Cabinets... 2x12/1x15/4x10/8x10

[JCheung]

I was recently in a very similar situation of trying to figure all this out. First, what amp head are you using? Wattage and ohm load are factors that may exclude some cabs (ex: using 500w amp at 8ohm into a can rated at 200w at 8ohm is not advised). Others here have far more experience than I do. So in addition to factoring in weight consideration and size of venue, it helps to know what you'll use to drive those cabs and in what situation you will be playing.

my personal preference is to start with a single 15 but most here might disagree, it's pretty subjective. With two cabs my favorite combo is a 115 and 212, others swear by 2 212s or 810s, etc.

 

[iualum]

Buy the best you can afford, not more than you can afford, but as much as you can afford. Buy used, here on TB or Evilbay. Use the search function here on TB Classifieds to get an idea of fair prices. Check Evilbay completed auctions for prices, too. Haggle/negotiate. If you go for a two-cab solution, get matching/identical boxes.

I'd go for a 115x2 (raised from the floor 12"-18" so you can hear better) or a 21ox2 (stacked on end for a "vertical" 410). But a 112x2, 212, or 212x2 can work, too.

 

[trapezoid]

I like the 212 isobaric from Orange. Single cab or stack they sound great.