Tale of new GK Cabs

[Red Planet]

So which is it?

Looking to purchase some new cabbage and trying to decide.

x1 4 ohm CX410

x2 8 ohm CX210

x2 8 ohm CX115

x1 8 ohm CX210 + X1 8 ohm CX410

I primarily will use either GK 700RB II or GK MBF500 with these and I play mostly rock and the occasional authentic blues gig.

Which would you pick and why?

Right now I think I'm leaning towards 2 of the 210s but finding them in stock in Atlanta seems easiest right now for the 210 410 combination (cant find but one 2x10 and only 8 ohm 410).

 

[FRoss6788]

I'm really into the "line array" thing right now so I'd lean toward the 2x210 or 2x115, depending on the flavor you're looking for.
The problem you'd run into with your last option is the drivers in the 410 would be getting half the power of those in the 210.

 

[FRoss6788]

Let me add that stacking those 210's will get the drivers closer to ear level which makes it much easier to hear yourself and control stage volume at the same time, which I found difficult with a 410. A side benefit is the amp is also up higher so it's easier to see for quick adjustments.

 

[Red Planet]

So also as a side note if one calculates the cubic inches of each of the cabs you get 8837.8cu" per the 4x10 and 6336.5x2=12673cu" per two of the 2x10.
I would think that would make a significant sound difference?

 

[FRoss6788]

That's a significant difference, surprising. I wonder if the 2x210 will end up louder and/or lower. I may need to see if I can find any more specs, though the real test would be to try them out.

 

[Red Planet]

That's a significant difference, surprising. I wonder if the 2x210 will end up louder and/or lower. I may need to see if I can find any more specs, though the real test would be to try them out.

Except no one in this neck of the woods has them in stock. Only one 2x10 and one 8 ohm 4x10 in a "distribution warehouse" and anything else custom order from GK. I cant even find out any availability until Friday from the only dealer in Atlanta I could get up with.

 

[FRoss6788]

I know what you mean, it's disappointing. Hopefully someone here has experience with these cabs and can offer some insight. My only input is my experience with vertical stacking. As I said I found it a huge improvement. Although I will add that I have never used any GK gear that I didn't like, solid company.

 

[Red Planet]

I know what you mean, it's disappointing. Hopefully someone here has experience with these cabs and can offer some insight. My only input is my experience with vertical stacking. As I said I found it a huge improvement. Although I will add that I have never used any GK gear that I didn't like, solid company.

Yes at this point I can say I'm GK thru and thru. Heck if they come out with GK underwear I'm in.

 

[okcrum]

I'm really into the "line array" thing right now so I'd lean toward the 2x210 or 2x115, depending on the flavor you're looking for.
The problem you'd run into with your last option is the drivers in the 410 would be getting half the power of those in the 210.

Huh? The drivers in the 4 ohm 410 will get the same power per driver as the 8 ohm 210 if used together.

 

[MattZilla]

I'm tall and want the sound as close to my ears as possible.

Probably a pair of 210s unless either 1) they make a 212, then I'd go with a pair of 212s 2) I really need the air pushing from 8 10s, then I'd go with a pair of 410s.

Are you in some town called Atlanta in Belgium or Sudan? Tell the store to order what you want or you'll just get it sent to you from sweetwater.

 

[Pulverizor]

Wouldn't 210 8ohm+410 4ohm be better, each speaker will get equal power.
Vertical 210's are just plain awesome, small footprint and easy to hear.

 

[Jaco who?]

Wouldn't 210 8ohm+410 4ohm be better, each speaker will get equal power.

Absolutely. IF the 700RBII and the MB 500 would have a 2.67Ω minimum load, but they don't.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I would choose the two 8 ohm 2x10s

I like the idea of being able to create a horizontal or vertical stack, or to use just one for lower volume gigs, or to be able to keep one at home and leave one at rehearsal.

 

[wizard65]

Huh? The drivers in the 4 ohm 410 will get the same power per driver as the 8 ohm 210 if used together.

No, he was talking about the last option.

 

[jw23mind]

Huh? The drivers in the 4 ohm 410 will get the same power per driver as the 8 ohm 210 if used together.

He stated an 8 Ohm 410, not the 4 Ohm. The 4 Ohm 410 would be great with the 8 Ohm 210.

 

[TonyP-]

So which is it?

Looking to purchase some new cabbage and trying to decide.

x1 4 ohm CX410

Which would you pick and why?

I really love the sound of this cabinet.

The CX410 has a real fullness to it and you could play any place with that box.

 

[Kro]

Without your being able to try them in person, this is a very difficult decision. I haven't played the cabs in question, but they may sound a good bit different from one another - and without taking your tonal preference for each into account that just leaves us with nothing to decide on but posted specs.

