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Bass cabs to pair with Sunn Coliseum 300.

zartalexander

zartalexander

Guest
Mar 17, 2012
105
9
California
#1
Hello everyone,

I recently just purchased a Sunn Coliseum 300 because I fell in love with the Sunn tone ever since I played through a Sunn Concert once. The Coliseum is even better.

I was running my previous 300w tube head through a Peavey 8x10TX cab at 4 ohms, which was fairly loud but the tone was kinda bleh. The Sunn head sounds great tone-wise through this cab, but I was not initially aware that running it through a 4 ohm cab would not allow it to reach its maximum loudness potential (Gear noob status).

Anyway, my question is what suggestions do you all have for a 2 ohm cab setup? I know that there are not many 2 ohm cabs outside of custom ones, so I realize multiple cabs may be more practical. Yet I would prefer to have the whole rig take up about the same amount of space as my 8x10, maybe a little more (like 2 4x10's, 2x15+4x10 that fits together, etc). Cheapest options are the most preferred.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

(Also, I saw that this cab matching topic was on the sunn.ampage forums, but it won't allow me to access due to a malware threat...?)
 
#3
zartalexander said:
Hello everyone,

I recently just purchased a Sunn Coliseum 300 because I fell in love with the Sunn tone ever since I played through a Sunn Concert once. The Coliseum is even better.

I was running my previous 300w tube head through a Peavey 8x10TX cab at 4 ohms, which was fairly loud but the tone was kinda bleh. The Sunn head sounds great tone-wise through this cab, but I was not initially aware that running it through a 4 ohm cab would not allow it to reach its maximum loudness potential (Gear noob status).

Anyway, my question is what suggestions do you all have for a 2 ohm cab setup? I know that there are not many 2 ohm cabs outside of custom ones, so I realize multiple cabs may be more practical. Yet I would prefer to have the whole rig take up about the same amount of space as my 8x10, maybe a little more (like 2 4x10's, 2x15+4x10 that fits together, etc). Cheapest options are the most preferred.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

(Also, I saw that this cab matching topic was on the sunn.ampage forums, but it won't allow me to access due to a malware threat...?)
Click to expand...

You might think about a vertical stack of two 2x12's. Or you can go with something like this and be able to knock over small children from 40 feet (j/k) http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/15-6-1-bass-cab-appreciation-thread-747222/#post10536871

Btw, I got the same malware threat notice.
 
#5
I've had my coliseum 300 for many years. I've tried several cabinets, but it's definitely made for an 18" sub. I play mine thru a 18" Cerwin Vega folded horn. There is absolutely no better cabinet made and you'll never lack for volume or deeper bass.
 
#6
blastjv said:
Years ago I ran a sunn coliseum 300 through first the matching 215 cab, and later a Mesa boogie road ready 215 and it sounded AWESOME!!!

You may try a 215 with 2 4ohm speakers wired to 2ohm.

-JV
Click to expand...

I used to run my Coliseum through an old tuck-n-roll Kustom 2-15 cabinet, which was a guitar cabinet, front-ported, that I fitted with bass speakers (JBLs I think, it was 20+ years ago). I loved that sound forever, but eventually the head died on me and I moved on to smaller cabinets.
 
#7
ranbunctious said:
I've had my coliseum 300 for many years. I've tried several cabinets, but it's definitely made for an 18" sub. I play mine thru a 18" Cerwin Vega folded horn. There is absolutely no better cabinet made and you'll never lack for volume or deeper bass.
Click to expand...

I have an original Coliseum 1X18 cab, used to have two but sold one. The head really matches well with these cabs.
 
#8
I loved the way my Coliseum sounded through two Ampeg 8x10s and through my aguilar 8x10 and an extra ampeg. I sold mine when I bought a 300T, but now I'm really wishing I had kept it as a backup amp. Thing sounds great and is super reliable.
 
#9
I'm going with bassvi. I found that with just one of the folded horn CV 18s was actually deeper and louder than two. I found the perfect match by running an Acoustic 301 cab along with the Sunn 18 cab. 2 ohms and a fantastic and loud rig with those cabs matched to the Sunn head. :cool:
 
#12
I usually run my Coliseum 300 into one 4 ohm cab, and I've never run into a situation where that hasn't been enough. At first I was using an Ampeg SVT 410hlf, then an Avatar B212, then an Acoustic 106 (a 2x15), and now I use a Sunn 215B SPL. That being said, when my bass / drum duo plays out I biamp the highs into a Sunn Beta Lead 2x12 combo and I double up on cabs - originally the Avatar with a borrowed Ampeg V - 4 (a folded horn 2x15), and more repcently the Avatar with the Acoustic. We haven't played out since I obtained the Sunn cab, but in the future it will be the Sunn cab and the Acoustic. This isn't ideal - a pair of matching cabs would be - but economic necessity / the rarity of Sunn gear doesn't give me any coice at the moment. Anyways, to answer your question, based on my experience and what you're looking for my vote would go toward a pair of Avatar B212s. The head sounded great when I used it with one (its my favorite of the cabs I've used with the Coliseum except for the Sunn) and a pair would allow you to scale your rig to whatever show your playing - one cab for small to medium shows, and the pair for larger ones. This has always been a rig I've planned on getting when I get sick of dragging around all of these 2x15s. Of course, ymmv. congatulations on getting a great amp and happy cab hunting!
 
#15
I used to use my brothers Sunn Sorado through a Sunn 2x15 cab....it was a long time ago and I can't remember the ohm involved (also due to my noob status at the time). He still has both pieces but replaced the original Sunn speakers with some Carvin 15's. I'm almost positive he still has the Original Sunn speakers. He also had the original splip covers for both pieces too. He retubed the head and found a "inspected by" sticker inside dated 1973. I still play through it when I visit him.
 
#17
I picked up a 215BH for cheap a while back and loaded it with two Mojotone 150 watt 8 ohm drivers, but have considered installing two 4 ohm speakers wired for 2 ohms. that would be killer. The cab is huge, but sounds so good. I imagine two of those at 2 ohms with a Coliseum 300 would kill.

IMG_20120818_183052.jpg
 
#18
The sound of (2) 1-18vh cabs is a religious experience; no loss of highs; clear, clean, and loud. You will hear it well on stage and the audience will feel it in ther chest and guts.

Or you can use (2) 1-18 front-loaded cabs for a more "punchy" tone or so I'm told.

Both vintage Sunn and Acoustic are "front-loaded" volume wise; not much gain in volume beyond half way up.

I recall letting a guy use my 370 head with his Sunn cabs. He tried an A-B test durin ga set, using his (2) 1x18 Sunn cabs. His full Sunn Coloseum 880 rig was louder at Volume on "2", than with my 370 head on Volume on "3". I don't recall his or my EQ setings which would have made a vast difference in volume output, if the Sunn was max-ing mid EQ. I may have set my 370 head with the "Beatle" tone on the graphic EQ, which is a clearer tone but no a louder tone, than when mids are peaked.
 

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