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18" cabs?

stinger12345

stinger12345

Jan 24, 2009
202
2
37
Hayward, CA
#1
How come I don't see 18" cabs nearly as often as 10 and 15? Anybody ever use them? I've heard they can make things pretty muddy, so 10's would have to accompany them. I'm interested because I love that low end. I play pretty much just reggae. Sorry if this is a n00bish question, I'm admitedly pretty new to this type of stuff.
 
#3
Because it's not the 1970's and modern cabinet design has proven that size doesn't matter. You can get just as much if not more low end (and a lot more than just lows) from 15, 12 and 10 inch speaker configurations. If you want to carry a big awkward and heavy 18...go ahead, but you don't need to anymore.
 
#4
In the early 90's I had an Eden rig with 4x10 and 1x18. I loved the rumble that the 18 produced. It was a cab you could feel as much as it was heard and the 4x10 provided all the clarity that the 18 was missing. Eventually got rid of it because it was a huge cab and difficult to fit into my Honda. Now happy with a 2x15 and a SUV.
 
#5
These work quite well if you feed them right and take care of them:

ChefClatter.jpg


I had an Acoustic 301 cabinet(18" Cerwin Vega) and a Cerwin Vega B36(18" Cerwin Vega speaker) in the 70's and 80's. The ACME's come very close to the bottom without throwing your sound focus 30 feet downrange....unless you crank them.
 
#7
if you buy lesser quality 18's, the cone materials are cheaper and need to be thicker to handle the stress. then its heavier and sluggish. i use four electro voice evx 180b, they have kevlar fibers in the cone ect and there is no sluggishness. and it makes an svt sound like a cheesy and thin... note that to me, all ported speakers sound sluggish as they do not have the transient response (the speed it takes for the cone to come to a complete stop) of a sealed cab. realise sealed cabs take almost twice the power to make the same volume as a ported one. but the sound is nowhere near as accurate. johnny a. staind
 
#9
staindbass said:
if you buy lesser quality 18's, the cone materials are cheaper and need to be thicker to handle the stress. then its heavier and sluggish. i use four electro voice evx 180b, they have kevlar fibers in the cone ect and there is no sluggishness. and it makes an svt sound like a cheesy and thin... note that to me, all ported speakers sound sluggish as they do not have the transient response (the speed it takes for the cone to come to a complete stop) of a sealed cab. realise sealed cabs take almost twice the power to make the same volume as a ported one. but the sound is nowhere near as accurate. johnny a. staind
Click to expand...

You're also in a very commercially successful international touring band. Therefore, have more expendable $$$ for high end speakers, as well as (I'm guessing) that your load in may consist of a tote bag, while there are others to carry your cabs and whatever racks of amps it takes to feed 4x18 cabs. None of these things are easily possible for 99.99% of bassists.
 
#15
staindbass said:
if you buy lesser quality 18's, the cone materials are cheaper and need to be thicker to handle the stress. then its heavier and sluggish. i use four electro voice evx 180b, they have kevlar fibers in the cone ect and there is no sluggishness. and it makes an svt sound like a cheesy and thin... note that to me, all ported speakers sound sluggish as they do not have the transient response (the speed it takes for the cone to come to a complete stop) of a sealed cab. realise sealed cabs take almost twice the power to make the same volume as a ported one. but the sound is nowhere near as accurate. johnny a. staind
Click to expand...
Hey Johnny, long time, bro! Have you tried a cab made with these high xmax neo woofers like the Kappalite 3015LF yet? Most cabs made with them are ported, but they'd probably work in a sealed cab if designed right. Since you're really into serious low end, just wanted to know if it's something you've tried.
 

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