1x12 vs 1x15

[hennessybass]

If I could only have one cab, I’d pick a 15 - I just think it is a little more practical in terms of a one cab solution.

I mostly play a 212.
I’ve owned a few different 15s - including a couple 2x115 rigs.
I also own a 2x210 rig.

I had a 15, and switched to the 210. Decided not to go with a 112 at that time - just felt like a 112 was a little too small. Currently thinking about changing my 210 cabs for 115 cabs.

 

[Bassndrums73]

I currently play a g&l jb2 through a mesa walkabout through a Berg HD112. I also have a BB2000 with pressurewounds.

That’s what’s giving you your sound right there.

 

[DJ Bebop]

2x112

 

[StatesideRambler]

I went for the 1x12” because that’s what I have and use.
Actually my bigger cabs are going/have gone away because I’ll never use ‘em again.

 

[Al Kraft]

Now if a single 212 had been an option, that would work as an only cab for me. My Berg CN212 is a very versatile and capable cab - it's also easy to transport with one hand over reasonable distances.

 

[nnnnnn]

I'm no expert, but I do know from even my limited experience there is no universal 15" or 12" tone, it varies depending on brand and what amp is connected.

Having said that, when shopping for a new amp and cabs last year I tried various combinations of Mesa, Aguilar, Fender, Peavey, and MarkBass, and I found I tended to gravitate to the 15" or 2x10" options more than the 12".

I thought Aguilar had the best 12" (I forget which model), but even with an Aguilar amp I thought the Mesa 2x10" cab sounded better. The Aguilar didn't seem to work as well with all of the basses I tried.

I ended up with Mesa Subway amp and two Subway 15" cabs, but I would have been happy with just one Subway 15" if that had been all I could afford at the time.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I'm no expert, but I do know from even my limited experience there is no universal 15" or 12" tone, it varies depending on brand and what amp is connected.

Having said that, when shopping for a new amp and cabs last year I tried various combinations of Mesa, Aguilar, Fender, Peavey, and MarkBass, and I found I tended to gravitate to the 15" or 2x10" options more than the 12".

I thought Aguilar had the best 12" (I forget which model), but even with an Aguilar amp I thought the Mesa 2x10" cab sounded better. The Aguilar didn't seem to work as well with all of the basses I tried.

I ended up with Mesa Subway amp and two Subway 15" cabs, but I would have been happy with just one Subway 15" if that had been all I could afford at the time.

Genzler BA12-3 Bass ARRAY. Balanced present low end that is not muddy, 3 inch cone array handles mid high smoothly with great dispersion with no harsh beamin, if you need more, add another.

 

[Al Kraft]

Genzler BA12-3 Bass ARRAY. Balanced present low end that is not muddy, 3 inch cone array handles mid high smoothly with great dispersion with no harsh beamin, if you need more, add another.

I've not had a chance to hear one of those, but it looks like a great design. In every review I've seen people seem to really like the full, well defined tone it delivers.

 

[Anemic_SluG]

In my world I would pick a Berg hdn112 or a Subway 115. Not all 12’s or 15’s are the same. I had a GK neo 115 and it was definitely not my thing, but their 12’s were great. I stopped looking at driver size and starting just listening to the cab itself.

 

[Al Kraft]

I had a GK neo 115 and it was definitely not my thing, but their 12’s were great.

If there was ever an "all 15's are deep and fat and all 12's are mid-focused" myth-buster it's the GK Neo line. The Neo 115 and 112 are exactly the opposite of what internet folklore/tribal knowledge would have you expecting.

Both are great cabs, but buying only by speaker size based on urban legend expectations will leave your ears somewhat perplexed and very disappointed IME.

 

[MycooLeeyun]

I’m justb

Why do you want to limit us to 1 cab? My solution is to run 2 112 cabs which sound awesome.

I’m just trying to keep things simple. I’m not in any bands so it’s mainly for jamming with friends and recording.

I wish I had a better idea of if I liked the cabs natural voicing. I’ve never been good at distinguishing these kinds of things.

 

[mikewalker]

I used to run one of these, and though it is indeed a 1-12, it really sounded "like a fifteen" to my ears.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
"Very clear but also very DEEP"
( currently I have two of them - and very soon will have three... )

 

[Wisebass]

Hi MycooLeeyun

Anyways, if you could only have 1 cab for jamming/recording at home, what would it be and why?

