• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cab advice needed: 212 vs 115?

SickAura

SickAura

Let There Be Rock
Dec 8, 2013
874
1,486
Toronto-ish
#1
My main rig is a PF800 with 2 PF115HE’s. I am really happy with this setup and I really like these cabs - but I have found that sometimes bringing 2 115’s can be a little overkill for some of the things I am doing – so I have been bringing 115 a lot more often than two. However, 115 can be a little lacking when/if things start getting louder. Still sounds good – just not great - especially when I know how great 2 15’s sound with the PF800

So, I have been thinking about getting a SVT212AV – thinking that the 212 at 4 ohms would give me the full power of the head and more surface area bringing me closer to how 2 15’s sound – yet I would still benefit from schlepping only 1 cab.

So before I try to track one down to try - I thought I’d ask you guys – do you think the 212 would be that much better than 115? Is it worth the extra expense?
 
#2
it does seem like a 1x15 is about "equal" to a similar-design 2x10 cab, so a good 2x12 might indeed be just the thing to bring out instead when one fifteen is not enough and two are too many.

(dunno if it's "worth the expense" though; those PF 1x15s are pretty compact, and it's always nice to have a little more bass rig than you need sitting behind you.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al Kraft and el murdoque
#4
I too, have quit hauling my two 15 cabs—they are 15/6/1 cabs. Two are only needed for loud reggae gigs. One is like a great 410, only clean and clear all over the club/bar/hall.

Maybe a 212 will do it. Haven't used the 212AV. Have you tried others?
 
#7
sounds like you want to split the difference and already know the answer. Yes- that cab should split the difference of your current two options. If you don't want to haul 2 115s for medium gigs, and 1 115 won't cut it, 1 212 should work out great! My guess is you know how to turn down your amp but just don't want to haul two cabs. Sounds reasonable to me. You're on the right track man....
 
  • Like
Reactions: drpepper and Scottkarch
#9
I'm using a Fender Bassman Neo 115 cab. I sold 2 Bergantino 112 cabs that I'd had for years, & loved.
It's such a good cab. I've also had 2 Ampeg PF115HE cabs. And really these don't compare to the Fender Bassman Neo 115. The PF115HE would flub & fart out where the 115 Bassman holds up wonderfully.
So. ... I'd think you'd be VERY well served with the AMPEG 212AV.
 
  • Like
Reactions: slade
#10
I now have a pair of GB NX2 112s. I don't gig much anymore and rarely even need 2, since my current band isn't very loud, but the pair is a superb setup. Overall, the 212 configuration is my favorite for modularity, ease of schlep and small footprint with a stack that's fairly tall and easily heard on stage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iualum
#13
bassistheplaceofcourse said:
All I can say is that I used to own an Eden 212xlt and an Eden 115xlt. The the 115 was good, but the 212 was a slayer of dragons. So my vote would be yes, worth it.
Click to expand...

Ditto on the Eden 212xlt. I used one until I 'thought' I needed a 5-string bass. I had a tendency to hit the B string too hard and that was a bit of a struggle for that cab. I should have kept the cab and ditched the 5-string.
Looks like there may be better 12" cabs now but that one was damn fine!
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassistheplaceofcourse
#18
SickAura said:
So before I try to track one down to try - I thought I’d ask you guys – do you think the 212 would be that much better than 115? Is it worth the extra expense?
Click to expand...

In principle it surely could, yes. As to these specific models, I couldn't tell ya. I'm not an Ampeg guy.

Generally speaking, however, you really can't generalize based on speaker size. It just doesn't work that way for bass cabs. Though there may often be some of the standard conventions, few of those correlations between tone/frequency response and speaker size are absolute or even necessary.

I personally prefer the 2x12 or (2) 1x12 format, for some of the same reasons you mentioned - because it offers a good bit of speaker area in a relatively small footprint...and because of the kind of voicing that often characterizes a 1x12 or 2x12 - though a lot of that voicing is deliberately engineered in, and is not necessarily inherent in the 12" speaker size.

MM
 
#19
bassinflorida said:
Ditto on the Eden 212xlt. I used one until I 'thought' I needed a 5-string bass. I had a tendency to hit the B string too hard and that was a bit of a struggle for that cab. I should have kept the cab and ditched the 5-string.
Looks like there may be better 12" cabs now but that one was damn fine!
Click to expand...

i love my eden 212s, i have a light touch and run compression so they handle the B no sweat...so between our two experiences you might want to factor your playing in there...I cant comment on any other brand of 212
 
#20
SickAura said:
My main rig is a PF800 with 2 PF115HE’s. I am really happy with this setup and I really like these cabs - but I have found that sometimes bringing 2 115’s can be a little overkill for some of the things I am doing – so I have been bringing 115 a lot more often than two. However, 115 can be a little lacking when/if things start getting louder. Still sounds good – just not great - especially when I know how great 2 15’s sound with the PF800

So, I have been thinking about getting a SVT212AV – thinking that the 212 at 4 ohms would give me the full power of the head and more surface area bringing me closer to how 2 15’s sound – yet I would still benefit from schlepping only 1 cab.

So before I try to track one down to try - I thought I’d ask you guys – do you think the 212 would be that much better than 115? Is it worth the extra expense?
Click to expand...

surface area isn't the issue. excursion and displacement should be considered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iualum and CL400Peavey

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back