Orange SP212

[mldavis]

I'm going to be getting the Orange bass terror 500 in the next week or so, but I'm still undecided on which cab to get for it.

I'm really fancying the SP212 because the size and weight is very appealing. Would this be okay for small to medium size gigs? I'm in a 3 piece band and we play Indie/Brit pop stuff, the guitarist plays through a vox AC

Thanks in advance.

 

[goran]

I can speak only from my experience and it's enough for me. You won't get a "wall of sound" (that's what big cabinets are for), but for the scenario you described, it should be enough. It certainly is enough in my experimental rock trio, and my hip-hop band.

PS
My philosophy is that bass should be equally as loud as the drums, and be able to go a notch higher if required. If you and your guitarist follow the same path, and your drummer doesn't play at doom levels, it should be enough. I sometimes use two, just for the sake of having more headroom, but one is all I need for rehearsals and smaller gigs.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Lots of people like the tone of the SP212. Thumbs up if that is what you are going for.


The Isobaric design is a little deceiving though. Even though it uses two speakers, you only get the output of one.

IMHO it is a heavy and expensive cab for its performance.

 

[goran]

Yes, you should look at them as 1x12" that goes lower than normal off-the-shelf 1x12". They aren't particularly sensitive (only 93dB IIRC), but the good news is that they respond very well to a lot of power and are capable of impressive SPL for their size.

And the truth is that they are expensive, regarding their performance. I would never buy a new one, considering what you can get for that kind of money (I bough both used).

 

[CL400Peavey]

Yes, you should look at them as 1x12" that goes lower than normal off-the-shelf 1x12". They aren't particularly sensitive (only 93dB IIRC), but the good news is that they respond very well to a lot of power and are capable of impressive SPL for their size.

And the truth is that they are expensive, regarding their performance. I would never buy a new one, considering what you can get for that kind of money (I bough both used).

They dont go lower though. There is nothing about an Iso design that goes lower. It lets you have a smaller volume cab.

 

[goran]

Yes. And if you took ISO 2x12" cab and compare it to 1x12" of the same size, equipped with the same driver, ISO will go lower and that was my point. You really should try one before judging them. Trust me, I've read every word on web that you can find about SP212. Still bought one, and then another. They might look like a flawed concept on paper, but they work in practice.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Yes. And if you took ISO 2x12" cab and compare it to 1x12" of the same size, equipped with the same driver, ISO will go lower and that was my point. You really should try one before judging them. Trust me, I've read every word on web that you can find about SP212. Still bought one, and then another. They might look like a flawed concept on paper, but they work in practice.

As I noted it is a cab size advantage, not a "going low" advantage. You can get a 112 to do the same thing as an iso 212, it may require a different size cab. In my opinion adding weight and cost of a second driver, to shrink the size of the cab is an expensive trade.

 

[bassmachine2112]

The most I,ve needed with the OTB n sp212 is gain 10 oclock,volume 10 oclock,roughly 4 for the non oclockers,it was bleeding big and loud and the drummer said F%$£ when I hit the first note.That,ll do me.
One day I will get onother one of these cabs

 

[mldavis]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

The most I,ve needed with the OTB n sp212 is gain 10 oclock,volume 10 oclock,roughly 4 for the non oclockers,it was bleeding big and loud and the drummer said F%$£ when I hit the first note.That,ll do me.
One day I will get onother one of these cabs

This sounds good to me! I would like to get two of them myself, but can't stretch that far money wise at the moment. F*ck it, I'm gonna get it!

Thanks guys

 

[Downunderwonder]

A lot of amps are putting out almost full power at those settings.

 

[jarrah]

Inefficient? Yes.
Heavy? LOL
Ignore the marketing and ignore the naysayers. Grab your bass, your amp, plug into one and LISTEN for yourself. If you like what you hear, if you think it's loud enough for your band, if the price is right for you, if you can manage to lift the tiny thing (lol), then grab it. Sell it if you later decide it's not for you.

