two 210s or 210 and a 115

[billfitzmaurice]

Then help me understand the prevalance of the 115 paired with the 210 or 410 cab configuration.

They're prevalent because most players don't know any more about how speakers work than you do, and they made their purchases based mainly on what they saw others using, who bought their rigs because that's what they saw someone else using, who bought their rigs because that's what they saw someone else using, ad infinitum.
There are those who will say 'if it's so bad why does everyone do it?'. The answer is because they didn't know any better. Now you do.

 

[mottshoople]

So, for a newb here, let me understand this. I have a 1x15 and a 2x10. I like the versatility of being able to grab the 2x10 and go to a jam without having to load the bigger cab. I love the sound of the 2x10. I had been using both at my house jams (I rarely play out). Lately though, I have noticed that I favor the 1x15 by itself. I also really don't need the full 500W, the 350 is plenty for what I'm doing. So it seems like in a very unscientific way, I've come to the conclusion that you guys are talking about?
I guess if I wanted to take advantage of the full 500W, should either get another 1x15 or another 2x10. This will give it a better overall sound?


Mark

 

[lomo]

The point is that a cab or stack with drivers of different sizes makes no sense unless it is biamped or crossed over in a way that restricts each driver size to a cerain range of frequencies. This is rarely done (only a couple of stock cabs on the market, and the fEarful type builds) in bass cabs. I know I know, people have been doing it for years.......they used leaded gas for a long time as well.

 

[lomo]

yes

So, for a newb here, let me understand this. I have a 1x15 and a 2x10. I like the versatility of being able to grab the 2x10 and go to a jam without having to load the bigger cab. I love the sound of the 2x10. I had been using both at my house jams (I rarely play out). Lately though, I have noticed that I favor the 1x15 by itself. I also really don't need the full 500W, the 350 is plenty for what I'm doing. So it seems like in a very unscientific way, I've come to the conclusion that you guys are talking about?
I guess if I wanted to take advantage of the full 500W, should either get another 1x15 or another 2x10. This will give it a better overall sound?


Mark

 

[rockiezz]

So is there any sense in buying say a BX1500 Carvin amp? Two separate power amps for Bi-Amping or one mono amp for "full range". So if you use "full Range" cabinets make for a confusing situation.

 

[Twocan]

I've got an SWR 210c with a 1x15 bottom. The 210 by itself is well defined but lacking oomph. The 1x15 stinks by itself because there's no definition. Together, I find them ideal (for me).

 

[masonsjax]

Biamping makes the most sense when you have 2 separate speakers each designed to handle a specific frequency range. There's not much to be gained in biamping two full range cabinets

 

[billfitzmaurice]

I guess if I wanted to take advantage of the full 500W, should either get another 1x15 or another 2x10. This will give it a better overall sound?


Mark

If you like the sound of the 1x15 better and you just want more of it get another 1x15.

I've got an SWR 210c with a 1x15 bottom. The 210 by itself is well defined but lacking oomph. The 1x15 stinks by itself because there's no definition. Together, I find them ideal (for me).

That's called anecdotal evidence. It skirts a basic rule of loudspeaker engineering:Virtually any two cabs together will sound better than either alone.
As already stated the only way to know what works best for you is to try all the various permutations at the same time, side by side.

So is there any sense in buying say a BX1500 Carvin amp? Two separate power amps for Bi-Amping

Only if you use cabs intended for bi-amping. AFAIK currently there are none offered by the usual suspects.

 

[bassclef216]

Soooo.....What I am hearing is that I should opt for a 410 cab (or two 210's, or a 410 and a 210, or even two 115's) over a 115 and 210 (or 410) combination. I like the sound of the multiple speakers over the single 15" that I have now.

 

[BassmanPaul]

So is there any sense in buying say a BX1500 Carvin amp? Two separate power amps for Bi-Amping or one mono amp for "full range". So if you use "full Range" cabinets make for a confusing situation.

Not really confusing just very versatile. I use mine with a 2x10 on each channel. As the cabs are 4Ω this connection gives me about 450W into each. IMO bi-amping is obsolete and I'll never use that feature. The Carvin can drive a 2Ω load per channel, not too many bass amps can. This allows me to use all four of my 2x10s should I need.

