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2x12 or 4x10... that's the question

Red Rover

Red Rover

Guest
Nov 5, 2007
258
1
Ontario, Canada
#1
Hey folks... I'm looking into delving into a new rig. I currently play through a Peavey Combo 300. I like that the 15" covers the low frequencies well but I sometimes feel like it's too muddy/sludgy and I want more punch.

I'm debating whether I should go with with a 2x12 or the 4x10.

I have no experience whatsoever with 2x12s and only limited experience with the 4x10. The few times I've played 4x10s was when the backline was provided. Sometimes I liked it and other times I didn't... or maybe it was just the Hartke I didn't like. I've played through Ampeg 8x10s a few times and didn't care for those much either.

So I guess my question is: will the 2x12 give me the best of both worlds (punchy yet retaining the low end) or should I just go with a 4x10 (other than Hartke or Ampeg due to personal preference)?

PS. I also intend to get another cab at some point down the road for larger gigs (stacked 2x12s or 4x10s).

Thanks
 
#2
I'm wondering the same thing. I gig with a 1x15 but it doesn't have much tonal character. I've got a 4x12 at home that's entirely too large and heavy to lug to gigs. I love the sound but it's not going anywhere. The darn thing weighs almost as much as I do. I'm looking at getting a 2x12 or a pair of 2x10's (to stack vertically, i hear it makes all the difference) to gig with, but I haven't quite figured out what would be best for me yet.
 
#6
Getaway Driver said:
I'm wondering the same thing. I gig with a 1x15 but it doesn't have much tonal character. I've got a 4x12 at home that's entirely too large and heavy to lug to gigs. I love the sound but it's not going anywhere. The darn thing weighs almost as much as I do. I'm looking at getting a 2x12 or a pair of 2x10's (to stack vertically, i hear it makes all the difference) to gig with, but I haven't quite figured out what would be best for me yet.
Click to expand...

i'll drive to omaha and take that 4x12 off of your hands...free of charge.:ninja:
 
#8
I just got my aguilar db212 a few days ago. Very versatile tonal structure. It's very warm with strong mids, tight lows and highs that are present but not harsh. Of course, that has as much to do with the construction of the cabinet and a dozen other factors as it does the size of the drivers. One of the best things about my 2x12 is that it's quite a bit smaller than my old 4x10, and yet gets twice the wattage.
 
#10
Red Rover said:
Pretty much straight up rock... dabbling a bit on the country side at times. I've done the powerpop thing too.

I should maybe mention that I have flats strung up.
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I think either could work. There are a lot of different flavors of cabs out there, the generalizations regarding 2x12's and 4x10's are getting harder to make.
What amp are you using and how much do you want to spend? Is weight and/or size a concern?
 
#12
Does the Peavey you're using have an external speaker jack? If it does then I would recommend a 2x10 cab. You'll get the punch, added mids, and highs, that the 15's frequency response doesn't replicate and IMO have a more balanced sound than using a 2x12 and 1x15. Play as many different setups as you can and let your ears be your guide.
 
#15
I have been very happy with my Avatar B212. It works great stand alone. I find it actually punches more like a 10. It gets the low end but not as thick as I would prefer. For big shows I roll in the 2x15 to put under it. Now that I have sorted out the issue with my Firebass head the results have been stellar.

The question as to style of music is important. For example in most rock and metal the typical "standards" I see are 4x10(x2), 8x10, 4x10+1x15(or 1x18). The first two being the most prominent. Now for me I like my 2x15 and I think it compliments the 2x12 well. I have this thing for 8" speakers though. The SWR Henry the 8x8 I consider a great cab. For what I have already I would be interested in getting a 6x8 (even if I have to build it). For now though I am trying to keep the GAS at a minimum.

Oh and I play rock and metal and use that rig. Music style is important but also what is important is how you fit in that style. For me (and the good deals I got on this gear) I like the thickness of the rig. To my ears it is where I want to be. The GASs'ing for 8's is just that. Not necessary per say but they would be nice gravy one day. At that point though I would be trying to move to a rack/biamp/preamp+power amp setup.

Ken
 
#16
You can't tell tone from speaker size alone. Try out a bunch of cabs. Also, I should imagine that most 410s will go a bit louder than a 212 and should be more more sensitive. That's just a generalisation though and I could be wrong.
 
#17
Thanks everyone... I'm seeing lots of love for the 2x12. I'd of course go to my local shop and try as many as I can before hand. As for adding a 2x10 to the 1x15 I already have. I've thought of that but I just don't want to have to lug that around all the time.

Thanks again.
 
#18
Red Rover said:
So I guess my question is: will the 2x12 give me the best of both worlds (punchy yet retaining the low end) or should I just go with a 4x10 (other than Hartke or Ampeg due to personal preference)?

PS. I also intend to get another cab at some point down the road for larger gigs (stacked 2x12s or 4x10s).

Thanks
Click to expand...

All other things being considered, I personally would opt for the 2x12. To me, a pair of stacked 2x12 cabs would be ideal... :cool:

MM
 
#19
I think either would do the job, but it's difficult to beat a 212 as a stand alone cab. Great combination of size, weight, volume, tone.
I recently picked up a Mesa PH212 that's the best sounding cab I've played through in 40years of playing. YMMV.

Dan
 

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