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4X10 and 1X15 a bad combo... but why?
- Thread starter Psychbass
- Start date
No, sorry, you're a poor nerd. If you were a real nerd, you'd know a 410/115 is senseless.
Sorry, just because you're older & have done something for a long time doesn't mean it's optimal, or in this case, even close to optimal. You really need to educate yourself on this.
Yes. Two 210s or two 115s are better, but a 210/115 will work. I'd always go 115X2 because it is an exact match (should be 100% the same maker/series) & a 115 costs less than a 210.
Glad to see someone out there fighting the good fight of militantly expressing their "superior" knowledge, while bravely insulting others on internet forums.
Good for you, sir. You've proven yourself to be intellectually superior, and I now hang on your every word.
And then there're those who blindly follow what they know to be true despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that they're wrong! 
I never claimed to be right, or that scientific evidence about mismatched cabs was a bunch of fooey. In fact I had admitted that I was aware of problems associated with mismatched cabs and never took a position otherwise. I was merely stating the reason I sometimes use mismatched cabs, as I took offense to the position that you're an amateur if you are using that type of setup. I usually try to take the internet with a grain of salt, but that one got my goat a little. The "poor" comment was just meant to be insulting, it added nothing to the conversation.
As far as knowing - I can say that yes, I do KNOW that stacking even a mismatched cab on top of another gets a reference tone closer to my ear which helps me hear myself better on certain stages without having to pump a ton of me through the monitors.
Is it the best scenario?
Probably not.
Does it work?
In my experience it does.
As far as knowing - I can say that yes, I do KNOW that stacking even a mismatched cab on top of another gets a reference tone closer to my ear which helps me hear myself better on certain stages without having to pump a ton of me through the monitors.
Is it the best scenario?
Probably not.
Does it work?
In my experience it does.
Then, perhaps it'd be better just to get a stand or something similar to lift your cabs up. Cheaper initially, no possible danger of blowing driver(s), possibility of odd things from mismatched cabs lessened, and you still get your desired outcome. Win, win, win.
Not trying to be argumentative but couldn't you still stack them, and leave the 115 unplugged.....saves you a blown 15.
Sure - tilting back or lifting the cab would be a thing to try (assuming I could find a stand to support the 90lb. cab). Also, I understand the chance of blowing speakers when one cab is slaving away to try to keep up with the other, and appreciate everyone's concern and experience in warning players of the possibility of that happening.
When I use the combination of cabs, I'm not cranking my amp much more (or any more) than I would as a singular rig, but to my ears the additional cab has a discernible volume and frequency difference that is appealing. So in my instance... if I'm aware of the issues that can present themselves, I'm putting the weaker cab closer to my ear level so I can better listen for strain, and I'm not cranking volume much more than I would if I were to be using the weaker cab by itself, then honestly what's the big deal? Like, really? I don't mean that as defiance, I really would like to know. I'm not denying any science of mismatched cabs, nor refuting that bad things can come of it.
When I use the combination of cabs, I'm not cranking my amp much more (or any more) than I would as a singular rig, but to my ears the additional cab has a discernible volume and frequency difference that is appealing. So in my instance... if I'm aware of the issues that can present themselves, I'm putting the weaker cab closer to my ear level so I can better listen for strain, and I'm not cranking volume much more than I would if I were to be using the weaker cab by itself, then honestly what's the big deal? Like, really? I don't mean that as defiance, I really would like to know. I'm not denying any science of mismatched cabs, nor refuting that bad things can come of it.
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It is a proven fact that two cabinets, even mismatched ones, sound fuller on the stage. Out in the room, not so much. If you love what you are getting from a single cabinet adding a second identical one will get you more of what you are liking. The whole larger cone for bass and smaller cone for highs is bassed (couldn't resist that one) on a myth. If it were true Phil Jones would be out of work! 
it's a fact that a v8 diesel would be more efficient towing my dump trailer than my V8 gas engine is. This however does not make my truck inadequate or worthless. Some of you guys take things a little too seriously. Especially the mixing of two different cabs. It's been done forever, and yes, has resulted in blown speakers when guys aren't aware of the limitations. Big deal. My truck would tap out before a diesel as well, but I have a brain and know how hard I can push her. I choose not to mix different cabs as it takes more work and can be hard to produce consistent tone throughout the room. Thinking someone is foolish because they don't choose the most "perfected" rig sounds like snobbery to me...
