Bass Cabs as subs?

first thought...no, don't do it. If you need subwoofers, get out of the ghetto and use the right speakers for the job. I'm not saying you can't do what you're proposing, and it might work depending on your exact application...but...don't be surprised if things go wrong. How much do you like these 2x10 cabs for bass? Are they backup cabinets?

 

I use my pair of 34 lb, 4 ohm GK212MBE's as subs all the time. They are powered by a Behringer NU3000 which gives each about 600 real watts. I have them low passed at 100 Hz and high passed at 50 Hz. The latter is important if you don't want to flab them out . They're about as loud as a pair of Peavey PV118's powered by a QSC RMX2450. Nothing spectacular but enough for a smallish room up to maybe 200 people for classic rock (AKA non-stoopid loud lead kick music).

 

I would have to say it depends... the OP provided no specs on his cabs... so not much to work with.
I'd use my two 2x10 cabs (700w RMS @ 4-Ohm, 1400w peak, Delta Pro-10 ceramic loaded) as subs if I had to.
I'd have to try them out with the rest of the PA and run them thru some tests before I'd use them for "real", but wouldn't hesitate as a backup if one of my subs died.

 

Advantage, you don't buy more cabs and store them.

Disadvantage, they probably don't have a lot of sub range output, so you could easily blow them up.

 

Not everybody wants to do it the hillbilly way.

 

Bass cabs aren't usually designed to produce the same kind of low end as pa subs.

 

as for the OP, if you have a good working knowledge about hooking up PA gear, have proper tools (crossover, EQ, comp/lim), a worthy power amp, and proceed with caution, you can certainly try this out without doing any damage. How well it works for your application and sub-freq volume needs is the burning question. OTOH, if you're relatively inexperienced at such things, then you're rolling the dice IMHO.

So, where'd you go, bwardmusic? Anything to add to help shed some light on this?

 

Oh, and a 2x10 isn't going to be any louder than a 15" "sub" so don't expect coverage for more than 100 with a pair. This assumes you'll have the kick in there besides the bass. Mackie once made a 4x10 "sub" that was reported to be pretty punchy but you (obviously) couldn't get any low string fundamental out of it - same as most any "usual" bass cab...

 

Again.. it depends.. depends on the speaker being used. There are 1000w RMS 10" speakers out there.. put 2 of them in the correctly build cab and it will DECIMATE the average 15" sub when properly powered. That said.. the right 15" can outplay dual 10's.

As mentioned.. if the OP knows what they are doing.. then dual 10's may meet his needs.

 

Yada yada yada, what are the chances OP has a couple of megauberfantastico 2x10's standing by for occasional use as subs? Most of us are shy of using a 2x10 against an unamped drumset.

 

Yes. I'm in that club.

 

Yah, my pair of 100w SVT210AV's would no way be usable on sub duty .

 

That's what I was thinking. Kick drum can have a lot more transient energy than bass; it could blow them up.

 

bass guitar cabs just don't go as low as real subs, nor should they. (bass guitar through real subs mostly just wrecks the stage mix and interferes with the PA out front.)

forget it.