Mesa Powerhouse vs Subway cabs

[HearNoStevil]

I



I hear you there. Mesa gear isn’t budget priced. I guess I expected they used the best quality speakers available for their bass cabinets.

 

[jeff7bass]

I loved my old GK RBH cab but that solid birch sucka was HEAVY! I imagine the PH cabs, built like tanks, have a similar sonic quality about them. Not so bad if you got a roadie or you're young.

 

[uncle woody]

I loved my old GK RBH cab but that solid birch sucka was HEAVY! I imagine the PH cabs, built like tanks, have a similar sonic quality about them. Not so bad if you got a roadie or you're young.

It definitely is a deliberate kind of suffering.

 

[_Some Dude]

It definitely is a deliberate kind of suffering.

And worth it.

 

[4stringmf]

I'll throw in my two cents. I would have bought the PH 6x10 if there was no PH 4x12 on the market. And still, it was a tough decision to go with the 4x12 ultimately. That being said, since they are the same weight and the same size..... I would say hell yeah, get another 6x10 if you were happy with that tone. I find it waaaaayyyy easier to move around a single 4x12 as opposed to two 2x12 's. With the handles in the back, the handle at the bottom, and the wheels, I find it easy to unload and maneuver, as well as load back into my truck solo than two cabs. Different story if you truck is jacked up to the sky. I have a tacoma.
On the other hand, I tested a wd-800 though a subway 15 and 2x10. Those speakers are absolutely sickening. But I love my PH just fine. Apparently, the subway speakers are more efficient than the PH's....... So if don't mind carrying your speakers, by all means grab one of those SW 4x10's. Hope this helps

I'm 48, and thankfully any back issues I ever have are minor, and I try to use good ergonomics, when I move my cab around.

 

[mattscud55]

The low frequency extension of the Subway cabinets is greater than the Powerhouse cabinets as is the measurement bandwidth. The Subway cabinets are more sensitive if measured over the same 50Hz -5kHz bandwidth.

The Powerhouse line is more heavily voiced in the mids, more aggressive and in your face brash. If that's the tone you are looking for, the PH is probably a better choice if you can deal with the larger size and weight.

The Subway cabinets have a deeper low frequency extension, are more articulate, refined and polite in the mids, though that doesn't mean they are mid shy.

The ratings are also more rigorously derived. These ratings have evolved to better match the higher powered amplifiers available today.

The Subway cabinets are smaller and much lighter weight too.

I have a SW 210, and looking to add a 115. How do the SW 115s compare to both the Traditional and Standard PH 115s? Are both PH cabs voiced the same? Would their sound compare to the SW 210, or would they be more similar to the SW 115? TIA!

 

[agedhorse]

The general voicing of the Subway cabinets is greater LF extension, rounder low end, and less edgy mids than the powerhouse line. The Subway cabinets also handle more power, have greater LF sensitivity, are smaller and lighter.

 

[mikeswals]

I'll throw in my two cents. I would have bought the PH 6x10 if there was no PH 4x12 on the market. And still, it was a tough decision to go with the 4x12 ultimately. That being said, since they are the same weight and the same size..... I would say hell yeah, get another 6x10 if you were happy with that tone. I find it waaaaayyyy easier to move around a single 4x12 as opposed to two 2x12 's. With the handles in the back, the handle at the bottom, and the wheels, I find it easy to unload and maneuver, as well as load back into my truck solo than two cabs. Different story if you truck is jacked up to the sky. I have a tacoma.


I'm 48, and thankfully any back issues I ever have are minor, and I try to use good ergonomics, when I move my cab around.

I went from a PH810 to two PH212 cabs for my 'large' set up ( I also have two PH210, but that for another story).
Yes the 810 was easy to tip and slide into my 2wd pickup truck, it was easy to maneuver, and at the gig I always had help if I had to load onto a tall stage.

However when I got my 4wd Dodge Ram MegaCab diesel. The tailgate down was the same height as the top of the 810 cab, so there was no loading this thing solo unless I found a tall enough curb and back the truck up to it, which wasn't the case at home.
My current band plays lots of full-weekend/out of town gigs and stays at hotels. I can load my two PH212 cabs side by side on the back seat of this truck, and I don't have to worry much about security at hotels this way.

 

[chaosMK]

I really enjoy the PH cabs. I've owned a few and ended up with 2 1x12's. There is definitely a market for edgier cabs, someone is going to have to build them.

 

[mikeswals]

View attachment 3954457

I realize this guy is gone, but would have been interesting to know what model Mesa 810 he had. I'm guessing the traditional going by the triangle pads to screw the grill down to, and I dont see the hf driver.

My 2010 era 'regular' Powerhouse 810 has cast frame speakers. Here is one of them.

 

[agedhorse]

I realize this guy is gone, but would have been interesting to know what model Mesa 810 he had. I'm guessing the traditional going by the triangle pads to screw the grill down to, and I dont see the hf driver.

My 2010 era 'regular' Powerhouse 810 has cast frame speakers. Here is one of them.

It wouldn’t have mattered, he would have just argued without listening to what you posted.

 

[uncle woody]

I realize this guy is gone, but would have been interesting to know what model Mesa 810 he had. I'm guessing the traditional going by the triangle pads to screw the grill down to, and I dont see the hf driver.

My 2010 era 'regular' Powerhouse 810 has cast frame speakers. Here is one of them.

Yeah, they definitely were traditionals. I was talking about the standard/vintage models.

 

[Kijuer]

These babies have wheels and are sonic beasts. I will NEVER trade/sell them.

 

[lawgrass]

I have a later generation Powerhouse 1x12 cabinet (the one with the green speakON combo jacks). I am looking for a second 1x12 and was wondering if the Subway 1x12 would be a good match if used together.

 

[agedhorse]

I have a later generation Powerhouse 1x12 cabinet (the one with the green speakON combo jacks). I am looking for a second 1x12 and was wondering if the Subway 1x12 would be a good match if used together.

Not ideal but not bad either.

 

[J_WELF]

Something in line with this. I have a walkabout scout combo - would it make more sense to get another scout 12, a subway 12 or a pH 12...

 

[lawgrass]

Not ideal but not bad either.

Is there a particular aspect of the Subway 1x12 that makes it not ideal? Sensitivity, power handling, tone, etc?

 

[agedhorse]

Is there a particular aspect of the Subway 1x12 that makes it not ideal? Sensitivity, power handling, tone, etc?

All of the above to varying degrees.

 

[Dan55]

Something in line with this. I have a walkabout scout combo - would it make more sense to get another scout 12, a subway 12 or a pH 12...

I was thinking the same thing. I have a Walkabout Scout 12 and was thinking of getting the Subway 112 and sitting the Scout on top of it. Agedhorse, think they are compatible?

Dan

 

[agedhorse]

I was thinking the same thing. I have a Walkabout Scout 12 and was thinking of getting the Subway 112 and sitting the Scout on top of it. Agedhorse, think they are compatible?

Dan

With the passive radiator, the tuning (and the tuning Q) will certainly be different. How much this will affect performance I don't really know since I haven't tested it.