Mesa Subway 112 and 115 together

[the bat]

Thanks everyone. So much hands on experience is very helpful.

 

[Chuck M]

For me a pair of SW 115’s is perfect. I found the SW 112 too mid forward for my taste.

 

[Al Kraft]

Works

The man has been pretty prolific on the Mesa threads, so you may be wading through a lot of posts to find it. I won't speak for him, but I know he and I exchanged more than a couple agreements and similar sentiments on the beauty of the Subway 115/112 combo over the years. Here's my take...

Been using Subway cabs for 7-8 years now. I've had as many as 4 or 5 of their cabs at the same time. So I've tried most of the dual-cab/half stack configs (i.e. 115 x 2, 112 x 2, 15+12, 210+15, 210+12). I started with the 115/112 and it's still my favorite after all that.

The final decision was between the 115/112 and the 2x15. The strength of the Subway 115s is the low end extension and power they deliver, even with a single cab. Stack two of them, and you'll have more than enough. To my ears, the 215 setup sounds a bit 'polite' in the mids. I chalk this up to how powerful the low end is on those cabs - in comparison, even flatter lows-mids and midrange can sound a bit reserved, if that makes sense.

The 112 doesn't have the extended low end power of the 115 on it's own, but it is more pronounced and has more push in the upper-lows and lower-mids. I feel that's true through the midrange, but it's not 'honky' or overbearing. All that said, the 112 compliments the 115 in that it sort of picks up in the low-mids where the 115 leaves off. There's a thickness and presence the 215 combo brings specifically in the lower end, and I feel the 115/112 combo delivers that presence through more of the frequency range. It just sounds more complimentary to my ears, and I can get more punch where I want it with the 115/112 combo. I would argue that the 115/112 combo is more versatile than the 215 setup.

To be honest, it's really dependent on what you want tonally and what you tend to dial in/out in your setup. Neither of these combinations will be disappointing or lacking. I think I would be very happy with the 215 combo if I had gone that direction, but I found the 115/112 setup more easily cut through the mix and punched harder where I like it to. If you tend to significantly boost lows and/or scoop mids most of the time, the 215 may be a better starting point. If you want more variety and a bit more presence through the low and midrange, I would suggest the 115/112 pair.

Based on my own experience this is a perfect synopsis...and based on reading the Mesa threads I would also say it reflects the general consensus of most players.

 

[the bat]

For me a pair of SW 115’s is perfect. I found the SW 112 too mid forward for my taste.

Do you usually play 6 string basses like your photo? I play Jazz, Precisions, and occasionally a Stingray with a round thick tone, and not much top end.
The 12 SW cab I played by it self sounded great for my style.

 

[squish]

It's a very good, capable combo.

 

[Chuck M]

Do you usually play 6 string basses like your photo? I play Jazz, Precisions, and occasionally a Stingray with a round thick tone, and not much top end.
The 12 SW cab I played by it self sounded great for my style.

I do usually play 6 string basses. I own 6’s by G.Gould, Modulus, Ernie Ball and Roscoe. The Bongo 6 gets played the most.

The SW 112 with its accentuated mids sounds edgy to me. I understand it is voiced that way by design and many wonderful players enjoy the SW 112. It just happens that the 115 is perfect for me. It is very hi-fi sounding and nothing like any other 115 I have tried.

I don’t think there is anything in the Subway line that is not fantastic when used for intended purposes.

 

[mam1862]

That's a great combo. I tried the 115x2, 115 with the 112 and the 115 with the 210. They all sound really good. My favorite was the 115 with the 210. I have since sold all of them, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them. Great cabs! I still use the D800 + which is an amazing amp.

 

[NeonVomit]

I use that combination all the time with my D800 head.

Power, volume, projection for days. It can handle a medium-to-large outdoor festival stage (playing crust punk/hardcore) with little problem. Volume/projection wise it's about equal to a really good 4x10, with fantastic definition and clarity.

 

[j3ffr0]

I like the way the cabs sound together and the look good as well. I have dreams of playing in a great band and leaving the 115 in a band room, keeping the 112 in the home studio and using both for bigger shows. However, current reality has me using the 112 in my studio and the 115 is being used as a side table in the studio lounge (covered of course). I love the punchiness of the 112.

Also the 112 fits into the trunk of my Camry easily. The 115 needs the back seat. Sometimes the smaller form factor of the 112 comes in handy.

 

[squish]

I use that combination all the time with my D800 head.

Power, volume, projection for days. It can handle a medium-to-large outdoor festival stage (playing crust punk/hardcore) with little problem. Volume/projection wise it's about equal to a really good 4x10, with fantastic definition and clarity.

OMG your band is so cool

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have a 115 SW cab and I'm thinking of adding a 112 SW cab to it. Anyone with experience want to spread your opinion?
Does one cab over power the other? Don't slap and mostly use flats.

I”m not experienced with Mesa cabs but a 112 XST Eden+ on top of a 210 XST or XLT is a formidable rig.

