2x10 vs 1x12

[MrRiff]

Having a 2x10 for a while I just added a 1x12 same manufacture thinking I would trade off some tone for portability. After playing both back and forth I have to say the difference is much more than I thought it would be. The 1x12 sounds good and seems like it would fit nice in a band mix but the bottom end is lacking in comparison, low mids are real punchy but on the lower E string notes that soft bottom isn’t there. Could be the break in factor but I don’t think so. Would like to hear from anyone who has the same configuration. My 2x10 cab is on the left. Thanks

 

[FunkHead]

Unless you go with Barefaced or maybe one or 2 other brands, a single 12” just won’t cut it like a decent 2x10.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Why not contact the builder here (@dawind99 ) and and him? He is always willing to talk

 

[MrRiff]

Why not contact the builder here (@dawind99 ) and and him? He is always willing to talk

David was so great and his cabs are built so well I wouldn’t want him to think I wasn’t satisfied lol. I happen to know he loves the 1x12. I’s not a complaint about his 1x12 it’s about the limitations of any 1x12 comparing to the same design and speakers to a 2x10.

 

[buldog5151bass]

David was so great and his cabs are built so well I wouldn’t want him to think I wasn’t satisfied lol. I happen to know he loves the 1x12. I’s not a complaint about his 1x12 it’s about the limitations of any 1x12 comparing to the same design and speakers to a 2x10.

I know he is always willing to discuss options, and I don't think you considering buying another cab will especially hurt his feelings.

 

[agedhorse]

It depends entirely on how much low frequency volume you need. Everybody has different expectations.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Having a 2x10 for a while I just added a 1x12 same manufacture thinking I would trade off some tone for portability. After playing both back and forth I have to say the difference is much more than I thought it would be. The 1x12 sounds good and seems like it would fit nice in a band mix but the bottom end is lacking in comparison, low mids are real punchy but on the lower E string notes that soft bottom isn’t there. Could be the break in factor but I don’t think so. Would like to hear from anyone who has the same configuration. My 2x10 cab is on the left. Thanks

Not surprised in the slightest. Two 10" speakers is a lot more speaker than one 12. More speaker, more sound. More efficient, more bass.

 

[DuluthDank]

I play in a fairly loud rock power trio, and I've settled on 2X10 at 200 to 400 watts as my favorite all purpose configuration. It's loud enough for rehearsal or use as a stage monitor on gigs, but not too unwieldy to use for quiet home practice. And for the occasional gig where you show up and the FOH is only for vocals, it can carry a small room. In my experience an efficient 1X12 will also be loud enough for all these things, but it just won't be as satisfying. Lots of people are big on the 2x12 stack idea, but that's actually overkill for me.

 

[BaltBass5]

I use a variety of cabinets:

Mesa Subway 212
Mesa Subway 112
Genzler NuClassic 210
Orange OBC 112 (or a pair of them)

I've never found the Mesa Subway 112 to be lacking in ANY area. Obviously the FOH Support and size of the venue is going to be a key factor. My typical go to cab is the Mesa Subway 212. It's 4 Ohms but it's lightweight and sounds like the voice of God. There's a thing called a Master Volume on your amp that will tame it down if it is overkill at a particular gig.

 

[Killing Floor]

There are a lot of factors in the design of a speaker system and diameter is one.

 

[Z-Bass]

I've tried 1x12 cabinets a few times. In the end, they did not work out for me tone wise. I had two 1x12 cabinets at one point and those were more than sufficient from a volume perspective and filling out a room. But I tend to like 10s better for my sound. That's not a knock on 1x12s or 2x12s, I've heard plenty of bass players that use them and they project great sound. I think it's just what I'm used to or my preference. I currently use two 2x10 cabinets in a 5-piece rock cover band and it's more than enough. As expected, I notice a big difference in low end when using both cabinets versus just one.

 

[hennessybass]

Let's get this out of the way... In theory, speaker size doesn't matter, etc, etc, etc.
Now to move on with the actual real world discussion. Speaking generally of course - because all things are different.

