Mesa Subway 115 and 210 stack

[Peter - Oregon]

I recently purchased a Mesa D--350. I am thinking of getting the Mesa 115 and 210 to go with it. I know I don't need the pair for volume, I am looking for the best sound. For owners of this or other stacks, what do you think? I am a home player. I know this is a lot of cab for that. Would you say go for it, it will be awesome? Do the 115 alone, pair it with something else, do something completely different? Money isn't a limiting factor, within reason. Thanks in advance.

 

[Eneade]

You will find interesting soundclips on this post from a few years ago.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/of...ay-series-club.1181245/page-393#post-19616282

 

[Peter - Oregon]

You will find interesting soundclips on this post from a few years ago.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/of...ay-series-club.1181245/page-393#post-19616282

Great thread, thanks!

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have 1x15 and not Gigging/rehearsing at this time [ but looking] Sounds great at home from proper bedroom level to slightly less than rehearsal level.

For Gigging in my Area [Va. Beach to OBX] it also will be enough with or without FOH

BUT If your comfortable with an extra $1299 new [approx. $900 used] it may be what you want

 

[ole Jason]

This is a question I've been interested in since getting the 115 awhile ago. After reading through all the threads I don't think there is even really a consensus on how the various pairings even sound. Some people say the 210 gives the 115 more punch and low end thump and others say the 210 doesn't really add anything and you're better off with a second 115. You'll also occasionally see people advocate for pairing it with the 112.

My impression, which could be wrong, is that two 115's is generally the most favored setup for Subway cabs but they're all designed to work well together so you can't really go wrong.

 

[agedhorse]

Different players have different perceptions, that's why I always suggest trying the combinations to see which YOU prefer.

 

[Marko 1]

I recently purchased a Mesa D--350. I am thinking of getting the Mesa 115 and 210 to go with it. I know I don't need the pair for volume, I am looking for the best sound. For owners of this or other stacks, what do you think? I am a home player. I know this is a lot of cab for that. Would you say go for it, it will be awesome? Do the 115 alone, pair it with something else, do something completely different? Money isn't a limiting factor, within reason. Thanks in advance.

Both are well known to be wonderful cabs.

Considering you don't need to use them both together for volume, may as well have one of each for variety.

And that they are designed to work together, it's a can't-lose situation.

 

[Medicine Man]

The subway 1x15 is quite a capable cab on it's own. I would give that a try, because I suspect it will work for most as a single cab solution.

 

[Peter - Oregon]

Different players have different perceptions, that's why I always suggest trying the combinations to see which YOU prefer.

Thanks AgedHorse. My local shop often has a 115. I think I saw a 112 once. It makes it pretty hard to listen to the cabs myself. Someone like Sweetwater has inventory in stock, but I really don't like buying and returning items to try them and return them. I know it's what you have to do sometimes, but I don't like the hassle of returning, and feel like I'm jerking them around. I have played the 115, and really liked that. I feel pretty confident from what I have read that I would also like the 210. I like to support local shop. Can only demo a 210 there if I put down a large non-refundable deposit. As we all know, it's not so easy trying basses and amps in these days of low store inventories.

 

[musicman556]

I have the Subway 115/210 stack and love them paired, as well as individually, with any amp. They are different from each other when played individually, and I generally find myself using the 210 by itself when I'm going for more clean and transparent tones with a 5 string, like at a church event or something like that. If I'm just grabbing one cab for a rock band practice or small rock show, it's the 115 that gets the gig. Mild overdrive and hairy 4 string goodness just pour out of the 115 like nothing else!

I bring the pairing whenever I have the energy/space/desire to do so. Just fantastic every time! They blend together so well. One doesn't overpower the other... they're just more better together! Like Josh from JHS pedals says "More loud is more good." (tongue in cheek, don't flame me bros!)

 

[kmon]

I have a TT-800 with a SW 115 and 212.

The 115 is articulate, clear and loud AF at what, 400 watts?

The 212 just sits here for both rehearsals and shows. I'm having a hard time envisioning a need for it, much less both cabs.

So I'd start with the 115...

 

[Peter - Oregon]

I have the Subway 115/210 stack and love them paired, as well as individually, with any amp. They are different from each other when played individually, and I generally find myself using the 210 by itself when I'm going for more clean and transparent tones with a 5 string, like at a church event or something like that. If I'm just grabbing one cab for a rock band practice or small rock show, it's the 115 that gets the gig. Mild overdrive and hairy 4 string goodness just pour out of the 115 like nothing else!

