Mesa Subway 115 and 210 stack

[coy garcia]

I used that combo with my 400+ for decades....sometimes would take just the 115. To be honest the 210 did not make the 115 sound better but it looks cool. The 210 alone did not sound even close to as good as the 115. My tone now is as good but probably much better through a 50 watt tube amp and a 112 downfiring cab and its small and portable.
Bottom line IMHO is it will look awesome on stage or in the bedroom but....nobody in the audience will notice a better sound.

 

[Peter - Oregon]

I used that combo with my 400+ for decades....sometimes would take just the 115. To be honest the 210 did not make the 115 sound better but it looks cool. The 210 alone did not sound even close to as good as the 115. My tone now is as good but probably much better through a 50 watt tube amp and a 112 downfiring cab and its small and portable.
Bottom line IMHO is it will look awesome on stage or in the bedroom but....nobody in the audience will notice a better sound.

Interesting, thanks. So far more people seem to believe the 210 does add nicely to the 115, although it's a split decision. I do like the ability to play them together or individually for more options. I read awhile back that some people thought the 210 was more punchy (if I'm remembering correctly). Wondering if some people agree with that?

 

[Peter - Oregon]

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.

Ha ha, I did say within reason. I believe the two cabs new would be $2,500. That's about the top of reason for me for two cabs. Both size and money wise.

 

[Peter - Oregon]

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!

Not sure I totally understand the comment. I must buy the cab in order to try it. They are a small shop, and buying to demo is not really an option. That may be what you mean, I don't know.

 

[Eneade]

You do not need to spend all your budget at once.
Start with the 115, it is really more than enough for home use.
You can add another cab later when you have experience with the 115.

 

[agedhorse]

Interesting, thanks. So far more people seem to believe the 210 does add nicely to the 115, although it's a split decision. I do like the ability to play them together or individually for more options. I read awhile back that some people thought the 210 was more punchy (if I'm remembering correctly). Wondering if some people agree with that?

Different player tastes

 

[Saetia]

I can't add anything on the 210/ 115 stack but I can say that 2 x SW 115's are more than the sum of their parts capable of some seriously quick, punchy thick tones at nauseum levels for most occasions. They really are a force.

 

[Peter - Oregon]

I understand your comment bpplaid. It's obviously tough for brick and mortar stores these days. I have 7 basses. I only bought one at my local shop, my first bass. They just don't have the ability to discount much..Two I played at my local shop and bought from GC on 30% or more sales. The others I bought used. I would think a large percentage of people that buy new demo in a shop and buy online. Maybe not. I have bought a lot of used gear at my local shop. I bought my D-350 at that shop, and would like to buy the cabs there if possible. I think they are stuck in a hard place when someone buys Mesa gear (for example) and returns it. It is likely to be on the floor a long time, and has to be discounted.

 

[Verb the Noun]

Interesting, thanks. So far more people seem to believe the 210 does add nicely to the 115, although it's a split decision. I do like the ability to play them together or individually for more options. I read awhile back that some people thought the 210 was more punchy (if I'm remembering correctly). Wondering if some people agree with that?

As agedhorse says "Different player tastes". I have every SW cab except the 410 to play mix and match with. My experiments have led me to keeping my 12s with 12s, 15s with 15s and 10s with 10s. Big fan of the driver coupling effect, and love the way each different type is voiced.

Bass akwards as hell, I know, but I never change my EQ. I use different cabs for different tones.

Edit: I'd call the SW12s the punchy ones of the line if that is what you are looking for.

 

[Nephilymbass]

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.

My recommendation as a subway d-800 and subway 115 owner is to buy the 115 first then evaluate if you need more cab for your own situation.

 

[coy garcia]

Interesting, thanks. So far more people seem to believe the 210 does add nicely to the 115, although it's a split decision. I do like the ability to play them together or individually for more options. I read awhile back that some people thought the 210 was more punchy (if I'm remembering correctly). Wondering if some people agree with that?

The 210 does sound a tighter, brighter, thinner and is also more directional. The 115 is fuller sounding and less directional meaning I can hear/feel the bass on either side of the stage and I much prefer the fuller sound of a larger speaker. Also a 115 is usually lighter to move. It is subjective, I would think if your a slapper, or use a bright pick type sound you might prefer more 10's. You could get both like you say and it will look awesome... For me I like a good full warm sound that I can move easy. Mesa cabinets are great sounding, well built, and will last forever...I have heavy used ones for 25yrs and have only had to replace a jack once.

 

[RichardScott]

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 the Subway D800+ and run it with a custom built 210 and orange OBC 112.
I downsized to this from a fender rumble 410/115 stack.
Also being a bedroom player I love this set up more than I did the larger stack.

