1x12 vs 1x15

[jnewmark]

All things being equal ( and they never are ), I would choose a 115 as the best one cab solution, over a 112.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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

Sometimes I feel like I’m missing something from my tone. Don’t get me wrong, my tone is great, but something about just 1x12 feels like it’s not capturing all of the desired frequencies.

Sometimes my tone even sounds a little bit honky if that makes sense.

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

Would you go for a 1x12 or a 1x15 and why?

Thanks!!

Off the top, buy a second 12” cab. You will be amazed at the difference.

For me, I’m very happy with a 2-10 cab much more than a 1-12 or 1-15. Of course a well designed cab has a lot to say in the matter as opposed to the driver configuration.

 

[klokker]

All things being equal ( and they never are ), I would choose a 115 as the best one cab solution, over a 112.

Same here. I play a 2x12, but if I had to choose between a 1x12, or a 1x15 I'd take the 15. I've done a lot of gigs with a 1x15 and they've worked great. A 1x12 just seems a little small to me, but the truth is I've never gigged one.

 

[jnewmark]

Same here. I play a 2x12, but if I had to choose between a 1x12, or a 1x15 I'd take the 15. I've done a lot of gigs with a 1x15 and they've worked great. A 1x12 just seems a little small to me, but the truth is I've never gigged one.

I typically gig with a 115 a lot. The one time I used a 112 I was really struggling to be heard. Of course, it all depends on the gig situation.

 

[Sparkl]

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

Sometimes I feel like I’m missing something from my tone. Don’t get me wrong, my tone is great, but something about just 1x12 feels like it’s not capturing all of the desired frequencies.

Sometimes my tone even sounds a little bit honky if that makes sense.

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

Would you go for a 1x12 or a 1x15 and why?

Thanks!!

Well for starters, there is no single 112 cab in the market that will give you the complete bass vibe. It is obviously a compromise.

You want a real bass tone? Start lugging bigger gear. It is what it is.

A 115 could be used as a single driver option of course. Depends on your taste though.

Edit: with drivers, many times it is so that you get better tone result by stacking them together.

Take the Ampeg SVT810 for example. Those 8 10s sound glorious and deep even though it is a sealed cab. Isolate a single driver and put it into a 110 case, I will bet my ass off it will sound like poop.

 

[mcnach]

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

Sometimes I feel like I’m missing something from my tone. Don’t get me wrong, my tone is great, but something about just 1x12 feels like it’s not capturing all of the desired frequencies.

Sometimes my tone even sounds a little bit honky if that makes sense.

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

Would you go for a 1x12 or a 1x15 and why?

Thanks!!

the size of the speaker alone means absolutely nothing, it depends entirely of the box it's housed in, and there are speakers of all sizes with very different characteristics...

we could recommend cabs, if you want something to have a different character from what you have, and/or keeping to certain size/weight restrictions... but a choice purely between 12 or 15 makes little sense.

 

[frankie5string]

I seem to recall the HD112, on its own, tended to be a bit booty-shy. It has great articulation and low-mids, but it's not what I'd consider a cabinet that produces a lot of low-frequency thump. It's not just the speaker, it's the cabinet, the bracing, the porting, too.

When I compare the Berg HD112 to one of my Hartke 112HDs (haha!) I find the Hartke has more "booty" or "meat" which sometimes obscures the articulation. The Hartke 112HX was the exact opposite - more articulation, and less booty - but still a darker cabinet than the Berg.

I find I have to dial the bass back a bit on the Hartke 112 cab if I'm not driving it hard (It likes to be pushed, but I rarely push it)...

Then there's my EA CXL112, which sounds entirely different - although it's also a 1x12. It's a very mids-centric cabinet up close, but it's thump tends to reveal itself about 15-20 feet away from the front of the cabinet.

I gig all the time with a single 12 in a large dance band. It works very well, and I have no trouble hearing myself.

 

[gitfiddl]

I'm in the 1x15" crowd. I'm sure there are some higher-end 1x12" cabs that can cut the mustard, but in my own personal experience, I've never heard a single 12" that would satisfy me.

 

[Kro]

15" is good as a sub, but can't deliver the articulation that a 12" can. There's too much mass to respond to the transients that add so much character. But if you just want boom or thunder a 15" is likely to be just the right badness.

