Subway 215 vs. Subway 212, sonic differences ?

[ezstep]

I have both. The 2x12 is easier to transport, takes up slightly less stage space, can get loud, and is very articulate.
Two 1x15's (which is what I have) are easy to transport, can get louder, can get lower (in frequency), and it very articulate.

If my wife held a gun to my head (again) and made me choose - I would stick with the 15's. But I love the 2x12. (I know, not very helpful). I have to agree with mmbongo - you can make the 15's sound like the 12's, but the 2x12 will not do what two 15's will do.

 

[micguy]

You’re lucky.
In the old days we did gigs that didn’t even have toilet paper.

I'm pretty sure we played the same places back then. "Dressing room"? - an unheated garage behind the place, with no bathroom. Or down a rickety stairs in the basement (with a 6 foot ceiling). Electricity on stage? Plenty to run your amps off of, yet wired poorly enough to shock you when you touched a mic.

 

[jnewmark]

This is hard.
Product is non existent for the average musician, so playing it involves traveling to where? At what additional cost?
Video's are difficult as they use heads and guitars that are not yours, not set the way you like and the bass is also different to your choices.
Always recall the Marshall VBA 400 dilemma. The stores that stocked one, sold it same day. No more sales because noone could hear one. Caused an unnecessary demise of an amp that is drooled upon when played out in the flesh by bass players hearing one for the first time.
Hope this doesn't happen to Mesa because the few I have played, were wonderful bass amps.

If I get one, my solution will be to buy it from GC and have it shipped to my local store ( they have neither ). If their return policy is as easy as everyone says, I will return one and then order the other.

 

[Aussie Player]

You’re lucky.
In the old days we did gigs that didn’t even have toilet paper.

And because we spent so much time in rat hole basements with endless corridors, we were separated from our gear which helped the thieves help themselves.

 

[skier 913]

I have to agree with mmbongo - you can make the 15's sound like the 12's, but the 2x12 will not do what two 15's will do.

However, the SW212 (or 2 X SW112's) tends to create a much larger and fuller sound like I find so often when you double drivers or cabs.


My Question is: can the 212 get the lows of a 115? with some eq'ing?
I'm Looking for useable reggae tones at decent volume with 1 do it all cab..but not as big as the 215

 

[skier 913]

My Question is: can the 212 get the lows of a 115? with some eq'ing?
I'm Looking for useable reggae tones at decent volume with 1 do it all cab..but not as big as the 215

 

[Verb the Noun]

My Question is: can the 212 get the lows of a 115? with some eq'ing?
I'm Looking for useable reggae tones at decent volume with 1 do it all cab..but not as big as the 215

I own both the SW212 and SW215. The difference in size is minor enough I'd recommend just going with the driver size you want. If it makes any difference, the SW215 is the one I use for gigs 100% of the time. Built in casters make it much easier to move than the SW212, and I have yet to think "Gee, if this cab was just a bit shorter......" when setting up.

I own both the SW212 and SW115. If I wanted a one cab can do it all between the two, I would go with the SW212. The SW 12"s may be voiced a bit punchier than the 15"s, but I cant imagine anything other than a s*** eatin grin when you hear either cab for the first time. You will, DEFINITELY, find all the usable tone you need in either option.

 

[micguy]

You’re lucky.
In the old days we did gigs that didn’t even have toilet paper.

I was around for those as well....

 

[agedhorse]

I was around for those as well....

Work box item.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I think a Subway 1x15 would cover type of Gig's and Venues you expressed easily
maybe even a 1x12 even with no FOH.[of course with Subway Amp even D350]

I know I am being booed now So I suggest the 2x15

 

[bherman]

I think a Subway 1x15 would cover type of Gig's and Venues you expressed easily
maybe even a 1x12 even with no FOH.[of course with Subway Amp even D350]

I know I am being booed now So I suggest the 2x15

There is a fair amount of truth to this, I play in a situation similar to what you are describing (moderate/loud band, not hard rock, medium size rooms with PA support for larger venues). I use RevSound vs Mesa cabs, but I think that my experience is similar for most high-end, well-designed and very efficient cabs. I have two - 112s but probably for 90% of what I do, one is plenty. I prefer two when I can because - well, I'm a bass player and we always like more - but honestly a 112 or 115 would probably cover you well. I've owned and used 12s and 15s and prefer 12s for better mid response. When I want deep, my Arkham Oracle takes care of that.

So my advice is go with a 212, or perhaps a pair of 112s. You'll probably find as I do that 1 will cover most of your gigs, and you'll have the second one to add when needed.

 

[ezstep]

I have the 2x12 but I also have to two 1x15's. For reggae, I would go with the two 15's, depending on amount of p.a. support. My favorite single cab is the 2x12, but two 15's are louder and deeper.

 

[micguy]

Work box item.

Agreed!

If you've ever watched some of the "prepper" folks' videos on their bugout bags and such (when I bought a bag for cables and such, I ended up watching some of those), they have all manner of first aid kits, stoves, knives, etc, but....never toilet paper. From the actual SHTF moment we all shared a few years ago (the pandemic beginning) the one thing we should all have learned is that the first thing that falls apart in society is the access to toilet paper.

 

[jnewmark]

Wow, almost a year old thread. Needless to say, the project never materialized as the singer ran into some serious health problems and had to bow out. So I never really had to make the choice of 212 vs. 215. But, feel free to carry on, I really would love to try one of these cabs some day.

 

[skier 913]

I now have the sw212 and sw115 but can't fully test them loud at the moment , and I'm getting sound disorientated from testing. My
first experience with sw115 (& D-800) it was super deep and super clear, thought I might need a second 115 cab eventually?
But my first time trying the sw212 I didn't get the same initial feeling of deep and low, it was more clear and loud at low setting.
Today I tried a low volume A/B but they both sound similar...have I gone tone deaf?
*Disclaimer I'm pretty much looking for what the 115 does but hoping to get it from the 212 (because 1 loud smallish cab) but not wanting to miss out on the full low end if I need it for reggae 50% of the time....
All related feedback helps!

 

[skier 913]

 

[skier 913]

I have the 2x12 but I also have to two 1x15's. For reggae, I would go with the two 15's, depending on amount of p.a. support. My favorite single cab is the 2x12, but two 15's are louder and deeper.

 

[skier 913]

I finally settled today on 2 x 115's after a loud garage jam and a lot of a/b/c'-ing. The 212 is great but its easier for me to carry the 115's up stairs and through doorways etc, plus I have the option of using just 1 of the 15's for anything small . Love the 15's deep lows!

 

[rodl2005]

My Question is: can the 212 get the lows of a 115? with some eq'ing?
I'm Looking for useable reggae tones at decent volume with 1 do it all cab..but not as big as the 215

The Subway 215 is a tiny 215 comparatively speaking

 

[jnewmark]

I finally settled today on 2 x 115's after a loud garage jam and a lot of a/b/c'-ing. The 212 is great but its easier for me to carry the 115's up stairs and through doorways etc, plus I have the option of using just 1 of the 15's for anything small . Love the 15's deep lows!

So, what are you gonna do with the 212 ?