4x10" vs 2x12" vs 1x12"

bluez

Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Posts: 135
Norway

Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:34 PM

There are some hardrockers that swear to 4x12" and claims they sounds a lot better than a 1x12" or 2x12". I have heard the same about 4x10" from blues players. some say that a single 12" will never sound spectacular. Cabinet size and if it's open back or sealed plays a large roll to. But is there some truth in the superiority of 4x12" or 4x10"?

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LHR

Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
Costa Rica

Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:39 PM

...vs. 1X15" vs. 2X15"

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SSIV

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yorgatron

Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Posts: 24
san jose ca.

Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:44 PM

1 x 12" doesn't work for me,2 x 12" or 1 x 15" is what I prefer.
4 x 12" is for heavy metal idiots.
4 x 10" is for middle aged blues dentists.

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bluez

Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Posts: 135
Norway

Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:46 PM

LHR
...vs. 1X15" vs. 2X15"

Some 15" sounds amazing, but they all have a problem: directionality. If you move a few feet of axis of 15" it will sound a lot different.

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revmike

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3864
North Atlantic
Canada

Posted on Aug 18 2010 07:08 PM

1 x 15 gets my vote.

Rev

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Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

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casey

Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 521
2 Security Pins

Posted on Aug 18 2010 09:01 PM

Well, its obviously subjective but I've never found any amp that I like as much as a blackface Super Reverb (4 x 10) with the CTS alnico speakers. Although it is a favorite of blues guys, I find it works well for surf/instrumental too. Those 4 speakers can move a lot of air and give the amp presence without sounding too "loud". In fact, I run two of them when playing outside jobs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cepuWaHlPI

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dannylectro

Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 373
Orange, CA
United States

Posted on Aug 18 2010 09:52 PM

1x15" or 2x12" is the way to go.

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bluez

Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Posts: 135
Norway

Posted on Aug 19 2010 05:18 AM

According to Marshall:
"Closed back cabinets are often preferred for styles that require a tight , articulate response" Sealed cabinets will dampen the speaker faster, wouldn't the extra headroom be an advantage for surf?

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bamboozer

Joined: Jan 18, 2010
Posts: 672
Delaware
1 Security Pin

Posted on Aug 19 2010 07:14 AM

Currently using 2x12's in a closed back cabinet, sounds good with great bass. Never used a 15" for guitar... yet. I agree that one 12" sounds "boxy" and small but if your playing v.small rooms it may be the only choice.

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topsail

Joined: Jun 10, 2009
Posts: 317

Posted on Aug 19 2010 07:29 AM

Well, it's pretty subjective, but I've always been partial to 10"s & 15" over 12"s.

Not to say I haven't played some great sounding 12" rigs over the years Though.

Most of my amps have been equipped with 10"s.

Last edited: Aug 19, 2010 10:51:17

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bluez

Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Posts: 135
Norway

Posted on Aug 19 2010 08:32 AM

I have heard that closed cabinets is preferable outdoor. That a lot of the power and the lower end, seems to disappear on open back cabinets.

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P2gee

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 264
Waco Texas

Posted on Aug 19 2010 09:27 AM

According to the title of an old Bugs Henderson album "Two Twelves Beats Four Tens". They're playing poker on the the cover.

—

2012-2013: FILTHY POLAROIDS

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LHR

Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
Costa Rica

Posted on Aug 19 2010 05:08 PM

bluez

LHR
...vs. 1X15" vs. 2X15"

Some 15" sounds amazing, but they all have a problem: directionality. If you move a few feet of axis of 15" it will sound a lot different.

Okay, whatever you say...

—

SSIV

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guitarslinger1

Joined: Oct 29, 2007
Posts: 185
Pacifica, CA
1 News Pin

Posted on Aug 19 2010 05:47 PM

or how about 3 x 15s ??

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LaFleur

Joined: May 20, 2009
Posts: 525
Leipzig
Germany

Posted on Aug 20 2010 01:47 PM

A few days ago i tried the combination of an 4x12 and 15" Tone-Ring and it felt like heaven!!!

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http://www.reverbnation.com/bangmustang
http://www.facebook.com/bangmustang
https://soundcloud.com/bang-mustang

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surferjoemusic

Joined: Jan 01, 2008
Posts: 2107
Livorno
Italy

Posted on Aug 20 2010 05:27 PM

revhank
1 x 15 gets my vote.

Rev

My vote too.

—

Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)

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yorgatron

Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Posts: 24
san jose ca.

Posted on Aug 20 2010 08:08 PM

2 x 15" is fun too.
I had this Standel for awhile,and it was perfect for 6-string bass,but not quite what I wanted for guitar,so I sold it.
I'm thinking about doing a blackface Bassman combo with one 15" and one 10" speaker.

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terrafirma

Joined: Aug 23, 2009
Posts: 44
Brookings, South Dakota

Posted on Aug 21 2010 11:56 AM

I like the idea of combining different sized speakers in the same cabinet (eg. two 10s and a 12), but have never tried it or, to my knowledge, have never heard a cabinet with this setup. Has anyone ever tried this and, if so, to what results?

—

Sonic Screwdriver
http://www.sonicscrewdriverband.com

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mad_dog

Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 349
Montclair, NJ

Posted on Aug 21 2010 12:24 PM

I've tried to love multi 10" speakers. Just doesn't work for me. !x15 does, same with 2x12. Having a blast lately running an extension 2x12 cab with a 1x15 Sewell Wampus Cat. It's perfect, great mix of sound.