With all respect, that makes no sense. I think you may need to try more cabs with 15" speakers.

The physics just don't back this type of blanket statement up.

 

[Rabidhamster]

If we’re artificially limiting ourselves to only 1 speaker I’ll have to take a 15

 

[hennessybass]

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.

I think a 212 is kind of the money spot in terms of a one cab do it all box.
That’s what I would pick if it was an option. Probably a 115 after that.

I picked 115, because the thread was about having only one cab and the choice was 112 or 115.

Lots of guys picking option C - 2 12s.

 

[klejst]

My vote was for the 1x12...however 2x12 is better

 

[TAZ]

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!

Nice observation and some truth from my experience too.

 

[gigetto]

Depends from materials, i've an old Paper cone on an old 100w combo in reflex box and it is fat and pig, but if you like this kind of sound is good. The new composite 15" cone are lighter and faster i think in sealed box works very well, outstanding, no parallel wit 12" that it's an half way from 10" to 15" at this point i prefer 2x8" like Peavey light combo or TC 2502x8"

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I would vote specifically for a Subway 115

 

[LUCE]

I had a 12" Bergie several years ago. I bought a second 12" Bergie and the sound multiplied. It didn't help "a little." It helped an enormous amount. More bottom (still well defined), more mids, more low-highs, more volume, etc.

My suggestion would be to get a second, identical if you can, 12" cab. You will be quite surprised.

I noticed the same when doubling up with Aguilar SL112s. I also have a Mesa Subway 15 - if I am going to run one cabinet, that's my choice, but the 2 Aggies offer a bit more...

 

[DrThumpenstein]

It's more about the cab design (driver(s), dimensions, materials, porting, tweeter or no, etc) than purely driver size.

1X15 moves more air than a 1X12, so if sensitivity is equal, the 15 will be louder. But a more efficient 12 could sound louder than a less efficient 15.

I could never dial all the mud out of my old Ampeg BA-115 and still retain deep bass tones that I wanted for reggae, and I thought it lacked well defined higher frequency response when playing jazz/fusion. But I've played through the Subway 115 (and of course a different amp) and it suffered neither failing. The ONLY thing those had in common was the diameter of the main drivers.

I'd agree that a matching HD112 would probably be the least expensive way to flesh out your sound, and would give you versatility between using 1 cab and 2 when needed. I say matching, because it's always a crapshoot to mix brands, which will have different efficiencies, frequency response curves, etc. And those Bergs are sweet!

I'm a 212 guy now (GK Neo) but play a 215 at our rehearsal space. The GK has a tweeter, which the 215 lacks, so the upper frequency response is no contest. The 215's definitely a darker sounding cab but not muddy at all. I love the punchier sound that the 212 gives me. I have to work a little harder to get that from the 215; thanks to a great EQ section on the WD-800, I can get it. But they are different cabs with very different designs, and I attribute their difference in tone to that fact more than driver size.

A lot of us on TB have gone to 212 neos because they sound great, they move a lot of air, and they are lightweight and easy to transport. If I need anything louder, I'm going through FOH. If you can finagle an audition of 2 HD112s, I'm guessing that you won't have to look any further as far as cabs go.

Of course, strings, technique, and amp choice all have great effects on tone, but the Walkabout is all kinds of goodness and fat, rich tones, so yeah, I can see exploring cab options. I once played a WA through my GK 212 and it was tone heaven! Good luck with your GAS!

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Appreciate all of the replies so far. It’s so hard to know what the variable is that will get you closer to the tone you want.

I could try another HD112.

I saw a Greenboy Bassic 15 for sale on the classifieds that looks interesting.

Can I pair a 15 with a 12? Or is it better to use identical cabs?

There is a lot of love for the Mesa Subway 112 - 115 combination, but keep in mind that those were designed to be used in combination. I wouldn't consider buying a 115 without trying it with your Berg first. I'd advise caution mixing the greenboy with your Berg, for the reasons I stated in my other post.

 

[Basically Bob]

... of my three cabs: Crazy 88, Bergantino AE112 and a Thunderchild 115, without hesitation, I would get rid of the AE112 before the other two.

 

[MycooLeeyun]

Hi MycooLeeyun



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

What 115 cab do you use?