2x10 or not 2x10 (4x10), that is the question

amroach

amroach

Feb 11, 2009
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4,641
Bristol, UK
#1
After some time off i've started playing in a band again and lm looking for a new amp as i sold my Ampeg 8x10 and SVT-CL a few years back.

Im currently looking at an Aguilar Tonehammer 500 but i can't decided whether to get a 2x10 or a 4x10. My days of lugging lots of excessive kit around are over which makes me more inclined to get the 2x10 as it more manageable getting it in the house late at night after practice and takes up less space in the house.

On the flip side i don't know whether the 2x10 will have enough go in it. Im playing in a 9 piece Motown band and although it nots crazy loud hardcore rock music i've still got a place to fill. Also who knows what kind of music or gigs i might be playing later down the line.

I was thinking i could always get a 2nd 2x10 in the future but i am at a point in my life where a family is on the cards and i probably will not be able to afford any more kit as it wont be a priority.

Well i'm starting to ramble, anyone have any thoughts that might sway me either way???
 
#5
Yup because except for the old excessively large Eden 2x10s, 2x10s rarely cut it live.
This is based on your portability requirements. Without those I'd take a 4x10. To me, and YMMV, one 4x10 sounds way better than two 2x10s stacked. I have field tested the two configurations from the same manufacturer in the same rooms.

I either bring enough gear to fill a room, or small enough gear to be the single source, or have significant PA support.
I know what the scientists say. I know what works for my touch my bands. I know what the other players in my groups feel as well as the dancers and/or listeners. "Uh Mr. Bassist, I would have loved dancing to your group but I was just not feeling it because your cabs weren't stacked and off axis theory has it your bass should sound, meh."

If I sound like poo at least I'm doing what some anonymous engineers on TB want me to do. :)
 
#6
chadds said:
Yup because except for the old excessively large Eden 2x10s, 2x10s rarely cut it live.
This is based on your portability requirements. Without those I'd take a 4x10. To me, and YMMV, one 4x10 sounds way better than two 2x10s stacked. I have field tested the two configurations from the same manufacturer in the same rooms.

I either bring enough gear to fill a room, or small enough gear to be the single source, or have significant PA support.
I know what the scientists say. I know what works for my touch my bands. I know what the other players in my groups feel as well as the dancers and/or listeners. "Uh Mr. Bassist, I would have loved dancing to your group but I was just not feeling it because your cabs weren't stacked and off axis theory has it your bass should sound, meh."

If I sound like poo at least I'm doing what some anonymous engineers on TB want me to do. :)
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You like what you like. There's a massive thread of vertical believers who mostly know little of the science.
 
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#7
I've tried vertically stacked 210s and found there to be zero difference to stacking them horizontally. Vertical stacking helps get a driver closer to your ears, but if you aren't forced to stand directly in front of your cabinets, there is no difference.

I've wandered around wirelessly, waiting to hear ANYTHING that would force me to keep things tall, and got nothing. The only thing that a vertical stack does (IME) is make your cabinets more tippable for a passing drunk.

But, I'd still suggest two 210 cabs. If you don't have FOH support, a single cab won't cut it. And a 410 is pretty bulky.
 
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#8
tfer said:
I've tried vertically stacked 210s and found there to be zero difference to stacking them horizontally. Vertical stacking helps get a driver closer to your ears, but if you aren't forced to stand directly in front of your cabinets, there is no difference.

I've wandered around wirelessly, waiting to hear ANYTHING that would force me to keep things tall, and got nothing. The only thing that a vertical stack does (IME) is make your cabinets more tippable for a passing drunk.

But, I'd still suggest two 210 cabs. If you don't have FOH support, a single cab won't cut it. And a 410 is pretty bulky.
Click to expand...
As you probably know, lotsa folks will chime in to say that you get better horizontal dispersion from the vertical stack. Even if that isn't true, as seems to be the case in your experience, think of all the times you DO have to stand right in front of your amp, and how much you benefit from having a couple of speakers up closer to your ears. For most purposes, I think the vertically stacked 210s is definitely the way to go -- unless you are in a situation in which drunks tend to wander around the stage knocking things over, in which case your point is taken.

Plus, another benefit of a pair of 210s over a 410 is that you can bring just one cab when that's all you need.
 
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#9
Lobster11 said:
As you probably know, lotsa folks will chime in to say that you get better horizontal dispersion from the vertical stack. Even if that isn't true, as seems to be the case in your experience, think of all the times you DO have to stand right in front of your amp, and how much you benefit from having a couple of speakers up closer to your ears. For most purposes, I think the vertically stacked 210s is definitely the way to go -- unless you are in a situation in which drunks tend to wander around the stage knocking things over, in which case your point is taken.

