4 x 210 vs. 810

CaptObvious

CaptObvious

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Feb 14, 2019
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#1
I know the two 410's versus 810 setup has been discussed ad nauseum. BUT...what about four 210s versus an 810?

Specifically, I'm looking at the SVT. The 210 is 200w and 8ohms. Assuming you have a proper amp and can handle 2 ohms, the total wattage would be 800w, would in total weigh about the same, give or take a few pounds. And the cost, retail, would be less than an 810. (4 x $380 < 1 x $1650)

I realize there's other factors like cables, maintenance costs, reliability. And I understand that basic physics would tell me that four 210s would move as much air as an 810. And from a portability standpoint, it's a huge win. But, would it sound as the same?
 
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#4
My thoughts:
Unless you used all 4 210 cabs it won’t sound as good. That’s a lot of mucking around with bits and pieces when you can simply tilt, roll and place an 810 with virtually no lifting, and then plug in one cable.
I’ve had crazy big rigs before and laziness and reality kicked in pretty quick. I had a rack, 2 SWR Goliath 210, and a SWR Big Ben. I ended up just gigging the amp and 1 210. Then I ditched the rack for a GK400RB.
Quite often when I have an SVT810 on backline I’ll just plug into the top 410 portion. Cleaner and more appropriate at a good listening height.
 
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#5
This is not a new idea. If you search, you should find threads where four, SVT 210AVs are used. But why stop at four?
img_0183-jpg.978045


I doubt it will sound exactly like a 810E because the 210AV uses different drivers. But it should be pretty close.

Some will argue that it's way easier to deal with a tilt-and-roll 810E than four 210s.
 
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#10
CaptObvious said:
I know the two 410's versus 810 setup has been discussed ad nauseum. BUT...what about four 210s versus an 810?

Specifically, I'm looking at the SVT. The 210 is 200w and 8ohms. Assuming you have a proper amp and can handle 2 ohms, the total wattage would be 800w, would in total weigh about the same, give or take a few pounds. And the cost, retail, would be less than an 810. (4 x $380 < 1 x $1650)

I realize there's other factors like cables, maintenance costs, reliability. And I understand that basic physics would tell me that four 210s would move as much air as an 810. And from a portability standpoint, it's a huge win. But, would it sound as the same?
Click to expand...

I believe your idea will be similar, especially since the original was constructed as four 210’s in a single box.

In the past I took the modular approach as well, but I used a pair of 410HE’s.
 
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#11
It absolutely would not sound the same because of the 810's 'infinite baffle design' (look it up). Besides, what would the impedance of four discreet speaker cabinets be? you would need to cart around two separate heads/amps. Now, how many trips in and out of the vehicle, into the venue (potentially with stairs) with all this including your bass and associated accessories would you be making before AND after the gig? It would not be worth it
 
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#14
Smooth_bass88 said:
right, but eight 10's isn't the same as two.
Click to expand...


The OP is asking specifically about how four 210s compared to one 810E.

CaptObvious said:
BUT...what about four 210s versus an 810?
Click to expand...

The comparison involves that same size drivers, the same number of drivers, and the same number of sealed chambers. The 210 uses different drivers, but the cab is designed to sound like the 810.

It won't be exactly the same, but it will be pretty close. If you search I believe you will find comments from people who have actually done the comparison.
 
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#16
It's probably been beaten to death, but I get told to turn down at outdoor music festivals if I turn the master on my 800-watt Eden amp up to 10:30 into my DNS-410 cab (handles 1400-watts rms) by DNA. So I never need to use an 810, nor lug one around.

But back to your question, if the Ampeg 210AV's are that light and designed to sound like the 810, then that seems like a good way to go. That way you can play small to medium venues with one 210, large venues with 2x210 and outdoor gigs with either two or three 210's and bring out all 4 of them for that 810 sound. The casters and top bar on the 810 make it a lot easier to roll around because you don't have to pick it up. But stairs are a whole other matter entirely. If they have skid-rails on the back of the cab that helps (I think they do if I recall correctly), but you're still pushing somewhere around 165-lbs uphill.
 
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#17
Smooth_bass88 said:
It absolutely would not sound the same because of the 810's 'infinite baffle design' (look it up). Besides, what would the impedance of four discreet speaker cabinets be? you would need to cart around two separate heads/amps. Now, how many trips in and out of the vehicle, into the venue (potentially with stairs) with all this including your bass and associated accessories would you be making before AND after the gig? It would not be worth it
Click to expand...
You say this as though you've never tried to transport an 810.....
 
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