So, ultimately my sound in the room would hypothetically be lacking(?) But if there is house support (which there is alway is), is this not alleviated at that point? Meaning, that I get a louder close signal for stage reference, but I'm mixed in the venue through the PA mic'ing the cab with my preferred response?
I understand the myth about cone size and lower/high frequency tuning (well I guess not fully understand, but at least I'm aware of it and accept it to be true).
However, can't two cabinets sound different enough that when combined they compliment each other?
Take this Orange cab video for example.
To my ears there is quite a difference in tone (based on experience with these two as well). Is it completely impossible that these combined couldn't sound good together?
I understand the myth about cone size and lower/high frequency tuning (well I guess not fully understand, but at least I'm aware of it and accept it to be true).
However, can't two cabinets sound different enough that when combined they compliment each other?
Take this Orange cab video for example.
To my ears there is quite a difference in tone (based on experience with these two as well). Is it completely impossible that these combined couldn't sound good together?
Slade, some of us are trying to answer questions posed by others in the best way possible. You just have to look for all the blown 15" driver threads to see the reason why the need is there. Snobbery has nothing to do with the facts being what they are. I'm sorry but I don't get the point of your simile. All you're advocating, as I understand it, is the right "tool" for the job at hand. That's all we, who are advising against this pairing, are doing. A single 15" driver cannot keep up with a 4x10 in any regard and as such is the wrong tool for the job.
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Anyone remember "Hong Kong Phooey #1 SuperGuy!" ?
Paul should use him for his avatar. Tirelessly chopping down mixed cab nonsense since forever.
Paul should use him for his avatar. Tirelessly chopping down mixed cab nonsense since forever.
My simile was to point out that many different tools can handle many different jobs. A diesel truck would be a "better" tool for my needs but at the time I didn't want to shell out $7k more when my other choice could also hand the job. They both are adequate, however one is technically "superior" and more "scientifically advanced". I play a "superior" bass rig according to you guys, so I'm not coming at this disagreeing with the science. Saying something like this - "No, sorry, you're a poor nerd. If you were a real nerd, you'd know a 410/115 is senseless," sounds like snobbery (to me). Again, this is the internet, so maybe everyone who posts such things are incredible players, with incredible chops and tone- however there is also the very slight chance that they are armchair quarterbacks who can barely play, rarely gig, never tour, have never seen the inside of a legit studio, but can sure read up on gear a lot.
If someone asked me about mixing a 4-10 with a 15 I'd tell them to be careful not to blow the 15 (listen to it for Gods sake), and be aware of your tone in the room (cruise around with a wireless). I'd probably also tell them that it's easier to just use matching cabs. Then I'd also follow it up with something like, "all of that said I've seen some bad ass players kill it with mixed rigs though"......
And yes P-oddz- I think certain different sized speakers can compliment each other, especially if you're bi-amping.
If someone asked me about mixing a 4-10 with a 15 I'd tell them to be careful not to blow the 15 (listen to it for Gods sake), and be aware of your tone in the room (cruise around with a wireless). I'd probably also tell them that it's easier to just use matching cabs. Then I'd also follow it up with something like, "all of that said I've seen some bad ass players kill it with mixed rigs though"......
And yes P-oddz- I think certain different sized speakers can compliment each other, especially if you're bi-amping.
Stage volume mostly. Smaller/medium stages I play the single 410, but for bigger stages/outdoors, I'll play both.
I (as well as the rest of the band) prefer to not clutter up a stage monitor mix with all instruments. We all sing background vocals so it's easier to hear with less monitor clutter.
I'd be lying if I said it wasn't also for a little bit of show. Bigger stage, bigger rig.
