JammerMatt
New member
Help me decide. Discuss
2x12 vs 4x12
- Thread starter JammerMatt
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Besides the number of speakers, there's a big difference in overall sound.
I have nothing against 2-12 cabs, but in a side by side comparison, a 4-12 just makes the amp sound it's best. I have a Bogner 4-12 and large 2-12, both with vintage 30's, so I can make a fair comparison. The 4-12 has the tone.
However, it moves a lot more air too. With a Splawn head, it has enough oomph to buckle the speakers in a 2-12, but not the 4-12. If you're mostly going to be playing at low/reasonable levels at home or a garage, just get the 2-12. If you want to hear what that amp is capable of, tonally, get the 4-12. There's also the price, shipping charge, and weight to consider.
No matter which one you get, I'd suggest paying the money for the matching Splawn.
Besides the number of speakers, there's a big difference in overall sound.
I have nothing against 2-12 cabs, but in a side by side comparison, a 4-12 just makes the amp sound it's best. I have a Bogner 4-12 and large 2-12, both with vintage 30's, so I can make a fair comparison. The 4-12 has the tone.
However, it moves a lot more air too. With a Splawn head, it has enough oomph to buckle the speakers in a 2-12, but not the 4-12. If you're mostly going to be playing at low/reasonable levels at home or a garage, just get the 2-12. If you want to hear what that amp is capable of, tonally, get the 4-12. There's also the price, shipping charge, and weight to consider.
No matter which one you get, I'd suggest paying the money for the matching Splawn.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Nothing beats a 4-12, but moving them around sux. I have 2X Avatar G212Hs, that way I can leave one at home when I only need a 2-12. But stacked, they are bigger than a 4-12, a really nice size, and still easier to move.
If you are playing out on decent size stages regularly, a 4-12 is overkill.
Nothing beats a 4-12, but moving them around sux. I have 2X Avatar G212Hs, that way I can leave one at home when I only need a 2-12. But stacked, they are bigger than a 4-12, a really nice size, and still easier to move.
If you are playing out on decent size stages regularly, a 4-12 is overkill.
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Unless you have a roadie or a band van? A 2x12 is the way to go! I haven't gigged w/t my 2x12 in years, But it fit in the trunk of my Ole' 82' Cutlass like a charm.
Unless you have a roadie or a band van? A 2x12 is the way to go! I haven't gigged w/t my 2x12 in years, But it fit in the trunk of my Ole' 82' Cutlass like a charm.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
I prefer combo 2x12 twin reverb (duh) because you can mod what you have if need be, and then if you want you can add / make / buy a cheap 2x12 cab to run it into, or even just buy another 2x12 twin reverb (aka Trey Anastasio of the late Phish, if i remember correctly) or other 2x12 tweed, whether you daisy-chain them or not. Me, I'd run two Twin Reverbs (both brand new reissue models) if I had the money right now, because then I'd get "true" chorus effect (and I have a stereo chorus effect to make it happen too
)
I prefer combo 2x12 twin reverb (duh) because you can mod what you have if need be, and then if you want you can add / make / buy a cheap 2x12 cab to run it into, or even just buy another 2x12 twin reverb (aka Trey Anastasio of the late Phish, if i remember correctly) or other 2x12 tweed, whether you daisy-chain them or not. Me, I'd run two Twin Reverbs (both brand new reissue models) if I had the money right now, because then I'd get "true" chorus effect (and I have a stereo chorus effect to make it happen too
)
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
my ears almost always say 4x12 but my back and my wallet says 2x12...
my ears almost always say 4x12 but my back and my wallet says 2x12...
JammerMatt
New member
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
This of course is the best advice. This would be the optimal thing to do, and hopefully it can pan out if I can scrape enough bucks together.
This of course is the best advice. This would be the optimal thing to do, and hopefully it can pan out if I can scrape enough bucks together.
JammerMatt
New member
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Question: Do the 4x12s have a more "3-D" quality to them? The amp I'm gettting is a 50-watter, but I have a feeling it's a BIG 50-watts.
Question: Do the 4x12s have a more "3-D" quality to them? The amp I'm gettting is a 50-watter, but I have a feeling it's a BIG 50-watts.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
I don't know if it's a 3-D quality, but it's a bigger, deeper sound. I've never felt a 2x12 that came close to a 4x12. I can understand someone wanting a 2x12 just to not have to haul the 4x12, but everytime I take out my 2x12 I always wish I'd brought my 4x12. I'm old and beat up, my back is shot- but it's enough of an improvement in feel and tone, I don't mind hauling the cab and getting the help if I need it.
Getting a 2x12 isn't the same thing as a 4x12 but smaller. It's not just about the speaker area pushing air, it's not just the internal volume of the cab, it's not just a sealed box, it's a 4x12 thing.
I don't know if it's a 3-D quality, but it's a bigger, deeper sound. I've never felt a 2x12 that came close to a 4x12. I can understand someone wanting a 2x12 just to not have to haul the 4x12, but everytime I take out my 2x12 I always wish I'd brought my 4x12. I'm old and beat up, my back is shot- but it's enough of an improvement in feel and tone, I don't mind hauling the cab and getting the help if I need it.
