Trace Elliot TE-1200 and Pro 2X12

[S-Bigbottom]

Would mean having to manufacture two different products.

8 Ohms are compatible, not that much quieter even when the amp can only deliver half the rated power, and for those that really need 4 Ohms they can daisy chain two cabinets (meaning the manufacturer sells twice as many of the single product it does make).

For many using 500 watt and under heads, they want 4 ohms for a 2x12 and 4x10.

A modern 2x12 and 4x10 should produce as much or more output than larger cabs of many years ago. They are the "One Cab Solution" configurations.
If you are playing a place where two modern performing 4x10's or 2x12's are wanted, there is a PA and DI box with stage fills.

 

[calypsocoral302]

I’d just prefer to use a single 4 ohm cab and I’m definitely not interested in in hauling two unless it’s absolutely necessary.

I honestly don't understand this mentality-- sure, you can run twice the power (a 3dB ideal increase in SPL), but I'd rather retain the option of connecting a second cab if I need more volume-- not to mention that you won't experience any of that extra power unless you're running your rig with the output level cranked!

Of course, my main amp delivers about 700W at 8ohms, so I'm not exactly lacking for useable headroom with an 8-ohm cab-- perhaps others' mileage may vary.

 

[agedhorse]

For many using 500 watt and under heads, they want 4 ohms for a 2x12 and 4x10.

A modern 2x12 and 4x10 should produce as much or more output than larger cabs of many years ago. They are the "One Cab Solution" configurations.
If you are playing a place where two modern performing 4x10's or 2x12's are wanted, there is a PA and DI box with stage fills.

IMO, this is certainly true with today’s high quality cabinets and higher powered amps.

When a single multi-driver cabinet can handle (real world) say 800 watts RMS or more, and an amp can deliver 800 watts or more at 4 ohms, this pairing seems more obvious imo.

 

[ebozzz]

I honestly don't understand this mentality-- sure, you can run twice the power (a 3dB ideal increase in SPL), but I'd rather retain the option of connecting a second cab if I need more volume-- not to mention that you won't experience any of that extra power unless you're running your rig with the output level cranked!

Of course, my main amp delivers about 700W at 8ohms, so I'm not exactly lacking for useable headroom with an 8-ohm cab-- perhaps others' mileage may vary.

I really don’t have to explain my preference to you sir but I’ll give you a tad bit more. My amps get most of their power at 4 ohms (800 watts). The cabs that I own better match the power output of the 4 ohm loads of my amps. I don’t feel the need to carry a second cab to achieve a 4 ohm load but if I do want to carry two cabs, I have a pair of small lightweight good sounding 8 ohm cabs that I can use. I do NOT want to be carrying two heavy 8 ohm cabs. If you’re good with doing that, do your thing! Personally I would prefer to keep the weight of my cabs at around 50 lbs. or less.

 

[calypsocoral302]

I really don’t have to explain my preference to you sir but I’ll give you a tad bit more. My amps get most of their power at 4 ohms (800 watts). The cabs that I own better match the power output of the 4 ohm loads of my amps. I don’t feel the need to carry a second cab to achieve a 4 ohm load but if I do want to carry two cabs, I have a pair of small lightweight good sounding 8 ohm cabs that I can use. I do NOT want to be carrying two heavy 8 ohm cabs. If you’re good with doing that, do your thing! Personally I would prefer to keep the weight of my cabs at around 50 lbs. or less.

Just to clarify-- the multiple cab option was the *secondary* point of my reply. The *primary* point was that you don't get much of that extra power to a 4ohm load until you start running your volume control pretty high (around 7/10, assuming audio taper). Even on my smaller amps (like my Genzler MG-350), I don't find myself doing this often.

If more volume and headroom is that big a deal, the math behind running multiple identical cabs in parallel --halving the impedance in doing so -- for a (theoretical) +6dB increase in maximum headroom, seems a more worthwhile option.

Again, not a personal criticism, just trying to understand where the preference for a single 4ohm cab comes from, as the math behind it seems to me like it's fairly close to a point of diminishing returns. And again-- maybe the calculus varies according to the amp in question, as your reply seems to suggest.

 

[ebozzz]

Just to clarify-- the multiple cab option was the *secondary* point of my reply. The *primary* point was that you don't get much of that extra power to a 4ohm load until you start running your volume control pretty high (around 7/10, assuming audio taper). Even on my smaller amps (like my Genzler MG-350), I don't find myself doing this often.

If more volume and headroom is that big a deal, the math behind running multiple identical cabs in parallel --halving the impedance in doing so -- for a (theoretical) +6dB increase in maximum headroom, seems a more worthwhile option.

Again, not a personal criticism, just trying to understand where the preference for a single 4ohm cab comes from, as the math behind it seems to me like it's fairly close to a point of diminishing returns. And again-- maybe the calculus varies according to the amp in question, as your reply seems to suggest.

The headroom & volume that I get doing things the way that I am is just fine for my needs and I’m certainly not lacking anything that would require me to haul two cabs that are near 100 lbs. each that also don’t match the output of my amps as well. Again, it’s how I prefer to use MY gear but YOU may feel that a different approach suits YOUR needs best. Do you!

 

[agedhorse]

A single 4 ohm 215 is the same as 2 x 8 ohm 115’s. The choice is up to the player. It doesn’t have to be an either/or choice.

 

[ebozzz]

A single 4 ohm 215 is the same as 2 x 8 ohm 115’s. The choice is up to the player. It doesn’t have to be an either/or choice.

Thank you!

 

[Wood and Wire]

A single 4 ohm 215 is the same as 2 x 8 ohm 115’s. The choice is up to the player. It doesn’t have to be an either/or choice.

What about the fact that it's two cabinets instead of one : any bonus in terms of coupling the cabinets in a stack? Any frequency losses / comb filtering effects depending on how well the cabinets are designed to stack?

 

[agedhorse]

What about the fact that it's two cabinets instead of one : any bonus in terms of coupling the cabinets in a stack? Any frequency losses / comb filtering effects depending on how well the cabinets are designed to stack?

Nope, assuming the 215 is designed to the same specs as 2 of the 115's (which for low frequency purposes generally is).

 

[calypsocoral302]

A single 4 ohm 215 is the same as 2 x 8 ohm 115’s. The choice is up to the player. It doesn’t have to be an either/or choice.

Granted, but most of us consider a 215 to be in the same class as a 6x10, tall (staggered layout) 4x12, or 8x10 in that it's not typically regarded as a cab that is "stackable", so it is kind of expected to be utilized as a single-cab rig. Thus, 4 ohm versions of those cabs make a lot of sense.