comparing 210+115 to a 410

Bass is all about moving air. Two 10"s have about the same amount of speaker cone area as one 15". The 15" will in fact add deeper low bass, but will not be as punchy as the 10"s. As far as loudness goes, the two options will be about equally loud. But also consider the fact that your amp won't have to work as hard to push a 15", as opposed to two 10"s. Thus, your amp would maybe run more efficiently. Maybe this would make it louder? Also consider impedance. Most 1x15" and 2x10" cabs are 8 ohms, while some 4x10" cabs are 4 ohm only. This all varies, depending on the brands and models you look at. Think about how you can draw the most power out of your amp. Also decide whether or not you plan to upgrade in the future (will your future cabs let your amp keep running with stability?). I hope I have been able to help you. Good Luck.

Dan

 

This is another one of those cases where it comes down to your personal preference. Both speaker setups will sound good, you just have to go with the one that gives you the sound you want. The 4x10 will be punchier while the 1x5/2x10 will have more thunder. Myself, I prefer the 1x15/2x10 and that's what I use - an Ampeg B2 combo with a 2x10 extension cab. It gives me what I want. But I've heard other bassists using an Ampeg B2R head (same as the B2's) through a 4x10 cab and it sounded very good, too. The thing to do is to take your bass to a shop where they have a good selection of amps and cabs and spend a couple of hours tryin' em out. Let your ears do the decision making.

 

I like both, but have opted for just the 210 these days, much lighter and I never need the power of a 410, and it is too heavey for me man. But it sounds great. I think that even though I like both set ups, I would lean towards the 410. I like the punch for funk.

 

I've never played through a 4x10 (I know, I know, but I don't live near a GC or anything), but I have a 2x15 and LOVE it. If it was me, I would opt for a 2x15 and a 2x10. Thats more thunder than you'll ever need right there

 

i kind of use a 2x10 +1x15, and i love it. i've always had a 15 as part of my rig, and always will.

the amount of 10's is subject to change tho. i'd really dig a 6x10 and a 2x15, but for now my goliathjr/triad is good enough.


jason

 

I like 115's because of they're bassier (i'll talk to webster about that one). I just like the sound of 115's better.

 

First get the 210/115. Then later geta 410. You can run any combinations, and if you later want a stereo setup, you can run them all at once!
8 ohm 2-10+ 8 ohm 15 = 4ohms
for one side, 4 ohm 410 for the other. If you want 4-10 +210, your power will get distributed so your sound is even (8 ohm + 4-ohm) stereo.

 

hi dan,
do you know how much more efficient the 1x15" would be? is there some sort of mathematical formula?
i'm adding an extension cabinet and trying to decide between 2x10 and 1x15, looking at all factors. Only have 200watts RMS from the head to play with~
thanks alot.

-paul

 

Hi there Superphat. I don't know about a mathematical equation, but I'm pretty sure the amp will more easily push one big driver rather than two smaller drivers. I could be wrong though. Perhaps the amp would push two 10"s better. It just seemed like a logical assumption. Sorry I can't help.
Once again, it all comes down to what sound you prefer: boomy 15"s or punchy 10"s.

Dan

 

One thing to keep in mind if you go the 115/210 route is the effect you will have in your onstage sound. I have noticed both from using a 15" as well as hearing them in the audience is that the low end sound that you will get does not happen audibly at the stage; it will really happen 50 feet out due to the length of the waveform of the note you are playing. The fundamental frequency of a low E is 41.3 Hz (i think), which means that when you are listening to your rig onstage, you aren't hearing that...you aren't even hearing the first harmonic 82.6 Hz, you're hearing the second harmonic and higher...so be sure to consider that what you want the audience to hear (your sound) is not necessarily going to sound good to you on stage (unless you want to cause your audience to lose bowel control.)

 

You need both!

 

I agree with you only in part.
There has been extensive discussion on this topic here, however from what I gather, this wavelegth/harmonic/fundamental stuff is only a small part of the equation. It's only math, and if you are using lets say an Acoustic 301 (118 folded horn) it is very apparent.Now I have this little M.M. RH 115 with a BW 15in it. It is very effecient, has a scoup, and I use a 100 watt tube head with it. The sound is very rich at the pant legs, as well as away from the cab. The room, effeciency, positioning, porting, cab type,power driving it, and speaker configuration ALL contribute to the way it performs. I stopped getting stuck with the physics theory.

I love the sound of my EV loaded Sonic 1-18 theil type cab.

You can always roll off some deep bass if it gets too boomy also.

 

Get a 4x10 and a 1x15

 

I'm sorry for using a broad generalization like that - it is 100% true that speaker configurization will not have a complete 180 degree change in sound - that being said, there will be some tonal difference going from a 4X10 cabinet w/horn to a 15" with no horn, or to a 2x10 or an 18" - and a lot of times what sounds good up close sounds different 100 feet away.

 

i may be wrong but i thought that the fundemental of low e was around 50, and the b around 41, and the low f# 35

 

I believe the Low B is 30.7 hz.
Usually stated as 31 hz.
The E is 42hz? or something like that.

Nate, please don't misread my tone (pun). I wasn't jumping on you.
I can't remember where the thread was. MikeyD and Brad Johnson was involved and may remember.