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Mixing driver sizes
- Thread starter Mr Gaston
- Start date
Idk, Ive always liked the sound I get out my cabs, ive played as a drummer with bassists that used all different kinds, some that didnt, most of em that had a 15 said they did so for the added lows. I have to be honest, I look at one and think "lower" but ive read on here over and over thats not the case. One of those things that kinda baffles me. Recording wise, I can definitely discern phase issues, though usually I see it surface on drums more than anything due to mic placement. I cant remember telling the difference on bassist rigs that I played with. My long term bassist played with a Trace elliot 410 combo with a trace 18" driver below it. I couldnt tell you the difference there.
Mixing drivers without a carefully thought out cross-over can wield both good and bad. I used to run Aguilar S410s with a GS112 and those cabs really complimented each other. When I was buying a Hartke HyDrive 410, for the fun of it, I plugged in the matching 115. The phasing pitfalls of haphazardly mixing driver sizes was instantly noticeable, even in the music store at quiet jamming volume. The punch of the 410 completely disappeared when the 115 was added.
I will say this, though. A lot of people will say that it sounds fine or even sounds great when they're standing four feet in front of their rig. But the true test is what it sounds like out in the room (if you don't have PA support, of course). If a lot of bass players had good wireless systems and stepped out to the middle or the back of the room during soundcheck, many would be very surprised - for both good and bad - at what they hear once they step away from their rigs.
As far as 15s going lower, that used to actually be fairly accurate years ago. 410s often rolled off around 60 - 80hz and bi-amping was very popular. Now, that's not so much. Most commercial 410s are more full-range, and many 115s have the higher roll-off.
I will say this, though. A lot of people will say that it sounds fine or even sounds great when they're standing four feet in front of their rig. But the true test is what it sounds like out in the room (if you don't have PA support, of course). If a lot of bass players had good wireless systems and stepped out to the middle or the back of the room during soundcheck, many would be very surprised - for both good and bad - at what they hear once they step away from their rigs.
As far as 15s going lower, that used to actually be fairly accurate years ago. 410s often rolled off around 60 - 80hz and bi-amping was very popular. Now, that's not so much. Most commercial 410s are more full-range, and many 115s have the higher roll-off.
^^ This.
I'd like to add that while 410's can sound really good the design has to be meticulous.
A lot of 10" speakers handle well up to 3khz, maybe 3.5 where good 15" speakers are usable right up to 5khz.
Usually the HF unit kicks in either from 3.5khz or 5khz. Everything underneath is handled by the woofers.
Therefor it is in the mid range where the big differences are between cabs. Me I prefer my 2x15" for just this reason. It has nice colouration in the mids for the stuff I play.
I suppose mixing speaker sizes can sound nice as long as you stick with cabs from the same manufacturer and from the same series.
Used to play through SWR Workingpro 1x15 + 4x10 cabs and that sounded very powerful (but lacked character according to my taste).
I'd like to add that while 410's can sound really good the design has to be meticulous.
A lot of 10" speakers handle well up to 3khz, maybe 3.5 where good 15" speakers are usable right up to 5khz.
Usually the HF unit kicks in either from 3.5khz or 5khz. Everything underneath is handled by the woofers.
Therefor it is in the mid range where the big differences are between cabs. Me I prefer my 2x15" for just this reason. It has nice colouration in the mids for the stuff I play.
I suppose mixing speaker sizes can sound nice as long as you stick with cabs from the same manufacturer and from the same series.
Used to play through SWR Workingpro 1x15 + 4x10 cabs and that sounded very powerful (but lacked character according to my taste).
So, I have a single 15 ( Greenboy Bassic 15 ), loaded with a Faital PR400, with a frequency range of 35 - 4000 hz, xmax of 5.75. I also have an Avatar 210/Tweet cab, loaded with two Faital PR300's, with a frequency range of 60- 5000 hz, Xmax of 4.92. The 15 is 4 ohm, rated at 400 watts, the 210 is rated at 8 ohm, 600 watts. My Carvin BX1500 will allow me to run one side at 2 ohms for full range, or dual mono , or I could use the internal crossover, which starts at 100 Hz. What would be the best way to run both cabs, if I had to ?
You will get the most output running them dual mono. Your best sound will have to be determined by ear playing the cabs dual mono, and with the cross over in play, messing with the cross over point. You will also have to try using each cab on either side of the cross over.
I love these discussions.
Here's a question specifically fro agedhorse: I have a GB Contour 500-115. At some point I'd like to add an extension cab. The matched Contour extension cabs are hard to find at this point, so when a used one appears I'm tempted. Since these come in 115 and 210 flavors, could these be effectively mixed, or am I much better off waiting for a 115?
Here's a question specifically fro agedhorse: I have a GB Contour 500-115. At some point I'd like to add an extension cab. The matched Contour extension cabs are hard to find at this point, so when a used one appears I'm tempted. Since these come in 115 and 210 flavors, could these be effectively mixed, or am I much better off waiting for a 115?
wmhill
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- Aug 20, 2012
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I used dual SWR son of berthas (1x15) for quite a while, then dropped one of them and added a SWR goliath JR (2x10)in it's place. Very happy with the tone. I am a big fan of mixed drivers, but you are right about brands/series. I've had no luck with mixing brands. I support this with no science other than the fact I like the sound of my rig.
This is the 15PR400.
Perfect example of a 15" speaker extending higher than a 10" driver. There is a tweeter on the 210?
No way of knowing which combo will work best for you. Going to have to do some playing around with it.
Yeah, the second chart is the 15. The 210 has a tweet. I thought that they were sort of similar, can't really see where a crossover might help.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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I do agree that "random mixy-matchy" is probably going to be less successful overall than using identical speakers, and yes, on scientific terms too
{Narrator voiceover} "...then as if on cue, as if to prove a point (or possibly several points), people started asking about adding and matching random brands, sizes and amp styles..."
If they have something funky going on between them you may have more success running with a cross over. No way to tell until you try.
