Which setup would you prefer?

[dwm74]

I currently have a GK Backline 600 head, and an older Genz Benz 410 cab. The Backline 600 runs 300W @ 4 ohms, or 175W @ 8 ohms. (My GB 410 is 8 ohms)

I ran across a 4 ohm 210 cab, and was wondering if the added wattage through a smaller cab would be louder than the 410 running on 175 W.

So basically my question is...which would be louder?
The 410 pushed by 175W, or the 210 pushed by 300W?
(I'm not looking to combine these cabs, just wondering about each one by itself.)

I know there's more to volume/loudness than just wattage, and I know the 410 would obviously move more air, but I still don't know which would be the more efficient setup. Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Jaco who?]

The 8Ω 4x10 would be louder, but for 300 watts @ 4Ωs, I'd use a 4Ω 2x12.

 

[BassmanPaul]

IMO a single 2x10 is not enough to gig with irrespective of how much power you feed it.

 

[Pilgrim]

IMO a single 2x10 is not enough to gig with irrespective of how much power you feed it.

With respect, my opinion differs. IMO a 2x10 is ample for many moderate-volume gigs. I've played a number of of gigs with cabs that size. If you're playing big places or with a very loud band, it's probably not enough, but there are certainly plenty of exceptions.

Generally speaking, I believe that if you have more speaker cones moving air you will be perceived as having more volume. The wattage is a separate issue.

 

[BassmanPaul]

You are welcome to your opinion, we all have them.

Yes you could play a gig with a 2x10 but it's not something I'd ever do with mine. I always use a pair. Half way through the second set is not the time to find out that your speakers are inadequate!

 

[countrybass007]

I agree with BassmanPaul, the bassists I've heard using just one 210 cab at a larger venue just weren't getting enough bass out to the audience. There is a guy in our area who uses a GKNEO212, and it seems to put out plenty of sound. Seems like there wouldn't be much difference, but the GK212 is a much bigger cab than most 210s.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I think we're kind of getting off track from the OP's question here.....too many opinions are being thrown around.

As stated above, the 4x10 would be louder and will be able to handle more than the 2x10.

Since we're giving opinions, I'll give mine. Agreeing with Jaco Who?, I'd much rather go with a 2x12 over a 2x10 any day. I tried my SWR 2x10 alone powered by my BX500 amp. I hated the tone and felt that the cab (rated 400 watts, 4 ohm) couldn't handle what I was giving it. I normally run the BX with 2 individual 1x12 cabs (4 ohm total), and that tone is to die for.

If you're looking to get more volume/efficiency out of your rig, you might want to look into a more powerful head rather than another cabinet. Your current 4x10 is as sweet as they come.

 

[gregoire1]

so an 8ohm 4x10 at 175w, is louder than a 4ohm 2x10 at 300w? Does this assume all amp settings are the same?

 

[JTE]

There are too many variables to give a pat answer, but generally, everything else being the same, having more speaker cone (twice as much in this case) is going to give you more usable volume than simply doubling the power. Doubling the power only gives you a small increase in volume, and you're still restricted by the speaker cabinet's ability to turn that into air movement.

Rather than get a 4Ω 2x10, either look for another 8Ω 4x10 or (second choice) get a 4Ω 4x10 or 2x12. Even knowing a bit about gear and physics, I made this mistake 13 years ago. I got a 4Ω 4x10 so I'd get the maximum power from my amp, never anticipating the need to run two cabinets. Eventually a friend of mine got the same amp/cabinet (Eden WT-400 and D410XLT) except his was 8Ω. We did side-by-side comparisons and there was no noticeable differences between either head driving either cabinet. BUT, when we hooked up an additional 8Ω D410XLT, the extra speaker area made a HUGE difference.

John

 

[RickenBoogie]

I completely agree here, more volume means more speakers, period. Wattage is a very small part of the equasion.Add another 8 ohm 4x10 for maximum volume, or buy a large(ish) single 4 ohm cab, like another 410 or 212.

 

[dwm74]

I appreciate all the input. The reason I was considering a 210 was more for portability...that 410 gets heavy dragging it to and from practice. I kicked the idea around of getting a decent combo amp for that purpose, but a good, powerful combo is about as pricey as what I already have, so I thought about a used 210 instead.

But as always with TB, you gave me some additional information and ideas I hadn't considered. Thanks, guys!

 

[MarTONEbass]

I'm gigging with a Bergantino HT210 tonight. It has no problem getting loud enough to be heard over a half deaf drummer and 2 loudish guitars in my rock band.

 

[BassNGuns]

I appreciate all the input. The reason I was considering a 210 was more for portability...that 410 gets heavy dragging it to and from practice. I kicked the idea around of getting a decent combo amp for that purpose, but a good, powerful combo is about as pricey as what I already have, so I thought about a used 210 instead.

But as always with TB, you gave me some additional information and ideas I hadn't considered. Thanks, guys!

Best bet: Get two 2x10's at 8 ohm. Portabilty AND loudness.

 

[Bass_Thumper]

The 8Ω 4x10 would be louder, but for 300 watts @ 4Ωs, I'd use a 4Ω 2x12.

I have to agree here. I've been using a Backline 600 into a 4 ohm Avatar cab for years and I've never had a problem being heard. The cab is pretty light as well.