Getting a 2x12 isn't the same thing as a 4x12 but smaller. It's not just about the speaker area pushing air, it's not just the internal volume of the cab, it's not just a sealed box, it's a 4x12 thing.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
2x12 cabs CAN suond killer but IMO a 4x12 will almost always take it in volume, depth, thump and not to mention the all important cool factor!
The truth is this though...a 4x12 costs more, takes up more space, are heavier as well as louder...if you're in a setting where volume can get out of control the difference in a 2x12 to a 4x12 might push you over the edge...
2x12 cabs CAN suond killer but IMO a 4x12 will almost always take it in volume, depth, thump and not to mention the all important cool factor!
The truth is this though...a 4x12 costs more, takes up more space, are heavier as well as louder...if you're in a setting where volume can get out of control the difference in a 2x12 to a 4x12 might push you over the edge...
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
When I think 3D I think open back 2x12.
When I think BIG I think closed back 4x12.
When I think 3D I think open back 2x12.
When I think BIG I think closed back 4x12.
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
1x12 ... then put a mic on it if you need to ...
I used to rack up two 4x12 Altec stacks ... they weighted a ton and looked cool. But the sound man could not turn me down low enough to make it right in the mix ... he could always turn the mic up on the 1x12.
One man's opinion ...
1x12 ... then put a mic on it if you need to ...
I used to rack up two 4x12 Altec stacks ... they weighted a ton and looked cool. But the sound man could not turn me down low enough to make it right in the mix ... he could always turn the mic up on the 1x12.
One man's opinion ...
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
can you fit 4x12 in your vehicle? You should also factor in buying/using an attenuator for the 4x12 because pushing the amp will occur at louder than reasonable volumes and will cause hearing damage if you are in a practice room or small bar and everyone will tell you to turn it down...
just get another 2x12 if you dont like the first 2x12. stereo.
can you fit 4x12 in your vehicle? You should also factor in buying/using an attenuator for the 4x12 because pushing the amp will occur at louder than reasonable volumes and will cause hearing damage if you are in a practice room or small bar and everyone will tell you to turn it down...
just get another 2x12 if you dont like the first 2x12. stereo.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Not in a parallel universe ...but here ... I think it just might. :chairfall
Not in a parallel universe ...but here ... I think it just might. :chairfall
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Are you saying that 2 2x12 cabinets is the same as having a 4x12 cab?
Maybe the point is cruising right over my head.
Are you saying that 2 2x12 cabinets is the same as having a 4x12 cab?
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
Im not, I am just saying that it is an option, given the sentiment JammerMatt posed his query with
Im not, I am just saying that it is an option, given the sentiment JammerMatt posed his query with
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
I understand, however, there's a quality to a 4x12 cab that just isn't in a 2x12. It's not that "a 2x12 sucks" or anything- they're just not a 4x12. The 2x12 I currently own is a little wider and deeper than the bottom of my Marshall 4x12 cab and about half as tall. It sounds nothing like my 4x12. It's not a question of the internal volume of the cab, it's not that you've got 4 12" speakers kicking you in the behind. It's not even a "coupling effect" of two seperate cabs together. A 4x12 sounds bigger, deeper, and to my ears- better than 2+2x12 cabs.
Keep in mind, this is to what I look for in the sound of a speaker cab. Of the several 2x12 cabs I've owned and the several I've played through (both sealed and open back) while the 2 more 12s will give you more volume, it's not about the volume of the cab, it's about the combination of the kick of 4 speakers, the volume of the sealed cab and the intangible 'something' that the 4x12 has. As I mentioned before- you don't get the same feel out of a 2x12- it's not a 4x12 but smaller. The "woof" is different. For some people that's fine- that's what they know and expect. I would love to find that in a cab. But I haven't.
I understand, however, there's a quality to a 4x12 cab that just isn't in a 2x12. It's not that "a 2x12 sucks" or anything- they're just not a 4x12. The 2x12 I currently own is a little wider and deeper than the bottom of my Marshall 4x12 cab and about half as tall. It sounds nothing like my 4x12. It's not a question of the internal volume of the cab, it's not that you've got 4 12" speakers kicking you in the behind. It's not even a "coupling effect" of two seperate cabs together. A 4x12 sounds bigger, deeper, and to my ears- better than 2+2x12 cabs.
Keep in mind, this is to what I look for in the sound of a speaker cab. Of the several 2x12 cabs I've owned and the several I've played through (both sealed and open back) while the 2 more 12s will give you more volume, it's not about the volume of the cab, it's about the combination of the kick of 4 speakers, the volume of the sealed cab and the intangible 'something' that the 4x12 has. As I mentioned before- you don't get the same feel out of a 2x12- it's not a 4x12 but smaller. The "woof" is different. For some people that's fine- that's what they know and expect. I would love to find that in a cab. But I haven't.
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: 2x12 vs 4x12
^thats a good synopsis. the main amps Ive played are an open back 2x12 combo and a 4x12 jcm 800 which sounded nothing like each other. I dont have alot of experience with closed back cabs so that is interesting to me
^thats a good synopsis. the main amps Ive played are an open back 2x12 combo and a 4x12 jcm 800 which sounded nothing like each other. I dont have alot of experience with closed back cabs so that is interesting to me
