2x12 vs 4x12

  • Thread starter Thread starter sheikyerbouti
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Ventura":3vop0kp6 said:
Oblivion DC":3vop0kp6 said:
I usually rock a 412 but I'm kinda anxious to try out a Fryette FatBottom 212 with the new Fane speakers. The 70 watters should have more than enough power handling but the 90 watt is really fueling my gas.
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Yep, the Fryette lineup seems to be onto something here. Fryette is totally underrated considering the level of obsessiveness he dictates over his products. Guy's a genius. And his products - incredible.

That said, best sounding 2x12 I've had is the Bogner OS212 closed back. Oddly enough, it's only, what, 6" shorter than a full size standard 412, soooooo..... :confused:

Live? 412.
Recording? Hell you can get away with a 1x12 or even a TwoNotes kinda system.
Jammin? A great 212 will be fine.
Bedroom? Axe-FXII :D
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Got to agree with mo here. I've had my Bogner OS 2x12 for 10 years and it sounds awesome. Sometimes it feels like I still have a 4x12 since it is a bit bigger. Either way, I love it and it sounds huge. Not sure why but the V30s Reinhold uses in his cabs just sound fantastic.
 
I moved to a Stagecraft Diagonal 2x12 with the convertible open back (just the top third) and compared it to two marshall 4x12's. I don't need a 4x12. Of course, I had a V30/Creamback H75 in it, but it's not directional like all closed and ported cabs I had and it thumps like crazy. It's 14" deep, so that helps, compared to other 2x12's. Other cabs I've had:

Bogner OS 2x12 open back
Carvin 4x12
Marshall 4x12
Splawn 2x12
Port City Wave OS 2x12
Marshall 1936 (1999)
Forte S/V

The Stagecraft Diagonal is my favorite out of these. Just my experience.
 
Much prefer my 4x12's but I will use my 2x12's occasionally. Just turn up the low's a bit more. My Mesa Recto 2x12 is pretty sweet sounding.
 
To throw another question in the mix...is there a big difference in cabs?

For instance, I have an avatar 2x12 with a creamback, scumback combo. I've heard the Friedman amps sound better through V30's, so I was wondering if I just pick up a couple of v30's for the avatar or just pick up the friedman 2x12 (or 4x12:)
 
sheikyerbouti":s5qpv3gr said:
is there a big difference in cabs?
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Yes.

I spent a year on this forum in addition to a studio owner doing research and blind ear tests to narrow down cabinet tones under a mic before finally purchasing. Engl, Marshall, StoneAge, Splawn, Bogner, CAA (Now Suhr), THD, Mesa, the list goes on.

With that said I really like avatar cabinets - moreso than mesa cabinets actually. Had the chance to blast both at band volumes for hours at an amp get together a few years ago. Avatar was more neutral with more detail in the highs.
 
Oddly enough, ya, a simple wooden box (ya'd think) really does make a difference. They're not so simple :lol: :LOL:
 
I have 2 1960B 4 x 12 Marshall cab, a Scumback 4 x 12 custom cab and a custom 2 x 12. I like using my Scumback 4 x 12 cab for recording because it sounds better than the Marshalls and I use 4 different speakers(Scumback and Celestion) so I have a choice which one to use in the studio. I get a better low end response with the 4 x 12 as oppose to my 2 x 12. For live I use my 2 x 12 because of back problems, but if I have a friend that can help me carry my gear, I prefer using two 4 x 12 cabs live.
 
I use mostly 212s due to the fact that not only are they cheaper but I can also move one myself. Keep in mind by only 412 is the very heavy Mesa halfback 412 cab, which is among the heaviest of 412s. I do prefer the sound of 412s, but only really miss one if playing metal. For everything else the 212 does the job. Since I am more of a hard rock/ alternative player, the 212 works for me.

I think if possible its nice to have a variety of cabs available, 112s, 212s, 410s, 412s, etc.
 
glpg80":2eccr3xv said:
2x12's are tighter for downtuned metal IMO. They seem to track and recover much better than 4x12s - especially oversized. If I were in a studio doing recordings with something on a 7, i'd want a 2x12 (non-oversized)

For that matter though, nothing has the low end or fills a room as well as a 4x12. At low volumes you still get excellent low end whereas with a 2x12 the tightness and response effect does not start to happen until some volume is being pushed.

