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Is a 212 the best one-size-fits-most cab?

#141
After 7 pages of awesome replies (thank you!) I'm starting to wonder if I've written off the two 1x12 modular approach too soon. I'm still unsure if I'd ever use just a single 1x12, though...

My main gigs at the moment are with 90s/00s rock bands with two guitarists playing combo amps and moderately loud drummers. Venues tend to be what I guess we'd call "medium": inside bars, and patios or small stages outside bars. I go into the board but we have no subs.

Would you ever grab a 1x12 for this, or would it always be a pair?
 
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#142
DoctorZee said:
After 7 pages of awesome replies (thank you!) I'm starting to wonder if I've written off the two 1x12 modular approach too soon. I'm still unsure if I'd ever use just a single 1x12, though...

My main gigs at the moment are with 90s/00s rock bands with two guitarists playing combo amps and moderately loud drummers. Venues tend to be what I guess we'd call "medium": inside bars, and patios or small stages outside bars. I go into the board but we have no subs.

Would you ever grab a 1x12 for this, or would it always be a pair?
Click to expand...

Always a pair. The single 1 x 12 may be adequate for a Patsy Cline review in a free-standing Starbucks.

Riis
 
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#144
212, yes. If you only need a 112, you can turn it down a bit.
If you need an 810 you can turn it up a bit.
And it covers everything in between.

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#145
DoctorZee said:
After 7 pages of awesome replies (thank you!) I'm starting to wonder if I've written off the two 1x12 modular approach too soon. I'm still unsure if I'd ever use just a single 1x12, though...

My main gigs at the moment are with 90s/00s rock bands with two guitarists playing combo amps and moderately loud drummers. Venues tend to be what I guess we'd call "medium": inside bars, and patios or small stages outside bars. I go into the board but we have no subs.

Would you ever grab a 1x12 for this, or would it always be a pair?
Click to expand...
I can't imagine a single 12 working for that scenario unless it was literally a stage "monitor" that you put directly under your feet so you can feel "something" while you play. I even think a 212 will be pushed decently in that scenario. Again - if you want something super easy - get a 212 combo so you can avoid the multiple pieces, multiple cables, etc... Get a single box that does everything you want. For lower volume gigs, practice in your bedroom, etc....there are volume and input gain knobs. The form factor is also nice. It sits in a single seat of a vehicle upright, can be carried in one hand with the handle, and it's the perfect height to use as a small stand for things like keys, coffee mugs, etc...
 
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#146
backin82 said:
I can't imagine a single 12 working for that scenario unless it was literally a stage "monitor" that you put directly under your feet so you can feel "something" while you play. I even think a 212 will be pushed decently in that scenario. Again - if you want something super easy - get a 212 combo so you can avoid the multiple pieces, multiple cables, etc... Get a single box that does everything you want. For lower volume gigs, practice in your bedroom, etc....there are volume and input gain knobs. The form factor is also nice. It sits in a single seat of a vehicle upright, can be carried in one hand with the handle, and it's the perfect height to use as a small stand for things like keys, coffee mugs, etc...
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm thinking maybe I should hang on to my 410 for the outdoor stuff.
 
#149
I too play in a 90s/00s band with two guitars using combos. The happy medium I have found is two, lightweight 2x10s. They each weigh 37lbs and for me, two light trips is easier than the annoying 75lbs "walk of death" I had with my 4x10. It's easier to fit in a car too.

You also have a nice split for rehearsals, gigs with PA support, and gigs without PA support. In addition, two cabs would open up more wattage from your amp (usually).
 
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#150
DoctorZee said:
Having never played a 2x12 I only have surface area to go off, but a 4x10 has 40% more speaker area, for whatever that's worth.
Click to expand...
It's actually closer if you use the Sd values.
 
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#152

DoctorZee said:
Having never played a 2x12 I only have surface area to go off, but a 4x10 has 40% more speaker area, for whatever that's worth.
Click to expand...
The moving cone areas are closer than that, but the weight difference is much greater.

410s are almost always in a 2x2 grid, which tends to make them more "beamy". 212s, especially vertically oriented 212s, generally get better dispersion.

A lot of this has to do with the generation of 12" drivers that came out in the 1990s, especially from Eminence. Prior to that, it was either lotsa 10s, coupla 15s, or 18s, because bass cabinet designers have to build around available drivers. I love the sound of my SVT fridge, but it was doing things the hard way. My 2x212 stack goes higher, lower, louder, and more linear.
​
 
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#154
klejst said:
Not to/meaning to jack this thread, however I'm very curious for some feedback - has anyone ever used a 1x12 and/or 2x12 cab along with a 2x10 cab? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
See any of a number of cab mixing threads. Yes, of course it's been tried, many times, out of convenience or desperation. Sometimes it sounds great. Sometimes it sounds odd. Always, you have to pay attention to power handling.
 
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#157
It's the new neo IV 212 4 ohm. Just the cab. Best bang for the buck in the market for what it does imho... Light, small footprint and it sounds great! How it sounds is a matter of personal taste I do admit. It is a significant upgrade to the old bi-amp neo's. I would write a review on it but I am horrible at that kind of thing. I wish there were youtube reviews but so far there is only one I believe. I pulled the trigger sight unseen because I stick to GK stuff and I like the GK sound. Size and weight had a lot to do with the purchase. I can make any cab sound like crap :bassist::D
 
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#158
I bought my CN-212 used just as Covid hit and have not had a chance to gig it. I am told, and I believe, that any nightclub I might play will be within the wheelhouse of this cab. Yes, a lightweight high quality 212 is an excellent single-cab strategy. So is two Subway 115s, except that it's two cabs. ;)
 
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#159
klejst said:
Not to/meaning to jack this thread, however I'm very curious for some feedback - has anyone ever used a 1x12 and/or 2x12 cab along with a 2x10 cab? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

My first Bergantino rig was an AE112 and AE210. Flexible, modular and and probably the best sound I got to that point. Then I decided to go with 2 AE112's. After 5 years I changed over to a CN212 and occasionally added an AE112. All pairings had a fantastic sound.
 
#160
chris_b said:
My first Bergantino rig was an AE112 and AE210. Flexible, modular and and probably the best sound I got to that point. Then I decided to go with 2 AE112's. After 5 years I changed over to a CN212 and occasionally added an AE112. All pairings had a fantastic sound.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your insight response into my question. I know usually a 210 (outside paired with another 210) often is paired with a 115 as well and it generally sounds pretty good. I was just curious about instead of a 115 how a 112 would stack up. Smaller and lighter cabs which make for a lighter rig for sure at least :thumbsup:
 

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