Ashdown 500 EVO II 210 - Should I add a 115 or a 410?

I had that same combo, and used it with an Eden 1x18 cab with great results. I found the difference in power and volume to be very noticeable with and without the extension cab.

Personally, I would go with a 1x15 because IME and IMO 2x10 and 1x15 match up well volume wise. Also, I'm not sure how power distribution would work with a 4x10? It would look absolutely killer though with an ABM 4x10 underneath it.

I never felt that I lacked volume or headroom with this rig, but the combo by itself wouldn't quite cut it in a loud band setting.

 

stop right there. seriously, stop.

this is a pro-rig.
500 watts is enough. seriously. and as you only have one 8 ohm load on your head, i doubt you're using more that 275 at any time, anyways.
this is a great rig, but you're right, it does need some help.

quick rule of thumb is the fastest way to increase your volume is to increase your speaker surface area.
i'd advise getting the 1x15, but that's just me.
take your combo to a shop that sells both cabs and try them both out. whichever you think sounds better, buy it!
done and done.
and don't ever be ashamed of your killer rig ever again *or i'll find you and kill you*

 

I'm not familiar with the tone of those cabs, so it is difficult to answer with a lot of confidence. However, many popular 4x10's are punchier (and thereby louder sounding) than many popular 1x15's. Of course there are exceptions to this general rule, so it would be best if you could listen for yourself. Are you able to do that?

I'm assuming the combo you have has an 8 ohm cabinet. I would point out that you should be looking for another 8 ohm cab (regardless of which one you decide on) if you intend to use both cabs simultaneously - which I think you should definitely do, if loudness is your goal.

I love the sound of the Ashdown, but it is not super aggressive. It is kind of mellow sounding, so that is also part of your issue. However, adding an 8 ohm cab will allow you to access all 500 watts for the first time, and with 3 times the amount of speaker area (if you go with a 410) the volume difference will be fairly substantial. Finally, I assume you are not using the "shape" button which scoops the mids out of the tone. If you were, it would make it very hard to hear yourself in the kind of band setting you describe.

Hope this helps a bit. Oh yeah, I consider the Ashdown "pro level" in terms of its tone, so don't assume it can't get the job done. Good luck.

 

A 15 can't compete with a 410, but another 410 is an ideal match. You'll have all 500 watts pumping through 8 10's. End of story. Seriously, the 410/15 rigs are limited by the 15" speaker, They match up much better with a 210, or another 15. Since you've already got a 410, another, just like it, is the ideal set up.

 

I've enjoyed the 2x10/4x10 combination in the past. However, I always felt like the 4x10 was getting pushed a bit less- I'd rather get 4-ohm 6x10 in a single cab.

With that said I think you'd be totally happy with your 2x10 combo sitting on top of a 1x15. Just a great sounding rig, especially if you don't need a full stack for volume needs.

 

Which is what he has, a 2x10.

I missed this the first time around, just want to say what others said: this is PRO GEAR!

 

fun question time:
what are your gain and volume knobs set on? what's your EQ look like? do you use the Shape function?
these can all contribute to your amp either making the cut or not.
FWIW, crank the volume knob to about 3:00. this will use the power section most efficiently. now use the gain as your straight volume. you'll have a lot more volume and clean headroom on tap.
also, don't use the Shape function. it scoops the mids and decreases your ability to cut through the mix.
see what you think about these ideas, and get back to us.

 

1. It's not tricky at all, you simply disconnect the internal 2x10s and connect the cabinet of your choice (I agree that bringing a head would be easier).

2. Just wait til you get an extension cab hooked up, and get to hear your combo's full potential.

 

You are probably just running it hard because it's just going through 2x10.

I used an Ashdown MAG 300 (300w) to run a 2x10/1x15 and it was definitely sufficient for mid-sized venues.

 

Keep in mind that you've never run your amp at full power (closer to half power is what you're getting through your 210's.).

Also, the 60% thing is kind of arbitrary, if you get your sound and the amp gives it to you loud enough, why freak if it's running at 80%? Are your gain knobs all evenly tapered (i.e. where is 60% on your volume knob)? Sometimes a lot of gain comes on later in the knob's sweep. I understand you don't want to push your amp so hard that it fails, which is a good goal, but using only 60% of your amps gain is a needless restriction.

Either way, if you triple your speaker area by adding a 410, you'll be a lot louder, and you'll be running your amp more efficiently= win/win.

 

+1000, there is a LOT to be said for leaving your bedroom tone in the bedroom. Especially when it comes to being heard in a band with loud guitars. Reggae bass works because there is so much room in the sonic spectrum.

 

Ok, I did miss the 210 combo part, so a 15 would be a perfect choice. And a big +1 to the "wait till you play it with an ext cab" comment. It'll be like a totally new rig. Very pro. (plenty of "pro level" combo amps, think of the Mesa Walkabout scout, 300 watt 1x12).

 

I recommend you to try adding an ABM 2x10" cab to your combo aswell. Should be a good match.

Adding a 4x10" might no be the best idea. Since your amp has minimum 4 ohm load, you can only go for 8 ohm expansion cabinet. Therefore you will distribute the power between the 2x10" section and 4x10" cab evenly. This means the speakers in your combo will get TWICE the power of the speakers in the extra cabinet. This will limit the use of the 4x10".

Conclusion, I recommend to try out 1x15" and 2x10" ABM cabs with your combo and buy the one you like better!

 

Don't mix speaker sizes for full-range output. If you're using tens, keep using tens. Another 2x10 would be great. I have an Ashdown 410 combo amp, but it's only getting half the wattage of the power amp, and it's pretty damn loud. I imagine if the four ten's were getting all of the Ashdown's power ouput, it'd be killer.

 

Why not? Another 2x10 cab would definitely be an option, but so would a 1x15.

 

^ Phasing issues.

 

Not everyone has problems with these (possible) phasing issues. That's why the best option is to try both combinations out and decide. Most likely the 2x10" additional cab will sound better.