Best cab configuration

[GerardoRicc]

Hey everyone, soon enough I'll buy my first amp for gigs and other kind of medium sized events and I came across TC Electronic's RS series of cabs.
I was first thinking about getting a 1x12 cab so I saw that they offered the RS112 but then I saw that they make a 2x10 and a 2x12 too.
Considering that a 12" woofer has a much better sub-bass reproduction I am aiming for the 2x12" now, with a MarkBass NanoMark 300watt head, that gives me more room for an upgrade if I then decide to get another 2x12 or 2x10 to add to my setup; even tho I think a 2x12 is already a good investment.
Let me know what you think, and most importantly, let me know of any other head that is small and powerfull like the one I want to buy.

 

[Al Kraft]

Considering that a 12" woofer has a much better sub-bass reproduction

I'm not sure why this would be important to anyone in a bass cab, but I am relatively sure that virtually every speaker manufacturer would disagree with that sweeping statement. In terms of a bass cab voiced to meet your needs I suspect what you really want is something that has a deep, full bass tone, and in almost every instance I'm aware of that has virtually nothing to do with sub frequencies. Diameter of the driver(s) in a cab (whether we're talking 10", 12", or 15") doesn't directly determine what kind of bass response you can expect - it is a combination of specific driver design, cabinet design, and overall tuning/voicing choices that dictate the outcome.

Having two identical cabs or a two driver cab will give you volume and fullness that is often hard to believe when compared to a single cab or single driver cab counterpart. I think this is a good place to focus as you audition what's available in your area. Not being sure what brands you may have access to in Italy it's hard to make any specific suggestions, but I hope those general thoughts are helpful.

 

[GerardoRicc]

I'm not sure why this would be important to anyone in a bass cab, but I am relatively sure that virtually every speaker manufacturer would disagree with that sweeping statement. In terms of a bass cab voiced to meet your needs I suspect what you really want is something that has a deep, full bass tone, and in almost every instance I'm aware of that has virtually nothing to do with sub frequencies. Diameter of the driver(s) in a cab (whether we're talking 10", 12", or 15") doesn't directly determine what kind of bass response you can expect - it is a combination of specific driver design, cabinet design, and overall tuning/voicing choices that dictate the outcome.

Having two identical cabs or a two driver cab will give you volume and fullness that is often hard to believe when compared to a single cab or single driver cab counterpart. I think this is a good place to focus as you audition what's available in your area. Not being sure what brands you may have access to in Italy it's hard to make any specific suggestions, but I hope those general thoughts are helpful.

Well that's the problem. I visited some shops but they don't have anything more than 1x10 or 1x12 combo amps.
Regarding the deeper sub-bass reproduction, I was referring to the driver itself rather than the full cab. A 12" woofer has more cone area than a 10" so that's what I meant, completely ignoring the box tuning, lol.
Anyway, thanks for the answer

 

[Al Kraft]

Well that's the problem. I visited some shops but they don't have anything more than 1x10 or 1x12 combo amps.
Regarding the deeper sub-bass reproduction, I was referring to the driver itself rather than the full cab. A 12" woofer has more cone area than a 10" so that's what I meant, completely ignoring the box tuning, lol.
Anyway, thanks for the answer

All things being equal, which they rarely are, I find a 12" combo a little louder and beefier in the lows than a 10" combo. However when you start looking at cabs, you may find some 15" ones that are more mid focused while some 10" and 12" loaded ones are quite bass heavy.

 

[GerardoRicc]

All things being equal, which they rarely are, I find a 12" combo a little louder and beefier in the lows than a 10" combo. However when you start looking at cabs, you may find some 15" ones that are more mid focused while some 10" and 12" loaded ones are quite bass heavy.

So for my use, wich is mainly focused to funk gigs in restaurants and squares, wich one would you buy?
I think the 2x12 is the most versatile overall.

 

[Wasnex]

So for my use, wich is mainly focused to funk gigs in restaurants and squares, wich one would you buy?
I think the 2x12 is the most versatile overall.

It really comes down to the sound you want to hear. With one brand, you might prefer the sound of 15s; with another brand you might prefer the sound of 10s or 12s. It's always best if you can try before you buy. If this is not possible, try to read reviews and listen to demos on YouTube. There are plenty available for the RS210 and RS212. Here's a thread to get you started: TC Electronics RS210 vs. RS212

 

[Al Kraft]

So for my use, wich is mainly focused to funk gigs in restaurants and squares, wich one would you buy?
I think the 2x12 is the most versatile overall.

I agree with Wasnex that it's your ears that need to justify what comes out of your wallet. My suspicion is that with your original post focusing on low end and your mention of outdoor playing (squares) in this post that having larger speaker area will serve you better in the combo world. A good 212 rig will likely give you more of what you're looking for than a 210, especially outdoors...once again assuming you are talking about gear from the same brand and that is in the same class (e.g. pro quality gigging gear).

Edit: Let me add that a single 12" loaded combo could work in small clubs and for bigger volume indoors or out you could look to get some support from the band's/venue's sound system.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Considering that a 12" woofer has a much better sub-bass reproductio

Wrong. That's a common misconception. Spreaker size doesn't really effect frequency response.

 

[BassBrass]

Well that's the problem. I visited some shops but they don't have anything more than 1x10 or 1x12 combo amps.
Regarding the deeper sub-bass reproduction, I was referring to the driver itself rather than the full cab. A 12" woofer has more cone area than a 10" so that's what I meant, completely ignoring the box tuning, lol.
Anyway, thanks for the answer

Time for the headphones argument...why does a 1/2" headphone driver have more "sub bass" than any cab? I have a (discontinued) Markbass 4/6" that has more bass response than a MB NY15. My bassiest cab is an old Carvin 4/10 with Eminence Legends in it (low sensitivity speakers that together have massive low end).
The "sub bass" freq. you are "hearing" aren't sub bass, they are low mids. You are actually hearing partials above the fundamental...that's why people use low pass filters that cut sub bass when they want louder bass freq, the sub bass freq get in the way.

