Mesa Subway 115 with 210 or other 115

[Retxed68]

Hello!

I am still trying to decide what to get, but I am getting there. I have a Subway D800+ amp and want Mesa cabs.

I ruled out the bigger Mesa Subway cabs (410, 215) because of size and weight (I have to use stairs a lot) and I hear so many good things about the 115 that I know I want this one for sure.

I play in a Foo Fighters tribute band right now, and otherwise my kind of music is rock/pop rock/post-hardcore.

With all that in mind.. would you choose another 115 or a 210 to go with the 115?

I know so many people seem to recommend 2x 115s but part of me that is used to 410s until now thinks that maybe the 115/210 combo is the way to go.. And also it would bring more versatility I think, but so many people recommend 2x 115s.. it is hard to decide

I would love to hear from people that had the same dilemma and had to choose one or the other.

PS: I didn't talk about the 112 because I don't know why it is the one I am the least interested in, but I may be wrong!

Thank you very much in advance for your input!

 

[musicman556]

I have the 115/210 stack and absolutely love it. Whether as singles or a stack, it's all good, all the time.

I used to say that my 1 cab grab-and-go was the 115. But recently I took the 210 by itself to a jam at a friend's house along with a GK Legacy 800 and it really surprised me! The 210 seems like maybe... a more balanced cab on its own vs the 115. I didn't really notice the same upper-mid presence push with the 210 that I get with the 115. I'm not saying that's good or bad, just different. It hit just as hard as I'd ever want it to, and was still really faithful with the GK "edge" of the Legacy head. I REALLY enjoyed the 210 cab all by itself!

I personally feel the 210 cab has less of a baked-in tonal profile than the 115. It seems the 210 is maybe more flat/accurate to input across the range vs the little bumps and valleys of the 115's response. I may be completely off-base and Andy will correct me, these are just my impressions.

Together they are a fantastic pairing. There is no fighting between the cabs, they just come together to be better and even more effortlessly awesome than a single. The projection and clarity of the stack is just astounding.

I don't think you can make a bad choice here going 115/115 or 115/210, but I will encourage the mixed pairing. You'll enjoy playing each cab against the other individually, then you'll love the stack, too!

 

[abarson]

The Subway 115 + 112 is one of the best pairings I've heard. They just complement each other in the most natural way. I've yet to play through the 210.

 

[Retxed68]

I have the 115/210 stack and absolutely love it. Whether as singles or a stack, it's all good, all the time.

I used to say that my 1 cab grab-and-go was the 115. But recently I took the 210 by itself to a jam at a friend's house along with a GK Legacy 800 and it really surprised me! The 210 seems like maybe... a more balanced cab on its own vs the 115. I didn't really notice the same upper-mid presence push with the 210 that I get with the 115. I'm not saying that's good or bad, just different. It hit just as hard as I'd ever want it to, and was still really faithful with the GK "edge" of the Legacy head. I REALLY enjoyed the 210 cab all by itself!

I personally feel the 210 cab has less of a baked-in tonal profile than the 115. It seems the 210 is maybe more flat/accurate to input across the range vs the little bumps and valleys of the 115's response. I may be completely off-base and Andy will correct me, these are just my impressions.

Together they are a fantastic pairing. There is no fighting between the cabs, they just come together to be better and even more effortlessly awesome than a single. The projection and clarity of the stack is just astounding.

I don't think you can make a bad choice here going 115/115 or 115/210, but I will encourage the mixed pairing. You'll enjoy playing each cab against the other individually, then you'll love the stack, too!
View attachment 4398972

Thanks for the detailed answer! That's also how I see it, if I have 2x 115 it will be good for sure, but if I want to use only one then I only have one choice, the 210 would give me this choice as long as they complement each other well when together, and you seem to like it so that's nice to hear

 

[Retxed68]

The Subway 115 + 112 is one of the best pairings I've heard. They just complement each other in the most natural way. I've yet to play through the 210.

Thanks for your answer!

 

[joel406]

Thanks for your answer!

Check out the Subway 212. I have a pair of em. Sound is crazy good. 4ohm, 800 watts and has low end response you gotta hear to believe. The mids and highs are extraordinary. I get people love the 15. But the 212s are the best kept secret in Mesa land.

