... ... I'm really undecided about buying a v3 210 cab to go with my rumble v3 500combo. ... ... I'm keen to hear from anyone who 'doubled up' and then found it wasn't so necessary or somehow didn't fulfill expectations. ... ..., I have sometimes struggled to hear myself on stage. ... ... I've since invested in a pre amp and compressor, both with volume & gain boost. Plus better EQ options. But not had the opportunity to test everything in live scenario. ... would an additional 210 cab make a substantial difference (in hearing myself) for medium gig venues, where FOH handles things well overall? ... Would buying a 210 be part vanity, to have a nice tall stack, with headroom? ... ...
Yo, mr. ears! Or is it mr. years? Yes, of course a matching 210 cab for the R500c is part vanity, but only a very small part if you need the extra functionality. And, if you've got a shot at a bargain price for one in good shape, it'd be a shame to pass it by.
For me, the R500c was enough, even for my loud country cover band, much better than my Bassman 250 combo had been! I added my Bassman neo 115 for some outdoor gigs and found, to my disappointment, that it wasn't necessary for my situation. Just being raised closer to my ears, atop the 115, was enough. So, I still don't have a 210 cab, though I lust for one. An amp stand sufficeth me.
I don't have personal experience with a R500 but recall that a second 2-10 cab would increase output wattage by 150 watts from is base of 350 watts. That, with coupling from the second set of speakers should get you where you want to be. If more volume is what you need, I would not hesitate.
Ah, yes! The vertical array coupling effect of the 4 stacked 10s is not to be taken lightly! That extra presence, improved SPL and better sound distribution may be even more significant than the extra wattage!!
I too would not hesitate to pull the trigger on that. However, I'd seriously consider the R-410 for that amp (same price as the 210). Maybe cab dimensions might sway to some extent. Vanity..? Phhttt...! Go big or go home! ...
There's some good reasons the 210 cab & 410 cab cost the same. For one, the weight and bulk have made the 210 more popular (and thus price increased from introduction) than the 410. Also, though rated "just" 350 watts continuous on paper, the 210 has obviously proven capable of the 400 watts continous it can get in the Rumble Stage 800 combo, since those are identical speakers! There are also tales of 410 cabs "beaming" their sound unevenly through the soundspace and, of course, not getting the vertical array coupling effect mentioned above.
The 500 has a pair of 10s. The 210 has a pair of 10s. That is a 410 right there. 4 10" Eminence speakers are rated at 500 watts.
410 specs-
- Rated at 1,000 watts (program), 500 watts (continuous)
- Four 10” Eminence® speakers
Rumble 500
- 500 watts
- Dual 10" Eminence® speakers
210 Cabinet
- Rated at 700 watts (program), 350 watts (continuous)
- Two 10” Eminence® speakers
... ....
410 - each speaker is rated 125 watts continuous.
210 - each speaker is rated 175 watts continuous, but Fender applies them for up to 200 watts each in the Rumble Stage 800 as mentioned above!
So which are really the better speaker components, regardless of cab configuration?
Hope this helps.
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the amp is always on a stand of some kind. One of these:
