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212 vs 2x112
- Thread starter Brother V
- Start date
I’m out of my depth speaking about specifics, but I believe there can be some differences in cabinet tuning with the internal volume of a 212 vs 2x112. There’s a coupling effect from stacking two cabs, but I don’t know that it’s the same as having both drivers in a single cabinet.
I’m just guessing but I think it’s rare to find speaker builder who makes a 212 that sounds identical to their stacked 2x112. The differences might not be be wild but they probably exist.
I think a 212 is usually less than the cost of two 112 cabs.
I will say that there have been situations where I’ve lugged two 112 cabs and single 212 would’ve been more convenient. One big box (with wheels) can be easier than a 112 in each hand. Though there are a variety of cart options to manage such things.
I’m just guessing but I think it’s rare to find speaker builder who makes a 212 that sounds identical to their stacked 2x112. The differences might not be be wild but they probably exist.
I think a 212 is usually less than the cost of two 112 cabs.
I will say that there have been situations where I’ve lugged two 112 cabs and single 212 would’ve been more convenient. One big box (with wheels) can be easier than a 112 in each hand. Though there are a variety of cart options to manage such things.
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
2x112 would be better for playing Rush songs...
I had a few version of same maker 12 cabs.
My favourite was their 212. Great but I thought I could do the same job with 2x112. And mostly I could..but that was a difference. But I never went back due to the bulk and weight of the 212.
I sold all of it and went lightweight ceramic 112. There is still a slight sound trade off, imv, but I've reconciled that.
My favourite was their 212. Great but I thought I could do the same job with 2x112. And mostly I could..but that was a difference. But I never went back due to the bulk and weight of the 212.
I sold all of it and went lightweight ceramic 112. There is still a slight sound trade off, imv, but I've reconciled that.
That's my experience. Plus if you take your (one) Tuki cover and turn it over, you can throw all your gear bags, coats and whatever and it's all together. I think overall a 212 is an easier schlep. I stick mine on a folding hand truck and it's one and done.
Other than moving a single, bigger cabinet.
The only side by side comparison I’ve been able to do was with some 12" cabs from Darkglass.
The 212 sounded just a tad fuller than the two 112 stacked vertically but it was very subtle and impossible to be heard by most people.
The 212 sounded just a tad fuller than the two 112 stacked vertically but it was very subtle and impossible to be heard by most people.
2 1x12 makes sense just from a modular/loading standpoint. Take one for small gigs, two for bigger ones, seems like a no brainer. Is there any tone difference at all? Sceptical anybody could hear the difference blind.
I initially planned on getting two 112's for portability, but opted for one 212 in the end to save $800CAD. The 212 is 45 lbs. and 19" wide with side handles, so I figured that would be manageable enough.
I have both the Aguilar SL212 & SL112s.
The past few months, I've been using the 2) 112 option - stacked on end - mostly for the height.
While there is little audible difference between 2) SL112 & the SL212- the extra height makes a noticeable difference in how you hear yourself compared to the 212 cab sitting lower.
For many gigs, a single 112 would be adequate - but I can't hear a single cab on the floor.
I used to stack it on a road case, which at that point - I figured why not just stack it on a 2nd cab.
It's fuller sounding with the 2nd cab, and I can hear it better at lower volumes with it closer to my ear - resulting in fewer "volume requests".
I'm not sure how it effects "dispersion" but I haven't noticed anything (other than the occasional request from BL to "point it more in the other direction")
Other benefits: I can securely hang 2 basses, and more flexibility when loading my small SUV.
The biggest challenge is overcoming "perceptions" of the BL & venue owners - but once they realize you're not going to "blow them away", and that you're taking up less real estate (nothing has a smaller footprint) it hasn't been an issue.
The past few months, I've been using the 2) 112 option - stacked on end - mostly for the height.
While there is little audible difference between 2) SL112 & the SL212- the extra height makes a noticeable difference in how you hear yourself compared to the 212 cab sitting lower.
For many gigs, a single 112 would be adequate - but I can't hear a single cab on the floor.
I used to stack it on a road case, which at that point - I figured why not just stack it on a 2nd cab.
It's fuller sounding with the 2nd cab, and I can hear it better at lower volumes with it closer to my ear - resulting in fewer "volume requests".
I'm not sure how it effects "dispersion" but I haven't noticed anything (other than the occasional request from BL to "point it more in the other direction")
Other benefits: I can securely hang 2 basses, and more flexibility when loading my small SUV.
