Need Help Deciding Between Small(ish) Wide-Range 4ohm Cabs

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I'm currently running two EA Micro 300s simultaneously with a stereo looper and need to pick up two 4ohm cabs to go along with them. The Micros put out 325w at 4ohms, so I need the cabs to be fairly efficient. I also want them to cover a wide range (particularly deep lows) and a mid-shy cab would probably work fine or may even be a good thing, as my basses are very mid-forward. I also dig warmth and fullness (not round and flubby though ala P-bass/Ampeg though) over super-zingy clarity.

I have a Wizzy 110, although after doing some extensive testing yesterday with my looper, I don't think it will cover enough range to work well; I play different parts in different ranges so they won't bleed together, and the Wizzy is very mid-forward, so some of my parts weren't as separated as I'd like.

I don't need a ton of volume, and I'm open to suggestions of using two different cabs to compensate for one another. I'm a hobbyist and play solo stuff and with friends at moderate volume, so I don't need to shake walls down or have a ton of midrange to get through a wall of guitars. Previous cabs that I've owned and liked included the Berg 112s, although they're a bit light in the low-end and don't come 4ohm, and the Epifani UL112, which doesn't come 4ohm.

I'm mainly looking at 1x12s and 2x10s. Here's what I've looked at so far (unfortuately I can't try out more of these as locally there's just GK and Ampeg)

Acme Low B2: apparently has the extended lows and a nice smooth high end that would work well, but many of the reviews I've read say it's a power hog, and the max I'd ever be putting into it would be 325w (normally less than that)

Eden 210 XST: the descriptions I've read of this cab sound pretty perfect, but it also weighs a lot compared to most others I'm checking out

EA M-line Wizzy: the buzz says it has the extended low end and a warm top end (which is nice), but I have some unfounded concern that it won't be very full-range

EA NL210: a really well-regarded 4-ohm cab, but it also seems to be a pretty mid-forward cab.

Epifani UL210: the reviews are not really great for this cab, but it definitely fits the lightweight 4-ohm cab description well, and I really like my Epifani UL112, which unfortunately doesn't come in 4ohm

Epifani UL310: often recommended whenever someone looks at the Epi 210, and seems to fit the bill pretty well, but may be too much for my needs, and too big/expensive.

I'm very open to other suggestions, so please feel free to let me know what advice you have.

 

[greenboy]

Look at a 3.8 cf net box tuned 45-46 Hz loaded with Em Kappalite 3015LF, and you'll need look no further.

 

[KJung]

I'm currently running two EA Micro 300s simultaneously with a stereo looper and need to pick up two 4ohm cabs to go along with them. The Micros put out 325w at 4ohms, so I need the cabs to be fairly efficient. I also want them to cover a wide range (particularly deep lows) and a mid-shy cab would probably work fine or may even be a good thing, as my basses are very mid-forward. I also dig warmth and fullness (not round and flubby though ala P-bass/Ampeg though) over super-zingy clarity.

I have a Wizzy 110, although after doing some extensive testing yesterday with my looper, I don't think it will cover enough range to work well; I play different parts in different ranges so they won't bleed together, and the Wizzy is very mid-forward, so some of my parts weren't as separated as I'd like.

I don't need a ton of volume, and I'm open to suggestions of using two different cabs to compensate for one another. I'm a hobbyist and play solo stuff and with friends at moderate volume, so I don't need to shake walls down or have a ton of midrange to get through a wall of guitars. Previous cabs that I've owned and liked included the Berg 112s, although they're a bit light in the low-end and don't come 4ohm, and the Epifani UL112, which doesn't come 4ohm.

I'm mainly looking at 1x12s and 2x10s. Here's what I've looked at so far (unfortuately I can't try out more of these as locally there's just GK and Ampeg)

Acme Low B2: apparently has the extended lows and a nice smooth high end that would work well, but many of the reviews I've read say it's a power hog, and the max I'd ever be putting into it would be 325w (normally less than that)

Eden 210 XST: the descriptions I've read of this cab sound pretty perfect, but it also weighs a lot compared to most others I'm checking out

EA M-line Wizzy: the buzz says it has the extended low end and a warm top end (which is nice), but I have some unfounded concern that it won't be very full-range

EA NL210: a really well-regarded 4-ohm cab, but it also seems to be a pretty mid-forward cab.

