Share your thoughts on speaker configurations

[DreamwaveMusic]

admittingly, ive been very disasitisfied with the response of the 18in carvin cab ive been using lately, and there is hardly any definition in the high end. i love the sometimes overwhelming low and sub frequencies from the 18in though (more so than any 15in ive used). what do you guys think provides the best balance, and what about bi-amping? If anyone has any technical info about certain speaker configurations, and what is the best way to drive larger speakers to improve their response?

[McLean]

I am lookink for a good 15" speaker for my bass cabinet, my last one blew out at a show. What is a good 15" speaker? Did any one use those aluminum cone speakers? How do they sound? How do they last?

[DreamwaveMusic]

ive only heard the hartke aluminum cone speakers and i thought they were to bright for me personally, not sure about their durability. i like ampeg or eminence speakers.

[lukedavo]

Well, where to start, hmmmm...... IMO

A 1 x 18" cab will sound horrible (especially Carvin) without at least a 8" or 10" somewhere in the mix. 12" are the largest I go on a 4 string, and I may use a 15" with a 5 string. To be honest with you all you need is a well designed ported 2 x 10" cab. 18" is too much, there is almost no deffinition in the audible energy wave untill about 20 ft away from the cone (try it). Try a well designed 2 x 10" you will be pleasently suprised.

[DreamwaveMusic]

thats some good advice, thank you! im ready to junk the carvin anyway, its not worth its weight. i think im sold on the bergantino ht322, though i wish there was somewhere around here i could try out the phil jones bass cabs with my amp.

[Bellringer]

I used to get a great bass sound out of a Peavey cabinet with an 18" and 2-10's in the cabinet. It was powered by a Trace Elliot 350. I liked the balance of that sub low and the articulate mid highs. The best sound came from an Ampeg SVT4pro and a 115/410 cabinet. The only problem was carrying this refrigerator. It weighed about 300lbs. combined!
Couldn't they have stacked the speakers or was that just part of the coolness of the amp? Having it be a backbreaker made it ultracool!!!

[Nubus]

Originally Posted by DreamwaveMusic

what about bi-amping?

What about bi-amping?

Bi-amping will clean up your crossover points and maximize efficiency. Also... you get to lug around another amp.

[subsonic bob]

First off I've played through many 1x18 cabs and Carvin are as good as any other. As far as Bi-amping, buy a Biampable head (such as a Carvin R1000) and you only lug around one amp. Anyone who tries to use an 18" speaker by itself should not be shocked when it sounds like shit. Even a 2x15 cab by itself is going to seriously lack mid and high.

[Kevin]

I agree. 2x10 is the most responsive I've heard at all octaves. They tend to handle high volume out puts well too. Personally I like a 2x10 with a tweeter (like Eden, ashdown, ect.)