The biggest challenge is overcoming "perceptions" of the BL & venue owners - but once they realize you're not going to "blow them away", and that you're taking up less real estate (nothing has a smaller footprint) it hasn't been an issue.
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I currently own both, and used both throughout my career.
honestly, two separate 12" cabinets is just more practical. For the obvious reason - you can use just one if you want.
My old 2x12 does have a really, really special sound though. there's an intense power to those low frequencies from that particular cabinet that nothing else really does. it's old, and stocked with eminence definimax speakers - so it's about 85 pounds..
you can also have one 12, a 2x12, and a head that goes down to 2 ohms, so you could use 1x12, the 2x12, or both together for 3 12". same goes for single 12" cabinets, though.
they do sound different but for practical reasons single 12" speakers are ideal i think.
honestly, two separate 12" cabinets is just more practical. For the obvious reason - you can use just one if you want.
My old 2x12 does have a really, really special sound though. there's an intense power to those low frequencies from that particular cabinet that nothing else really does. it's old, and stocked with eminence definimax speakers - so it's about 85 pounds..
you can also have one 12, a 2x12, and a head that goes down to 2 ohms, so you could use 1x12, the 2x12, or both together for 3 12". same goes for single 12" cabinets, though.
they do sound different but for practical reasons single 12" speakers are ideal i think.
I've had the question before, mine was in regards to 15's though.
From what I understand...if the 1x12 is the same in all other respects (same brand, speaker, etc.) and is literally "the 2x12 cut in half", it should be exactly the same in terms of sound. You also have the option to leave one at home for a lighter load-in/load-out
The only "downside" I could see is if you have a head that will only go down to 4 ohm loads, but you want to get a total of four 12's. If the 2x12s were available in 8 ohm, you could get a pair of those cabs to get yourself a total of 4x12s. In practical terms, if you're at a gig that requires 4x12s, you may be going direct into the PA anyways.
Or if you're like me and want the dual 2x12s or 4x12 for purely aesthetic satisfaction. Also a 4x12 with tiltback wheels would be a total win for me. Sounds like you're happy though
PS - This thread now has me wanting 15's pretty badly, but I live in an apartment with all wood floors, so it's an absolutely useless notion in my current situation
From what I understand...if the 1x12 is the same in all other respects (same brand, speaker, etc.) and is literally "the 2x12 cut in half", it should be exactly the same in terms of sound. You also have the option to leave one at home for a lighter load-in/load-out
The only "downside" I could see is if you have a head that will only go down to 4 ohm loads, but you want to get a total of four 12's. If the 2x12s were available in 8 ohm, you could get a pair of those cabs to get yourself a total of 4x12s. In practical terms, if you're at a gig that requires 4x12s, you may be going direct into the PA anyways.
Or if you're like me and want the dual 2x12s or 4x12 for purely aesthetic satisfaction. Also a 4x12 with tiltback wheels would be a total win for me. Sounds like you're happy though
PS - This thread now has me wanting 15's pretty badly, but I live in an apartment with all wood floors, so it's an absolutely useless notion in my current situation
Another aspect of the schlepp is vertical lift. I have a pickup truck, and it's a tall lift both into the cab and the truck bed. I had a 212 and rolling it wasn't bad on a cart. But there was that darn vertical lift -- FOUR times for each outing, up into the truck and down to move to the venue, then up and down to move the cab back into the house. If stairs are involved on either end, there's more dead lifting. It's a factor as you get older. To minimize the risk of injury or damage to the gear, my 212 is gone. As are ALL heavy pieces of gear.
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depends. some 2x112s perform similar to 1x212 of same make (well, except of the second tweeter), some don't. my favourite example of them not being equal is EBS Neo line.
if in your case they perform the same as a larger cab, the thing you're gaining is modularity: you can take one cab if you don't need two. and you have two lighter things to lug except of one heavier, for some it's a plus, for some a minus.
if I got you right, and you're able to push up to 500W to each 400W-rated 112, be careful not to blow them. generally 500W is more than a 112 bass cab comfortably can take, well, unless you're talking Barefaced.
if in your case they perform the same as a larger cab, the thing you're gaining is modularity: you can take one cab if you don't need two. and you have two lighter things to lug except of one heavier, for some it's a plus, for some a minus.
if I got you right, and you're able to push up to 500W to each 400W-rated 112, be careful not to blow them. generally 500W is more than a 112 bass cab comfortably can take, well, unless you're talking Barefaced.
I prefer a single 212 and use a folding hand truck to move it. Two separate cabs is too fiddly, the fewer pieces I have to contend with the happier I am. For situations that require less speaker area, I have a 210 cab.
