Best cab configuration

[bass40hz]

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

I hear ya... if it sounds good, and works for you then there is absolutely nothing wrong with your choice, however many of us rely on specs or kind of thrive on them if you get me, if it says 500w we expect 500 real world watts, not knowing if you are a spec guru I simply pointed that out for ya, and again, I may be wrong...Rock on!
FWIW - you can push a 2x12 with 100w, it may not give you what you are looking for but there is no such thing as under-powering a cab.

 

[GerardoRicc]

I hear ya... if it sounds good, and works for you then there is absolutely nothing wrong with your choice, however many of us rely on specs or kind of thrive on them if you get me, if it says 500w we expect 500 real world watts, not knowing if you are a spec guru I simply pointed that out for ya, and again, I may be wrong...Rock on!
FWIW - you can push a 2x12 with 100w, it may not give you what you are looking for but there is no such thing as under-powering a cab.

I know I know, I didn't mean to say that.
What I did mean to say was that on a big stage 100 watts won't get me as loud as I want

 

[chris_b]

That depends, I'm basing my opinions on hifi speakers and the same should apply for bass cabs.

You're getting consistent advice and information. We're telling you about bass guitar cabs.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

I've got 2 K212s. They do anything I want them to. Full, deep, tight, punchy, or boomy depending on my settings. But flat response is tight and full of mids. Ive never farted the speakers out once, and they are loud. Way louder than any band would ever want me playing at. They're also like half the price of the RS series, but they dont have tweeter control. I have the head with the high pass filter on it (tweeter tone) so it doesnt really bother me, but before that showed up, there was no way to control the highs. The RS has the tweeter switch, and from what I heard, are alot better. But, I can't imagine much being better than the cabs I've got. Plus, they just look soooo good. Amps is another story and opinion, but I love what I'm getting from my BH500.

 

[Munjibunga]

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 use a 212 for almost all my gigs, even outdoor stuff. I used to be a 410 guy, but I have no regrets about switching to the 212 (Bergantino HDN212). It may work for you, too.

 

[CapnSev]

I get why there’s this perception that the bigger driver means bigger sound. Naturally, you’d honk that’s how it works, but there’s so much more that goes into it. It’s been hit hard here already.

As for best configuration, I’m a fan of whatever gets the sound closest to my ear so I can hear myself loud and clear. Most of he time that’s the vertical 410 stack.

 

[oren]

Mike Arnopol makes cabs with a single 8 that have huge low end sounds. Cabinet and specific driver design can make a huge difference.

I’ve found lately that I’m using a single 12 cab for smaller gigs, and a pair of those when I need more volume.

 

[mikewalker]

I have an RS210 that I use with a number of different amps: it sounds wicked FAT, so I really can't imagine the 212 sounding very much better for bass guitar. As amps go, a Hartke TX600 might be a good choice

 

[MDBass]

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

A 10” speaker playing a note moves EXACTLY as fast as a 12” inch speaker playing that same note.

Look the specs on the specific cabs you’re looking at, and drivers used in them, if you want to know which one will “go deeper”. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with drivers size alone.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

That depends, I'm basing my opinions on hifi speakers and the same should apply for bass cabs.

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, ...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

All other things being equal a 2x12 has more surface area pushing more air than a 2x10 so will be louder.

Guitar speakers are more like HI-FI speakers than bass speakers. And bass speakers are a whole other animal than guitar speakers.

I wouldn't walk away from a company just because they didn't give me all of the information I think is important... I'd run like hell!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I know I know, I didn't mean to say that.
What I did mean to say was that on a big stage 100 watts won't get me as loud as I want

Sure it will. You just need more speakers.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

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.

I like 12s. They look like they mean business. That being the case, I find it quite annoying that the speakers in my 2x10 are neither more responsive nor less deep than my 12s. Or my 1x8 for that matter. It's all in the cab design...

 

[Wasnex]

Sure it will. You just need more efficient speakers.

Fixed it for ya . But you probably need more speakers too.

 

[gepettus]

IMO an easy and powerful config

Head
350w @ 8 ohms // 500w @ 4 ohms
Cabs
Two 2x12 @ 8 ohms rated up to 500 or 600w each one

Modular. Two plenty of volume options. In general I Like the frecuency response of 12's speakers. Agree in not mixing speaker sizes

 

[Robscott]

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

Some good advice on your replies. One other thing, if you are just starting out don't assume that what sounds good in your bedroom will hack it in a band situation - those big fat lows might just muddy up the mix. Most times punchy mids are your friends. BTW, Italy, you have to go Mark bass no?

 

[SactoBass]

@GerardoRicc: just grab a Barefaced Super Twin 2x12 cab, and you will be able to rock the world with just about any amp of your choice. That cab will outperform most other 2x12 cabs (IMO). If you are looking for the ability to deliver the goods (meaty lows, etc) and be loud, that's the cab I would go with!

 

[FugaziBomb]

That depends, I'm basing my opinions on hifi speakers and the same should apply for bass cabs.

Don't, because it doesn't.

A woofer is a woofer

Which bass guitar cab speakers are not

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.

False. Speakers size means almost nothing outside of the total surface area. The only thing you can say comparing a 10" to a 12" is that the 12" should have a wider spread of sound than the 10" and may be a little louder by virtue of it's surface area.

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.

But that is TOTALLY still the point of this discussion. You are even referencing sonic character of different sized speakers of the same brand RIGHT HERE.

All that aisde, I would imagine that the 212 would be louder because of the added surface area of the cones, and that is the ONLY reason I would think there would be any difference between the two from what I know about TC's cabs. AFAIK, FWIW, YMMV.

 

[baxter_x]

View attachment 3152875

THANK YOU!!!

 

[lfmn16]

But that is TOTALLY still the point of this discussion. You are even referencing sonic character of different sized speakers of the same brand RIGHT HERE.

Simple facts will never dissuade someone from an opinion reached through fraudulent advertising.

 

[SactoBass]

Simple facts will never dissuade someone from an opinion reached through fraudulent advertising.