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Favorite lightweight bass cab with good low-end?

Lammchop93

Lammchop93

Supporting Member
Feb 4, 2007
8,875
14,214
Southern Indiana (Louisville, KY)
#1
Hi all, I've been currently running a Darkglass M900 into a Mesa powerhouse 212 for the last year or so, and i like the tone, but I've been having to haul around my rig more often, and this cab is getting old moving around all the time. I like the tone of it, but it is a little harsh on the treble side. I've cut the tweeter, and have my treble rolled back a good amount on the amp.

My question to you is, what are some good lightweight bass cabs that have a more low end focus? Maybe even a cab that doesn't have a tweeter? I was looking at the Mesa Subway 115's, but don't know much about them. I've owned lots of GK NEO's in the past, but still found them more treble-y than I prefer.


I was thinking 2 1x15 cabs might be good? Opinions? I would not like to spend more than $1000 on a pair of cabs, or one really good cab that is 500w at least.


Another idea was getting 2 Orange OBC115's, and swapping the speakers for a neodymium speaker. I've always been an Orange fan.
 
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#5
Lammchop93 said:
The OBC115 is a really sturdy and solid cabinet design, and they're made outside my current home city. I like to support local workers any chance I can get.
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Okay, maybe overpay was a strong word, Orange does make good, solid kit, and I've considered getting some Orange gear on multiple occasions. The thing with putting a new speaker in a cab is basically that you're taking all of the design that went into the cab, and throwing it down the toilet for a new, different driver. Might as well get a cab designed for the driver, and put Orange tolex on it. If you're going to pay for an orange, IMO, you're best off keeping it original for all of its vibe and mojo, because that's Kiva start they do, imo. I also think the cab is built to be pretty heavy to begin with, a lighter driver might not do much.

While I haven't tried the subway series, I will say that just about every piece of mesa bass gear I've played just oozes tone, I really couldn't make the stuff sound bad.

Edit: I also can't talk much about Orange bass gear, since I've never been inclined to play through it.
 
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#6
Lammchop93 said:
Another idea was getting 2 Orange OBC115's, and swapping the speakers for a neodymium speaker. I've always been an Orange fan.
Click to expand...

If you would like to end up with the same general tone as the Orange cab, imo you'd need a fair amount of information about its woofer in order to choose a suitable off-the-shelf neodymium replacement, assuming one even exists (there aren't that many to choose from).
 
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#8
Well, if you are considering get 2x15 Orange and then replacing the speakers with neo's I guess we can assume that you have a pretty high budget. Problem with replacing the 15's in the Orange is that the original 15's in the Orange are custom made for the cabinet. Buying off the shelf 15's may or may not work well in this application. Cabs using Neo 15's are pretty limited. Avatar is making a 40 LB 115 cube with a Eminence Kappalite 3015LF 450W 15. Might be what you are looking for. Invalid Link Removed
 
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#10
Ampslut said:
Well, if you are considering get 2x15 Orange and then replacing the speakers with neo's I guess we can assume that you have a pretty high budget. Problem with replacing the 15's in the Orange is that the original 15's in the Orange are custom made for the cabinet. Buying off the shelf 15's may or may not work well in this application. Cabs using Neo 15's are pretty limited. Avatar is making a 40 LB 115 cube with a Eminence Kappalite 3015LF 450W 15. Might be what you are looking for. Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
never thought about avatar! Thank you!
 
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#11
theres plenty of 15 to go into the orange, lol and the factory speaker is nothing to sneeze at.
a pair of them with a head should hold its weight in most band situations.

factory speaker is higher quality cast frame eminence not stamped, similar to legend
little dark yes and same light cone magic midrange.

but actually a 1x15 can be still somewhat heavy and akward to move. its down low requires lift to move, or bend over to roll. actually a taller 2 driver 2x15 is technically heavier but way easier to move. lifting should not be required to often, tilt slide in or out and roll. put head on top and roll that heavy tuber with it. even slant back huge 2x15 can have tilt back with dolly. no stairs to lift. just roll it up clunk clunk clunk. seriously light cab talk makes me puke. then again im a mover and move heavy furniture daily in 100 degree weather lol. 40/55 pounds is a cake walk. id rather just roll 80 pounds though its easier. heavy on paper...light on wheels
 
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#13
Lammchop93 said:
Hi all, I've been currently running a Darkglass M900 into a Mesa powerhouse 212 for the last year or so, and i like the tone, but I've been having to haul around my rig more often, and this cab is getting old moving around all the time. I like the tone of it, but it is a little harsh on the treble side. I've cut the tweeter, and have my treble rolled back a good amount on the amp.

My question to you is, what are some good lightweight bass cabs that have a more low end focus? Maybe even a cab that doesn't have a tweeter? I was looking at the Mesa Subway 115's, but don't know much about them. I've owned lots of GK NEO's in the past, but still found them more treble-y than I prefer.


I was thinking 2 1x15 cabs might be good? Opinions?


Another idea was getting 2 Orange OBC115's, and swapping the speakers for a neodymium speaker. I've always been an Orange fan.
Click to expand...
I have 2 Bergantino Reference 112's and they are deep, and tight !!!!!
 
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#15
Anything Audio Kinesis. The highs are majestic. Look at the Hathor 115. Bottom end is punchy, tight and clear. (About twice as loud as the 112)
The Thunderchild series should also be considered. Clarity, punch, outstanding definition.
With most production bass cabinets you get ok or not so ok crossover networks. This effects not only the highs but the overall presentation of the cabinet.
Duke LeJeune is a master of crossover design and labors to get it correct with time, effort and skill. Your paying for high quality components and Dukes design genius. It's worth every penny. You'll have a cabinet that will bring you joy and satisfaction for many years to come.
 
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#19
I'd throw the Genz Benz Neo 212T into the mix. I was using essentially a pair of Mesa 1x15's( TL 606 design homebuilts) loaded with Eminence Kappaite 3015s prior to my Genz. Lighter and easy to manage for sure. Good tight sound and the cab actually has a little less snap than I prefer but still more than the tweeterless 1x15s. My two cents.
 
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