My personal experience with this cab...
Used to use Ampeg gear, took a 5 year forced break from playing and needed an amp and cab quick when I was talked into joining a fairly successful cover band. A mate was selling a Markbass Tube 800 and this cab super cheap, so I grabbed them. I thought the cab looked tiny and well, stupid, but it sounded ok so off I went. Worked great in the band for more then a years worth of shows, easily competed with drums, guitar etc. I was using an active Ibanez bass and saving for a Rickenbacker.
Then I joined a loud rock band with a hard hitting drummer and it wasn't enough, so I purchased an SWR Golite 410 and a GK amp. Still used it [the Orange] for practices, where it went ok.
Rock band folded, I joined a stoner/psychedelic/70's/Sabbath band, bought a Rick and started using the Markbass + Orange again. Its great, especially playing the Rick. Then I see another SP212 for sale super cheap. Why not?
Oh. My. God. Tower of doom. These things blew my 410 out of the water! So much low end, fantastic tone across the whole spectrum, liftable with a cab in each hand. I've been asked to turn down when the volume on my amp was under 40%.
They do have a certain "old school" tone that seems to shine through no matter what, but I like that. Tone is personal choice, others will not like what I like and vice versa. Definently don't buy a full price, brand new one, thats an absolute rip-off for what they are. Secondhand is the way to go.
Give one a try. Forget the marketing...isobaric or whatever they are, try one. Sorry for the ramble, hope it helps

 

[armybass]

I have a Terror Bass 500 and an SP212. It is a great sounding rig and is loud and vet portable. People can find all kinds of reasons to complain about things and criticize designs ect. I have a simple approach. Do I like the way it sounds? Yes. Does it do the job I need it to do adequately? Yes. Is it reliable? Yes. I use it in a loud rock band that my other amp was getting buried in and it carried the day. Would love to run 2 of them.

 

[StraightSix]

I've been asked to turn down when the volume on my amp was under 40%.

The volume control of any amp does not necessarily give full volume when it is maxed out clockwise...many amps hit full volume well before that.

 

[jarrah]

Didn't mean it was at full volume, I meant it wasn't cranked and yet a fairly loud drummer and a guitarist using a Marshall 4x12 asked me to turn it down. I was happy with that, I've had the same amp through my SWR 410 with the volume up to 70% and nobody complained they couldn't hear themselves....the Orange stack was brutal I guess is the point I'm trying to make

 

[Downunderwonder]

They have good sensitivity, but lack power handling and output compared with other 2x12.

Good advice to try before buying.

 

[punky]

So far so good with my BT1000 and pair of SP212s!
I get the "hate" for them...but to MY ears, it completes me...for now.

 

[Quilbert]

I had the SP212 for about 3 years with the Terror Bass 500W . The SP212 was plenty loud and really portable, great for small venues.
However...I found that the frequency response was fairly limited to the Low Mid to Mid. I found that I couldn't get he same warm lows or highs from a conventional 15" cab with a tweeter. At high volumes the cab sounded a bit 'muddy'. I eventually started using a cheaper lower wattage (300W) Genz Benz Focus 15" cab using the terror bass (being careful not to turn it up too loud!). Everyone I played with remarked on how much warmer and clearer my sound was. Great for p-bass. I finally sold the Orange and bought a 2 * 10 GB Focus to match the 15" cab. The Orange SP212 is build like a tank and is really portable but for me I prefers the sound form a conventional cab.

 

[iualum]

As I noted it is a cab size advantage, not a "going low" advantage. You can get a 112 to do the same thing as an iso 212, it may require a different size cab. In my opinion adding weight and cost of a second driver, to shrink the size of the cab is an expensive trade.

I'll go farther than that, not only is it an expensive trade, it's a moronic trade . TONS of better choices. But I'll admit they look purdy.

 

[karl_em_all]

I'll go farther than that, not only is it an expensive trade, it's a moronic trade . TONS of better choices. But I'll admit they look purdy.

Another thing to consider is that they do offer their own tonal characteristics too. And yes, there are tons of cabs to choose from. I might be a moron but I reserve the right to sound great and look purdy.

 

[Quilbert]

They look cool alright, but far too expensive. Again I simply couldn't get the sound I liked from it. I guy I sold it to love the sound from it on the other hand. A matter of taste I suppose.