I normally play through a carvin 4x10 bass cabinet. It sounds great. I have one small club where the space is limited and I have to lift this 96lbs cabinet about 5' feet high, then walk a bit to clear an obstacle that's near a customers table. Then when I leave I have to lift above the obstacle and set it down without taking out a customers knee. To reduce weight has anyone ever use two 2x10 stacked? if so do you think the sound will be compromised not being in one cabinet? any recommendations?
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two 2x10 cabinets vs 4x10 cabinet?
- Thread starter Dr 360
- Start date
2 10s is the way to go.
Others will be along shortly to explain why.
Others will be along shortly to explain why.
Huge fan of multiple smaller modular cabinets versus one enormous multi-driver cabinet. Who cares if you have to make four trips to the truck, so long as none of those trips are as awkward & difficult as the trip OP describes?
!. Sound will be closer to your ears.
2. Sound will not be compromised. Sound will be more focused out front, no comb filtering.
3. Ease of schlep.
2. Sound will not be compromised. Sound will be more focused out front, no comb filtering.
3. Ease of schlep.
Two of them stacked vertically improves its horizontal dispersion and most importantly gets speakers close to your ear and not your knees.
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Some gigs you may only need one cab. Bring just one.
A fun read of an old thread. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/i-am-a-210-vertical-stack-believer.1062915/
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Some gigs you may only need one cab. Bring just one.
A fun read of an old thread. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/i-am-a-210-vertical-stack-believer.1062915/
That's the other big consideration.
OP stated it's a small club. Why bring more firepower than needed?
Here's the rub...
If you're using 210s of the same brand cabinet that would have the same total internal dimensions, and the same model speakers. Then yes it will be the same.
But if you're simply comparing some other random brand of two 210s to your Carvin 410, then no, things are going to result in differences.
Or get a decent 212 cab sorted
Agreed. I can't deal with the weight anymore and an older Carvin 4x10 is worth about a buck two-eighty. I'd be thinking past the "2x10 vs 4x10" conundrum and looking at some of the newer lightweight (...and more efficient!) enclosures. I use a 3x10 which comes in under 50 lbs but, if starting fresh, I'd opt for a modern 2x12 which would meet 99.7% of my gig requirements.
Riis
I LOVE my Carvin BRX 10.2's. On the rare occasion that I need more than one, I stack them. And I always stack any cabinet I use on top of my Magna Cart. Uncoupling my cabs from the floor does two things, it reduces standing/ side bass waves and those from the kick and the monitors from interacting, and it raises the cabs up, making them easier for me to hear. It's better than a 4x10 for these reasons. Portability is better, as well.
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It's a pretty serious lift to hoist a 410. I would prefer dealing with a pair of 210s. My last touring rig gave me the option of Eden D210XLT and/or D410XLT. The 210 was plenty for most gigs. IMHO an Eden D210XLT is enough of a lift all by itself.
If the 210 uses the same drivers and tuning as the 410, they will perform pretty much identical if stacked side by side. I would prefer to stack a pair of 210s vertically and probably tilt the top cab back a bit. This will widen horizontal dispersion and should make it easier for you to hear the high range of your tone. Not everyone likes to hear the highs like I do though...do what is best for you.
If the 210 uses the same drivers and tuning as the 410, they will perform pretty much identical if stacked side by side. I would prefer to stack a pair of 210s vertically and probably tilt the top cab back a bit. This will widen horizontal dispersion and should make it easier for you to hear the high range of your tone. Not everyone likes to hear the highs like I do though...do what is best for you.
lightweight 2x12 FTW. GK Neo IV is IMO the perfect combination of tone, power, and portability. I use mine more than my 1x12 even for smaller gigs cause it's so easy to schlepp.
Two 210 cabs is the way to go… unless the 410 is significantly cheaper than two 210s and if you're sure you'll use all the power it has.
But if you decide on a 210, then you also have the option of a 115+210 stack, which opens up more possibilities.
While on the topic of flexibility, before I decided on my final (for now) setup, I was seriously considering two Markbass 2×10 cabs (102 in their parlance) and figured I would get one Pure and one Energy version (different tweeters) and if stacking, I'd put the cab with the preferred tweeter on top (and turn off the tweeter in the bottom cab).
So for flexibility, definitely go for two 210s.
But if you decide on a 210, then you also have the option of a 115+210 stack, which opens up more possibilities.
While on the topic of flexibility, before I decided on my final (for now) setup, I was seriously considering two Markbass 2×10 cabs (102 in their parlance) and figured I would get one Pure and one Energy version (different tweeters) and if stacking, I'd put the cab with the preferred tweeter on top (and turn off the tweeter in the bottom cab).
So for flexibility, definitely go for two 210s.
+1. I used to stack a pair of 4 ohm 12"s when I needed more; most of the time one was enough.
I've realized that the worry about multiple trips is wildly misplaced, for the vast majority of my gigs at least. If I have to show up over an hour early to play my set, who cares about multiple trips. Now moving a 70 lb cube, that's another issue.
Used to haul a 98 lbs Eden 410xlt around to gigs. I used to be younger! Even then I could feel the strain it was putting on my hips to hoist it and maneuver it. It gets to a point where you have to protect yourself from injury more than you need a specific piece of gear. Stacking smaller pairs of cabs has been my way for many years now. Just landed a pair of very light, great sounding neo 210 cabs, can't wait to try them this weekend! Plus, vertical stacking option, great for tall folks like me.
I'll take a matched pair of 210 cabs over a 410 cab any day of the week. Modularity is the way (IMHO). 
