2 cabs vs 1 cab

[Aubassity]

Hey everyone!

Love this place, putting so many bass kings altogether! I am kind of new to this, so I wanted to ask a question. Is there much to gain from having 2 separate cabs, compared to 1, if all had 1 speaker? For example, if 1 cabinet had 800 rms for it's 1 speaker, would it be noticably better to get 2 separate 1 speaker cabs @ 400 rms each (matching rms output)? I had my heart set on a 1 cab solution but I get the impression people believe it's better to pair 2 identical cabs. Help!

 

[DukeLeJeune]

There are tradeoffs; one is not necessarily "better" than the other, but one may be better suited to your needs than the other.

In most cases, the two 400-watt speakers will have more top end and louder max SPL when used together than the single 800 watt speaker, while the 800 watt speaker will usually have stronger low end. This is because the designer had to make some tradeoffs to get that 800 watt power rating, and those tradeoffs affect the efficiency and the top-end extension, but in return he probably got deeper extension on the bottom end. This exact set of tradeoffs will not hold true for every time you compare "one big woofer vs two small woofers", but it's a general trend.

One nice thing about the two smaller cabs is, modularity. Scale the number of cabs to the gig. One downside is, the most expensive part of the cab is usually the labor it takes to build it, so the two small cabs will usually cost more than the one big cab, even if parts cost is equal, because they take more time to build.

 

[chris_b]

+1 for modular rigs.

With more cabs you get a lighter load in. You can add cabs which gives you approximately the same tone with more volume.

I used to have 3 Bergantino AE112 cabs. I gigged with 1, 2 or occasionally all 3, depending on the band and the volume required. This also gave me a backup cab of the same type and I usually had one set up at home for practice.

I now run a 212 which still sounds great but is less flexible than what I had.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Hey everyone!

Love this place, putting so many bass kings altogether! I am kind of new to this, so I wanted to ask a question. Is there much to gain from having 2 separate cabs, compared to 1, if all had 1 speaker? For example, if 1 cabinet had 800 rms for it's 1 speaker, would it be noticably better to get 2 separate 1 speaker cabs @ 400 rms each (matching rms output)? I had my heart set on a 1 cab solution but I get the impression people believe it's better to pair 2 identical cabs. Help!

Most of this really depends on the specific cabs in question. The RMS rating tells us little for comparison.

 

[Aubassity]

Most of this really depends on the specific cabs in question. The RMS rating tells us little for comparison.

Sorry mate, I was trying to be neither specific nor vague... Say the sensitivity / dB@1W/1M & frequency range were all equal in the 3 cabs, and the choice was 1 115 or 2 112, either choice totaling 800 w RMS

 

[CL400Peavey]

Sorry mate, I was trying to be neither specific nor vague... Say the sensitivity / dB@1W/1M & frequency range were all equal in the 3 cabs, and the choice was 1 115 or 2 112, either choice totaling 800 w RMS

Ok. While it would be possible for the 12's to have the same sensitivity as the 15, it calls in to question the quality of the 115.

That said, if the drivers all have the same sensitivity, and real world power handling, then the double 12 stack would net you 3 dB from the increase in sensitivity, and an additional 3 dB due to the increased power handling.

 

[Aubassity]

So that would be fairly noticeable in the band mix?

 

[CL400Peavey]

So that would be fairly noticeable in the band mix?

If you pull the vocalists slider down 6db on the mixer is it noticeable?

 

[Aubassity]

That would be a yes. Thanks my man! Just found a 6dB difference hearing test, very noticeable. I guess the 1 cab idea is gone for now.

 

[Aubassity]

Sorry, I meant the 115 has double the power handling of the 112

 

[strictlybass_ic]

You've stumbled into a tricky patch of ground here. Cone area, power handling, sensitivity, etc etc all get hotly debated around these parts. But the advice already given above is sort of the "prevailing wind" for now at least. You can argue all day about inaccurate specs or ratings, but if you have the cash to float it two cabs is a nice way to go. Technical reasoning aside, if you don't need much you can bring less, but if you need to bring the heat you can always make another trip. I used to do the one big cab thing and I gotta say, my two half sized cabs are a dream in comparison.

 

[blindrabbit]

I find 2 small(er) cabs much easier to carry and handle than 1 large(er) cab. That alone makes the decision for me.

 

[B-string]

I bought a 50lb NEO212 because the 412 was just too big for some places. If I did it all over again, I would get two 212s.

 

[dukeorock]

Just my two cents, but I'd rather carry one larger cab into the venue than two smaller ones, as a rule. The argument for modularity is a very good one though

 

[Munjibunga]

I've played with one cab and I've played with two cabs. Two is better. But not always necessary or appropriate.

 

[chris_b]

I use a sack truck/trolley and make 3 easy and manageable trips to the car.

I see no advantage in changing my gear so I can make any fewer trips.

 

[popgadget]

Just my two cents, but I'd rather carry one larger cab into the venue than two smaller ones, as a rule. The argument for modularity is a very good one though

I'd rather ROLL one larger cab than carry two smaller ones.......

 

[Aubassity]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I guess chris_b I can spend $100 on a nice courier trolley to keep it at one trip, strictlybass_ic according to a bass player at my work, told me that more cone area sounds louder, and the 2 stacked would be closer to my ears so that would help me too I guess. I was hoping more people would argue the 1 cab option, but that hasn't been the case. I have a 1 cab solution at the moment, but the size and weight make it impossible to get into my boot, and really kills the back when I do have room by the side of my car to barely squeeze it in the back seat. A newer car would kill my finances and now i'm returning to active duty, I need to make a change unfortunately. My band is ear piercing loud, so I can't imagine 1 smaller cab ever being heard. I appreciate everyone's feedback!

 

[ubernator]

2 good 4x10 cabs can usually best an 810 in terms of efficiency and lowest frequency, I am pretty sure the culprit may be
The cut away parts of the cab in back for the casters and handle, lost air is lost air, this definitely goes for the Goliath 6x10, a Goliath 4x10 and jr 2x10 kills it, meatier tone for sure. A mixed stack like the swr Bertha 115 and a Goliath jr III is a pretty easy to carry and fills
A room with both boom and punch, when I am ready to dig out the big guns again, I will likely let the 410 stay in storage and just use my 15 and 210, it is the older version II so not as beefy as the III or the Eden, but it is smaller and lighter, has a rear firing port which is nice if you are up against a wall or in a corner, helps your lows carry a small club. I think it sounds better than 215s and carries the low better than 2 identical 210's would (excluding certain premium
Extended range cabs) when i still had the massive Eden 210, it was monster on top of the 15, huge on top of the 410 and by itself it handled 5 string/7 string low be metal in a small room against full drum level, and punk rock in a larger garage also at full drum
Volume, but it was not typical of 210s and weighed as much as most 410s

 

[Dave W]

I'd rather carry one cab than two, but I suppose there is a size limit on that. I'll take a 2X12 over two 1X12's...but I'd probably take two 4X10's over an 8x10.