Top/bottom or "X" Pattern

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troublehead

troublehead

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When mixing speakers with different efficiencies.....

Would you get a better "blend" by putting the louder speakers on bottom ?

How many people use a top/bottom configuration on here?
 
If it's for gigging and jamming, I'd go X all the way. If it's for micing up and studio work, you can get away with 2 bottom, 2 top. But for full range from within the zone, X all the way.

Just my 2 cents,
V.

PS - be careful to choose wisely when it comes to different sensitivities as the higher rated speakers can totally change the tonal qualities of your cab. When I've mixed and matched in the past, I've tried to keep things within the same sensitivity range - if and when possible. 3dB is a hella lot louder, even though it's only '3' decidels rated less or more.
 
normally i dont mix speakers in cabinets at all. different response characters to frequencies, which can effect speaker efficiency based on the F stop tuning (also known as the -3B rolloff point) of the cabinet/the cabinet's own resonant frequencies. there is also a Q factor to deal with.

i dont mind mixing two cabinets live with different speakers for a varying tone, but not in the same cabinet with all speakers connected and operating at the same time.
 
glpg80":1hgc5j82 said:
normally i dont mix speakers in cabinets at all. different response characters to frequencies, which can effect speaker efficiency based on the F stop tuning (also known as the -3B rolloff point) of the cabinet/the cabinet's own resonant frequencies. there is also a Q factor to deal with.

i dont mind mixing two cabinets live with different speakers for a varying tone, but not in the same cabinet with all speakers connected and operating at the same time.
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Well said, there's a lot that can change when mixing speakers. Sometimes it's a gold mine, sometimes it's a land mine - problem is you don't know until it's too late.

V.
 
I think putting the Vintage 30s and the H30s in the X pattern in my birch Ampeg cab was a great thing. It's better to hear them in the X pattern rather than the top and bottom, especially if it's a slant like mine. Those 2 speakers seem to compliment each other well.

As far as wiring them, it would be a good idea to have one of each in series (if wiring series-parallel) rather than putting both of the same in series. That way if there are different power ratings, things stay a bit more balanced.
 
If you are going to match speakers (which sometimes isn't a great idea), "X" pattern all the way :thumbsup:
 
I've done the X pattern a few times before and always liked it.

Currently though, I have two ET65's ontop of two V30's in a 1960A.
Sounds great.
I wanted the V30 "feel" without the dark tone and midrange fatigue this time. I also wanted to fully hear the 65's. Since their mids are more pleasing and they are less efficient, they sound great ontop, pointing upwards.
 
One of my 4x12's is vertically split 2 on the left side top/bottom 2 on the right side top/bottom, a third option.
 
When mixing speakers i try to use similar efficiencies within 1 db. If they are more than that i put the louder on the bottom as you suggested.

I have had great luck mixing. Sure there are some combinations that just don't jive , its mostly trial and error. I went through at least 15 types.

Have even gone as far as four different types in one cabinet and that thing sounded awesome!
 
I went kind of crazy and tried a lot of different combination's in a few cabinets and had several other people pick blind(I was the only one that knew what was where). So they only made a decision with their ears. The other people were other guitar players, musicians, who ever else was around at the time. The testing was done in a few different size rooms and in a large room with a band and stage. This was over several days and the results were pretty much always the same. .....

Everyone hated X pattern. .... and I do mean hate.
Everyone liked the louder and speakers with more bass on the bottom.
 
I've always been happy with top/bottom approach. Greenback 25's top/ScumbackM75 or broken in V30's bottom ..only on slant cabs though for me.
 
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