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help me: which cabinet is most efficient?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by superphat, Oct 7, 2001.

  1. Oct 7, 2001 #1
    superphat

    superphat

    Sep 30, 2001
    hi all~
    i'm trying to decide which 8ohm cabinet to buy as an extension to an Ashdown MAG 1x12 Combo (200watts rms @4ohms with internal 8ohm speaker). I need the extension cab to get the full 200 watts, and i can't decide which way to go.
    i played through various cabs (15s, 12s, and 10s) and i like them all!!!! (for their respective characteristics).

    So what i'm wondering is... what can my Amp handle the best? I know this is very subjective, but i'm wondering if someone knows any technical/mathematical reason why one speaker setup would outperform another?

    my choices:
    4x8 cabinet (too much for a little 200 watt amp? but very intriguing to me :D )
    1x12 cabinet (end result would be a nice 2x12)
    1x10 cabinet (most efficient???)
    2x10 cabinet (i know these are popular and punchy)
    all are 8ohms and rated for between 200-400watts.

    OR.... is the difference insignificant?
    should i just worry about the tone?

    thanks in advance,
    your opinions are very much appreciated.
    -paul
     
  2. Oct 8, 2001 #2
    JimM

    JimM

    Jan 13, 2000
    Northern California
    Does Ashdown make a 1x12 extension cab with the same driver as your combo ? If so,that's the one I'd recommend for several reasons.

    First ,it would make for a cool looking medium size stack,but aside from looks,the spls(read loudness)from both cabs would be closer to equal than any other combination.I think that when two cabs are "unequally yoked" that the louder one kinda renders the softer one unnecessary.One drawback is you wont be able to compliment your first speaker's weaknesses,if any,like a 1x15 does for a 4x10,but a 12 is a good compromise already-deeper than tens,faster than 15s.

    I also think that when you're in a situation where you need a lot of volume,that you are more likely to be heard over loud 'lesser' instruments if all your speakers are 'saying the same thing' than if you're using different sized drivers to 'compliment each other's tone'.

    Also,I've heard,but not experienced,that multiple cabs with different size drivers can distract you due to the timing difference between faster and slower drivers.
    Everything I've said is just my opinion,by the way.Maybe you'll get lucky and get Joris or others to give a more expert view.
     
  3. Oct 8, 2001 #3
    superphat

    superphat

    Sep 30, 2001
    wow
    those are some good points that i'd never thought of...
    thanks jim.

    but then again, lots of people use 15s and 10s together (some within one cabinet) and they seem to love that setup with no noticeable problems. hmmm...

    -paul
     
  4. Oct 8, 2001 #4
    martininpv

    martininpv

    Oct 1, 2001
    Pflugerville, TX
    If they are all 8 ohm, when you connect them to your combo, any of them will cause the amp to deliver full power. I would go for the one that sounds the best. You can match them for looks if you like, but I would not hesitate at all connecting different speaker configurations, especially if your looking to enhance some frequencies. If you can try these cabs out, I would listen to each one and get what sounds best.