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks for the detailed answer! That's also how I see it, if I have 2x 115 it will be good for sure, but if I want to use only one then I only have one choice, the 210 would give me this choice as long as they complement each other well when together, and you seem to like it so that's nice to hear

The 115/210 is probably the most popular combination after the 115/115. I have tested both and it really comes down to personal taste and preference.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I have the 1x15, 2x10, and 2x12 Mesa Subway cabs. I love the 2x10 cab. It's punchier and more aggressive than the 2x12 and pairs very well with the 1x15. But 2 1x15s is glorious as well. You can't go wrong either way. I love 10s for rock and the 2x10 doesn't disappoint.

 

[villegastx]

Not subway, but powerhouse.
The idea is the same, but three times heavier.

 

[bajaandy]

I have been rocking the 1x15 + 2x10 and it is just awesome. For many gigs I don't even need both cabs and find myself using the 2x10 frequently. But together... oh my! Love it!

 

[DrThumpenstein]

The Subway 115 is the best single cab I’ve ever owned. I tested it in combination with the SW 210 and the SW 112 and I preferred the 112/115 combo myself, so that’s what I’m rocking these days. But it was like choosing between outstanding and superb. I’ve always preferred 12s to 10s, and that is probably why I ended up going with that pairing.

As the SW designer himself said, it really comes down to personal preference. They all play great with each other. If there’s any way you can demo the different combinations, you should definitely do so. Of course, if you have to buy without trying, they have good resale value should you decide they’re not the cabs for you.

Beware, however, that for many of us, they become an addiction.

 

[agedhorse]

It's absolutely personal preference.

A chef friend of mine said he has his favorite dishes to cook, but when he's developing a menu for a new restaurant, he plans the flavors out around themes and what the customer is most likely to enjoy overall (not any one specific dish).

This is true when designing amps and cabinets, if everything was the same flavor, it would be awfully boring and dull. Since different types of players have different tastes, I am addressing at least a part of this diversity with the DIFFERENT products I design, but currently they are all around a general Mesa Boogie theme.

Might I do something a little different? Expand the reach a bit? Maybe, when I feel inspired enough to design something with a different theme that's my take on the theme and not just a copy/clone of something else. That product will be for somebody with a different personal preference.

Hope this helps explain a little bit about the why behind the differences in the models.

 

[villegastx]

I would love a 412 again.

 

[Matt Dean]

After decades of running 2x115s (Diesels), I moved to Subway speakers, first running a 112/115 stack, and then a 115/210 Subway stack. I really love how the 210 pairs with with 115, the 210 seems slightly more scooped and the 115, brings a little mid bump… together = perfect.

 

[petch]

I've never played the 210, but I do have the D800/12/15 stack. These cabs are so good (and the amp) that it's likely very hard to come up with a combination that doesn't kick butt!

 

[tshapiro]

To me the choice is easy. First, the 210 gets more of the sound I'm looking for. It's thick and rich and I think it has more of an edge. If you're already settled on a 115, then getting the 210 also gives you versatility and the ability to learn about both cabs. Whichever one you like best you can pop on top or take when you just need a single.

 

[Matt Dean]

I've never played the 210, but I do have the D800/12/15 stack. These cabs are so good (and the amp) that it's likely very hard to come up with a combination that doesn't kick butt!

View attachment 4580550

That’s where I went to after the Diesel 15s (and a Buster 200), D800 and a 112/115 stack. You’re right, its a great setup, and at the time the greatest thing since sliced bread. But agedhorse and Mesa have been on a lab binge the past few years and have produced a slew of killer products that genuinely differentiate in the market place, and equally excel in unique ways.

Hence, I have a WD 800 and a TT 800.

 

[Retxed68]

I went with the 210 and 115 and I love them both So glad I made this choice, it gives me versatility if I want to use them one at a time, and together they sound so good!

 

[villegastx]

Im considering to add another ph115 to my rig. I have a 115/210 set up but two 115 or two 210 looks sexy.

 

[Crabby]

I have 4 Subway cabs; a pair of 115’s, a 112 and a 210. I honestly can’t quite decide on my favourite combo. My Walkabout head with the 2 115’s is pure magic. But the 210 over a 115 with my WD800 is just superb. When I want to go as light as possible, a 115 under the 112 is also shockingly good and so easy to transport. I was never a fan of mixing cabs but these three work so well together that you can’t lose.