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8x10 - Why?

A

alexit

Feb 21, 2006
413
1
#1
I'm trying to understand why someone would need the big "fridge" cabs. Of course they're not very practical to transport, etc, but even with all of that stuff aside, why would someone need it.

Loudness? You can get 4x10 cabs that handle 1000watts RMS. My dad is a soundman, he was doing a very loud rock show in a venue of about 2500. Bassist was playing through the ampeg fridge with an SVT-2 or similar on top. Mid-song my dad says "here, I'll take the bass out of the PA entirely". Can't even hear the difference. He says, "yeah, and the guy wanted TWO 8x10's". Isn't that what PA is for?

Plus, the "wash" that envelops the stage, getting into all of the mikes and mudding up everything. If you can't hear, get a better monitor mix, right?

I guess it's just an image thing?
 
#4
It's a mid-life crisis thing. I'm in the midst of refurbishing a trashed 8 X 10 cab I bought...3 years ago! I removed the tolex, the speakers are stashed in a cabinet, the insulation has been removed, and the box sits downstairs in a back hallway. My cats sleep in it.

But when I get it done, watch out! Chicks really dig it when you whip out the big "8". Just goes to show that size does matter.

Riis
 
#8
Zooberwerx said:
Just goes to show that size does matter.
Click to expand...

Figured that was about it. Honestly, anything over 500-600 watts into a 4x10 or 2x12 cab seems like complete overkill in any situation. Maybe an 1x15 extension if you really need deep done. That'll drown out the loudest f*&$ing drummer on earth. The rest should be left to PA and monitors.
 
#9
Key words. "Loud", "rock" and "show".

4x10s are nice, but it's still blowing sound at the back of your knees. An 8x10 gets sound closer to ear level so you can hear it better. Some people like a wall of sound. If they are in an environment that it works (loud rock show would be one of them) and have the means to get it on stage, why not? Does Flea need 3 2001RB - 4x10 - 1x15 stacks? Does John Frusciante need 3 Marshall full stacks? No. But if you have the means and it works in the environment, why not? Rock is about excess. Live it up.


Edit: Do any of you play in a loud rock or metal band? Ever play with a drummer who breaks at least one pair of 2B drum sticks per practice, and the area under the set looks like a wood shop? While standing within a foot of the hi hat? With 2 guitars running smiley-q's through half stacks? If you can keep up with 300 watts through a 1x12, you have done something I can't. Bass is meant to be felt as well as heard. So my setup, while not an 8x10, works for me.

GK Backline 600 (as pre amp)
Crown MicroTech 1200
Peavey 410TX, 8 ohm - 310W
Peavey 1x12, 4 ohm - 480W
 
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#10
There is no reason to have a 8x10 unless you are nearly deaf and need huge stage sound.:)

It does look cool. They are amazingly heavy though.

Having said that, I just bought a gadget that will let me run two 2x10 and one 1x15 Ampeg cabs off my Ampeg head. It will likely be TALLER than a fridge!
 
#16
4 x 10's give you 40 inches of moving speaker. A single 15 is just that. 15 inches of moving speaker. Won't move as much air as a 4 x 10. An 8 x 10 yields 80 inches of moving speakers. That's why they are THE bass cabinet. For the record, I own and use compact cabinets, but they just don't get that sound that I hear in my head. the 8 x 10 definately produces the exact sound I want.
 
#17
The only reason I have an 8x10 is cuz my drummer has ham hoks for hands and he's loud as hell. It's pretty bad when you have to have an 8x10 just for practice. I thought my Carvin BRX212 would be enough for a long while, sadly i was mistaken. Beyond that I hate my 8x10, i really enjoyed the 15's i was using before i got the 8x10, once the 8x10 came in i had to give the 15's back their owner who I was borrowing from.
 
#18
johnvice said:
4 x 10's give you 40 inches of moving speaker. A single 15 is just that. 15 inches of moving speaker. Won't move as much air as a 4 x 10. An 8 x 10 yields 80 inches of moving speakers.
Click to expand...

I'm sure pi, speaker radius and how much the speaker moves in response to the input signal has something to do with it also. :ninja: :D
 
#20
It's pretty simple, from a stage standpoint. I can feel an 8x10. It's like dropping a sonic bomb on the stage...not necessarily in terms of sheer volume but in terms of 'presence'. My Mesa 2x15/1x15 is probably just as loud because of sensitivity, but you just can't feel it like with the fridge, it makes the knees weak.
 

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