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Differences in Stack Sound

Adlerburg

Adlerburg

Aug 18, 2010
104
0
Woodstock, NY
#1
My current rig is comprised of the (in)famous and IMHO kewl looking 115 + 410 stack. I've defended the mismatch to countless folks who appear to know, more than me apparently, that 2 of the same is "much" better than what I have. I'm not looking at all to rehash that, but would like some insight into the differences between a (2)15" stack and (8)10" stack.
I've all but succumbed to the matched cabs being better (thanks TB), so now I must :) get either a matching 115, or 410. Would y'all kindly give me some sonic insights/differences between a 2-15 rig and an 8-10 rig? Pros and cons of each?
Thanks.
-Mick

bass_stack2.gif
 
#7
That's a pretty darn good question.

I've said before that I really can't hear a major difference between the two in the first place so based on the shear idea that people say a 410 is louder I'd probably go in that direction. Also its the one I have on top so its probably the one I hear more and I dig the sound I get outta them.

Honestly though, I find nothing wrong with the rig, and while its probably not "optimal" i don't plan on spening any money on another cab anytime soon.

But then I also zone out at work and fantasize about getting two Neo 212's. Why? I have no idea.

I always wanted to ask someone this though. If you were blindfolded and someone played a stack would you be able to tell if it was a 2x410 or a 410/115?
 
#9
Adlerburg said:
Thanks for the reply. I got everything except "combing of the highs" sorry.. could you explain that please.
Click to expand...
Google 'comb filtering'. It happens whenever drivers are placed side by side with their centers more than a wavelength apart. With tens that's from about 1kHz on up. It's not a huge concern with bass, not nearly so much as the halving of dispersion with side by side drivers, but it is there. With vertical drivers it isn't.
 
#11
I spoke to an old buddy who used to do live sound for us regarding this. He explained that 15's sounded better in the immediate vicinity within about 10' or less of the stack, and 10's were more of a long throw speaker and sounded much better 20'+ out.... but was not as sweet as the 15's up close (stage volume).
Sounded strange to me, but he has done sound professionally for more than 25 years. Does anyone concur with that? Experience that? It is an interesting concept, as in rehearsal, the 115 cab sounds better to me than the 410.... but I haven't the room to listen to the 410 twenty plus feet out.
 
#13
Adlerburg said:
I spoke to an old buddy who used to do live sound for us regarding this. He explained that 15's sounded better in the immediate vicinity within about 10' or less of the stack, and 10's were more of a long throw speaker and sounded much better 20'+ out.... but was not as sweet as the 15's up close (stage volume).
Sounded strange to me, but he has done sound professionally for more than 25 years. Does anyone concur with that?
Click to expand...
There's no such thing as a long throw speaker. What he probably noticed was that fifteens had wider dispersion, making it easier to hear them closer in when off-axis than horizontally placed tens.
 
#14
billfitzmaurice said:
There's no such thing as a long throw speaker. What he probably noticed was that fifteens had wider dispersion, making it easier to hear them closer in when off-axis than horizontally placed tens.
Click to expand...

That makes good sense to me now.. thanks
I would think you could liken that to a sub woofer not really having to be pointed at you as it disperses widely, and tweets are very directional... I know that is an exaggerated example, but it seems like a bit of a parallel
 
#17
Really depends on the individual speaker cabs as opposed to generalisations (other than the ones pointed out by Bill).

If you like the 4x10 + 1x15 setup, why not stick with it? While it might not be optimal, sound is about personal preference.

I do like both my 2x15 and 8x10, but I think my 8x10 is more of a keeper. It just manages to sit perfectly in the mix, without being lost in the mix. The 2x15 does sound awesome, especially on it's own, but not as great in my current band situations as the 8x10. (but those are just mine).
 
#18
i_got_a_mohawk said:
It just manages to sit perfectly in the mix, without being lost in the mix. The 2x15 does sound awesome, especially on it's own, but not as great in my current band situations as the 8x10. (but those are just mine).
Click to expand...

This could be a very important point here. As a recording engineer, it's a fact that just because your tone is perfect (be it guitar, bass, etc) standalone, that it will sit nice in the mix. For example, every mix that I've done I've eq'ed guitar tone to sit in the mix... you get big smiles all around and cheers that the guitar sounds crushing and phat and beautiful... THEN, when you solo the guitar track.. you watch all the mouths drop as it sounds thin and lifeless... but it sits perfect with all the other frequencies in the mix.
 
#19
Adlerburg said:
This could be a very important point here. As a recording engineer, it's a fact that just because your tone is perfect (be it guitar, bass, etc) standalone, that it will sit nice in the mix. For example, every mix that I've done I've eq'ed guitar tone to sit in the mix... you get big smiles all around and cheers that the guitar sounds crushing and phat and beautiful... THEN, when you solo the guitar track.. you watch all the mouths drop as it sounds thin and lifeless... but it sits perfect with all the other frequencies in the mix.
Click to expand...

Without a doubt. I think most bass players have an understanding of this, guitarists (at least in my experience), not so much!
 
#20
Adlerburg said:
That makes good sense to me now.. thanks
I would think you could liken that to a sub woofer not really having to be pointed at you as it disperses widely, and tweets are very directional... I know that is an exaggerated example, but it seems like a bit of a parallel
Click to expand...
It's spot on. Dispersion is relative to the size of the radiating plane versus wavelength. An 18" sub is very small compared to the 10 to 30 foot wavelengths it produces, so output is omnidirectional. A twelve inch guitar driver is very large compared to the 4 to 6 inch wavelengths of the high mids, so it beams them like a laser.
The Basson B15B looks too beautiful, and I am GASing for a pair.
Click to expand...
How a speaker looks should be the last reason for GASing over it. If players auditioned cabs blindfolded while traversing the room buying habits, and manufacturer offerings, would change in record time.
 

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