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Orange OBD115 vs. OBD410 vs. ????...going crazy, help!

A

Amorica

Dec 19, 2011
43
0
#1
Just bought an Orange AD200B. Need some speakers to go with it. Currently playing through Aguilar 285JC (which actually doesn't sound half bad), but I want that "psychedelic foggy tone" of the 70's and Aggy ain't gonna do it. Play blues and rock cover bands (Black Crowes, The Band, Stones, Freddy King) in small to medium clubs. Nothing great yet, but my groove is getting better and bigger gigs are just around the corner. I like to hear myself without overpowering the mix, want the drummer and other mates to dig what they're hearing on stage. Also I hate it when I play a breakdown and the notes in the lower regester go all weak and pansy (but maybe that's just how I'm hearing the sound waives on stage).

I've read tons of post about Orange cabs. Can't decide if I should go 2 OBD115's, 1 OBD115 + 1 OBD410 or 2 OBD410's. Help!

Also, if you have personal experience with THIS HEAD and think I'm not considering something I should be...please by all means speak up.
 
#2
My personal favorite with the AD200 are two OBC115's, but it also sounds great with the OBC410. The 115's are a bit more focused, the 410 is a bit bigger down low, but maybe with a slight scoop in the mids. Both are nicely warm and full. The new SP series cabs also sound great with this head. You can't really put the head on top, but the AD200 driving an SP212 and an SP210 is just amazing! I'd love to try two SP410's with the AD200 some time.

If you are not focused on Orange cabs, either of the new Reeves cabs (1x15 or 4x10) also go great with this head. Overall, they are a little tighter than their Orange counterparts.
 
#3
Good advice from Tom.

I have the mixed 4x10 with 1x15 stack. Yes, this isn't the 'best way' to make a stack, but they sound great together...really punchy and deep. Orange made them to go together so why not ay....its old technology anyway so just plug it in and crank it.

I would LOVE to hear two 1x15s.
 
#4
Musicman20 said:
I have the mixed 4x10 with 1x15 stack. Yes, this isn't the 'best way' to make a stack, but they sound great together...really punchy and deep. Orange made them to go together so why not ay....its old technology anyway so just plug it in and crank it.
Click to expand...

+1 This is another great option. Some 4x10/1x15 stacks actually end up sounding worse than either cab used alone, but I agree that in the case of these two cabs, they do sound very good together.

But two of the 1x15's sounds even better, IME/IMHO. :cool:

YMMV, or course.
 
#5
I was in your same situation not long ago. I decided to go with the 4x10/1x15 stack and I don't have any regrets. Well... actually just one: I'm not a big guy and it's difficult for me to carry the 4x10 on my own. I have no problems carrying the 1x15 though.

I decided to go with this setup because it is a bit more versatile but, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with any of these cabs in any combination.
 
#6
Try an attenuator with your current stack. Then you'll get the sound you want. You want end tubes distortion. The only way to achieve that is to set the unit full open. Long long ago speakers weren't that powerfull (25 watts a speaker). So a head turned way up would get a roaring sound but wasn't too loud on a big stage. Today speakers can put out twice or three times the amount being fed by the same amp. So now they DO get too loud. Even at a big venue.

Another option would be to pull two tubes. Wich would halve the impedance. 8 ohms is now 4 ohms. So use the right connection.... To get a matched impedance with your cabinet. When you do that an attenuator might not be needed.
 
#7
I prefer the OBC115, too. That cab sounds even better if you add damping material to the inner surfaces and swap the stock speaker with an Eminence Kappalite 3015.

A Berg NV610 cab is great for vintage tone as well, but I haven't heard one paired with an AD200 amp.
 
#10
tombowlus said:
My personal favorite with the AD200 are two OBC115's, but it also sounds great with the OBC410. The 115's are a bit more focused, the 410 is a bit bigger down low, but maybe with a slight scoop in the mids.
Click to expand...

Great feedback, thanks to everyone who's weighing in. I guess I always thought "10's" because that's what I see at most concerts, it's "what good players do". I'm dropping that myth and leaning towards (2) OBD115's. Four more questions and (hopefully) that's it...:hyper:
1. Can you clearly hear yourself when playing live, standing just in front of (2) OBD115's (no FOH support)?
2. Do your bandmates like what they hear from (2) OBD115's?
3. Does the low-end get muddy or too loud out in the audience?
4. Can I start with just (1) OBD115 for now and mostly satisfy my requirements above?
 
#11
Amorica said:
Great feedback, thanks to everyone who's weighing in. I guess I always thought "10's" because that's what I see at most concerts, it's "what good players do". I'm dropping that myth and leaning towards (2) OBD115's. Four more questions and (hopefully) that's it...:hyper:
1. Can you clearly hear yourself when playing live, standing just in front of (2) OBD115's (no FOH support)?
2. Do your bandmates like what they hear from (2) OBD115's?
3. Does the low-end get muddy or too loud out in the audience?
4. Can I start with just (1) OBD115 for now and mostly satisfy my requirements above?
Click to expand...

I'd say yes to most of those, with the exception of question #3, as that will vary to a great extent upon the venue, PA, and lots of other factors.
 
#13
Amorica said:
Great feedback, thanks to everyone who's weighing in. I guess I always thought "10's" because that's what I see at most concerts, it's "what good players do". I'm dropping that myth and leaning towards (2) OBD115's. Four more questions and (hopefully) that's it...:hyper:
1. Can you clearly hear yourself when playing live, standing just in front of (2) OBD115's (no FOH support)?
2. Do your bandmates like what they hear from (2) OBD115's?
3. Does the low-end get muddy or too loud out in the audience?
4. Can I start with just (1) OBD115 for now and mostly satisfy my requirements above?
Click to expand...



Those 15s are pretty much an EV TL-606 box just like the old Mesa Diesel cabs. I would not call them muddy at all but I would run a pair for sure. They are just one of those cabs that really sound best as a pair.
 
#15
I have bought AD200 few days ago,tried a 115, 2x10 and 4x10 opc at local dealer store and must say the 115 and 210 cant compare to the growl and punch of obc410.i think this amp can only twist with big cabs only.and as you can judge by samples on official orange amp site,the 115 cab has lack off low and and punch in comparison with 410 and 810.but on the other hand 810 lack a low mid range response.so the most balanced and well suited for is the obc 410 for sure.hope it helps!have a nice day.
 

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