Orange obc410 vs Mesa Subway 410

[Augustin187]

Lots of info on both these cabs and some talk on mesa vs orange in general. But nothing about these cabs against each other. Weight is not an issue in my selection - sound alone.

Looking for the best sub handling and low end in general. This will be used with a guitar multi-amp situation. Driven by a mesa 400+
I was going for an orange ad200 but preferred the mesa and it’s cheaper which is good.

Not sure which cab to go with. Sonics are the guiding light here.

Any thoughts?

Interesting to note the mesa weighs 55 and the orange 95 pounds…. But again I’m ok with the heavy ask of the orange if it comes to it.

Mesa 1200 watt
Orange 600 watt

 

[agedhorse]

The Bass 400+ was one of the amps that the Subway 410 was designed and tested with.

 

[steamthief]

I had the OBC410, it was probably the best sounding cab I've ever owned. Monstrous, punchy thunder. I sold it because it was ninety-five pounds. Moving it gets old quick, especially if one is loading it into the back seat of a sedan!

I haven't heard the Mesa, but the whole Subway series is held in the highest regard. Is there any price differential between the two cabs?

 

[Micha84]

I have the OBC112 - yes, different cab, way less speaker area, but: even for a 112 it has a mid heavy voice, a very "baked in" tonal character. I don't know if the entire OBC series is voiced that way, but I wanted to point it out to you as something to keep in mind, because you mentioned looking for lots of low end.

 

[Augustin187]

Yeah the orange is significantly cheaper new and easier to find even cheaper used.

I dont want too much character imparted by the cab id like the cab to be a good extended energetic clean slate…. some tilt some lean naturally but not like a colored vibe machine the way some of my guitar cans are

How’s the orange in that regard?

 

[baxter_x]

Because of the weight, the Mesa.
I Also guess the design of the Mesa is more advanced the the Orange. But it's just a guess.

There is also another good choice: Hartke HL410.
Lightweight and fantastic massive tone.

 

[Bill Murray]

Subs and lows are weigh the Mesa subways shine. I would think the best choice for your goal would be the 2x15 though. If you want to maintain more of that 10” articulation the 2x12 is probably the best of both worlds.

 

[lomo]

Yeah the orange is significantly cheaper new and easier to find even cheaper used.

My .02: there are reasons for this.

 

[Augustin187]

Maybe cause it’s so heavy though?

Subs and lows are weigh the Mesa subways shine. I would think the best choice for your goal would be the 2x15 though. If you want to maintain more of that 10” articulation the 2x12 is probably the best of both worlds.

I have a peavey 2x15 maybe not as good…. But I have a 1x18 too…. Lots of options to play around with. I’ve read the Mesa boogie 410 has more extended lows than the 212

If the 212 has bigger lower lows even if it was more scooped in the middle but had good punch and subs - I'd go for that for sure over the 410. But I’ve read otherwise…. have you tried both? Hard things to get side by side

 

[Augustin187]

The Mesa words on their 2x12

• Melds the sonic qualities of 10-in. and 15-in. cabs

I’d rather lean lower freq wise than not so maybe that is the move

I don’t need live stage projection and push either

Guess 12” speakers I always thought of being in guitar amps but looking at the subway it seems deep…..

Maybe that’s the move?

But I read somewhere they don’t have the low end extension of the 410 in this case. Will see if I can dispel this with more reading or ask Mesa

 

[Gervais Cote]

To me, the Orange lacks of articulation on low notes so I prefer the Subway.

OTHO, if I was playing more AC/DC and some Weezer songs, the Orange would definitely be my first choice.

 

[BaltBass5]

The Mesa words on their 2x12

• Melds the sonic qualities of 10-in. and 15-in. cabs

I’d rather lean lower freq wise than not so maybe that is the move

I don’t need live stage projection and push either

Guess 12” speakers I always thought of being in guitar amps but looking at the subway it seems deep…..

Maybe that’s the move?

But I read somewhere they don’t have the low end extension of the 410 in this case. Will see if I can dispel this with more reading or ask Mesa

I play Mesa Subway 212 cabs and they have CRUSHING lows.

 

[Augustin187]

You play multiple at once?
How’s one alone?
This is not for live so I guess my question is dumb

 

[DuluthDank]

If it were me I'd go for the Mesa based on weight, and I assume the sound profile will be a bit more neutral based on what I know about the companies. But in the end 10 seconds of using your ears beats 100 hours of online reading.

 

[Bass1447]

I own a pair of Subway 410s and 212s. Both go low. Body extremities low. The 212 has proven to be the most versatile cab I've ever heard. I honestly think that you could play a stadium with one Subway 212. It just fills the space. Tone wise I gotta give it to the 212 as well. While the Subway 410 shines in its own right. The 212 footprint makes it easy to set on a smaller stage.

You can't go wrong with any Subway gear. You just gotta find what works for you,

As far as "Orange" is concerned. I'm just not a fan.

 

[agedhorse]

Here's an example of Subway 410's being used at a real pro level stadium show (Anthrax at the send-off to Black Sabbath) in Birmingham UK:

 

[Bill Murray]

Maybe cause it’s so heavy though?

I have a peavey 2x15 maybe not as good…. But I have a 1x18 too…. Lots of options to play around with. I’ve read the Mesa boogie 410 has more extended lows than the 212

If the 212 has bigger lower lows even if it was more scooped in the middle but had good punch and subs - I'd go for that for sure over the 410. But I’ve read otherwise…. have you tried both? Hard things to get side by side

I’ve played through the 1x12, 1x15, 2x12, and 2x15. The 2x15 sub lows are just insane, it can handle crazy levels of volume, I used to have an SVT 8x10 and it really gives that a run for its money

 

[Bill Murray]

The Mesa words on their 2x12

• Melds the sonic qualities of 10-in. and 15-in. cabs

I’d rather lean lower freq wise than not so maybe that is the move

I don’t need live stage projection and push either

Guess 12” speakers I always thought of being in guitar amps but looking at the subway it seems deep…..

Maybe that’s the move?

But I read somewhere they don’t have the low end extension of the 410 in this case. Will see if I can dispel this with more reading or ask Mesa

I think the 12s wood suit you very well, they truly are a happy medium between the 10s and 15s.

 

[Bass1447]

I think the 12s wood suit you very well, they truly are a happy medium between the 10s and 15s.

I have yet to try the Subway 115 or 215. With what I have heard from the 212 and 410 cabs I would expect nothing but extraordinaire. Again, people should try as much as possible to find what they like. I'm just fortunate enough to have found my niche. But in reality, I've moved away from using amps with FOH. Now I use Quad Cortex or Anagram. Revolt. Subway pedal. Le Bass. Whatever one of my 6...er...8 (not important) pedal boards I use I know the sound will rock.

 

[Bass1447]

Here's an example of Subway 410's being used at a real pro level stadium show (Anthrax at the send-off to Black Sabbath) in Birmingham UK:

View attachment 7272087

$10 says just one of those is enough for any stage setting you wanna put it. Pair it with any Subway head in the 800w range and you can be heard from space. The other 3 cabs offer great backup as well as stage decor.