2x8 cabs?

[daveobieone]

I've been considering getting one (or perhaps 2, but that kinda defeats the purpose) 2x8 bass cab. Something really easy to move around for an old fart, like me.

Now I'm normally a 12 or 15 guy, who likes some of the fundamental of the notes to come through. I'm not expecting miracles from two small drivers, but I'd like some of it there. I have some JBL 4408 monitors that project some pretty impressive low end, so I figure it can be done.

Near as I can tell, there are two out there that seem to fill the bill. The TC BC208 and the Trace ELF 2x8. One (the Trace) is nearly twice as expensive as the other, and I'm trying to figure out if it's really worth the extra $. I could get 2 of the TC cabs for the cost of the Trace.

There's about zero chance of me being able to personally audition ether of these within hundreds of miles of where I live. I'm wondering if some of the TB'ers have some personal experience with 2x8 cabs?

Best guess is I'll drive it with something like the TC BH250 head. I already have a Mesa D800 and Subway cabs for bigger gigs w/o PA support (great rig btw). Mostly I'd like something I can use with the 10 piece horn band I play with for small gigs and rehearsals...if gigs ever materialize again. Will the one high-dollar 2x8 cut it, or should I plan on getting two of the TC cabs?

Thanks!
Dave O.

 

[Bamboo633]

I have the Trace ELF 2X8 and the 1X10. Both are extraordinary speakers for the size and weight. I have never used the TC.

Before the shutdown I played a gig for around 100 people with a single Elf 1X10 and the Elf head. My volume was on about 3 of 10. I was astounded that I could gig with a 15lb cab and a 3-pound head. That being said, we are a lower volume commercial band; horns are loud and you would probably need a pair of 1X10s.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could carry your gig on a single Elf 2X8, it gets seriously loud, and there is no reason not to drive it with your Mesa head as long as you are somewhat careful. The 2X8 seems to prefer a bit bigger head than the 200W Elf to sound its best.

I prefer the sound of the 1X10 to the 2X8. It is spec'ed as having less bass but seems to have more in reality and at 15lbs each how can you complain.

Gigging with under 20lbs of gear... it is a great time to be a bass player.

 

[Redbrangus]

I've got the TC 208 and like it fine. I considered the Elf but decided I'd be happy enough with the TC for the money. If I was planning to gig with one or two of 'em, I might have given more consideration to the Trace. I don't think having two of them invalidates the concept of using 2x8 cabs...you still have the versatility of being able to use just one cab when that's all that's needed.

I bought the 208 and a TC BQ500 as open box deals from Banjo Center and paid just bit over $400 for both. It was my own personal 'stimulus package' for the pandemic and I really couldn't be happier with either of them. And I'm really an old-school guy, and thus a pretty hard sell.

 

[agedhorse]

I think (actually I know) that the JBL 116H-2 driver used in the 4408 cabinet is very much unsuited to bass guitar for a couple of reasons... the first being the sensitivity which is about 88dB/1W/1M. This is the unfortunate trade-off that is necessary to reproduce the low frequency extension, and requires ~8 times the power to achieve the same SPL as a more conventionally voiced driver for bass guitar applications. The second reason is that the mid frequency voicing (which is critical for bass guitar) is not well suited (another trade-off for low end extension).

There are some decent choices, the ELF 208 is one, the TC 208 is another, but don't expect the same LF performance as a pair of the 4408 cabinets.

 

[ErikP.Bass]

I had one of the 2x8 [This invalid link has been removed] combos and was quite impressed with it. I realize it’s not just a cab but it can run 250W @ 4ohms so I hooked up my Bergantino HT112 when I needed it.

 

[Wasnex]

I've been considering getting one (or perhaps 2, but that kinda defeats the purpose) 2x8 bass cab. Something really easy to move around for an old fart, like me.

Now I'm normally a 12 or 15 guy, who likes some of the fundamental of the notes to come through. I'm not expecting miracles from two small drivers, but I'd like some of it there. I have some JBL 4408 monitors that project some pretty impressive low end, so I figure it can be done.

Near as I can tell, there are two out there that seem to fill the bill. The TC BC208 and the Trace ELF 2x8. One (the Trace) is nearly twice as expensive as the other, and I'm trying to figure out if it's really worth the extra $. I could get 2 of the TC cabs for the cost of the Trace.

There's about zero chance of me being able to personally audition ether of these within hundreds of miles of where I live. I'm wondering if some of the TB'ers have some personal experience with 2x8 cabs?

