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A 1x18 for a 4x10

H

Harper Oliver

Aug 5, 2021
27
7
#1
So I was thinking it would be a good idea to add a little boom boom to my 4x10 by adding a 1x18, is this a plausible idea?
Is there any 1x18 that can live up to modern amps? None of them are exactly new.

I heard eden 1x18s are efficient but they don’t have a tweeter so maybe not very good with highs. The ampeg 1x18e is decently cheap but maybe it’s not powerful enough? It says it can handle 175w before distorting.

I have heard that a good sound depends on the driver and cab. I saw an acoustic 1x18 that had a big cab and folded horns which looks like it could sound pretty cool but there just isn’t enough information for me to know. I’m not sure how to try these things out either without buying them since they are kinda uncommon.

Anyways, I’d like to see what y’all think, maybe I should just go for a Cerwin Vega 1x21 lol.
 
#2
You can add a powered subwoofer, like those designed for FOH
They have built in crossovers
Take the effects send to the subwoofer, take the high-pass out from the sub to the effects return.
You'll get huge amounts of bass and not lose any tone in your amp.
The subs EQ usually have a DSP where you can adjust many other things, so you have less chance of comb filtering out to the audience.
 
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#3
Well I know of a version vega 1x21 that’s powered with 1200 watts and another folded 1x21 that would need an ungodly 2000-4000 watts. I don’t think 300w tube amp would be enough lol. But channeling the bass frequencies to the sub sounds like a good idea to me
 
#4
Harper Oliver said:
So I was thinking it would be a good idea to add a little boom boom to my 4x10 by adding a 1x18, is this a plausible idea?
Is there any 1x18 that can live up to modern amps? None of them are exactly new.

I heard eden 1x18s are efficient but they don’t have a tweeter so maybe not very good with highs. The ampeg 1x18e is decently cheap but maybe it’s not powerful enough? It says it can handle 175w before distorting.

I have heard that a good sound depends on the driver and cab. I saw an acoustic 1x18 that had a big cab and folded horns which looks like it could sound pretty cool but there just isn’t enough information for me to know. I’m not sure how to try these things out either without buying them since they are kinda uncommon.

Anyways, I’d like to see what y’all think, maybe I should just go for a Cerwin Vega 1x21 lol.
Click to expand...
The 1990's called. They want all their 18 and 21 inch speakers back. :smug:

Seriously though, you can get lots of boom out of modern speakers these days.
That being said, many players are trending away from the boom.
But if that's what you want, you don't need a way-back machine to find it.

Maybe look at a Mesa Subway 15 for starters. Or even the 12's. I think there's a ton of love for those things around here.
 
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#5
Occasionally, an Ampeg SVT-18, the 500 watt model, comes up for sale. At 86 lbs, these are not for 95 lbs weaklings. Casters are a must. My signature shows one of two that I own. It is being driven by a Mesa Boogie WD800 at 4 ohms. Even outdoors, it has always delivered a boom. I compared it to a Barefaced Big Baby II cabinet in the hopes of finding a lighter rig that provided the same low end. The SVT-18 far outdid the Barefaced cabinet. That said, I do play frequently on the B string and want that low end vibration.
 
#8
Had a Genz Benz GB18B cab but traded it plus cash for an Ampeg Heritage 810. It’s listed at GC/MF for $300. The cab has a Peavey black widow speaker, not really boomy and IIRC rated at 250 watts.
 
#9
Last edited:
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#11
(Unless you have a biamp or stereo head) The problem is, the 18" is going to get 4x more power than each of the 10's. So your tone will be primarily coming from the 18" pushed to its limits, and the 4x10" cab will barely be working hard at all.

A much better option to "add a little boom boom" is to simply turn up the bass EQ on your head. What brand/model of 4x10 cab do you have? If your 4x10 cab can't move enough air, then add a matching 4x10 to make an 8x10 stack, and you should be able to blow your house off its foundations.
 
#13
Harper Oliver said:
So I was thinking it would be a good idea to add a little boom boom to my 4x10 by adding a 1x18, is this a plausible idea?
Is there any 1x18 that can live up to modern amps? None of them are exactly new.