 

[DenisLM]

My favorite combo:
2x15 + 1x12

Great for small clubs where the PA are just for vocals.
And shake the whole stage in the process

 

[the bat]

My favorite combo:
2x15 + 1x12

View attachment 7395503

Great for small clubs where the PA are just for vocals.
And shake the whole stage in the process

That looks like a house shaker of a rig

 

[NeonVomit]

OMG your band is so cool

Thanks! The lyrics are very, uh, controversial, but we have fun!

 

[CaptainRuss]

My preferred combo is the 112/115. I practice or rehearse with just one of them, (usually the 15), but for gigs I’ll use both, or at least bring both. If the venue is too small I’ll plug the 15 in only.

One tip I got from the fine TB folks is putting the 15 on top of the 12, it made a difference to me as a player with this configuration. With the 12 over the 15 I wasn’t hearing the rig as well.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Another endorsement for the 112/115 SW stack. My band plays metal and MTV-era party rock, and the presentation of the mids is key to me slotting into the mix. Most of the places we play are small enough that I just send signal to the PA for the guys who have in-ears, and I carry the room. Either works solo, although I usually take the 15 if I'm only taking one.

Even outdoor shows, when I always take both, are plenty loud and I never use more than 30-50% of the amp's power, whether I'm using the WD or the TT.

They blend together beautifully. I've compared it to a duet between two powerful bass/baritone singers. The 12 alone works fine, just needs a little low-end boost for the lowest frequencies when solo'd. It responds well to those adjustments on the SW amps, the only ones I've played with them, and doesn't sound stressed when EQing it for more deep bass.

I prefer that combination over the 2 X 115 stack. I compared them (112/115 vs two 115s) when I bought my 15. I loved the GK Neo 212 that I traded on the 15. They didn't have the 212 or a second 112 to see if that would have been the preferred pairing. But the 115 by itself was a great replacement for that 212; the 112 alone would not have been enough to replace it for my needs. I'll never conquer GAS, but I haven't had any new cab fantasies since I got the 112 to pair with that 115.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Not that you need it at this point, but I'll add another enthusiastic endorsement for the 112/115 combination. They compliment one another extremely well, providing as full and rich a sound as I've ever gotten from any combination of cabs. As mentioned, they are also two very usable individual components that give you options when you only need one. I also love the way they simply look together.

 

[Al Kraft]

Another endorsement for the 112/115 SW stack. My band plays metal and MTV-era party rock, and the presentation of the mids is key to me slotting into the mix. Most of the places we play are small enough that I just send signal to the PA for the guys who have in-ears, and I carry the room. Either works solo, although I usually take the 15 if I'm only taking one.

Even outdoor shows, when I always take both, are plenty loud and I never use more than 30-50% of the amp's power, whether I'm using the WD or the TT.

They blend together beautifully. I've compared it to a duet between two powerful bass/baritone singers. The 12 alone works fine, just needs a little low-end boost for the lowest frequencies when solo'd. It responds well to those adjustments on the SW amps, the only ones I've played with them, and doesn't sound stressed when EQing it for more deep bass.

I prefer that combination over the 2 X 115 stack. I compared them (112/115 vs two 115s) when I bought my 15. I loved the GK Neo 212 that I traded on the 15. They didn't have the 212 or a second 112 to see if that would have been the preferred pairing. But the 115 by itself was a great replacement for that 212; the 112 alone would not have been enough to replace it for my needs. I'll never conquer GAS, but I haven't had any new cab fantasies since I got the 112 to pair with that 115.

I just want to make a quick observation here...the good Doctor plays a different style of music than I do but describes the performance of the 112/115 and single cabs the same way I and many others do. The key takeaway from that is that these cabs seem to consistently strike players the same way (in their character and voicing) regardless of musical genre.

Some heads and cabs work better for one style of music or another, but the SW cabs (individually or in groups) tend to be rather universally useful...and for the same reasons player to player. If I had to buy a cab(s) without hearing it first (a situation many are in today), this kind of consistency would give me confidence in my choice.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I just want to make a quick observation here...the good Doctor plays a different style of music than I do but describes the performance of the 112/115 and single cabs the same way I and many others do. The key takeaway from that is that these cabs seem to consistently strike players the same way (in their character and voicing) regardless of musical genre.

Some heads and cabs work better for one style of music or another, but the SW cabs (individually or in groups) tend to be rather universally useful...and for the same reasons player to player. If I had to buy a cab(s) without hearing it first (a situation many are in today), this kind of consistency would give me confidence in my choice.

Thanks, Al. I'd add that, while my band primarily plays metal-based classic rock, I play a wide variety of music, with lots of reggae, jazz, R&B/Motown for personal enjoyment. And maybe, after I completely retire from my straight job, a second band -- with horns! The SW heads and cabs yield a wide range of tones and I can use each of them for any of those genres. I've never had such impressive tone for reggae, my second love, and classic R&B/soul tones are easily within reach with the WD, TT, and the DI+ preamp paired with SW cabs. Tweeters rolled off for most of the old school stuff, although with jazz fusion, I tend to leave them on. It'll be fun to see how the 800D works with regard to other types of music, although I'm reassured by @gustobassman that the reggae will be profound coming out of that amp!

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm reassured by @gustobassman that the reggae will be profound coming out of that amp!

...trust me, we are all convinced of that listening to Gus' videos!