Best guess is I'll drive it with something like the TC BH250 head. I already have a Mesa D800 and Subway cabs for bigger gigs w/o PA support (great rig btw). Mostly I'd like something I can use with the 10 piece horn band I play with for small gigs and rehearsals...if gigs ever materialize again. Will the one high-dollar 2x8 cut it, or should I plan on getting two of the TC cabs?

Thanks!
Dave O.

Some of the Greenboy builders offer a cabs called Crazy 8s. Here are links to two of the builder sites.
Link Removed
Crazy8, Crazy88

I believe they were designed in collaboration with @Mike Arnopol who also makes some 8 inch designs under his company MAS http://www.masoundworks.com/

 

[CatOnTheBass]

I noticed there's a Revsound 1x8 in the Classifieds. (no affiliation)

 

[ancjr]

A Bill Fitzmaurice OmniTop 8 (2x8) is an option. While I haven't had any personal experience with it, I do have experience with the similar DR200 (1x8) which sounds very articulate and dynamic.

 

[Hundred proof]

I ran stacked EA VL208s for years, but my needs changed from HI-FI to “lower-fi” so now it’s just 15s

 

[acid bass]

Ha ha, are you my twin? I was running a Subway D800 into a Subway 15 as my standard setup. But I saw the Elf 208s on sale at my local GC and decided to try them. I specifically used them with a Stingray 5-string to see how they handled the low notes from an aggressive bass. I was super surprised how clear and good it sounded. As good as my Mesa 15? No. But having 2 of these opened me up for some versatility for gigs that I couldn't get with the 15. So I bit the bullet and bought 2 of them. I run them in parallel with my D800 and it works great.

With my 5-piece cover band I have the gain at 5 and Master around 2 or 3. I could probably run a single one of these a bit louder if I really needed to though, we've got decent monitor support. A 10-piece with horns? I think you could do it and I assume this type of band has quality FOH and monitor support. But you might be pushing it. I for sure wouldn't have replaced a 15 with a single 208, it had to be 2 for exactly this reason. In your situation I might go for the TCs over the Trace.

 

[LennyJ]

I got the TC 208 and the bam 200. The Bam was not enough - so I went to the GK 200. Man that made the difference.

I'm hooked.

 

[daveobieone]

Ha ha, are you my twin? I was running a Subway D800 into a Subway 15 as my standard setup. But I saw the Elf 208s on sale at my local GC and decided to try them. I specifically used them with a Stingray 5-string to see how they handled the low notes from an aggressive bass. I was super surprised how clear and good it sounded. As good as my Mesa 15? No. But having 2 of these opened me up for some versatility for gigs that I couldn't get with the 15. So I bit the bullet and bought 2 of them. I run them in parallel with my D800 and it works great.

With my 5-piece cover band I have the gain at 5 and Master around 2 or 3. I could probably run a single one of these a bit louder if I really needed to though, we've got decent monitor support. A 10-piece with horns? I think you could do it and I assume this type of band has quality FOH and monitor support. But you might be pushing it. I for sure wouldn't have replaced a 15 with a single 208, it had to be 2 for exactly this reason. In your situation I might go for the TCs over the Trace.

We might be twins AcidBass!

I do love my D800/Subway rig, and it's about 1/3 the weight I was dragging around (stupidly heavy 2x15 and 2x10 cabs...think Ampeg Isovent broken into two cabs). Sounds better too. I have a single Subway 15, and a Subway 12, along with a 2x10. I can rock just about any medium-sized venue with that stack even without PA bass support...which happens more often than you might think. Thankfully the D800 will drive 2 ohms. For someplace fairly small I can just take in either the single 15, or even the single 12, but the solo 12 seems to get unhappy if the levels get cranked-up later in the gig.

A stacked pair of 2x8 cabs would be even more compact on a small, crowded stage. Fitting 10 big guys on most stages these days can be a challenge. A 2x8 would also work nicely for me to take along on our RV vacations because of the small footprint. You'd be surprised how often I run into other musicians who wanna do a jam out on the road like that.

I really appreciate all the feedback here from everyone! There are some brands I wasn't even aware of, but I'll check them out too.

I'm still wondering if the Trace Elf is worth twice the $.?. If the same money was spent on two of the TC 208's, might that be the same or even better than one Elf?

Dave O.

 

[daveobieone]

I got the TC 208 and the bam 200. The Bam was not enough - so I went to the GK 200. Man that made the difference.

I'm hooked.

View attachment 3834095

Interesting Lenny! I really hadn't considered the BAM 200...only the TC BH250. Mostly that was because I'm kinda addicted to some compression, and there's a "tone print" with the spectra-comp in the TC. I have no idea how it sounds though. I usually carry a Keeley Bassist pedal compressor, which is really nice...and a dbx 160x in the studio. The Keeley sounds a LOT like the dbx. I also liked that the TC has a built-in tuner. Just one less thing to carry, or get left at a gig somewhere.

