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Mesa subway cab combo question

Which Mesa Subway cabinet combo?

  • Total voters
    36
Wild Snapper

Wild Snapper

Dec 6, 2021
51
150
Maine
#1
After reading 500 plus pages I still feel the need to ask the ones with direct experience. I'm trying to decide between a
2 1x15s stack.
Vs
1x15+1x12 stack
I'm playing through a WD-800 with an EBMM and some other 5 strings on occasions, mostly rock.
Those with experience using these combinations, are there any advantages or disadvantages?
I'm not interested in other brands and I'm not interested in any 10" cabs.
Thanks folks
 
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#2
Either way would be fantastic.

The 15 is bigger, deeper, and clearer sounding.
The 12 is thicker and less articulate, more old school.

Dual 15's is just huge sounding, mixing them gives you a little bit of everything.

For MY preferences I liked the 2x15 stack better.

That being said, I currently run a 1x15/1x12 stack because I got a good deal on the 1x12 and I already had the 1x15. I sold my other 1x15 last year when I thought I was done playing out and really missed having a Subway stack when we started back.

I'd still like to get another 115 I think. If for nothing else I'd like to have two matching cabs so I can do A/B amp an pedalboard testing.

So to sum up...there is no wrong answer and it depends on the sound you want!
 
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#5
I've done a couple gigs with the 112/115 combination. I don't know what I want to improve about it, but then I haven't played a 115/115 or 215. Thread needs some pics.

42FE2D61-D8FE-448F-BC33-D0A16C4B1EC6.jpeg
 
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#7
Yes, you gotta try it. Nothing formal, I just tried both ways and made a judgement call. The cabs are superb, one just cannot get it wrong.

The 112 at the bottom stack does look a bit weird with the shorty cab at the bottom. But I guess weird is the new normal. Let us know what you prefer when/if you try it.

Wild Snapper said:
Honestly, do people stack that 1x12 on the bottom because the 1x15 just sounds so good at ear level? Is the 1x15 voiced better up top?
Click to expand...
 
#10
I know you have already written off 10" speakers but I'm gunna say it any way. The Subway 210/115 stack is absolutely killer.

The 210 hits the clean lows even better than the 115. The 115 is actually stronger in the mids/upper mids. Adding the 210 to the 115 makes for an epic gut-punching combo. These cabs are the inverse of the common "traditional" ideas that 10s are for mid punch and 15s are for deep lows. Not drastically so, as all the Subway cabs are pretty darn great and complete on their own, but these are so well designed and purposefully made that the old "rules" just don't apply here.

I lieu of that, 2x115s would be my choice. However, I'd go with the 215 cab. It's not as heavy as two individual 115 cabs. It's easy to move with the built in telescoping handle, and is a Squier Jazz cheaper than 2x115 cabs.

20211201_085655.jpg
 
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#12
I own and love a 115 + 115 stack, so that's how I voted, but lots of people like 115 + 112 so I think you should try both options before buying if possible. (And try the 210: I think it's better than the 112.)

Having 115 + 112 seems like it should give more versatility because if using only one cab for a quiet gig you then have different size options, but I don't like how the 112 sounds on its own, the 115 and 210 both sounded a lot better to me. I figured the 115 + 115 stack was best for me because (a) it sounds amazing, (b) if ever one of the cabs breaks it doesn't matter which one, I would still be left with the size I like, and (c) the 112 really isn't much smaller than the 115 so doesn't save much space.
 
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#14
i brought the 112 home to add to my 115 and while I have only tried it briefly its not an improvement or even more of the same. The combo seems to have lost the big round smooth bottom end and it doesn't matter which cab is on top. I guess 2x115s is the way to go. Its certainly not louder with the volume knob in the same position either not that what I was looking for. I've got a short cable running from one cable to the other. Perhaps I have done something wrong? Fortunately the store has a 30 day return policy. When I went in they had a 210 powerhouse for $450 Cdn which I thought about for a second. :)
 
#15
matti777 said:
i brought the 112 home to add to my 115 and while I have only tried it briefly its not an improvement or even more of the same. The combo seems to have lost the big round smooth bottom end and it doesn't matter which cab is on top. I guess 2x115s is the way to go. Its certainly not louder with the volume knob in the same position either not that what I was looking for. I've got a short cable running from one cable to the other. Perhaps I have done something wrong? Fortunately the store has a 30 day return policy. When I went in they had a 210 powerhouse for $450 Cdn which I thought about for a second. :)
Click to expand...
This one is a matter of taste, but I'm surprised at some of what you describe. It almost sounds like the 112 took something away and to me that screams out of phase cabs. Is it possible the cabs are wired backwards or your cables are?

I agree there is a big difference in the sound of the 112/115 and two 115's but losing that large bottom end shouldn't have happened IME. The 112 provides some bass reinforcement (not nearly in 115 territory though) and should have mostly added low-mids and a stronger mid voice to the 115 sound.
 
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#16
matti777 said:
i brought the 112 home to add to my 115 and while I have only tried it briefly its not an improvement or even more of the same. The combo seems to have lost the big round smooth bottom end and it doesn't matter which cab is on top. I guess 2x115s is the way to go. Its certainly not louder with the volume knob in the same position either not that what I was looking for. I've got a short cable running from one cable to the other. Perhaps I have done something wrong? Fortunately the store has a 30 day return policy. When I went in they had a 210 powerhouse for $450 Cdn which I thought about for a second. :)
Click to expand...

It may just be the particular cabinet you got. The entire reason I posted this thread and reached out to everyone here is because the only Mesa cabs I was able to test in person was a 1x12 and a 4x10. The 1x12 was ok but the 4x10, which is what I have always played in other brands sounded so thin and lacking bottom end, I just assumed there was something wrong with it.
If anyone can actually find Mesa cabs in music shops at this point, they are probably only still there because they have something wrong with them. That is why I'm thankful for this groups feedback on the 1x15s!!!
 
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#17
Al Kraft said:
This one is a matter of taste, but I'm surprised at some of what you describe. It almost sounds like the 112 took something away and to me that screams out of phase cabs. Is it possible the cabs are wired backwards or your cables are?

I agree there is a big difference in the sound of eth 112/115 and two 115's but losing that large bottom end shouldn't have happened IME. The 112 provides some bass reinforcement (not nearly in 115 territory though) and should have mostly added low-mids and a stronger mid voice to the 115 sound.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think something is wrong. It may well be on my end but I will have to do some testing. They sound good on their own but not together. I tried a couple different cables between the cabs so it does seem like a phase issue...too early to say for sure. The 112 is supposed to be new. I'll start a different thread perhaps if I don't sort this out.
 
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#18
matti777 said:
Yeah I think something is wrong. It may well be on my end but I will have to do some testing. They sound good on their own but not together. I tried a couple different cables between the cabs so it does seem like a phase issue...too early to say for sure. The 112 is supposed to be new. I'll start a different thread perhaps if I don't sort this out.
Click to expand...
"Good alone, losing bass/sounding weak when played together" is screaming out of phase. A "battery test" on the cabs can confirm if that's the problem very quickly. Good luck on getting it sorted!
 
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