Mixing Speakers

[BeZo]

I realized that mixing speakers varies depending on speaker sensitivity, and I think I stumbled onto something. It was a revelation to me at least.

When mixing speakers, it seems speakers within 2db of each other work well in the X pattern, but speakers beyond 2db in difference work better with the less sensitive speakers on top and louder on the bottom. Does this hold true with other speakers?

 

[101B /^/]

Several yrs ago I put EmGovernors & V30’s x-patterned in a slant cab - the speakers are rated 102.2 & 100db respectively. Alway’s sounded like there was some weird cancellation going on and didn’t care for it. Eventually I put the Governor’s side x side on top, disconnected the V30’s altogether and then proceeded to fall in love with the EmGov’s - they are killer. Recently I did hook the V30’s back up and left them in place on the bottom. Although the lower powered speakers are on the bottom, I like the cab much better in this configuration.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth!]

Never liked X pattern with anything unless you are playing loud and way out in front of cab. Don’t like mixing wildly different sounding speakers in any configuration. If you mix, then stick to tonally similar speakers with relatively close sensitivities. Just my opinion.

 

[midnightlaundry]

When WGS hit the scene the X pattern was all the rage.

 

[Omnipotent1]

Amp dependent.. some of my heads love X pattern.. shits like Goldilocks… sometimes ALL of my V30 cabs just won’t be quite right other times my G12-75s will be missing something too.. then the uberkab with the v30 X G12-75 will be just right.. best of both worlds.. I’m sure there’s other hidden combos out there but that one is a must for the arsenal..

 

[stephen sawall]

I never use X pattern.
I did a bunch of blind test with about a dozen people over weeks using a few different 4x12 cabs and several different Celestion.

No one ever picked X pattern. Everyone always picked top / bottom.

I have heard X cabs I liked. But often they sounded best when you are father away from them.

 

[Omnipotent1]

I never use X pattern.
I did a bunch of blind test with about a dozen people over weeks using a few different 4x12 cabs and several different Celestion.

No one ever picked X pattern. Everyone always picked top / bottom.

I have heard X cabs I liked. But often they sounded best when you are father away from them.

Totally subjective we shot out (7) 4x12s & the x pattern was definitely selected.. however my room is about 650 square feet so it’s not your average size bedroom jam room lol I’ve never tried top & bottom that’s interesting.. I’d give that a go but quite frankly I’ve heard the OG Uberkab with 75s & v30s absolutely slap my baby (1985 Marshall 1960b with 75s) Mesa OS, Mesa traditional, 1973 PPC412, so on & so on.. With the right head. In this case the original Uberschall loved it the most.. however throughout the day different heads preferred different cabs.. The cab is probably the most influential tone shaper with analog amps more so than the guitar & pickups even.. have a dozen of them is the only way to go

 

[Scumback Speakers]

I realized that mixing speakers varies depending on speaker sensitivity, and I think I stumbled onto something. It was a revelation to me at least.

When mixing speakers, it seems speakers within 2db of each other work well in the X pattern, but speakers beyond 2db in difference work better with the less sensitive speakers on top and louder on the bottom. Does this hold true with other speakers?

Yes, that's what I always recommend.

 

[BlackMetal]

Only time I'll use X pattern is for a slanted cab. Prefer top and bottom for straight cabs.