Help a noob with cab and speaker choice - Update: NCD!

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stanbog

stanbog

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Not able to try out different options currently, so I thought you fine gentlemen might share your thoughts on the following:

If you are hobby home player, would you still consider 2x12 cab better than 1x12? Since the price difference is not that big I am leaning towards 2x12. However, would there be any big difference when playing at home?
Which speakers? I am probably looking at classical Vintage 30, but I don't know if cab size would make a difference.

Amp in question: Engl Ironball. Desired tone: classic thrash metal, but also some downtuned stuff (DT, My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost).

cheers :rock:

UPDATE:
Decided to go with a 2x12 Engl cab. I was on the fence between this and Marshall Silver Jubilee 2x12. Couldn't try out, so had to trust the opinion of the seller, that Engl's are clearer for high gain sounds.

 
The more speakers, the better. If you play only at home and can fit a 4X12, that's your best option. I have a nice set-up at home with 4 cabinets off my Boogie 50/50 and if I use just one speaker, it sounds OK, but when I run all 4 cabinets, it's nice and full, especially at low, low volume.

A 2X12 will always sound better than a 1X12.
 
If you are pressed for space or if you rehearse and play with several groups and need mobility, a Thiele ported 1x12 can make up quite a bit of the difference between a non-ported 1x12 cube and a 2x12. Mesa Boogie is known for their Thiele ported 1x12 cabs which I am pretty sure they still make today. Bogner offers 1x12 cubes with a pair of round ports below and on either side of the speaker that work similarly to the flat, horizontal Thiele port in the Mesas. I owned a pair of the original Boogie Thiele 1x12s with the big EVs back in the day and wish I would have never let them go. I also owned a pair of the Bogner cubes which sounded really nice - but ultimately sold those to buy my current Thiele ported 2x12 which I absolutely love. It is loaded with one 55hz Heritage 30 and one 75hz Heritage 30. It just sounds incredible with any head that is driving it. I also own a pair of Splawn 4x12s loaded with G12EVH speakers and they sound really, really nice.
 
Thanks for chiming in guys. Yes, space is an issue and that is why I am not going for a 4x12. I looked at Mesa Thiele and the price is the same as let's say an Engl 2x12 cab. So I am leaning towards this.
 
I downsized from a 4x12 to a 2x12 and I actually prefer the 2x12. Matter of personal preference for me. Saved room and sounds a bit more focused. I think getting a couple 1x12's could be interesting. But yeah I would suggest having at least 2 speakers. My mark iv was originally a combo amp and it sounded great but once running it to either of my 2x12 it did fill up the sound more.

If you do get a 2x12 or 2 1x12's try mixing speakers. My KSR cab has a creamback 75 and a V30 which sounds really interesting and it's a nice change from my other 2x12 which is a Marshall 1936 with vintage 30s
 
unless you are stacking speakers on a 2x12, the 4x12 only takes up vertical space. It is worth it for the tonal difference, man. I have two 4x12s stacked with the amp on top. if i had a 2x12 with amp on top, it would literally take up the same space horizontally. So unless your ceiling is less than 6 ft bout the same thing.
 
As a matter of fact I was looking at the stacked slanted 2x12's. But I hear you, the size difference (well, width only) is not THAT big.
I read a lot that 4x12's shine when you're playing in a bigger venue, while in a smaller room they tend to be boomy and buttom heavy. This i would definitely want to avoid.
 
Decided to go with the Engl 2x12, pic in the first post. Thanks for the opinions shared.
 
You made the right choice. What speakers does it have? I bet it sounds killer. Vertical is the way to go in your case. I have a Splawn 212 and also had an Avatar 212 at one point. They benefit when pulled up off the floor to get the spectrum closer to your ears. Hence vertical is good. What Vypyr do you have? I have the tube 60w version - little thing can slay.
 
Thanks man! Those are Celestion Vintage 30's. Vertical and slanted was definitely what I wanted. I've read that they require some playing to break in, but even now the cab sounds great to me. The Ironball is a beast btw.

The Vypyr is 30, pretty cool compact tool, a lot of features and sounds good in a bedroom. I also have a Peavey Studio Pro. Peavey solid states sound pretty spectacular for what they are imo.
 

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