So then, without further ado, let's do just that!

As long as you're planning on running two of these, I'd say that the power handling shouldn't matter. Any two of those CX cabs should be more than adequate enough to handle the power from your 700RB-ii.

Next up: weight. 67lbs is pretty heavy in my book - at least nowadays. I remember back when moving a 70lb 210 was nothing... but now 70lbs definitely is something to me. And maybe to you too. Personally I'd rather move two sub 40lb cabs than one 70lb cab, but I know others that feel the opposite is true.

So in my opinion, that leaves us with the 210s and 115s.

They're both the same size, so the primary trade-offs appear to be in the departments of:
-weight
-efficiency
-extension?
-dispersion?

The weight difference of 35 vs 37 pounds isn't that big of a difference.

By the published specs the efficiency difference between the two is enormous, but GK has admitted to me that the published efficiency specs are likely wrong. From GK, the 210 is rated at 99dB, with the 115 probably around 98db.

As for extension, I'm not sure how much the GK specs can be trusted due to the efficiency confusion noted above, but the 210 extension is rated from 53Hz to 18kHz and the 115 from 51Hz to 18kHz (same as the 410 FWIW). IME these specs are usually pretty meaningless when it comes to how a cab actually sounds.

Lastly, dispersion. Given that the 210 uses the diagonal arrangement to make sure they can fit into the same size cab as the 115, there's no real way to stack them to get the drivers to align vertically. With 115s you can. Will it make a meaningful difference? Any difference at all? Who knows, but just calling it out.

So with all that being said I'd say that a pair of 210s might work slightly better if you're trying to maximize the volume from your 700RB-ii as the sensitivity is slightly better.

If not, I'd seriously consider a pair of 115s. They weigh less, may have a slightly better dispersion pattern when stacked, and if you ever get crazy and damage your cabs, it'd be less painful to replace two drivers vs. potentially four.

Good luck with the decision!

 

[Red Planet]

Without your being able to try them in person, this is a very difficult decision. I haven't played the cabs in question, but they may sound a good bit different from one another - and without taking your tonal preference for each into account that just leaves us with nothing to decide on but posted specs.

So then, without further ado, let's do just that!

As long as you're planning on running two of these, I'd say that the power handling shouldn't matter. Any two of those CX cabs should be more than adequate enough to handle the power from your 700RB-ii.

Next up: weight. 67lbs is pretty heavy in my book - at least nowadays. I remember back when moving a 70lb 210 was nothing... but now 70lbs definitely is something to me. And maybe to you too. Personally I'd rather move two sub 40lb cabs than one 70lb cab, but I know others that feel the opposite is true.

So in my opinion, that leaves us with the 210s and 115s.

They're both the same size, so the primary trade-offs appear to be in the departments of:
-weight
-efficiency
-extension?
-dispersion?

The weight difference of 35 vs 37 pounds isn't that big of a difference.

By the published specs the efficiency difference between the two is enormous, but GK has admitted to me that the published efficiency specs are likely wrong. From GK, the 210 is rated at 99dB, with the 150 probably around 98db.

As for extension, I'm not sure how much the GK specs can be trusted due to the efficiency confusion noted above, but the 210 extension is rated from 53Hz to 18kHz and the 150 from 51Hz to 18kHz (same as the 410 FWIW). IME these specs are usually pretty meaningless when it comes to how a cab actually sounds.

Lastly, dispersion. Given that the 210 uses the diagonal arrangement to make sure they can fit into the same size cab as the 115, there's no real way to stack them to get the drivers to align vertically. With 115s you can. Will it make a meaningful difference? Any difference at all? Who knows, but just calling it out.

So with all that being said I'd say that a pair of 210s might work slightly better if you're trying to maximize the volume from your 700RB-ii as the sensitivity is slightly better.

If not, I'd seriously consider a pair of 115s. They weigh less, may have a slightly better dispersion pattern when stacked, and if you ever get crazy and damage your cabs, it'd be less painful to replace two drivers vs. potentially 4.

Good luck with the decision!

Very thought out response thanks Kro!

So its either two 115 or two 210. The cubic feet of two of these are a far bit larger than the 410.

Anyone know how hot the tweeters are in these cabs? As there is only a switch.

 

[Kro]

The cubic feet of two of these are a far bit larger than the 410.

True, but for me, the size issue is rated against the "will it fit in my trunk" spec. If the answer is no, it's an immediate disqualification. If the answer is yes, then size doesn't really matter - it fits!

It's not like weight IMO where incremental improvements actually make a noticeable difference. YMMV.

 

[thebreakman]

x2 8 ohm CX115. Only reason I can give you is I just like 15's. It's what I've always used and I don't care for 10's.