$1500 for new cabs: Choices, choices...

I like your approach to large & HEAVY gear. It's refreshing to hear someone say they can actually lift their speakers and not complain about 90lbs being too much for a speaker cab. No offense to you lightweight speaker/amp lovers! I just prefer the heavy stuff.

The key here is - are you playing at venues with PA systems, or is it on you to do everything sound wise? If you are dealing with PA systems and sound guys - showing up with a 215 and 412 bass rig and expecting to turn it loud on stage will end in disaster. You will be much too loud on stage. If you are doing the sound yourself - two big cabs will do definitely be needed.

I will let others chime in about what to really try out. I don't have experience with many cabs unfortunately.

 

I'd check out Dr Bass cabinets. I use them and lots of other TBers use them and they work great. They take a lot of punishment and don't break up or break down. They have a 610 and a 412 cab that might be just what you are looking for. The only downside is they custom build them and it takes a while to get your cab. Check them out.

 

Since weight is not an issue, and you are using the CA9, one idea is to pick up one of the Bergantino HT322's that pop up regularly in the classifies on this site (or two if you need crazy, out of your mind volume).

These cabs are ball busters at around 100 pounds (and it's a 'heavy' feeling 100 pounds). However, they are a bit like playing out of a large PA type speaker, and just LOVE lot's of power. They are very clean, crisp, with deep, deep low end, and are a nice platform for effects, etc.

You could easily get two used ones for $1,500.

K

 

Subscribed; always interested to hear about cabs I can't A/B in person. The Dr. Bass stuff does look interesting - from looking at specs - the full sized traditional/DEEP cabinets (17.5" vice 15" deep) look like they'd do it. Have you already gone through the Accugroove Bill Dickens cabs?

 

Dr. Bass
Bergantino NV

 

talk to jeff at MatAmp, its a shame you aint in the UK because that place is like some amazing lil workshop that you just dont come across.

www.matamp.co.uk

there straightalking and incredibly helpful, plus they have built amps and cabinets for the best since like a million years ago (ok yes im exagerrating) and they invented orange amps before anyone knew what the hell was going on.

even if you dont intend on getting one they are just the best people to talk to and will build you exactly what you want and will tell you if they think you are an idiot!

if you dont know anything about matamp google em or get some history on wikipedia, legends.

 

+1 the HT322 can dish out a lot. My current rig is a DB750>HT322 I used that with a group that was stupid loud and I was covering bass/synth bass and loops and using my rig as stage monitor two HT322s would be jaw dropping...

ps: I didn't notice you are in Austin... grr, in a frenzy I was trying to sell my cab last month because I thought I wouldn't have enough room in my new car, turns out it fits like a glove so I decided not to sell it. PM me if you wanna try out the cab... who knows maybe a couple of shots and some loose talk you can convince me to sell it... haha

 

I have a 322 and a 212 that occaisionally get used at the same time if I'm outside with weak PA.

That set up is so painfully, punishingly, stupid loud it's not even funny. If those two boxes can't get it done, nothing can.

 

For maximum speaker area I'm thinking you'll probably end up with 10's or 12's; honestly I think the best option I've heard so far is your original Emperor 2x15 + 4x12, I can't see how you could go wrong with that setup. Paired with some heavy duty speakers (maybe PA use?) it should hopefully last you a good long while.

Glad to hear you're still doing something, I'm a huge fan of the last SteerS album, I look forward to hearing new stuff.

 

Two Dr. Bass 4x12 cabs. Or four Dr. Bass 1580 cabs. In which case, you might need two CA9s!

MM

 

Save yourself some cash and go with Avatar.
http://www.avatarspeakers.com/

 

If it was me needing that much speaker I'd be getting one each of these.




http://www.bagend.com/bagend/q10bx-d2.htm
http://www.bagend.com/bagend/s18b-d2.htm

 

I don't think the Avatar's are going to cut it here. I've owned several, and while they are good cabs, they are not, IMHO, going to stand up to the tasks the OP requires.