A pair of identical cabinets is a better choice than mismatched ones. I stack my usual pair on their ends, a skinny stack, and they are wonderful.

 

[masonsjax]

If you went with a 410 and a 210, just remember that you could only use them together if they're both 8 Ohm (for most amps), and that you can only drive the stack to the limits of the 210, which would be well before the 410 gets going. So, yes, you should go with 2 of the same exact cab if possible, unless you've tried all the combinations in the same sitting, and prefer something else.

 

[WEB01]

What about if you have a 210 which isn't rated for a very low frequency response (say it bottoms out @ 50) and you want to add a cab that will take the rigs' frequency response down to something like 30. If there is a 115 in the same line of speakers that would provide that wouldn't it make sense to add that rather than adding another 210 that would still leave the bottom the of the rigs' overall frequency response sitting @ 50?

 

[masonsjax]

That's too general of a question. If the 2 cabs weren't specifically engineered to work well together, it's anybody's guess how well they'll do. If you don't like the sound of the 210, get something else. If you do, pairing it with another of the exact same will get you more of it.

Edit: If they were designed to work well together, sure, go for it. Even if they weren't, it might still sound awesome to you. Bottom line is, if you're not going to try before you buy, you can't go wrong buying a second identical cab if you're happy with one.

 

[ItsMichaelYeah]

I'm running a 2x10/1x15 cab. Love the sound. And I have another one for bigger shows when it fits on stage.

 

[Seven6]

Cool, this thread clears up a lot of questions and misconceptions that I have about pairing cabs.

Currently I run a Genz Benz 9.0 into an Avatar TB153 and love the sound. The fretted low B string notes give me chills sometimes, especially under the twangy telecasters that dominate my band. I had contemplated getting a 112 or 210 to round off the sound but it sounds like if I'm better suited to get more of the same. I'd hoped to not have to lug around another 115 though : )

 

[clintotron]

PS, it's MUCH EASIER to wheel around a 4x10 with casters than lug two 2x10's!!!!!!!!!!

A 4 ohm 4x10 is my favorite bang-for buck/ease of transpo rig!

Unless you install casters on one end and a handle on the other. Then you'd have less to pull.

 

[JimmyM]

Cool, this thread clears up a lot of questions and misconceptions that I have about pairing cabs.

Currently I run a Genz Benz 9.0 into an Avatar TB153 and love the sound. The fretted low B string notes give me chills sometimes, especially under the twangy telecasters that dominate my band. I had contemplated getting a 112 or 210 to round off the sound but it sounds like if I'm better suited to get more of the same. I'd hoped to not have to lug around another 115 though : )

hooking a 15/6 cab with a regular bass cab is crazy talk.

 

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

I run a Eden 2x10 XLT with a Trace Elliot 15 and it sounds great in my opinion,good enough that I sold my BagEnd 4x10.
Im so tired of this Paper chart tech approach to how Cabinets sound to your Ears!
Many people use these combinations because they sound GOOD bottom line and they are getting the sound that they have been looking for!!
So go out and try some different combinations in a real world live band setting and make your OWN decision from there.
You notice that the people that are saying that they mix speaker sizes say they SOUND good,not just that you can't do that just because they say it doesnt work.
Sorry to rant just a little frustrated with this cant mix speakers debate.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

What about if you have a 210 which isn't rated for a very low frequency response (say it bottoms out @ 50) and you want to add a cab that will take the rigs' frequency response down to something like 30. If there is a 115 in the same line of speakers that would provide that wouldn't it make sense to add that rather than adding another 210 that would still leave the bottom the of the rigs' overall frequency response sitting @ 50?

That's all well and good, but not one major manufacturer supplies the accurate data necessary for you to make that determination. Most data is not only woefully incomplete, it seems to be written by the Brothers Grimm.

 

[Vakmere]

So then putting this 15 and say a B210 NEO is not a good idea?

You'll be fine. Match or slightly exceed the power rating of the cabs with your head and play music. 2x10's @8ohms 500w, 1x15 @8 ohms 400w = 4ohm load, your head should be a minimum of 800w @ 4 ohms. Plenty for the stage. You want to fill the room with bass? Plug into the board via direct box and have a blast. Stop worring about it.