 

[Mod7]

Hi,
10" is OK for me but when I started playing on a 12" speaker, I founded more low ends but not as muddy as a the 15" without tweeter I've played on (old heavy combos begging for a clean and rapid death to end their suffering so my opinion is not settled about the 15" (and yes, I've killed one...)).
For my ears, I'll keep my 12" and when I could afford it (one day maybe), I think I'll add a 2x10".

 

[buldog5151bass]

Repeat after me - driver size is not an indicator of sonic response. Spending on your budget, you have many options. A good and safe bet is to get two identical cabs. Keep one where you rehearse and one at home where you practice. This way, other than for gigs, you only have to carry a bass and your head.

 

[GerardoRicc]

I was talking about the shear potential of different drivers in free air.
Of course the Box is the most important part, but TC doesn't say anything about tuning or frequency response so I was going for the idea that a bigger cab in the same series would produce more low end than the smaller cab.
On the other hand I've heard 6" woofers that sounded like 10s...

Anyway I think the 2x12 is the better choice for the kind of sound that I need. I don't slap that much, for me a deep sound is much more important, and I can always add a 2x10 later to add clarity and punch.

Thank you everyone

 

[bass40hz]

I play through a pair of GK NEO 2x12s, IMHO its the best setup I have used in my 35+ years of playing. Booming lows, soaring highs and just "right" for me and what I do, I dont think you should be disappointed with a 2x12.

 

[chris_b]

Anyway I think the 2x12 is the better choice for the kind of sound that I need. I don't slap that much, for me a deep sound is much more important, and I can always add a 2x10 later to add clarity and punch.

The thing to take away from this thread is that speaker sizes don't do types of sound.

That might have been true decades ago but not anymore.

Modern, good quality 10's don't just add punch, they will also give you as much low end as you could want. My Berg and Barefaced 12's give as much clarity as anyone could need. Old stereo-types don't apply any more.

 

[lfmn16]

Repeat after me - driver size is not an indicator of sonic response. Spending on your budget, you have many options. A good and safe bet is to get two identical cabs. Keep one where you rehearse and one at home where you practice. This way, other than for gigs, you only have to carry a bass and your head.

 

[bass40hz]

View attachment 3152875

This could not be more true, my GK NEO 115 is a midrange monster, all mids, unless you EQ them out and even then its not a sub-bass machine.

 

[Plutonium244]

The thing to take away from this thread is that speaker sizes don't do types of sound.

That might have been true decades ago but not anymore.

Modern, good quality 10's don't just add punch, they will also give you as much low end as you could want. My Berg and Barefaced 12's give as much clarity as anyone could need. Old stereo-types don't apply any more.

True dat. Just used a Barefaced Two10 for a pretty loud blues gig Friday, came through with flying colors, with well more than enough volume, and plenty of fat liquid low end. Plenty of thump in them thar cabs.

 

[GerardoRicc]

The thing to take away from this thread is that speaker sizes don't do types of sound.

That might have been true decades ago but not anymore.

Modern, good quality 10's don't just add punch, they will also give you as much low end as you could want. My Berg and Barefaced 12's give as much clarity as anyone could need. Old stereo-types don't apply any more.

That depends, I'm basing my opinions on hifi speakers and the same should apply for bass cabs.
A woofer is a woofer, a 10" cone has less mass than a 12" cone (at least for the same brand and series of speakers) so it's more accurate simply because it can move faster.
But it's not the point of the discussion, I just wanted to know if a 2x12 would be better in terms of loudness, I've heard some demos and I think the 2x10 is not deep enough for my needs so I've come to a conclusion.

Now the real thing that I need is a good head, TC just released the BQ250 and BQ500 but I can't figure out if those are peak power or RMS, because the power consumption listed on their site isn't realistic, furthermore, they list the power output as "Max Power output*" so that raises some questions

 

[bass40hz]

That depends, I'm basing my opinions on hifi speakers and the same should apply for bass cabs.
A woofer is a woofer, a 10" cone has less mass than a 12" cone (at least for the same brand and series of speakers) so it's more accurate simply because it can move faster.
But it's not the point of the discussion, I just wanted to know if a 2x12 would be better in terms of loudness, I've heard some demos and I think the 2x10 is not deep enough for my needs so I've come to a conclusion.

Now the real thing that I need is a good head, TC just released the BQ250 and BQ500 but I can't figure out if those are peak power or RMS, because the power consumption listed on their site isn't realistic, furthermore, they list the power output as "Max Power output*" so that raises some questions

TC is one of those companies that uses "sounds like" when they refer to their output watts, dont take it as gospel when they put a rating on something, I have used their amps, I had a BH500 and a BH250, they do get loud, but methinks its a mystery as to what that number actually is. I could be wrong...

 

[GerardoRicc]

TC is one of those companies that uses "sounds like" when they refer to their output watts, dont take it as gospel when they put a rating on something, I have used their amps, I had a BH500 and a BH250, they do get loud, but methinks its a mystery as to what that number actually is. I could be wrong...

Well I found someone selling the BQ250 prototype and he listed the power rating as 250 watts @ 4Ohm and 500 peak.
I don't need super loud but I can't push a 2x12 with 100watts lol