Staggered 4x10 Cab?

[grygrskls]

Since the the traditional 4x10 cab has room to improve with sound dispersion, and a vertical 4x10 is a bit akward in shape, would a staggered 4x10 be a compromise? If they were aligned in a 90 degree layout it would raise the amp height. But would it lessen the effect of the comb filtering?

 

[Inara]

Since the the traditional 4x10 cab has room to improve with sound dispersion, and a vertical 4x10 is a bit akward in shape, would a staggered 4x10 be a compromise? If they were aligned in a 90 degree layout it would raise the amp height. But would it lessen the effect of the comb filtering?

I was told years ago by I think Bill Fitzmaurice that the staggered arrangement does lessen the comb filtering, compared to the straight side-by-side arrangement. I can't recall the particulars, though, so here's hoping that one of the experts comes in with some details. I've been considering an offset 410 myself lately, though I'll probably go ahead and do a .5 alignment to only have one column running full range anyway. But having the cab a little taller and narrower than a traditional 410 is a benefit to me.

 

[wave rider]

Off the top of my head, Bergantino and Bag End have staggered 4x10s.

 

[ThisBass]

Comb filtering is an audible artifact. But rather than a likewise precise "detecting" of the notches that can be clearly seen on paper (respectively radiation patterns) in real practice the ears do it quite different and "average" the total SPL of bandwidth covered by comb filter artifacts.

In practice this means that the mids/trebel response at off axis listening position will be experienced as kinda somewhat reduced response of direct sound at mids/treble bandwidth that sucks about -2..3dB average SPL.

And as direct sound average SPL was reduced a little bit the ears "tend" to add little more of early reflections (indoors) from the side walls to the total "audible" sound.

Personally I think that my 212 cab with vertically aligned 12"s is not suited to outperform my fridge.
If I was looking for very good dispersion on stage and FOH I'd try to consider a pedigree mid device for the mids bandwidth (fearful design comes to mind) rather than "generic" full range running 10"s or 12"s or 15"s.
As usual, it all depends. There is anyway no free lunch!

 

[Wasnex]

Since the the traditional 4x10 cab has room to improve with sound dispersion, and a vertical 4x10 is a bit akward in shape, would a staggered 4x10 be a compromise? If they were aligned in a 90 degree layout it would raise the amp height. But would it lessen the effect of the comb filtering?

It doesn't eliminate the comb filtering it just shifts it to a different axis.

With vertically aligned drivers you get lobing and comb filtering along the vertical. With horizontally aligned drivers you get lobing and comb filtering along the horizontal. If the drivers are staggered, the lobing and comb filtering occurs along whatever diagonal passes directly between the drivers.

 

[Sparky Mark]

I use two Bergantino HD210 cabs which can be stacked to give two options of a staggered 410 arrangement (one being taller than the other).

 

[Lobster11]

Since the the traditional 4x10 cab has room to improve with sound dispersion, and a vertical 4x10 is a bit akward in shape, would a staggered 4x10 be a compromise? If they were aligned in a 90 degree layout it would raise the amp height. But would it lessen the effect of the comb filtering?

I don't understand what you mean when you say that "a vertical 4x10 is a bit awkward in shape." I suppose it would be as a single cabinet, but a pair of matching 2x10s vertically stacked is the bees' knees.

 

[BogeyBass]

Crossfire