What: 115 (ported) with a tweety!

Why: I use that and like it.


That said a nice 212 would also be a great single cab option.


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[gigetto]

For my sound preferences the 15" in sealed box is unrevealled, without tweeter, soft warm pleasure sound. 12" is faster, brighter but no kick in ass like 15"

 

[nilorius]

I think th 12" have more bass-mid punch and that is what i need.

 

[chris_b]

I’m just trying to keep things simple. I’m not in any bands so it’s mainly for jamming with friends and recording.

I practise at home with 2 Barefaced One10's and one of my 800 watt gigging amps. Everything is turned right down and even at very low volumes the sound is fantastic. If you want another great sound at living room volume levels, I'd suggest one of the Bergantino 112's, maybe the HD or HDN. That would be a very high quality sound.

The original question was about 12's v 15's. IMO at low volume levels there will be less differentiation in the sound, so you might as well go for the smaller cab.

 

[Joebone]

The advent of smaller 1-15 cabinets that are designed to deliver a tight and punchy sound, at the expense of some efficiency or ultra-low end extension, has been a gamechanger. I've long enjoyed 1-12 cabinets, but have increasingly transitioned to a 4-ohm audiokinesis 1-15, which is not much bigger or heavier than most 1-12 cabinets, and delivers superb projection and punch. The Mesa Subway 1-15" seems to share some of these same virtues, and I know there are others out there as well. These kinds of cabinets are way different from the the thuddy 15" cabinets of yesteryear, and I'm enjoying the easy sense of authority that seems to come with all of that radiating area pumping into the room. And if playing outdoors, that extra oomph is particularly noticeable!

 

[Groove Doctor]

It’s lacking some depth and “space” if that makes sense. I want like a thicker round tone with a nice bite to it. Something dynamic and versatile.

A 2x12” will get you that.

Try eq’ing the Mesa- boost 80Hz, 1.6kHz & 4kHz, roll the mid knob to -6dB.

Check out the Genzler BA112. Sounded ‘active’ to my ears, bc I prefer warm/round/organic/woody tone (for Fretless esp).

 

[chadds]

Cab designs are the choice of the maker within budgets and price points and the desired balance of size, weight and tone(which frequencies are to be enhanced or diminished).

15” these days aren’t slower. In fact the famous JBL D-K140/145 were really articulate with highs lows and mids.

I’m in the get another 12” column.

But first! Borrow another bass and try your rig. Try other strings. Set your amp flat and slowly add or better yet cut eq. You may find your gear is quite perfect. You may have set your head with your eyes, “I want more bass so up with the bass knob.” Perhaps there is too much low mid eq which doesn’t give you actual punch separate from good lows while retaining good highs. See if you can dial in the sound like you don’t have a choice about replacing the cab. Remember it’s the last thing in the chain and while it could have lots of color it also is reproducing what it’s getting from upstream.

Lastly.
Because of an experience I had with a string change transforming a bass from meh to outstanding I’d ask you to play your bass unplugged. Then put your ear to the upper horn. Then change hand positions. Is that the sound you want to hear? The basic real sound before you eq etc.?

String changes can surprise and are a minimal investment.

 

[Minimalist]

Its hard/next to impossible to generalise because the properties of 12 and 15 cabs overlap greatly.
If anything you're probably more likely to find your dream sound with a change of cab designer/manufacturer than a change of driver size.

What he says.
I recently was cab shopping and started with a gk rbs15. The cab is alright but only 8 Ohms and 200 Watts. First idea was to add a matching 210 but I couldn't find anything locally. So i changed the speaker in an Avatar 112 that I own from Delta LF to a Neo. I thought I'd just pair the 12 and 15 together and see what happens.

That change resulted in the 112 having lots more lows and I found a Avatar 210 with neos and got that. Now I have a nice little stack that also offers me several options in case I want to go a different route in the future. Plus it fits in my jetta and I can carry everything by myself even if I have to make several trips.

During my search I tried lots of different cabs, amps and basses. One of them was an older Berg 15 at a local GC. I absolutely hated it. Easily one of the worse cabs I have ever played through.

I always played the 15/210 combination and that's what I went for now. Without the unplanned change in tone of the Avatar 112 I would still be pursuing that path. What I am getting at with this long post, forget name brands, speaker size and all that crab. Play all different kind of cabs and see what you like.