Epifani UL210: the reviews are not really great for this cab, but it definitely fits the lightweight 4-ohm cab description well, and I really like my Epifani UL112, which unfortunately doesn't come in 4ohm

Epifani UL310: often recommended whenever someone looks at the Epi 210, and seems to fit the bill pretty well, but may be too much for my needs, and too big/expensive.

I'm very open to other suggestions, so please feel free to let me know what advice you have.

Your desciptions of the above cabs are pretty right on for me. If you aren't looking for massive volume, the Acme B210 in 4ohm version seems PERFECT to me. Yes, they like some wattage to get them up to the volume of a more mid punchy 210, but 325 watts is PLENTY to get a full, fat (and to my ear a touch scooped/low end present) tone out of them. IMO, that would be PERFECT and I think Andy has a return policy of you don't dig it.

That being said, you might consider checking out a Low Down Sound 210. Don can pretty much match your tone goal, and he can do a 4ohm neo cab that will sound great for less money than most of the others you are looking at if the low sensitivity of the Acme worries you.

 

[greenboy]

Just to outline the 8-ohm versus 4-ohm situation in my scenario above: even allowing for a power amp's output being less at 8 ohms than at 4 ohms, an 8-ohm Kappalite 3015LF will be at least 4 dB louder than a 4-ohm B2 below 1000 Hz.

 

[RickenBoogie]

How 'bout some Schroeder cabs? 21012 would be full range and ballsy. Been thinking about one of these myself, to replace a large stack.

 

[greenboy]

I got the impression that Tyler was looking for more lows. The Shroe tends to be more about upper bass and lower midrange, I believe.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

From the ones I've heard live, that's certainly how they sounded to my ears Very loud cabs as well, but I don't think they'd fit the bill so well.

 

[KJung]

From the ones I've heard live, that's certainly how they sounded to my ears Very loud cabs as well, but I don't think they'd fit the bill so well.

Actually, the 21012L is quite different sounding than the 1210 and 1212 that most are familiar with... much deeper, wider, and if anything, a little scooped. That being said, it's a big box (bigger than the 310UL), so it's kind of a moot point IMO.

 

[Mark Sacchetti]

Consider the Schroeder mini 10 + They have a small footprint 16x13x12 and are open sounding and pack a punch. You can get 2 of them and use them together or just one depending on the gig.

The light version is 17 pounds and the regular is 21. They can be even lighter if you get the Rhino option.

 

[Wilbyman]

Brian, I guess a pair of 4ohm Acme B-1's is another option...but as you say, you're dealing with low efficiency.

I think Ken's mention of an LDS setup is interesting. I had an LDS 2x8 cab with long throw speakers and it put out more lows than any cab I've ever had (too much really...an obsene amount). Maybe Don could do 2x small three-way, 4ohm, boxes for you with your choice of speaker complement. The long-throw speakers really put you in a whole different world of low-end production.

Do the small Accugroove cabs come in 4ohm versions? (this assumes you would own an Accugroove product which I would not...)

W

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Do the small Accugroove cabs come in 4ohm versions? (this assumes you would own an Accugroove product which I would not...)

W

I hear they've got a switch that turns their 8ohm cabs into 4ohm cabs.......

I actually was considering the Low B1s. Thing about those is that for 1x10s, they're already nearing the weight of some of the 2x10s. They'd be more portable though- I'll look up some info on them. Anyone try them in relation to the B2s? I imagine there would be a lot less oomph to them.

A custom cab might be a good idea (they even have an airhead 1x12 built to house an EA Micro 300 on their site ), but at the moment I think I'll stick to manufactured cabs until I know what I want a little better.

 

[KJung]

I hear they've got a switch that turns their 8ohm cabs into 4ohm cabs.......

I actually was considering the Low B1s. Thing about those is that for 1x10s, they're already nearing the weight of some of the 2x10s. They'd be more portable though- I'll look up some info on them. Anyone try them in relation to the B2s? I imagine there would be a lot less oomph to them.

A custom cab might be a good idea (they even have an airhead 1x12 built to house an EA Micro 300 on their site ), but at the moment I think I'll stick to manufactured cabs until I know what I want a little better.

