Stacking cabinets in reverse

[flameworker]

Sounds like a good idea, I can't properly hear a 4 10 unless I put it up on a table..maybe that is in my head.

I recently discovered that a 2 10 is about equal to a 1 15, comparing markbass cab's. So that would make the 4 10 much louder than the 15.

 

[friendlybass]

You do it on top or bottom?

sorry, I had to....
that is my first talkbass emoticon ever^^^

In the middle really the best place to be in these situations

 

[LJFryk]

Which cabs/amp? Do you already have this rig? Considering a purchase?



This is not the case. Lows don't need space. Such effects come from beaming. Positioning can matter if you have a vertical or near vertical array of identical drivers, as this increases horizontal dispersion. Plus, getting anything off the floor helps. However, single low frequency drivers, like bass speakers, typically do a poor job of dispersing mid and upper frequencies, and it is those very frequencies that help us hear the bass's tone clearly in a typical mix. If you can't hear your bass up close as well as you can when you are a few feet in front of it, you are experiencing one artifact of mid-range beaming—where mid-range frequencies are projected in a narrow path, but lows seems to be bulging out everywhere.

I'm considering a purchase. I have an awesome amp (Warwick WA600) on my not so awesome cabinet (Seismic Audio SA 2x15.) I think 2 4x10 cabs from Warwick might be the way to go. Thanks

 

[JimmyM]

I tried stacking cabs in reverse once, but I couldn't figure out how to keep the top one in the air while I put the bottom one under it.

 

[Jim Carr]

I'm considering a purchase. I have an awesome amp (Warwick WA600) on my not so awesome cabinet (Seismic Audio SA 2x15.) I think 2 4x10 cabs from Warwick might be the way to go. Thanks

I know of those, but have not used them. The real question for me would be transporting those. Have you considered combining a 4 ohm 410 with an 8 ohm 210 from the same builder having identical drivers to get a 2.67 ohm modular 610? Of course, this requires a 2 ohm capable amp.

 

[walterw]

(Now hopefully the "mixed driver police" don't take over this thread, and start chaos.)

all right, what's all this then?!

 

[LJFryk]

I know of those, but have not used them. The real question for me would be transporting those. Have you considered combining a 4 ohm 410 with an 8 ohm 210 from the same builder having identical drivers to get a 2.67 ohm modular 610? Of course, this requires a 2 ohm capable amp.

I haven't considered it yet at least. The 410 might be what I'm going for as I hhave two loud guitars to fight. \m/

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I've been pondering the idea of stacking a full stack in reverse order (1x15 top, 4x10 bottom.) My reasoning is that the lower frequencies need more space to project......

Faulty reasoning.

 

[Arjank]

Where's the "reverse-cab" police when you need them!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Stack them so you can hear yourself best. One the sound hits the audience, it's all carrots.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've been pondering the idea of stacking a full stack in reverse order (1x15 top, 4x10 bottom.) My reasoning is that the lower frequencies need more space to project...

Faulty reasoning.

Wouldn't that make it a Faulty Tower of speakers?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

No higher than this.....

 

[Ric5]

Stacking cabinets in reverse

Stack them how you want ...

I actually like if I am running 2 cabs to put one on stage left and one on stage right, and yes I know this is wrong and it will cancel out some frequencies, but I like the way it sounds. I am also a fan of vertical stacking. But all of that is moot if you have good PA support, then your stage amp is there for stage volume.

 

[mccartneyman]

I want 4 15s just for kicks and giggles. That sounds like a recipe for fun.
Would 4 18s go too far

On the first ELP tour in 1971, Greg Lake was using 2 Marshall 4x15 cabs with two Marshall 100 watt heads and it sounded wonderful -- much better than the hi-tech rig with JBL bass horns and lenses that he used later on.

 

[iualum]

Stacking cabinets in reverse

Stack them how you want ...

I actually like if I am running 2 cabs to put one on stage left and one on stage right, and yes I know this is wrong and it will cancel out some frequencies, but I like the way it sounds. I am also a fan of vertical stacking. But all of that is moot if you have good PA support, then your stage amp is there for stage volume.

Yes, but an array (or elevated array) always allows you to hear better.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

On the first ELP tour in 1971, Greg Lake was using 2 Marshall 4x15 cabs with two Marshall 100 watt heads and it sounded wonderful -- much better than the hi-tech rig with JBL bass horns and lenses that he used later on.

But that lens had such a cool factor to it........

 

[P-oddz]

If I'm using both my cabs (115, 410), it is with the 115 on top. Like others mentioned, it helps me hear better if the 15 is straining.

 

[Korladis]

I've been pondering the idea of stacking a full stack in reverse order (1x15 top, 4x10 bottom.) My reasoning is that the lower frequencies need more space to project, so would putting the "lower cab" on top allow for larger tone? Not sure if this would affect the 2" horn in the 410.

Anyone experiment with this? Am I wasting my time?

Thanks

It is a better way to stack them, but not for the reasons you think.

The reason it's better is because on average, a 4x10 will handle more power than a 1x15 will. If you're powering them with the same amp, the power is split between the two cabs... say your amp is sending out 400 watts... 200 watts will be hitting the single 15" driver, while 200 are going to the 4x10, where the power is split evenly between the four 10" drivers in there, so each sees 50 watts.

Obviously, the 15" will likely fail before the 4x10 does. If it is on top, it will be closer to ear level, so you'll be able to hear it straining before it actually blows.


Also, something to consider... 15" drivers don't inherently have any more lows than 10" drivers do. That's a myth. Nor do lows need space to "develop" or "project."

 

[will33]

I tried stacking cabs in reverse once, but I couldn't figure out how to keep the top one in the air while I put the bottom one under it.

Aha!...so that's what they mean.

Here all this time I've been wondering why I couldn't hear myself with all my speakers pointed off the back of the stage.

 

[mccartneyman]

But that lens had such a cool factor to it........

Greg's JBL/Crown bass rig was bigger & more powerful than my band's PA!