Plus, another benefit of a pair of 210s over a 410 is that you can bring just one cab when that's all you need.
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Agree with all of this.
 
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#13
onosson said:
I actually like to use a 2x10 placed horizontally on the floor. That keeps the drivers *further* away from my ears, and allows me to have a better idea of the sound level with respect to other instruments (within the stage area, that is - out in the crowd will always be a different story).
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you can do whatever you like with your monitor except mess with FOH. Better would be to tilt it up to your ears and turn it down.

I am a 210 vertical stack believer!!

Some light reading.
 
#14
Downunderwonder said:
you can do whatever you like with your monitor except mess with FOH. Better would be to tilt it up to your ears and turn it down.

I am a 210 vertical stack believer!!

Some light reading.
Click to expand...

The majority of venues I play at tend to be small and have little or no monitor coverage, so stage amplification tends to serve that purpose for everyone, i.e. my cab isn't just for me to hear.
 
#15
I like the fact that I can unload 2x10'S by myself. I have a Berg 210 and I don't think it would be enough volume for the gigs we do. When coupled with my Berg 15, it's awesome. I mostly use my Fender PRO410SL which has the volume I need, and two of the 10's are angled up and I can always hear myself. Also like the fact the 410 has wheels.
 
#16
I used to be a 410 guy - but I'm 45 and fast approaching curmudgeonism.

My "big rig" is now just a GK 700rb into an SWR GIII Jr 210 w/ Eminence BP-102's at 4 Ohms. It kills - even with an active 5 string. I'm easily too loud if I want to be. I play big clubs & outdoor concerts with a drivin' blues band with a deep reggae dub-like tone.

I'd say two 8 Ohm 210's would be a great option, but don't discount a killer 4 Ohm 210 cab if that's an option.
 
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#17
I started with one Eden 2-10xlt, then awhile back placed an Eden 1-15xlt under as the rage but I didn't like the mismatched cabinet volume and frequency response differences. I then went the 2- 2x10 Eden XLT route vertical stack and I find that my volume and projection is the best to of all.( I did try a DNA DNS 4x10 which was loud and relatively light at 80lbs, but I had to return it cause a speaker was damaged and the seller ripped me off by never returning my cash, but the cabinet was the same size as my 1-15, and yes, I would rather have one or two speakers near ear level.)

Now a huge factor is what amp or wattage are you using to push the cabinets and the venue. A high performance 2-10 can handle a lot of small to medium size bars. When I pair the 2-2x10's with my Genz Benz 9.2 ( 900 watts at 4 ohms), I have significant head room and never push the volume control past half way.

Schlepping the rig - whether one or two 2x10's at 63 pounds each can be a pain (I built a removable velcro dolly to attach to the Eden 2x10') and I bought a DNA DNS 1-12 neo which handles small gigs at 34 pounds and two of them could handle as much as the 2- 2x10's but with a different tonal character (years ago I schlepped an Acoustic 361 rig which, by far is still my favorite, and moves like a hand truck and tips right into my Ford with no lifting!)
IMG_1485.JPG
 
#18
Depends on the cab. 10" drivers tell you that it has 10" drivers. I love my 210, and I've played others I don't care for.

I do agree with the sentiment that a two small cab schlep can sometimes be worse than a one big cab schlep.

In my quest for 210 cabs, I believe I stumbled across a Tom Bowlus post/link/article on a 210 shootout where he stated rare is the 210 that handles a gig when things get a little loud. There have been some advances in 12" driver technology, but the 10" drivers haven't seemed to have the same degree of evolution discussed around these parts.
 
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#19
amroach said:
After some time off i've started playing in a band again and lm looking for a new amp as i sold my Ampeg 8x10 and SVT-CL a few years back.

Im currently looking at an Aguilar Tonehammer 500 but i can't decided whether to get a 2x10 or a 4x10. My days of lugging lots of excessive kit around are over which makes me more inclined to get the 2x10 as it more manageable getting it in the house late at night after practice and takes up less space in the house.

On the flip side i don't know whether the 2x10 will have enough go in it. Im playing in a 9 piece Motown band and although it nots crazy loud hardcore rock music i've still got a place to fill. Also who knows what kind of music or gigs i might be playing later down the line.

I was thinking i could always get a 2nd 2x10 in the future but i am at a point in my life where a family is on the cards and i probably will not be able to afford any more kit as it wont be a priority.

Well i'm starting to ramble, anyone have any thoughts that might sway me either way???
Click to expand...
20150523_162003.jpg
I get plenty of thump with this!
 
#20
Avatar 410 is my preference....light and very good tones....I say 410 because that size cab will work for ALL situations and not be to much to move.
 
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