I heard eden 1x18s are efficient but they don’t have a tweeter so maybe not very good with highs. The ampeg 1x18e is decently cheap but maybe it’s not powerful enough? It says it can handle 175w before distorting.

I have heard that a good sound depends on the driver and cab. I saw an acoustic 1x18 that had a big cab and folded horns which looks like it could sound pretty cool but there just isn’t enough information for me to know. I’m not sure how to try these things out either without buying them since they are kinda uncommon.

Anyways, I’d like to see what y’all think, maybe I should just go for a Cerwin Vega 1x21 lol.
Click to expand...
Powered sub.
 
#14
Old Garage-Bander said:
The 1990's called. They want all their 18 and 21 inch speakers back. :smug:
Click to expand...
LOL! Guilty! Used to bi-amp an SWR Goliath 1x18 and 4x10 cabs with an SM400. To say the results were "less than satisfactory" would be an understatement. There's probably better gear available for that these days, but honestly, I wouldn't bother. Add another 4x10 or a single 1x15 instead if you need to play that loud.
 
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#15
I speak in generalizations, but it has been my experience that an 18 demands way too much power to move that speaker, and tends to woof out rather than boom. IMO they just don't respond quick enough. That's why the 4x10 is so popular. with the 410 you get the speaker surface area for moving sound with a way quicker response.

That said, a ported 15" could give a nice added thump, if you really think you need it, although you should be able to get that out of the 4x10 in any regular situation. I played a 15 with a 2x10 on top (biamped) for a few years and it was fine, but the Neo 410 was way better. Now I just use a 300w 12" combo (MarkBass) with PA support.
 
#16
There’s a Bag End 18” cab on my local CL with the ELF sub control box for $500 asking. I’ve been staring at it a couple weeks now- could be just the kind of thing you’re after.
(Personnally, I need more cabs like Pfizer needs pills…)
 
#17
Harper Oliver said:
So I was thinking it would be a good idea to add a little boom boom to my 4x10 by adding a 1x18, is this a plausible idea?
Is there any 1x18 that can live up to modern amps? None of them are exactly new.

I heard eden 1x18s are efficient but they don’t have a tweeter so maybe not very good with highs. The ampeg 1x18e is decently cheap but maybe it’s not powerful enough? It says it can handle 175w before distorting.

I have heard that a good sound depends on the driver and cab. I saw an acoustic 1x18 that had a big cab and folded horns which looks like it could sound pretty cool but there just isn’t enough information for me to know. I’m not sure how to try these things out either without buying them since they are kinda uncommon.

Anyways, I’d like to see what y’all think, maybe I should just go for a Cerwin Vega 1x21 lol.
Click to expand...

You want more low end, buy a second 410. I’ve owned an Acoustic 301 cab. I doubt you would know it was there with when used with a 410. Larger speaker size does not necessary mean you are going to get more lower frequencies.

As for the 301 cab, I also had an Ampeg V-4B 2-15 reflex cab, an unpowered equivalent of the Acoustic 2-15 powered cab. None of them of them will create the amount low end of say an Eden D-410-XST.
 
#18
IMO, the main reason to add something like an 18” is to get the low fundamentals that most bass cabinets don’t adequately reproduce. In that scenario, it makes more sense to get a real subwoofer from a pro audio company, and add it to your system along with an electronic crossover to divide frequency duties between it and your main cabinet.

However, it’s really pointless if your gigs are at places that already have subs in their PA’s. If there aren’t PA subs in use at your gigs, then it might be worthwhile, if you don’t mind the extra complexity and equipment that you'll have to haul around.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
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My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Pedulla Club #45
 
#19
bassfran said:
There’s a Bag End 18” cab on my local CL with the ELF sub control box for $500 asking. I’ve been staring at it a couple weeks now- could be just the kind of thing you’re after.
(Personnally, I need more cabs like Pfizer needs pills…)
Click to expand...

Wow. $500 for the Bag End sealed cab and processor? That's a killer deal for a really huge sounding setup.
 

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