4x10 or 1x15 - what's your opinion?

Do cabs have innate personalities despite what they're loaded with? Does a 1x15 cab have a characteristic sound compared to a 4x10 regardless of what speakers are used or the cab design?

I've always loved the sound of 4x10 cabs and I'm thinking of building one. Actually it may be a 3x10 because I'll probably just make a new baffle for an existing cab I made.

I'm also considering a 1x15 as well.

Is it possible to make generalizations about each type?

Does a 1x15 cab have a characteristic sound compared to a 4x10 regardless of what speakers are used or the cab design?



That's a big question. I'd say basiclly yes, but it depends on the speakers. 10's generally have a tighter bottom end and are less boomy than 15's and 15's can sound great if their the right speaker for the amp and cabinet.
Now I'm confused.

Well, I guess there must be a reason, why the 15" speakers did not enforce as guitar speakers. They might be good for bass, but not for guitar. To me they just sound boomy, mid-focused and have no character (like through a telephone, but more bassy).

Listen to this soundclips:
- 10": http://eminence.com/guitar_speaker_detail.asp?model=LEGEND1028K&speaker_size=10&SUB_CAT_ID=4

- 15": http://eminence.com/guitar_speaker_detail.asp?model=LEGEND1518&speaker_size=15&SUB_CAT_ID=4

But in the end maybe it´s just the sound what you want... :wink:

Daniel

I personally like 15's and guitar, but I've never tried it side by side with a 410. Plenty of good 4x10 guitar cabs out there for sampling, but guitar 115s are pretty thin on the ground. Just don't try a 115 bass cab and presume that is representative of what a guitar 15 will sound like.

The tricky part is actually getting 15" guitar speakers, not bass speakers.

A 410 should move a lot more air (read: a LOT louder) given the same amount of power applied if the speakers are of roughly the same efficiency.

Where's Charlie Chitlin?

4x10 and 1x15 is quite a difference - the 4x10 is going to sound much much fuller just due to the fact there is more than one speaker pushing air.

A better comparison would be 4x10 and 2x15 IMO.

I agree with the above comments - had a Fender Tonemaster 2x15 cab and don't really miss it - 2x10 combos (with good speakers) sound much better and have a fuller range to me.

Need I also mention that a 2x15 cab weigh a ton and is generally more outrageously dimensional and difficult to move around - and I'm not a slouch. :neutral:

had a Fender Tonemaster 2x15 cab and don't really miss it

Is that some kind of uber custom job? I have a Tone Master head and cabinet and it is 2x12. It is already a Custom Shop item, so how did you get a 2x15?

EVM-15L; When SRV got fed up with trashing speakers in the Vibroverb he went ElectroVoice.
Problem solved.
Of course You're dealing with Twin/Super weight when You make the change, but it'll keep up to either one of them no problemo.

Is that some kind of uber custom job? I have a Tone Master head and cabinet and it is 2x12. It is already a Custom Shop item, so how did you get a 2x15?

Über - nice. Funny being was living in Germany at the time. Bought it off Ebay and had it shipped. At the time I didn't think much of it but haven't seen a Tonemaster 2x15 since! Can only guess it must have been a special order?

My main amp that I use right now is a 1x15 combo and it is my third amp or cab with a 15 in it. I've also had a ton of 4x10 combos and cabs. To my earrs the 10s sound almost a little elasticy (Is that a word?), if that makes sense. The 15 to me sounds a little more focused whereas the 10s sound more open. Of course that could be due to the major difference in the amps I was using them with... who knows?

They both sound good it is just which is your cup of tea. The 10's are like a filet mingon and the 15 is more like a giant porterhouse.

Jeff - you bring the question to mind, which should be brought up, of open or closed back? :razz:

I've played through quite a few 1x15 combos, and although none of them sounded bad, they were never quite right.
I would take a 1x10 over a 1x15 for guitar playing, let alone a 3or4x10.
In general, a 10" speaker sounds much better to me and all of the musicians with whom I play.
I used to use and Ampeg head with a 4x10 cab that sounded really good. The cab was not very high quality and neither were the speakers, but it sparkled and cut through the mix very well.
These are just my humble opinions.
Go with what works for you.
I think you'll enjoy the 3xor4x10.
Good luck.

Well, I guess there must be a reason, why the 15" speakers did not enforce as guitar speakers. They might be good for bass, but not for guitar. To me they just sound boomy, mid-focused and have no character (like through a telephone, but more bassy).

Listen to this soundclips:
- 10": http://eminence.com/guitar_speaker_detail.asp?model=LEGEND1028K&speaker_size=10&SUB_CAT_ID=4

- 15": http://eminence.com/guitar_speaker_detail.asp?model=LEGEND1518&speaker_size=15&SUB_CAT_ID=4

But in the end maybe it´s just the sound what you want... :wink:

Daniel

Man, you could not be more wrong in your sweeping generalization criticism of the 15s. Have you ever heard a D130? Have you ever played through a real deal BF Vibroverb, or a real deal Blonde Showman with the tone-ring cab and D130? They do not have ice-pick highs, and if that is the tone you like, then yeah, 15s are not for you. But for cleaner Jazz and Blues playing, 15s are great speakers. Not to diss 10s, the Super Reverb is also a great sounding amp.

