Mesa Subway Combination Recommendation

[Crusher47]

View attachment 7115704115 and 210 work well for me. I particularly like the Subway D800+ too

Thanks for that pic, looks like the cabinets "line up" and compliment each other. How do you hook that up? 1 cable from each cab to the back of the head (2 cables on head)? or do you daisy chain the cabs together? I am seriously considering the same setup to compliment my TT-800 & 2x12 cab.

 

[Crusher47]

I'm surprised to see only one other recommendation for the Subway 212. I love mine - it's loud enough to handle any situation I find myself in, even occasional outdoor or festival gigs with a pretty loud 8 piece band, yet it has a relatively small footprint and is a very manageable weight (52 lbs but it seems lighter). I personally prefer using a single cabinet over multiple ones, so the 212 fills the bill for me 100%.

Same here.... I've only used my Subway 2x12 a couple of times on gigs including an outdoor backyard party and it kept up fine with a loud drummer and 2 loud guitars without breaking a sweat. It really is an awesome cabinet.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

The 210 is my favorite in the lineup. Deep and punchy. Handles a ton of power, so I’m unlikely to blow the speakers unless I do something stupid. I have a 1x15 also and it sounds great too, I just really love the 210.

I have two 210 cabs and ,90%+ one of them is all I need. In the past I’ve had two 118, a 115, a 215 reflex, a 215, a 412 as well as multiple combinations of the aforementioned. With the exception of the ROS set up to use with my Rick 4001 which was perfect for the band I was in but very limited use in other applications, I really don’t get the attraction of. larger speakers diameters.

But to that point, regardless of what size speaker is used, the magic we hear is the design characteristics of the speaker(s) and cab working together as a unit..

 

[Redbrangus]

1 cable from each cab to the back of the head (2 cables on head)? or do you daisy chain the cabs together?

It makes absolutely no difference -- do whatever is convenient.

 

[One Way]

Thanks for that pic, looks like the cabinets "line up" and compliment each other. How do you hook that up? 1 cable from each cab to the back of the head (2 cables on head)? or do you daisy chain the cabs together? I am seriously considering the same setup to compliment my TT-800 & 2x12 cab.

Speakon cable from amp output to the 210 input, then another speakon cable from the 210 output (throughput) to the 115. Each Subway cabinet has an input and output connection.

 

[agedhorse]

It makes absolutely no difference -- do whatever is convenient.

Correct, zero difference.

 

[Al Kraft]

This. ^^^^^

View attachment 7115813

I like this arrangement as well as I can usually hear and feel the lower bass notes ust fine. Getting a more mid oriented sound closer to my ear is most helpful.

 

[60bass]

I use the WD 800 and a new model GK NEO IV 212 cabinet. It's a good sounding combination and the GK cab has higher power rating and cheaper than the Mesa 212 cabinet. This rig hits hard. Far more than I'll ever need with FOH support so commonplace now.

 

[agedhorse]

I use the WD 800 and a new model GK NEO IV 212 cabinet. It's a good sounding combination and the GK cab has higher power rating and cheaper than the Mesa 212 cabinet. This rig hits hard. Far more than I'll ever need with FOH support so commonplace now.


View attachment 7117381

Note that the power handling rating methods are different between the two cabinets. They are not directly comparable.

 

[Chuck M]

I have owned SW 112's, 210's and 115's. I settled on a pair of 115's and use only one for most of my gigs. I have yet to hear another cab that sounds as good to me as the SW115.

The SW112's are way too mid forward for my taste and the SW210 sounded good but nothing like the 210's I have used in the past (Eden 210XLT and SWR Goliath, jr III). The SW210 sounded polite and sort of bland to me. Of course, each of us has different sonic goals, however, the SW115 seems to be almost universally loved by Subway users. One of my pals has a SW115 and a SW215.

 

[Matt Dean]

I've tried a lot of various combinations of SW cabs and settled on two 1x15s. This combo truly rules IMO.

 

[bdplaid]

No one has mentioned the 212, which is a beast on ts own. I have one, and two 115 cabs. The 212 goes with me most of the time.

 

[davedamage]

No one has mentioned the 212, which is a beast on ts own. I have one, and two 115 cabs. The 212 goes with me most of the time.

Bruh.

I have a few subway cabs (112, 115, 210, 212). My favorite is the 210 & 115 together. 2 115s would also be killer.

I didnt like the 112 with the 115 that much.

In the Subway line, I have two 1x15's and a single 2x12. Two 15's sounds HUGE and is quite remarkable. LOUD, plenty of lows, plenty of clarity. But,the single 2x12 is also quite remarkable. LOUD, plenty of lows, plenty of clarity. Hmmmm...... I would say over the past two years that I have gigged with the 2x12 about 90% of the time, indoors or out. I would say that it depends on how much p.a. support you will have available.