Surprising that the GK was so much better than the BAM. Not all Class D amps are created the same I guess. I'll look into them. I'd like to have something that can just be thrown into my gig bag...even as a back-up to my D800. Although the D800 seems to be built like a tank.

I DO wish the makers would spec these little heads at both 4 and 8 ohms. Trace seems to be the only one that does (200 watts at 4 ohms, and 130 watts into 8 ohms). Just about all of them seem to only be rated at 4.

Nice to get feedback from someone who's playing a 208! Have you ever tried stacking on a second one?

Dave O.

 

[GmanJeff]

This: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[LennyJ]

Interesting Lenny! I really hadn't considered the BAM 200...only the TC BH250. Mostly that was because I'm kinda addicted to some compression, and there's a "tone print" with the spectra-comp in the TC. I have no idea how it sounds though. I usually carry a Keeley Bassist pedal compressor, which is really nice...and a dbx 160x in the studio. The Keeley sounds a LOT like the dbx. I also liked that the TC has a built-in tuner. Just one less thing to carry, or get left at a gig somewhere.

Surprising that the GK was so much better than the BAM. Not all Class D amps are created the same I guess. I'll look into them. I'd like to have something that can just be thrown into my gig bag...even as a back-up to my D800. Although the D800 seems to be built like a tank.

I DO wish the makers would spec these little heads at both 4 and 8 ohms. Trace seems to be the only one that does (200 watts at 4 ohms, and 130 watts into 8 ohms). Just about all of them seem to only be rated at 4.

Nice to get feedback from someone who's playing a 208! Have you ever tried stacking on a second one?

Dave O.

Dave

On the side of the GK there is a sticker that says 240 Watts. That being said - if it is 200 at 8 them it might be around 240 at 4. Who knows, but every one I have talked to say GKs seem louder that stated in spec sheets.

For compression - I really like the EBS. My 2 cents.

Lenny

 

[LennyJ]

Interesting Lenny! I really hadn't considered the BAM 200...only the TC BH250. Mostly that was because I'm kinda addicted to some compression, and there's a "tone print" with the spectra-comp in the TC. I have no idea how it sounds though. I usually carry a Keeley Bassist pedal compressor, which is really nice...and a dbx 160x in the studio. The Keeley sounds a LOT like the dbx. I also liked that the TC has a built-in tuner. Just one less thing to carry, or get left at a gig somewhere.

Surprising that the GK was so much better than the BAM. Not all Class D amps are created the same I guess. I'll look into them. I'd like to have something that can just be thrown into my gig bag...even as a back-up to my D800. Although the D800 seems to be built like a tank.

I DO wish the makers would spec these little heads at both 4 and 8 ohms. Trace seems to be the only one that does (200 watts at 4 ohms, and 130 watts into 8 ohms). Just about all of them seem to only be rated at 4.

Nice to get feedback from someone who's playing a 208! Have you ever tried stacking on a second one?

Dave O.

Dave

To you other question - I have tried all the cabinets. I used to have 2 - 2x8 ELF cabinets and I stacked them vertically. They sounded nice, lots of money for a 2x8 but still. Then I had 2 of the ELF 1x10's, they were nice but to much in the mid department.

Since I quit playing out and only at church - I sold most all my amp stuff and went to a LDS 1x12 and a Rumble 800. The amp is 400 at 8 and the cabinet is the same, so a perfect match and it sounds great. I bought the TC BAM and 2x8 listed here and it was a good deal - but did not like the Bam. I had the GK so I put together and it is a match.

My Church has a great PA so I really do not need the amps, but once in a while we play outside (so out comes the Rumble and LDS). And if we go to another church I will take the GK 2x8 set up.

Thanks Lenny

 

[LennyJ]

JLEPRE over in the "MINI RIG OF DOOM" (post 1593) uses the ELF 2x8 with the TC 2x8 and the ELF amplifier and loves it. Check it out.

 

[Redbrangus]

They sounded nice, lots of money for a 2x8...

I share this opinion of the Elf.

 

[LennyJ]

I share this opinion of the Elf.

Try the TC version - the boxes are almost exact copies. The difference is the ELF uses Faital speakers and the TC uses Eminence speakers.

The Elf may be a little smoother across the sound and the TC are a little more in the mod and bass areas. But all in all close enough. On the list price sidae the ELF is closer to 200 dollars more than the TC.

Lennyj

 

[LennyJ]

Like I said earlier I had both the ELF and now the TC. Here is a pic of the ELF 2x8 and the 1x10's with the TC Thrust 250 and again the TC with the GK.