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Ampeg is mixing cabs!

If cabs were designed to be used together then they can be used together. QED

I don't understand how anyone can have a problem with understanding that. The don't mix advice (FUD?) related to cabs that weren't designed to be used together and even then some did work in spite of dire prophesies of doom and the end of civilisation as we know it.

Interesting that so many people here seem to know more than the guys who design this stuff.
 
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I know that some of you don't like the idea, but it appears that Ampeg is ready to sell pre-mixed rigs.

Ampeg Portaflex PF800 Head, PF-410HLF 4x10/PF-115LF 1x15 800W Bass Amp Stack

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This is horrifying. It's almost as if they are prepared to ignore the laws of physics and go with what sounds good. Where will it end...
 
Time to hear from the old fart: Back in the 90's when Hartke was the hot cab, I bought a 115xl and a 4.5 xl. I powered them with a QSC USA 850 bi-amped from an Alembic F1-X. It sounded super clean and never sounded forced no matter how loud you turned it up. But, at some point I got tired of carrying all this around and started using only 4.5XL with the F1-X and a smaller power amp. I did use this rig once without bi-amping it running both cabs full range and the sound was not near as clean and articulate as when it was bi-amped. In fact, the 4.5XL alone sounded much better. I have also tried using my Yorkville 2x10 400W combo with a 115 extension. Same thing, the 10's alone or the 15 alone has a more focused and articulate sound. (my experience)
 
If the previous dude, Jerrod Tiers, was still working at Ampeg and came into this thread to tell us how mixing certain Ampeg cabs will result in excellent tone, I would listen. For now, none of us know anyone that knowledgeable at Ampeg. It's marketing garbage at this point.

We have Andy, Agedhorse, for the Mesa products explaining more technical items than you could ever imagine.

Mixing cabs and the science behind it is a real thing. For those that do not notice it, you have more choices! For those that have heard it (me), it's just a different world. I get most bothered by others who say this phenomenon is "not real" and science is full of it. If you liked your mixed cab tone, play it. But when you complain about how much it stinks, what else are we supposed to suggest for a possible fix?

We should get every Talkbass member in a big room and test every contentious point so we can actually set the record straight. Andy, Agedhorse, could lead the tests. Mix cabs, overpowering, underpowering, tube amp volume, SS volume, passive versus active basses....
 
I wonder if people who say their mismatched cabs sound good are basing their opinion on how the cabs sound to them while on stage, and not while comparing what the sound is like from various positions in the room.

When I have heard the effect of comb filtering due to subs placed on each side of the stage, I moved only a couple feet or less from side to side to hear a drop in bass frequencies.

I think any negative effect of mixed cabinets might require even more careful listening to judge than the effect than widely spaced subs do.

And there is the difference in what one person thinks sounds good compared to another person when hearing the same thing.

Edit to add, (and paraphrase) Jimmy M.

If it sounds good, (to you) it is good. (No matter what I think it sounds like).
 
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Ampeg and their dealers will sell you any of their products in any combination; Ampeg's primary concern is that you buy.
You mean they're in business to make money?

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Listen, I'm not fan of mixing cabs, either, and I'm happy to say so. But if other people are, so what? I got all militant about that stuff for a while, and then I looked at some of my posts about it and thought, "Geez, am I turning into Supernerd Bassboy?" Then I realized that it was OK if people didn't do exactly as I would, and no earthquakes or mudslides happened when they didn't, so I quit worrying about it. Want to match cabs? Then do so. Want to mix cabs? Hey, whatever.
 
I wonder if people who say their mismatched cabs sound good are basing their opinion on how the cabs sound to them while on stage, and not while comparing what the sound is like from various positions in the room.

I use wireless so I usually walk out front to listen during sound check, but not during the show.

And there is the difference in what one person thinks sounds good compared to another person when hearing the same thing.

Edit to add, (and paraphrase) Jimmy M.

If it sounds good, (to you) it is good. (No matter what I think it sounds like).
Bingo!
 
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Mixing cabs and the science behind it is a real thing. For those that do not notice it, you have more choices! For those that have heard it (me), it's just a different world. I get most bothered by others who say this phenomenon is "not real" and science is full of it.

This right here is the only reason why I ever care about what cabs anyone else plays.
Play what you like, but when I have science and physics to back up my decisions, it's not to say that you shouldn't play what you like, only that i made my decision with the end goal in mind.
Science is real and it works!
(And if i'd been drinking, this would get political REAL fast).
 
If cabs were designed to be used together then they can be used together.
Other than stacking corners that line up I've never seen any evidence from any company that their cabs have been designed to be used together.
Interesting that so many people here seem to know more than the guys who design this stuff.
The more I learn about 'this stuff' the less impressed I am with the supposed skills of most of those guys. I bet that the really good ones can't do what they'd really like to because their marketing departments won't let them. Will they admit that? Not if they like being employed.