First world problem. lol

I like the subway 15 cabs , and most gigs I do especially with PA support one cab is enough. It sounds great and I’ve gotten compliments from a few other bass players about it. Haven’t tried the 10s though, but I could see a 210 being interesting.

I’ve been using double 115 setup for years, but I’ve wondered about trying a 2x12 to be louder than 1x15 but shorter/lighter than 2x15. I wish the 212 had the tiltback wheels like the 2x15 though. My drummer prefers when I only bring 115 on a gig though.

I went with a 2X12. My rational being that its fairly easy to carry and I wouldn't need anything larger ever (and cheaper than buying single speakers).

I'm surprised to see only one other recommendation for the Subway 212. I love mine - it's loud enough to handle any situation I find myself in, even occasional outdoor or festival gigs with a pretty loud 8 piece band, yet it has a relatively small footprint and is a very manageable weight (52 lbs but it seems lighter). I personally prefer using a single cabinet over multiple ones, so the 212 fills the bill for me 100%.

Same here.... I've only used my Subway 2x12 a couple of times on gigs including an outdoor backyard party and it kept up fine with a loud drummer and 2 loud guitars without breaking a sweat. It really is an awesome cabinet.

 

[agedhorse]

This thread shows how the different models, even though sharing a lot of similarities, also share differences that appeal to different player tastes.

It’s a great time to be a bass player.

 

[jivetkr]

I’ve never played the 410 which I’m sure is killer but the 212 is incredibly satisfying. It handles everything and asks for more.

It is really a good time to be a bass player. I really love these cabinets and amps.

 

[profb]

I often see the comment that the subway 112 has more mids than, say, the 115. Is there a specific part of the frequency spectrum that is more prominent in the 112?

 

[Chuck M]

I often see the comment that the subway 112 has more mids than, say, the 115. Is there a specific part of the frequency spectrum that is more prominent in the 112?

The SW112 is very forward in the lower mids as I hear it. The 115 is a very hi fi sounding cabinet and I am certain it could be used as a PA main speaker. It is very even sounding but when you push the lows it really responds beautifully. The SW112 has an edge to it that borders on harsh IMO. However, that is just the ticket for some styles of music. I play mostly jazz but some pop music on the order of Steely Dan, Leon Russell and Allman Brothers. There are those that love the SW112 for the very reason it does not suit me. If Andy had set out to design the perfect cabinet for me it would be the SW115. Thanks, Andy!!!!

 

[profb]

The SW112 is very forward in the lower mids as I hear it. The 115 is a very hi fi sounding cabinet and I am certain it could be used as a PA main speaker. It is very even sounding but when you push the lows it really responds beautifully. The SW112 has an edge to it that borders on harsh IMO. However, that is just the ticket for some styles of music. I play mostly jazz but some pop music on the order of Steely Dan, Leon Russell and Allman Brothers. There are those that love the SW112 for the very reason it does not suit me. If Andy had set out to design the perfect cabinet for me it would be the SW115. Thanks, Andy!!!!

That's helpful, thanks! I got a 112 when I purchased my WD800, in large part because I was looking for the smallest rig possible. I double on upright and bass guitar, but have only had the chance to gig with the upright. I thought the 112 sounded good for the jazz combo I was playing in, but it would be nice to compare it with other options in the subway line.

 

[Chuck M]

That's helpful, thanks! I got a 112 when I purchased my WD800, in large part because I was looking for the smallest rig possible. I double on upright and bass guitar, but have only had the chance to gig with the upright. I thought the 112 sounded good for the jazz combo I was playing in, but it would be nice to compare it with other options in the subway line.

I play upright mostly with no amplification but when I need the amp I use a little Fender Rumble 100. I use a Thompson hybrid equipped with a Realist PU into an old Fishman Model B preamp and into the Rumble 100. It sounds absolutely like the bass....but only if the amp is tilted back. If it is sitting flat on the floor it sounds boomy.

I have also used my D350 and one SW115 for upright and it sounds terrific and, as expected, can push a lot more air than the little Fender amp.

I tried really hard to love the SW112 and have had a couple of them but I just could not get what I wanted with them. As stated before, each of us has our own unique needs and I know the 112 works perfectly for many players. Andy has stated many times that each product in the Subway line was engineered to meet specific needs and I think he did a superb job.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

The 115 is a very hi fi sounding cabinet and I am certain it could be used as a PA main speaker.

They also serve very well as hifi stereo cabs.

I run these about 10 hours a day and have never been happier with a "stereo system," my old ESS's sounded great, but they kept blowing up, whereas with the Subway line our ears are the limiting factor.
: )