Combining cabinets and freq response??

[Mingus Addict]

Hi,

I've been curious about combing cabinets and how it affects the frequency response and range of a rig. To you give an idea of what I'm confused about, I'll use Aguilar as a reference because I've been interested in them lately. The DB 212 is spec'd to go down to 41Hz. The DB 412 goes down to 37Hz. What would happen if you combine two 212 cabinets? Does it some how equal the same power and range of the 412 cabinet? My guess is no, but I'd like to understand more about why. Can anyone help me out here?

 

[Johnny Mack]

freudian slip? "...combing cabinets..."

unless the cabs are exactly half in dimension, arrangement, and response, they will not be the same. that may sound obvious, but sometimes people forget that for some manufacturers, 2 410s, 115s, etc.. will be the same as an 810, 215, etc... sometimes theyre not. typically the smaller sized cabs are larger than half the bigger cabs.

another issue here is alignment, if the 212 is horizontal while the 412 is staggered, 2 212s will have a worse combing effect than the 412. if the 412 is spec'd to go deeper than the 212 by 3-4hz, i would chalk that up to either slight difference in cab proportion/tuning or the added drivers' coupling.

odds are it would just be louder when combined the cabs. if you were talking about combining a 410 and a 118 or something like that, it would be a different story...

... i think.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

What would happen if you combine two 212 cabinets? Does it some how equal the same power and range of the 412 cabinet? My guess is no, but I'd like to understand more about why. Can anyone help me out here?

Two 2x12 using the same drivers as a 4x12 housed in the same total net volume with the same tuning will have the same low frequency response. If the response is different so is something else.