I find a good 10 to be more punchy than a 12 and a good 15 can be brighter than a 12.
Personally I prefer the 12 for guitar but yes, much depends on the cabinet. Perhaps a closed cab for 10 and an open for 15. Heavy are 15s.

I think a 4 x 10 is a better choice because you can mess around with combining different speakers forever.

Not a fair fight. 2x10 vs. 1x15 is a fair fight though. Try out a couple Peavey Delta Blues --- they come in 2x10 or 1x15. That should give you some insight.

Is it possible to make generalizations about each type?Of course! 15's are bigger. 10's are smaller. Was that a trick question? :lol:

Do cabs have innate personalities despite what they're loaded with? Yes. Cabs will have a resonant frequency or frequencies too, just like speaker. But you already know that, I'm sure.

What that the trick question? :wink:

Does a 1x15 cab have a characteristic sound compared to a 4x10 regardless of what speakers are used or the cab design?Yes and no. First of all, without speakers, all cabs sound the same - completely silent. I think it has more to do with the resonant frequencies of the cab and speaker(s) than the size of the speaker cone.

The most logical approach would be to design the cab around your choice of speakers. However, it sounds like you already have a cab and want to throw some speakers in it.

In that case, I'd suggest you start with the 15", because it will be easier, cheaper, and if you don't like it, you only have to get rid of one speaker. If you start with four 10's and you don't like those, you'll have to get rid of all four. But yeah, I'd probably go with three 10's instead of two or four...

I like a 3-10"...I have had one for the last couple years..a loaner that turned into a buy..I have yet to open up the closed back, never any need or desire,,,but I like it very much for both guitar and steel, a very immediate sound...before that I had a 15" with a horn,,,but I used that in a different room, so comparisons are moot from my perspective.But I got a good sound out of that(another loaner) , as well ...generally, you are going to adjust the sounds from the amp and guitar according to your desired sound, or work with what you have,,so I would opt for the configuration that is easiest on the back and wallet first, and go from there...as someone on here said, "wherever you go, there you are"

Not sure the sound your after but I changed from alnico 4x10's to a weber 15a150 and haven't looked back. Its sounds great and I would like another one also. Go with alnico speakers a much better sound in my opinion. Unless you just want to thrath.

One generalization to me is true on this subject. That is, there is no objective, believable conventional wisdom when it comes to speakers size/format and guitars. Taste is everything. I voted with my dollars, parting ways the with best BF Super Reverb ever to come my way, and trading a Clark Tyger Bandmaster. Multi 10s might be perfect for guitar to many, but not to me. A 15" speaker, that's my preference.

4x10 (to my ears) are typically fast reacting, snappy, with a lots of depth. Even a cavernous sound, as in the BRSR, with good reverb. Solid bass. The 1x15 is slower, not more or less bass, but more of a thump or kick in the bass. A wide, fat kind of sound. IMO, the top end sound with a good 15" is what the fuss is all about.

Md

Four ten's combined have about 30% more area than one fifteen. You lose about an inch all around for the frame and surround.

Four ten's sharing a baffle couple acousticly to give better bass response than one of those tens could do. Check out an SVT cab.

Dispersion is an acoustic advantage with ten's. A speaker will beam any wavelength shorter than its diameter straight down the centerline, so tens will start beaming at a higher frequency than a fifteen would.

I like 410 cabs...

The volume of a cabinet will affect the efficiency of a speaker. A cabinet can be designed to enhance the speakers qualities and also allow it work easier. Full range 15 inch speakers react differently than bass 15 inch speakers. The same is true with 10 inch speakers. There are speakers like Eden's XLT drivers which have an extra long throw that enables the driver to develop a longer and therefore lower wave. They also sell short throw speakers which are cheaper with less bass response.

I prefer the Eden XLT 410 cabinet for a few reasons. It can go down quite low with out losing midrange transparency. The overall sound is quite tight and punchy, with the ability to get warm and fluffy with a bit of EQ. The box is bigger than most 410 cabs and it weighs 100 lbs. I don't like heavy, but I like the sound, so I live with it.

My kid likes his Ampeg 610 cabinet. Real punchy. As big sounding as an 810, and not nearly as heavy. It has all the Ampeg qualities. Crappy tolex that rips the first time it gets slid, nice casters and that handy little cut-out at the bottom of the cabinet for the wheels. Because Ampeg cabs of this design sit flat on the floor, they tend to couple with the room better. Which can also be problem in smaller rooms. I use large casters on my 410 for this reason and it's easier to move.

For most small touring gigs and small bars, a single fifteen is fine. It is usually a question of how much gear can be carried. I frequently had to use a small rig because the person who signed the cheques didn't want to fill the van with bass gear. Then I used a single fifteen or an Eden 210 cab. My kid likes two single twelve Aguilar cabinets.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Lots of good info in there for me to consider.


Of course! 15's are bigger. 10's are smaller. Was that a trick question? :lol:

Are you sure JF? I'm not convinced. :mrgreen:

Woodman can chime in on this more so than i can...seeing as he actually owns one, butto my ears a 15" loaded brownface pro was probably the most full sounding, 3-D, complex, etc. etc., amp i have ever heard. coupled with that crazy vibrato....whoo!

i regret every day not buying that one while i had the chance. for $1200 it seemed like a lot at the time, but to think of what i've spent to get that kind of tone....it wouldve been worth it. :mad: