Adding a new Cab

[BassAdder60]

At present my rig is the Ashdown RM800 EVO II and a single Ampeg PF115LF 8ohm 400w cab 

Now in the future if I need more sound spread without PA support should I either

a) Add a second matching Ampeg 

b) Add an Ashdown ABM115 cab

c) Use a new 4x10 Ashdown cab as a single use cab 

I’ve not mentioned 210 cabs with the 115 but that’s an option too

What do folk think ?

Or do nothing use the PF115LF and find PA support when needed ?? 

 

[Lozz196]

Either the matching Ampeg or the standalone Ashdown 410 would be my thoughts. 

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

If you like the tone of your Ampeg add another. If you don't find something else entirely.

[BassAdder60]

Yeah I guess it’s add to what I like or go for a cab that would be standalone but heavier to move etc etc 

I must admit the Ampeg cab is a full warm sound yet still punchy which i like 

[Aliwobble]

Looks like doubling up on your current cabinet is the way to go.

[BassmanPaul]

On 12/01/2021 at 11:38, BassAdder27 said:

Yeah I guess it’s add to what I like or go for a cab that would be standalone but heavier to move etc etc 

I must admit the Ampeg cab is a full warm sound yet still punchy which i like 

A 4x10 would be lighter than two of the 1x15s. Add to that the 4x10 might open the door to new delights as yet unknown.

[BassAdder60]

I think hauling a large 410 cab about is a step in the wrong direction 

Two lighter cabs is more practical I think and you can choose to gig one or both depending on venue etc 

Granted a 410 would sound great but I think the future is smaller and lighter cabs 

[Lozz196]

I know where you’re coming from, that’s why I went down the two x ABM NEO 210s, each weighs 37lbs and due the diagonal formation stand taller than a regular 410, so easier to hear on stage (and looks better too imo).

[chris_b]

On 12/01/2021 at 15:01, BassAdder27 said:

At present my rig is the Ashdown RM800 EVO II and a single Ampeg PF115LF 8ohm 400w cab

IME if you like the sound of an amp through a cab and you want more, just get a second cab, the same as the first. Then again, I briefly had an Ampeg 115 and an Ampeg 210. I discovered it wasn't my sound, but the band liked it.

I think that cab would explode if you tried to put 400 watts into it. You'd max it out nearer 200 watts. IMO 1 better cab would get you a bigger sound than 2 of these.  I'd suggest @FinnDave has a Barefaced Super Twin 212 for sale, or even a single 112 Super Compact would bring another level of sound reproduction.

[FinnDave]

I have used my Super Twin with my RM 800 quite often, they work well together, though not quite as well as the ABM 600 does with that cab.

[BassAdder60]

Well the Ampeg is rated to 400W and I can’t see me running it anywhere near its limit as being an 8ohm cab I would be running the RM800 flat out !!

Two together I could then get full amp output but unlikely I would need 800W 

Might just look to add a second PF115LF 

 

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

That's not how it works. How it does work is that by adding the second cab identical cab stacked on top of the first, with no changes to any of the amp settings, the output will go up by 6dB. That gives the same result as would quadrupling the power into the one cab, if it could take it.

[BassAdder60]

31 minutes ago, Bill Fitzmaurice said:

That's not how it works. How it does work is that by adding the second cab identical cab stacked on top of the first, with no changes to any of the amp settings, the output will go up by 6dB. That gives the same result as would quadrupling the power into the one cab, if it could take it.

I’m sure that’s correct and two matching cabs equalling 4ohms will give me rated amp output and that would be very loud 🤟

Edited January 15, 2021 by BassAdder27

[Reggaebass]

2 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said:

I’m not sure that’s correct either but I agree two matching cabs equalling 4ohms will give me rated amp output and that would be very loud 🤟

2 PF115LF’s would sound immense ☝️

[BassmanPaul]

8 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said:

I’m not sure that’s correct either but I agree two matching cabs equalling 4ohms will give me rated amp output and that would be very loud 🤟

If Bill says it's so you can take that to the bank!

[BassAdder60]

Just now, BassmanPaul said:

If Bill says it's so you can take that to the bank!

Yep I amended my post as I believe it’s correct +6db increase would be impressive and balanced between matching cabs .. thank you Bill 

[Downunderwonder]

The 6dB number is very dependent on how much power the amp can put out at 4 ohm vs 8 ohm, and of course the cabs must handle it all cleanly.

These days of class D amps it's often a lot less than double the power at 4 ohms.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

At full power most amps don't put out twice the power into a halved impedance load due to power rail sag, but unless you've got a particularly anemic amp you'd seldom if ever push it at full power. At more reasonable levels the 6dB figure is spot on. The reason you get 6dB is because the amp puts out the same voltage into two speakers as it does into one. That results in doubling the system cone displacement, which gives 6dB additional output.

Edited January 16, 2021 by Bill Fitzmaurice

[Beer of the Bass]

Presuming I had space for them, I'd rather have two 1x15 cabs than a single 4x10. Getting that top cab up and closer to your ear level makes a big difference to your audibility and presence on stage, compared to one cab firing past your knees.

[stevie]

19 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

The 6dB number is very dependent on how much power the amp can put out at 4 ohm vs 8 ohm, and of course the cabs must handle it all cleanly.

These days of class D amps it's often a lot less than double the power at 4 ohms.

Not only that, but you don't even get the theoretical 6dB at all frequencies.