 

[sirdude23]

I'm a 210/115 fan for a long time. I started with a set of Yorkville cabs that about the same weight as the SW line. Moved up a M6 Carbine w/powerhouse 210/115 that I used for several years, and then along came the light weight Mesa's that make load in/out so much easier. they are paired with the WD800. That's my gig rig that will last till my playing days are done. I've read that some like the 15 on top of 210, and I inadvertingly tried that the other night. didn't like it. I prefer to hear the 210 closer to my ears (I have considerable hearing loss). Although, changing eq settings on my bass changed what I heard from upside down stack. My opinion is one cabinet is great, but 2 cabinets, which ever the combination just fills the spectrum. I still own all of them along with a Kustom 215 that has more paper to get that classic 70's vibe. You can't go wrong with however you build you rig. good luck!

 

[whitelines]

my $0.02.
I have the original 15/12 combo that @agedhorse and friends released. I prefer the 15 of the two, and can make do with it on many small shows. If I had my druthers, I'd trade someone that is a 12 fan for a 15 cab and have a matching pair. easier practically to have two in different locations if needed (rehearsal/gig) and would couple well when paired. Small plus is that it would be a bit taller on stage, and also easier to stack (order does not matter) and easier to find the right speaker cover when packing up.

For home use, one 15 SW would be way more than enough fullness and volume. I'd start with that.

If there is anyone out there that is interested in trading their SW15 for my SW12 (with $ adjustment), hit me up.

Overall, I love the cabs, and how easy they are to pack in and out. well done @agedhorse !

 

[nnnnnn]

I have a D800 and 2 1x15 cabs.

This is what I have and I love it.

I also like the sound of the 210 cab, and feel confident a 115 plus 210 would pair well, but at the time I bought my rig the shop didn't have the 210 in stock. At some point in future maybe I'll add the 210 for variety, but I have not for a second regretted getting two of the 115s.

I wasn't a fan of the 112, but other people swear by them, so I always say to try all of the sizes out and buy whichever you like best. (If possible. I realise some shops don't routinely stock them all.)

 

[Peter - Oregon]

This is what I have and I love it.

I also like the sound of the 210 cab, and feel confident a 115 plus 210 would pair well, but at the time I bought my rig the shop didn't have the 210 in stock. At some point in future maybe I'll add the 210 for variety, but I have not for a second regretted getting two of the 115s.

I wasn't a fan of the 112, but other people swear by them, so I always say to try all of the sizes out and buy whichever you like best. (If possible. I realise some shops don't routinely stock them all.)

Tell me what you get with the two 115s.that you don't with one. I understand you use more of your amps power, and thus it is noticeably louder. Tell me about the tone you are getting.

 

[nnnnnn]

Tell me what you get with the two 115s.that you don't with one. I understand you use more of your amps power, and thus it is noticeably louder. Tell me about the tone you are getting.

It's just...fuller. I'm not sure what other words to use.

I stack the two vertically, like you would expect. Plugging only the bottom one in sounds good. Plugging only the top one in sounds good. Nothing to complain about using one by itself like that. But both together are just better. It's not simply a matter of total volume, in my opinion both together sound better than one alone even at low volume in my loungeroom.

Obviously this is subjective.

I would have been happy with only one cab if that's all I could afford, but I was fortunate my budget extended to two, and once I tried two together in the shop I knew that that was the option for me.

 

[ashtray]

For home playing, you don't even need to consider the can of worms that is mixed drivers. I would consider getting the cab closer to your ear though, so the 115 plus the 210 might be a good solution for that. Heck, you can alternate which cab you put on top, and even just plug in the top cab if you want.

I play my AG500 through a 115 on top a 212 cab. At home. In a bedroom turned music room. Sometimes I don't run the 212 cab, just to push the 115 a bit more and see how much the sound is different - but in my bedroom, it's not a huge change. Sounds fuller with both cabs. That said, I've accidentally left the bottom cab not hooked up, er, for over a year, and never really noticed, so there's that!

 

[Verb the Noun]

Tell me what you get with the two 115s.that you don't with one. I understand you use more of your amps power, and thus it is noticeably louder. Tell me about the tone you are getting.

Same tone, thicker and more present in an uncanny way. A SW215 and SW115 with amp in 2ohm mode will do the same thing yet again. The SW315 is hands down my favorite combo of my cabs.

 

[Peter - Oregon]

For home playing, you don't even need to consider the can of worms that is mixed drivers. I would consider getting the cab closer to your ear though, so the 115 plus the 210 might be a good solution for that. Heck, you can alternate which cab you put on top, and even just plug in the top cab if you want.

I play my AG500 through a 115 on top a 212 cab. At home. In a bedroom turned music room. Sometimes I don't run the 212 cab, just to push the 115 a bit more and see how much the sound is different - but in my bedroom, it's not a huge change. Sounds fuller with both cabs. That said, I've accidentally left the bottom cab not hooked up, er, for over a year, and never really noticed, so there's that!

Funny, thank you!