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1)Dispersion 2)Efficiency 3)Size

LowG

LowG

Dec 8, 2006
864
552
Milwaukee, WI
#1
I'm in a medium-term hunt for a cab that fits the title's rank attributes. I do not care about it handling high-power. I do not care about "hi-fi". I do not care about extended deep-deep bass response. I don't even really care about low price. All of those things are fine if they exist in the cab, but they are not needs.

I want it first and foremost to have better than normal dispersion. I've read about this quality in the more modern cabs and am very attracted to getting good dispersion in my next cab. I'm sick of the drummer (and me, often) not being able to hear my tone clearly on tight stages.

Next I'd like it to have better than normal efficiency. I'd like to be able to use a ~50 watt tube amp at moderate volume with it. For reference, I can happily currently use two 15" Yorkville cabs in this scenario.

Third in importance is size. I'm not in search of super-tiny, but I do want it to be smaller and lighter than my set of two 15" cabs. But I repeat - it does not have to be tiny feather, just reasonable!

Tone goal and setting: Small clubs with a medium volume fusion trio. Any bigger venues would get PA assistance. Tone will be a mid-focused sound with frequent overdrive.

The cabs currently on my radar are the MAS 112 and the Barefaced Two10. Anything else I should know about?
 
#7
LowG said:
I want it first and foremost to have better than normal dispersion.
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LowG said:
Next I'd like it to have better than normal efficiency.
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This reads like you're looking for a well engineered cabinet. Where the designer has put a lot of thought and science into the design.

LowG said:
I do not care about "hi-fi".
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It turns out that a well engineered cabinet with high dispersion, and efficiency is going to be HiFi

Watch out for the pseudo science cabinets that only release testimonies and anecdotes about their claim they do all this. It doesn't hold up when they are actually measured. That's why they don't release measurements as they would turn out to be pure unsubstantiated marketing claims.

Browse the Greenboy and BFM designs - all the measurements are there, and undisputed.
 
#9
abarson said:
For efficiency and mid-focus, I'd suggest a BFM Jack 112.
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+1, its efficiency is unmatched, unless you go with a BFM DR. Dispersion is excellent, but there's only so much dispersion you can get with any cab. In the mids you really can't hope for more than 90 degrees. The cure for that is a two cab vertical stack. Aim the lower cab at the drummer and he won't have any trouble hearing you. Aim the upper cab straight out, for you and the audience. In the lows dispersion is omni-directional, so you don't lose any lows out front by aiming the lower cab at the drummer. With this setup I recommend a pair of Jack 10s, or even better JackLite 10s if you want really light weight. You don't have enough power to tax them, and with their high efficiency they'd be just as loud, if not louder, as your Yorkies.
 
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#13
If considering the Barefaced, the Super Compact will be more mid forward than the 210. The 210 has a mid cut and the SC is neutral. The lack of tweeter will make it similarly overdrive friendly, though the 210 is really nice sounding.
FYI - I've owned both.

I've never played a Schroeder cab but they have a mid forward reputation making them quite loud for their size. I'm not sure if the dispersion is even. Probably worth a look.

Possibly the Hathor cabs from AudioKinesis. The open mid chamber is intended to help with the dispersion of mid range frequencies produced by the mid drivers.
 
#16
CL400Peavey said:
For your goals, you will not meet them with a 50 watt tube amp. That will always be your weak link. To get the kind of efficiency that you are looking for, you will have to go with a bigger cab.
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I already essentially meet my goals with a 50 watt tube amp!!! If I use a 2x15" stack of "traditional" Yorkville cabs I'm fine for volume. I'm just wondering what cabs might have better dispersion and size/ weight.
 
#18
Thank you, not looking for a free lunch :)
If they don't exist than so be it. Maybe there is no single cab that can match the sensitivity of a traditional 2x15 stack? Maybe there are physics that say that if a single cab does match the sensitivity then it will beam mids horribly?

Regardless, lots of suggestions so far, thanks everyone
 
#19
Check out the Genzler BA12-3 or BA210-3. Exceptional dispersion, very smooth mids and according to all reports work really, really well with distortion.

I have the BA12-3 and have found it to be adequate for my needs with guitar based pop band and a number of acoustic based combos. I play fretless exclusively and was looking for something with a great, vocal mid range.
 
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#20
LowG said:
Thank you, not looking for a free lunch :)
If they don't exist than so be it. Maybe there is no single cab that can match the sensitivity of a traditional 2x15 stack? Maybe there are physics that say that if a single cab does match the sensitivity then it will beam mids horribly?

Regardless, lots of suggestions so far, thanks everyone
Click to expand...

Depending on the 215, yes you can match that sensitivity, but if you want less weight and size and better dispersion you will be giving up the qualities that make it a good bass cab.
 

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