I'll take a 210 over a single 12 any day. A 210 is "bigger" than a 112, but ultimately still pretty small and very manageable. I actually like the form factor of the 210 better than a 112. 112s are too squat - unless you are lifting them off the floor with a crate or what ever. And I think that generally, a 210 produces better low end, and is ready for a wider variety of gigs than a 112. A 210 can do everything the 112 can do and is only slightly larger. I think the tone (low end) and volume that you get from the 210 is worth the trade off.

I like what the OP said about "the soft bottom isn't there" with the 112. That's my feeling too.

 

[agedhorse]

There are 112’s that outperform 210’s and 210’s that outperform 112’s.

It depends very much on the particular cabinet and the intent of the designer.

 

[Adjectives]

But I tend to like 10s better for my sound. That's not a knock on 1x12s or 2x12s, I've heard plenty of bass players that use them and they project great sound. I think it's just what I'm used to or my preference

Yep. I played 210s (and 410s and a 810) for over a decade. Once I found my 212 cabs I’m much happier! I find 212 is a nice overkill for the shows I play.

 

[Wicked G]

Not all 112's and 210's are the same. As @agedhorse said, some 112's can outperform some 210's and vice versa. I currently own two GK NEO112's, two Orange OBC112's and two TC Electronic K212's and non of them sound or feel similar plus there is a difference in volume for them all as well. Same thing can be said for my TC RS210's and the GK NEO410 I used to have. One other thing I'll add though is that I am not a fan of a single 112, at least not with the ones I have experience with, but two 112's is a different story.

 

[hennessybass]

There are 112’s that outperform 210’s and 210’s that outperform 112’s.

It depends very much on the particular cabinet and the intent of the designer.

Do you this is generally holds true when comparing 210s and 112s within the same line of cabs.

For example:
Berg NXT210 vs NXT112
Mesa Subway 210 vs 112.

Vs. comparing cabs from different lines. Like an Aguilar SL 112 vs an Ampeg SVT210.

Not questioning your expertise of course. Fully understanding that I can only comment on my experience as a player.

So much depends on the needs of the end user, of course.

 

[agedhorse]

Do you this is generally holds true when comparing 210s and 112s within the same line of cabs.

For example:
Berg NXT210 vs NXT112
Mesa Subway 210 vs 112.

Vs. comparing cabs from different lines. Like an Aguilar SL 112 vs an Ampeg SVT210.

Not questioning your expertise of course. Fully understanding that I can only comment on my experience as a player.

So much depends on the needs of the end user, of course.

It depends, for example in the Genz Benz cabinets the NeoX 112 will generally outperform the LS-210.

It really depends on the cabinet and design.

 

[Pep]

I doubt you would say the same about the Greenboy fEARless F112. Awesome cabinet.

 

[FugaziBomb]

I've tried 1x12 cabinets a few times. In the end, they did not work out for me tone wise. I had two 1x12 cabinets at one point and those were more than sufficient from a volume perspective and filling out a room. But I tend to like 10s better for my sound. That's not a knock on 1x12s or 2x12s, I've heard plenty of bass players that use them and they project great sound. I think it's just what I'm used to or my preference. I currently use two 2x10 cabinets in a 5-piece rock cover band and it's more than enough. As expected, I notice a big difference in low end when using both cabinets versus just one.

I've tried a few different cabinets over the years and my favorites every time have been loaded with 10s. I think that was just coincidental, though. I'm not a subscriber to "speaker size matters". I think I just liked that cabinets I've liked over the years. I am looking at 1x12 now, but more so to control volume (less surface area) than instead of looking for a specific "sound".

 

[Thumpin6string]

My question is why either or? Why not both. My favorite cab was an Epifani UL410, but size and weight became an issue. I went to a UL210 and it sounded great, just not as great as the 410. Because everyone was raving about 12s, I bought a UL112 to see if it would be better. While the UL210 had punch and definition, the UL112 seemed somewhat muddy. I tried them together and was blown away. They complement each other and give me a well rounded bass sound. I now run my UL210 for smaller situations and both cabs for larger ones. Together they make me not miss my UL410. Another plus is they are easier to transport. My whole rig, amp head and both cabs, weighs less 65 pounds.