Does a 1x15 have any advantage over a 1x18?

[prater]

I use a 4x10 stacked on a 1x18 currently. Recently I plugged into a friends 2x15 and thought it sounded incredible. This has me really eyeing a 1x15 to replace my 1x18 in my rig.

Is there any advantage the 1x15 would have over a 1x18?

 

[electracoyote]

Ugh, 1X18. It looks so good on paper...

Yes, you are MUCH better off with a 2X15, or even a 2X12. Your gut tells you so. Listen.

My 1X15 driven by around 350 SS watts at 8 ohms can pin my loud azz drummer's ears back.

Around 400-500 SS watts 2X15 4 ohms can absolutely own a large theater or outdoor stage.

How much volume do you need, mate?

 

[BadExample]

Probably not help for what you are doing. If you like the 2 x 15, a 2 x 15 + 18 might rattle your boys.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Probably a little lighter.

Other than that, you are unlikely to hear much difference in the stack sound.

There's a whole lot else going on in the world of cabs if you got gas forming.

 

[BadExample]

Probably a little lighter.

Other than that, you are unlikely to hear much difference in the stack sound.

There's a whole lot else going on in the world of cabs if you got gas forming.

Maybe. Most 18's are more of a sub to compliment the more full range cabs. My 18 goes to about 2Khz. Good if you like super dark. 15's tend to be more full range. Full range bass fundamentals that is.

Dear OP, what cabs do you have and what 2 x 15 did you play/like?

 

[agedhorse]

It depends...

 

[BadExample]

It depends...

Yup...

 

[walterw]

It depends...

kind of always the correct answer

 

[walterw]

This has me really eyeing a 1x15 to replace my 1x18 in my rig.

you might also have been hearing a more "coherent" overall sound from matching speakers rather than the 4x10 + 1x18 hodgepodge, don't discount that either.

if you really like your 4x10 then a second identical one underneath would likely blow away the 15 and the 18, including having more powerful lows.

 

[BadExample]

Depends is also a great adult diaper. But Andy is right, and that's why I asked the OP what cabs he has.

 

[BadExample]

you might also have been hearing a more "coherent" overall sound from matching speakers rather than the 4x10 + 1x18 hodgepodge, don't discount that either.

if you really like your 4x10 then a second identical one underneath would likely blow away the 15 and the 18, including having more powerful lows.

If I were a betting man, I'd wager the 18 is not a problem, he just likes the 2 x 15's over the 4 x 10. We need to wait until we know what cabs he has.

 

[onamission]

I like 2x12's under a 4x10. Had a 15 for years until I decide to build a light weight 2x12. Works great as a extension cab for my Carvin BX600-210.

 

[InhumanResource]

If I were a betting man, I'd wager the 18 is not a problem, he just likes the 2 x 15's over the 4 x 10. We need to wait until we know what cabs he has.

He also may like the absence of phase issues that were corrected by using matching drivers.

 

[FingerDub]

Personally I would go with 2x21's. Why stop at 18's?

 

[BadExample]

He also may like the absence of phase issues that were corrected by using matching drivers.

Possibly, but in all likelyhood, he added the 18 after he had the 4 x 10. Also, an 18 is probably the most likely driver to kind of self crossover and not cause problems. He could easily prove or disprove this by unplugging the 18.

Few of us can afford to control phase with similar or dissimilar cabs as soon as the sound leaves the driver.

 

[walterw]

Also, an 18 is probably the most likely driver to kind of self crossover and not cause problems. He could easily prove or disprove this by unplugging the 18.

i dunno.

the added 18 will likely sound louder with more lows than a 4x10 three feet off the ground does by itself, and that's really all it takes to conclude that a given stack combination is "better".

 

[prater]

Maybe. Most 18's are more of a sub to compliment the more full range cabs. My 18 goes to about 2Khz. Good if you like super dark. 15's tend to be more full range. Full range bass fundamentals that is.

Dear OP, what cabs do you have and what 2 x 15 did you play/like?

My cabs are a Fender rumble 410 over a PA sub containing an Eminence Sigma 18a2.

The 2x15 I played through was also a home built containing a set of old Yamaha PA monitor drivers installed in a deep sub cabinet just for fun. I wasn't expecting much out of it but was very surprised.

 

[prater]

Personally I would go with 2x21's. Why stop at 18's?

You and me both. I actually saw a 22" driver once. Made my mouth water.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I use a 4x10 stacked on a 1x18 currently. Recently I plugged into a friends 2x15 and thought it sounded incredible. This has me really eyeing a 1x15 to replace my 1x18 in my rig.

Is there any advantage the 1x15 would have over a 1x18?

Yes it sounds better!!

 

[prater]

Yes it sounds better!!

In what ways, it moves faster?