I bring the pairing whenever I have the energy/space/desire to do so. Just fantastic every time! They blend together so well. One doesn't overpower the other... they're just more better together! Like Josh from JHS pedals says "More loud is more good." (tongue in cheek, don't flame me bros!)

Great to hear Misicman

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I have the Subway 115/210 stack and love them paired, as well as individually, with any amp. They are different from each other when played individually, and I generally find myself using the 210 by itself when I'm going for more clean and transparent tones with a 5 string, like at a church event or something like that. If I'm just grabbing one cab for a rock band practice or small rock show, it's the 115 that gets the gig. Mild overdrive and hairy 4 string goodness just pour out of the 115 like nothing else!

I bring the pairing whenever I have the energy/space/desire to do so. Just fantastic every time! They blend together so well. One doesn't overpower the other... they're just more better together! Like Josh from JHS pedals says "More loud is more good." (tongue in cheek, don't flame me bros!)

I have the 210/115 Mesa cabs as well and second this. Saves me typing.

 

[Snake101st]

Along with my journey from a D800+ to TT800, I started with a 115, then got another 115, because my bandmates like to be loud on stage. It worked well, but I wasn't really happy until I added a 210 on top.

The voicing of the cabs compliments each other really well, and having both opens up more possibilities for what to bring to what type of show. You're on a 350 or I'd recommend 215 + 210 or 115 + 410 (or 215 + 410!), since you said money is no object.

 

[grubdumpling]

Thanks AgedHorse. My local shop often has a 115. I think I saw a 112 once. It makes it pretty hard to listen to the cabs myself. Someone like Sweetwater has inventory in stock, but I really don't like buying and returning items to try them and return them. I know it's what you have to do sometimes, but I don't like the hassle of returning, and feel like I'm jerking them around. I have played the 115, and really liked that. I feel pretty confident from what I have read that I would also like the 210. I like to support local shop. Can only demo a 210 there if I put down a large non-refundable deposit. As we all know, it's not so easy trying basses and amps in these days of low store inventories.

Can you transfer the deposit to store credit and use that for the 115 if you don't like the 210?

 

[juancaminos]

I would get the SW 410. I don't have a SW 410 but I do have an Eden 410 and have tried an Epifani 410 both sound great with Active Fender Jazz basses. W

OTOH weight is a factor for me as I age. So I currently run a Mesa TT800 thru a SW 115 & 210. I've tried a few other brand 115/210 and didn't care for them. But the SW line is great and I certainly would have gone with the SW 410 but I am on a 40 lb weight limit.

Further, as of late I have only been bringing to 115 to gigs and I must admit that I am blown away at the capability of that 37lb speaker! This coming from a 410 snob.

 

[Hounddog409]

I recently purchased a Mesa D--350. I am thinking of getting the Mesa 115 and 210 to go with it. I know I don't need the pair for volume, I am looking for the best sound. For owners of this or other stacks, what do you think? I am a home player. I know this is a lot of cab for that. Would you say go for it, it will be awesome? Do the 115 alone, pair it with something else, do something completely different? Money isn't a limiting factor, within reason. Thanks in advance.

I have a D800 and 2 1x15 cabs.
It is wonderful. Bring 1 or 2 cab depending on situation. Whan i bring one, i have a stand to get it off the floor.

Use 2 for outdoor gigs. That gets crazy loud quick.

 

[bdplaid]

I like to support local shop. Can only demo a 210 there if I put down a large non-refundable deposit.

EDIT: I find the latter disqualifies the former.

I think the 115 is such a masterful bass cab and tone, I'm always going with that. Anything else is icing. Good luck!

 

[eriky4003]

3 users for the win. I'm sure that rig will be great live, if required (especially with Front-of-House sound provided). AgedHorse is being modest here but if you search around this site you will discover that testing was done for the Subway different speaker combinations to ensure they compliment/work well with each other.

 

[Killens84]

I've had the Subway 112/115, 210/115, and 115/115. The 115/115 is my favorite, and the 210/115 was my least favorite. The 210 had an upper-mid bite that didn't work well for me. The Subway 115 is one of the best bass cabs on the market, so two of them are even better.