I run 2x 4x12's personally. The bedroom volume tone is massive - there isn't a volume that does not sound great with a 4x12.
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When recording at lower volumes I always preferred the sound of a 2x12 or even a 1x12. Seemed more balanced and in your face. But..at a gig it's gotta be a 4x12.
 
Oblivion DC":3f9f05hz said:
I usually rock a 412 but I'm kinda anxious to try out a Fryette FatBottom 212 with the new Fane speakers. The 70 watters should have more than enough power handling but the 90 watt is really fueling my gas.
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I've run a FB 2x12 with my UL for the last couple years. Just scored a super cheap D412 cab so I'm in the process of comparing the two to see which I prefer. Both have the P50E's so all I'm going to hear difference wise is cabinet and 4 vs 2 drivers, I'm interested to hear a side by side of the P50E vs Fryette Fanes.

The 2x12 vs 4x12 debate over 'space saving' isn't just about footprint, the presence a quad on castors + head on top has in a room (at home) is mighty - my wife was a little shocked, whereas the 2x12 on castors with the head on it is diminutive and much more 'home/study friendly' by comparison.
 
I prefer my 4x12's but will on occasion use my 2x12 with my EVH Stealth and standard 100 watters. I have EVH 2x12's and a Mesa Recto 2x12. The Mesa is pretty sweet sounding actually.
 
When I have to take with I use my DV Mark 4x12 with their Neo speakers...sounds great and weighs 46 lbs so I can literally carry it with one hand. No compromise in tone or coverage
 
Hi.
I use 4x12 when I need a bit more of everything over a 2x12.
4x12 has for me more bottom end and is fuller sounding at loud volume. 2x12 is great for rehearsals and recording.
Just my 2 cents...
If you can have both you would always find an occasion to use one over the other.
 
I'm a 4x12 guy, always have been since I first had one. I prefer multi-heads in ha;f stack setting.
 
One thing that turned me off of 1x12 and 2x12's is their tone at high band volumes... I hate the way they sound when running a loud, cranked 100 watt amp through them. I play loud music and I need that extra speaker power of 4x12's. It's a much better sound at loud volumes, and just handles it better... where as a 2x12 will sound boxy or small sounding with the same amp and volume... It's not that the speakers are breaking up and beyond their power handling, it's just the way they sound. I can only use them for smaller gigs with rock music and other lighter music styles... forget metal.
 
Hi Bro,

I had a 4x12 Mesa Slant that I loved but was using often only 2 speakers out of 4 cuz it was too loud for my apartment. I decided to sell it and go for a 2x12 which is also smaller and can be carried alone. I purchased the mesa 2x12 with the small mesa logo on the top left corner of the front and I found the sound was lacking bass and was too much bright or harassing. I then discover that Mesa has a bigger 2x12 cab which has the bigger logo in the middle of the front end. So i sold the smaller mesa cab for the bigger 2x12 mesa. The sound was then much better. The bass was back and the sound feels a bit smoother, comparable to the 4x12 using only 2 speakers. But soundwise the 4x12 is the best sounding for sure. With the 2x12 I often play with my neck pickup to round the sound more. But in the end, I am happy with my 2x12. I even think sometimes that I would be better with a 1x12 that I could carry easily. In single practice or with a friend a 4x12 is overkill. Hope this help a bit

Gabriel
 
Are you guys lumping vertical 2x12s into the 2x12 cats gory? Or generally talking about horizontal ones?
 
The right tool for the right job applies here. 4x12's move more air and on a stage, for lack of a better term, feel better. The right 2x12 (port city, and the rare occasion you come across a Mills 2x12) will do more than just keep up. For me, it would depend on what specific 2x12 your comparing to a specific 4x12 and what sound you want.

Put another tally in the 4x12 column for me though! Sounds monstrous and looks just so damn sexy on stage!
 
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