Is there a difference???

[CTC564]

G'morning TB...

A buddy of mine states that (2) 8 ohm 210 cabs are louder than (1) 4 ohm 410 cab...

I can't seem to wrap my head around this so I've come to TB seeking insight

 

[LiamPodmore]

If you stack the 2x10's on their side vertically, they will seem louder, and also if the 2x10 is bigger than half of the 4x10 it will probably be louder (Don't quote me on this one)

Liam

 

[bongomania]

He's smoking banana peels. While it is possible for a specific set of cabs to be that way, the generalization is false.

 

[CL400Peavey]

If you stack the 210's vertically they will be closer to your ear, so at the very least you can hear them better.

 

[CTC564]

Vertically stacking cabs so that they reach your ears I can understand...but he did not mention that...

 

[Dave W]

It totally depends on the cabs that are being discussed. They are not all created equal.

 

[MuzikMan]

That's a bad generalization. All else being equal (internal volume per driver, driver selection, port tuning, placement, etc) two 2x10 cabs will sound the same as one 4x10 cab. The reality is that there are too many cab options to draw a valid conclusion other than "it depends".

 

[billfitzmaurice]

A buddy of mine states that (2) 8 ohm 210 cabs are louder than (1) 4 ohm 410 cab...

Assuming they're stacked vertically, he's right. The placement of drivers with a 410 results in their actually fighting each other, with cancellations being the result. A 410 also has half the midrange dispersion of a vertical stack of 210s, so a far smaller percentage of the audience and for that matter your band members will hear what's being produced. OTOH the vertical dispersion of a 210 vertical stack is halved, putting more sound into the listening area, less onto the floor and ceiling. So there are a number of benefits to a vertical driver arrangement, while there are no benefits to the typical 410 arrangement.
If the 210 drivers are placed in the same fashion as a 410 there will be no difference.

 

[Tom Cileski]

 

[BassmanPaul]

He's smoking banana peels. While it is possible for a specific set of cabs to be that way, the generalization is false.

+1 I use the 2x10 format, a pair in a vertical stack. Everyone who plays through my amp thinks it's a loud amp. This is 'cos the upper cabinet is much closer to the ear than a standard 4x10 would be. My cabinets, Acme B2, are less efficient than the average bass cab so if the particular cabinets you are referring to are more efficient, then they would appear louder.

 

[CTC564]

Thanks to all...I'm considering (2) DNA DNS210 cabs over a DNA DNS410 cab

Seems like two smaller cabs is the way to go

 

[lomo]

Just as significantly......carrying 2 210s up the stairs one at a time beats fighting a 410 any day IMHO

 

[CTC564]

Absolutely agree

 

[Jim Carr]

2x210 has some advantages. One not yet mentioned is that you can start here 2 x (210@8ohms):

and then, if you have a 2 ohm capable head and need more loudness, add a 4 ohm 410 with the same drivers as the 210 for a 610 (2.67 ohms):

 

[CTC564]

Sounds great but I'll never have a need for more than (2) 210's and 900 watts...fills my "bass room" rather nicely ;-)

(not currently playing in a band)

 

[Jim Carr]

Then why get more than 210?

 

[CTC564]

I have some opportunities to do sub work with a few different bands and I'm not sure a single 210 would be sufficient...

 

[will33]

So when the band opportunity knocks, you're prepared?

 

[CTC564]

Exactly

 

[will33]

And +1 to the vertical stack sounding louder, and to a much bigger slice of the audience, even if "on paper", it should be the same. That's the difference driver alignment makes.