what you have add a second for more output. If you don't like it get rid of it, and get a cab that you do like, two if required for enough output.

dmusic148 · #12 08-28-2011, 05:57 PM

What Bill said. Thing is, the combination might sound great, to you. But there's an equal likelyhood that you won't like it, and there's no way to know without trying it. So why risk it? Get another, matching cab.

Evil Undead · #13 08-29-2011, 05:37 AM

Ah cool. I'll perhaps try another cab with the one I've got to see if it sounds good.

My question was more related to the physics side of things though, rather than if it would sound good.

I need to know if this combination is going to damage my head or cabs at all. I'm not good with ohms and spreading the load over different sized cabs.

jungleheat · #14 08-29-2011, 06:19 AM

If you like the sound of the 2 cabs together, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using them together.

A lot of people think you need to use all the same size driver, due to possible phase cancellation issues, not realizing that phase cancellations are often part of what gives certain instruments/amps/etc... their characteristic sound.

You're going to be getting cancellations from walls/floors, other instruments, etc... anyway. So if you like what you're hearing, don't worry about that other stuff.

And yes, it is possible for some 10s to go lower than some 15s and some 15s to go higher than some 10s. But all else being equal, 15s will generally be lower and 10s will generally be higher. And often the ones this doesn't apply to, there is so much engineering going on, that they can be a lot more expensive than normal. There's a reason why you don't see 5" subwoofers anywhere on the market (even for car audio, the smallest is usually about 8").

Basically if you just get another matching cab to the one you have, it should sound exactly the same, just 3db louder. If you think that tone sucks, then yeah, get a different cab and start from there. If you think the tone is generally good, but just not quite right, you could experiment with adding different cabs, and a 15 would be an obvious choice. Because even if you got a different 2x10 from what you have now, there will still be those phase cancellations.

Personally, I don't think I've ever heard a 2x10 that would just punch you in the chest with deep bass, but I've heard PLENTY of 15s that will do that.

tdub0199 · #15 08-29-2011, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

So will a 210 and a 115 cause problems with the ohms and stuff? Is it possible to put them together?

your head and two 8 ohm cabs will work fine together....

Dustin Teel · #16 08-29-2011, 06:34 AM

When you hook two cabinets up to your particular head, it becomes a 4 ohm load and sends 250 watts to each cabinet. It will be much louder.

Based on what you've said, you seem to like the sound of the 115. I recommend using two of them for a 215.

That would be louder and move more air than using two 210s anyway.

billfitzmaurice · #17 08-29-2011, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

That would be louder and move more air than using two 210s anyway.

If you can't give the OP a factually accurate reply you really shouldn't reply at all.

Dustin Teel · #18 08-29-2011, 06:42 AM

That is factually accurate. Sure four tens is more "speaker" surface area, but air movement is equal to number of speakers x diameter of speakers squared.

4 x 10 x 10 = 400

2 x 15 x 15 = 450.

Liam Wald · #19 08-29-2011, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdub0199

your head and two 8 ohm cabs will work fine together....

I use an Avatar B210 with an Avatar B153 and it works great and I love the sound. I have been mixing 10's and 15's for the last 35 years and have also tried 4x10, 6x10, 2x15, 4x12.
I still like the 2x10 & 1x15 combo sound.
HMO.

Nev375 · #20 08-29-2011, 06:51 AM

Troll, idiot or hybrid?

This should be funny (grabs popcorn)