I owned both B1's and B2's. The amazing thing about the Acme's is that they really are 'flat' sounding and 'scalable'. In other words, the B2 sounds exactly like a bigger B1... same voicing, same amount of low end, etc., just louder. I believe Andy sets the maximum volume level of the mid driver and tweeter, so the balance is the same for the B1, 2 or 4, even though the number of woofers increase.

They aren't punchy, and they aren't loud, but they are voiced exactly like what it seems you are looking for. They don't
'bite' like other more traditional two way designs, but if you are looking for a more organic, natural sound and never play at higher than 'moderate' volumes, a couple of B2's or B1's can sound really nice.

I do find that the low end can kind of overwhelm the mids and especially the treble as you crank them up, but you don't seem to need to crank them from your description.

Really nice boxes and unique. They don't work for my pop/funk playing contexts at all IME, but if I was doing lower volume jazz gigs, where a fat, wide, organic tone was more important than pure volume and 'sitting in a busy mix', I'd still own them!

 

[Freddels]

Have you tried the regular Wizzy? You can borrow mine to check it out if you want. Just have to figure out how to get it to you.

 

[alexclaber]

I can imagine a couple of Low-B2s working very nicely for this.

Alex

 

[Crockettnj]

Just to outline the 8-ohm versus 4-ohm situation in my scenario above: even allowing for a power amp's output being less at 8 ohms than at 4 ohms, an 8-ohm Kappalite 3015LF will be at least 4 dB louder than a 4-ohm B2 below 1000 Hz.

I have thought about this- it keeps me awake at nights. I have found my mind drifting to this while on long drives and it has been interfering with my performance at work.

I could do real well with a bottom cab in the 3.5-4ft3 range, and am comfortable with my cobbling skills that i could roll me own. HOWEVER my amp, which i really do like quite a bit, is a gb440 (thunderpseudofunk) and it runs at only about 200-230 watts into 8ohms. Will this be enough juice to make the 3015lf worhtwhile?? I 'msort of waiting/hoping for a 4 ohm 3015lf.

Do you think its that big a difference (200+ vs 400+ watts max).

ugh.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I know I've tried a regular Wizzy somewhere, but don't really recall it- thanks for the offer Fred. The M-Line seems more in line with the sound I'm looking for. I may just get a Low B1 or Low B2 to start with and pick out a second one or sell it and try something else if it's not for me.

 

[greenboy]

I could do real well with a bottom cab in the 3.5-4ft3 range, and am comfortable with my cobbling skills that i could roll me own. HOWEVER my amp, which i really do like quite a bit, is a gb440 (thunderpseudofunk) and it runs at only about 200-230 watts into 8ohms. Will this be enough juice to make the 3015lf worhtwhile?? I 'msort of waiting/hoping for a 4 ohm 3015lf.

Like any woofer contingent, it depends on what SPL you want to achieve. As far as sensitivity, the 3015LF is nearly as sensitive as you'll find in the class that has that amount of LF extension. It actually is only about 0.66 dB less sensitive than two Deltalight 2510 or 2512 within the sub-300 Hz frequencies - but unlike them won't run out of useful excursion at 145 watts, and you won't find it limiting your low frequencies. So it's possible you'll actually gain in potential output - even with your amp.

I gig it in combination with a midrange cone with as little as 325 watts for rockin' stuff, and a lot of the time I'm not using all that. At other times I have 325 to it, and a potential 325 to my midrange cone (and sometimes, also the tweeter on that side of the amp). It can make more noise that way but again, it takes a loud gig to requitre that I drive that fully for the whole schmegola.

As for a 4-ohm version, unless someone OEMs a pile of 50 of 'em or more, don't expect to see one. And if you did, there's a distinct possibility it would have some limitations in excursion compared to the 8-ohm one.

 

[kirkm24]

Actually, the 21012L is quite different sounding than the 1210 and 1212 that most are familiar with... much deeper, wider, and if anything, a little scooped. That being said, it's a big box (bigger than the 310UL), so it's kind of a moot point IMO.

It's not that big of a box. It's only 6 inches taller and wider than a 1212 and only weighs about 10 more lbs. (if you're talking about the light versions).

 

[Smallequestrian]

A littlle out of the box, but you might do well, by looking into the PJB Neo 6 or 8.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I didn't know PJB even had neos out- last I knew everything from them was about a thousand pounds Just looked at their specs and they can go very low (30hz on the 6B), but it doesn't say their sensitivity ratings.