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bluez Joined: Jul 11, 2010 Posts: 135 Norway	Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:34 PM There are some hardrockers that swear to 4x12" and claims they sounds a lot better than a 1x12" or 2x12". I have heard the same about 4x10" from blues players. some say that a single 12" will never sound spectacular. Cabinet size and if it's open back or sealed plays a large roll to. But is there some truth in the superiority of 4x12" or 4x10"? Top
LHR Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle	Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:39 PM ...vs. 1X15" vs. 2X15" — SSIV Top
yorgatron Joined: Mar 17, 2009 Posts: 24 san jose ca.	Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:44 PM 1 x 12" doesn't work for me,2 x 12" or 1 x 15" is what I prefer. 4 x 12" is for heavy metal idiots. 4 x 10" is for middle aged blues dentists. Top
bluez Joined: Jul 11, 2010 Posts: 135 Norway	Posted on Aug 18 2010 06:46 PM LHR ...vs. 1X15" vs. 2X15" Some 15" sounds amazing, but they all have a problem: directionality. If you move a few feet of axis of 15" it will sound a lot different. Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3864 North Atlantic	Posted on Aug 18 2010 07:08 PM 1 x 15 gets my vote. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
casey Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 521	Posted on Aug 18 2010 09:01 PM Well, its obviously subjective but I've never found any amp that I like as much as a blackface Super Reverb (4 x 10) with the CTS alnico speakers. Although it is a favorite of blues guys, I find it works well for surf/instrumental too. Those 4 speakers can move a lot of air and give the amp presence without sounding too "loud". In fact, I run two of them when playing outside jobs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cepuWaHlPI Top
dannylectro Joined: Aug 18, 2008 Posts: 373 Orange, CA	Posted on Aug 18 2010 09:52 PM 1x15" or 2x12" is the way to go. Top
bluez Joined: Jul 11, 2010 Posts: 135 Norway	Posted on Aug 19 2010 05:18 AM According to Marshall: "Closed back cabinets are often preferred for styles that require a tight , articulate response" Sealed cabinets will dampen the speaker faster, wouldn't the extra headroom be an advantage for surf? Top
bamboozer Joined: Jan 18, 2010 Posts: 672 Delaware	Posted on Aug 19 2010 07:14 AM Currently using 2x12's in a closed back cabinet, sounds good with great bass. Never used a 15" for guitar... yet. I agree that one 12" sounds "boxy" and small but if your playing v.small rooms it may be the only choice. Top
topsail Joined: Jun 10, 2009 Posts: 317	Posted on Aug 19 2010 07:29 AM Well, it's pretty subjective, but I've always been partial to 10"s & 15" over 12"s. Not to say I haven't played some great sounding 12" rigs over the years Though. Most of my amps have been equipped with 10"s. Last edited: Aug 19, 2010 10:51:17 Top
bluez Joined: Jul 11, 2010 Posts: 135 Norway	Posted on Aug 19 2010 08:32 AM I have heard that closed cabinets is preferable outdoor. That a lot of the power and the lower end, seems to disappear on open back cabinets. Top
P2gee Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Waco Texas	Posted on Aug 19 2010 09:27 AM According to the title of an old Bugs Henderson album "Two Twelves Beats Four Tens". They're playing poker on the the cover. — 2012-2013: FILTHY POLAROIDS Top
LHR Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle	Posted on Aug 19 2010 05:08 PM bluez LHR ...vs. 1X15" vs. 2X15" Some 15" sounds amazing, but they all have a problem: directionality. If you move a few feet of axis of 15" it will sound a lot different. Okay, whatever you say... — SSIV Top
guitarslinger1 Joined: Oct 29, 2007 Posts: 185 Pacifica, CA	Posted on Aug 19 2010 05:47 PM or how about 3 x 15s ?? Top
LaFleur Joined: May 20, 2009 Posts: 525 Leipzig	Posted on Aug 20 2010 01:47 PM A few days ago i tried the combination of an 4x12 and 15" Tone-Ring and it felt like heaven!!! — http://www.reverbnation.com/bangmustang http://www.facebook.com/bangmustang https://soundcloud.com/bang-mustang Top
surferjoemusic Joined: Jan 01, 2008 Posts: 2107 Livorno	Posted on Aug 20 2010 05:27 PM revhank 1 x 15 gets my vote. Rev My vote too. — Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini (www.surfmusic.net) Top
yorgatron Joined: Mar 17, 2009 Posts: 24 san jose ca.	Posted on Aug 20 2010 08:08 PM 2 x 15" is fun too. I had this Standel for awhile,and it was perfect for 6-string bass,but not quite what I wanted for guitar,so I sold it. I'm thinking about doing a blackface Bassman combo with one 15" and one 10" speaker. Top
terrafirma Joined: Aug 23, 2009 Posts: 44 Brookings, South Dakota	Posted on Aug 21 2010 11:56 AM I like the idea of combining different sized speakers in the same cabinet (eg. two 10s and a 12), but have never tried it or, to my knowledge, have never heard a cabinet with this setup. Has anyone ever tried this and, if so, to what results? — Sonic Screwdriver http://www.sonicscrewdriverband.com Top
mad_dog Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 349 Montclair, NJ	Posted on Aug 21 2010 12:24 PM I've tried to love multi 10" speakers. Just doesn't work for me. !x15 does, same with 2x12. Having a blast lately running an extension 2x12 cab with a 1x15 Sewell Wampus Cat. It's perfect, great mix of sound. Top

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4x10" vs 2x12" vs 1x12"