Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Differing Ohm Load Ampeg Cabs
- Thread starter Pickinator
- Start date
You really seem to have it in your head that a 210 will do what a 115 can't do and vice versa, but it's just plain not true. That's really what people are trying to say to you as the important point here...a 210 and 115 bass cab are both full range bass cabs, and if they do different things, it's by design, not because of speaker size, and it's such a slight difference in many cases. So knowing that you can get full range bass sound out of a cab with either 10"s or 15"s, it just doesn't make sense to mix the two IMHO. A lot of folks do and a lot of folks swear by their mixed rigs, but it's really based on looks more than anything.
+1 mismatched impedance aside, the point everyone is trying to make clear to you is that Matched cabs are far superior in EVERY way over mixed cabs. A 210/115 combo can work, and WILL sound better than either cab alone, BUT 2x the 115 or 2x the 210 will sound BEST.
A 210 is likely to have a different phase response than a 115, just as any two different cab will have different phase response, even if both are 210. Combining cabs with different phase response will give a system frequency response unlike either of the cab, and the result is difficult to predict.
Say you like how one 210 sound, you can be pretty sure how two of those 210 together will also be pleasing to your ears. That said, it does not mean a "mis-matched" pair cannot sound good, or even better ... to you. Because tone is subjective, and you may just like the frequency response of the "mis-matched" pair.
The key is that the result is unpredictable with "mis-matched" pair. You will have to listen to the different configurations of cabs, in different venue, at different position ... In order to determine whether it really sound good. And that is a lot of work.
You don't necessary have to take the easy route, but this is what a lot here are recommending.
If you can actually test the rig out, then that should be enough to make the decision. Mechanically, and electrically, there is nothing wrong with said 410/115 rig. I do recommend stacking the cabs in different config when test driving the rig. IME, typical 115 are better with the mid than the 410, so I like it better if the 115 is on top of the 410.
Say you like how one 210 sound, you can be pretty sure how two of those 210 together will also be pleasing to your ears. That said, it does not mean a "mis-matched" pair cannot sound good, or even better ... to you. Because tone is subjective, and you may just like the frequency response of the "mis-matched" pair.
The key is that the result is unpredictable with "mis-matched" pair. You will have to listen to the different configurations of cabs, in different venue, at different position ... In order to determine whether it really sound good. And that is a lot of work.
You don't necessary have to take the easy route, but this is what a lot here are recommending.
If you can actually test the rig out, then that should be enough to make the decision. Mechanically, and electrically, there is nothing wrong with said 410/115 rig. I do recommend stacking the cabs in different config when test driving the rig. IME, typical 115 are better with the mid than the 410, so I like it better if the 115 is on top of the 410.
"I hate to not be able to use the 1X15 and don't like the heavy mid-range of a 4X10 only."
I see you chose not to jump on this deal, however, I have a feeling you are not familiar with the 410HLF....or you would know it does not sound like or behave like a 410HE or other 410's on the market.
I got caught up in this same issue where all I saw in the adverts were 115's matched with 410's. Actually it would sound great in practice then act like a 10W combo during gigs. I got a 410HLF, and love it. Actually very bass heavy. More so than 2x15's or other 410's I have played through as back-lines. I run the bass dialed back so much my guitarists gets confused when he looks at my amp settings, and then hears what comes out of that cabinet.
I would have jumped on that deal. The price for those items combined is actually not so bad if in good condition. I still use my 115 for practice at the house, and just move my head from home to practice to gigs.
I see you chose not to jump on this deal, however, I have a feeling you are not familiar with the 410HLF....or you would know it does not sound like or behave like a 410HE or other 410's on the market.
I got caught up in this same issue where all I saw in the adverts were 115's matched with 410's. Actually it would sound great in practice then act like a 10W combo during gigs. I got a 410HLF, and love it. Actually very bass heavy. More so than 2x15's or other 410's I have played through as back-lines. I run the bass dialed back so much my guitarists gets confused when he looks at my amp settings, and then hears what comes out of that cabinet.
I would have jumped on that deal. The price for those items combined is actually not so bad if in good condition. I still use my 115 for practice at the house, and just move my head from home to practice to gigs.
The phase response etc is generally not an issue.... because it only matters at low frequencies, and there the units should behave similarly.
Most less-than-ideal setups in clubs etc (due to stage size) will cause more havoc with phase etc than any sensible speaker combinations.....
The big issue with mixing cab types is power handling and volume....... if the sensitivity of the cabs differs, as is likely, you'll get more sound from one than the other... one won't be contributing, so why did you haul it in?
Then also, if one is rated higher, you may kill the other one by cranking up and not notice you are doing it because you hear good sound from the higher rated cab.
You CAN mix different cabs..... you just need to think about what you want to mix, and see if THOSE cabs will mix decently.
Most less-than-ideal setups in clubs etc (due to stage size) will cause more havoc with phase etc than any sensible speaker combinations.....
The big issue with mixing cab types is power handling and volume....... if the sensitivity of the cabs differs, as is likely, you'll get more sound from one than the other... one won't be contributing, so why did you haul it in?
Then also, if one is rated higher, you may kill the other one by cranking up and not notice you are doing it because you hear good sound from the higher rated cab.
You CAN mix different cabs..... you just need to think about what you want to mix, and see if THOSE cabs will mix decently.
Can't argue with that. Boundaries behind my cab can serve to drive me nuts if they're too far away from the cab or not far enough.
Tru dat...too much like work for me, though
Matching cabs are a sure thing.
