Does putting a cab on its side make a difference on the sound?

[Nickweissmusic]

The only way it would make a functional difference is if there’s some kind of directional horn going on, but that’s generally out of the realm of a bass cab. The speakers themselves don’t care which way is up, and the cab is just a box holding speakers. Of course the angle and height of the cab can affect how sound hits your ears, but there’s nothing different emanating from the cab based on its orientation.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

I always turn my rectangular (not square) cabs so they're taller, not wider. This is 100% to do with the fact that I'm not 2 feet tall.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

does it have any effect on the sound at all? Amp fits better on the side then the other side

Not sure. Tip it over...

 

[climber]

only depends on where the tweeter is relative to your ears, assuming it has one.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

does it have any effect on the sound at all? Amp fits better on the side then the other side

If it's single cab, no difference imo. If you are stacking cabs then maybe, especially if they are identical cabs with ports and/or hf drivers.

 

[Bander]

My 410's never sounded differently on sides versus upright. My 215 definitely does sound different horizontal vs vertical. Wheels on either definitely sound different. (actual field data collected by discerning sound engineers front of stage, and drummers on stage, patent applied for).

 

[BassBrass]

I think it is a good question because I don't believe there is an obvious answer.

Oh no, the answer is, "what is an anechoic chamber", Alex. btw, is that pronounced with a hard or soft "c" because I've never heard the word spoken at multiple mastering sessions and hearing tests...

 

[overit]

Front ported 1x12 w/tweeter. Very different vertical vs horizontal due to the port location on certain stages/rooms.

 

[Drgonzonm]

The church I attend has it's main speakers installed upside down. Additionally the are mounted on the ceiling, slightly tilted. Next to impossible to hear at the back of the building. It doesn't help that there are two speakers mounted side by side.
So yes speakers can used incorrectly

 

[cchorney]

I always turn my rectangular (not square) cabs so they're taller, not wider. This is 100% to do with the fact that I'm not 2 feet tall.

This. I stack my cabs on each other, on their sides, so that I can bet a driver closer to my ears, so that I can hear myself without going louder than necessary.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Oh no, the answer is, "what is an anechoic chamber", Alex. btw, is that pronounced with a hard or soft "c" because I've never heard the word spoken at multiple mastering sessions and hearing tests...

It's a hard "ch" as in "echo", which is of course what the root of the word is. Anechoic - no echo.

 

[Djadja]

it does depend upon the cab...

ex: The Genzler bass arrays have a line array arrangement of the mid/high drivers that significantly increases horizontal dispersion and lessens vertical dispersion. Turn the cab on its side and you get the opposite. So, why would they design a cab like that? Notice how with many cabs, as you move off axis the sound of your bass changes. This is especially true on stage but it can be heard even in the room. The bass array in the proper orientation mitigates against that.