Peavey cab fight : 1X 2*12 VS 2 x 1*12

L

Lorenzar

New member
Sorry guys, I'm sure this question about cabs has been discussed here, wether it's better to use a single 2*12 cab VS using 2 separate 1*12 cabs.

But I have a more specific exemple.

I enjoy what Peavey did with their recent mini heads line and I have both the 6505 MH and Classic 20 MH, both 20 watts head with lots of cool and flexible features and between the 2 of them you can basically go for any style from blues to death metal.

Now I have a little bit of a dilemna.

They did matching cabinets to go along with those heads.

The high gain 6505 MH goes with a G12 Greenback loaded cab (112-6) and the Classic 20 goes with a (better looking by the way) Vintage 30 loaded cab (112-c).

112-6 : https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118784
112-C : https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118786

I've tried the 4 configurations and I think both heads sound better with their matching cabs. Yes, the Greenback kinda control more the 6505 gain to me and give him a better low end response I think (sounds good with the V30 as well though), and the Classic 20 sounds more alive through the V30 to me, too much dark with the Greenback for some reason.

Now, Peavey has a cool 2*12 called the 212-C (https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118785) which is loaded with 1 Vintage 30 and 1 G12T75, which should sound like a nice complementary mix and be a good middle ground for both heads I'd say.


Problem, that 212-C cab is not available for trying in any stores around me, so unless I order it, can try it.


Basically, I'm hesitating between getting this 2*12 (especially since it seems light for a 2*12) or getting both 1*12 (it would cost me 200 extra euros, but in the end it doesn't matter much).


Obviously I understand getting 2 1*12 cabs will give me a lot more flexibility, like using them seperatly or sometimes combined through a parrallel merger. It's lighter solution for carrying on as well, especially when you don't need both.

But what about the sound itself ?

Is it similar running 2 1*12 side by side than running one single 2*12 ?

Will the extra low-end response from a 2*12 (in comparaison with a 1*12) would be here as well if I run both 1*12 at the same time, side by side ? (the 212 is about 5 inch larger than the 112)
 
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Re: Peavey cab fight : 1X 2*12 VS 2 x 1*12

Here's my best answer, and I know it's a good one, because I don't think it's going to help you much. :P

So, in my experience using, modding, and building cabs is that there are overlapping qualities that lead to a good sounding cabinet. Once you get past the speaker, the design (depth, resonance, open/closed back, etc.), materials, and format (1x12, 2x12, etc.) can make and break a cabinet. Duh.

So what I'm saying is that, for example, i've got two 1x12s that, played together for closed back "British" tone, are as good as any 2x12 I've heard. On the other hand, I've got a 2x12 that is among the worst cabs I've ever heard. The difference is exactly what I mentioned before. The weak 2x12 has bad design decisions and crappy materials. The quality 1x12s have not just "good" design and materials, but they are designed for a certain kind of sound.

The only peavey cabs I've had were very budget-end 1x12s that I'd not recommend to anyone. These look at least aesthetically designed to pair with their amps (and I have a Classic 20 which is lovely). If the 1x12s are really designed for each amp, and not just skinned to look good with them, then that bodes well.

In the end, my answer is the answer which isn't the one people come to forums to find: you have to hear it. Even if I say that I've been doing this since 1986 and have all these blah blah credentials, who cares really? My taste might be TOTALLY different than yours.

I wish you luck. I'd love to hear what you ultimately think of your choice.
 
Re: Peavey cab fight : 1X 2*12 VS 2 x 1*12

The Convert said:
Here's my best answer, and I know it's a good one, because I don't think it's going to help you much. :P

So, in my experience using, modding, and building cabs is that there are overlapping qualities that lead to a good sounding cabinet. Once you get past the speaker, the design (depth, resonance, open/closed back, etc.), materials, and format (1x12, 2x12, etc.) can make and break a cabinet. Duh.

So what I'm saying is that, for example, i've got two 1x12s that, played together for closed back "British" tone, are as good as any 2x12 I've heard. On the other hand, I've got a 2x12 that is among the worst cabs I've ever heard. The difference is exactly what I mentioned before. The weak 2x12 has bad design decisions and crappy materials. The quality 1x12s have not just "good" design and materials, but they are designed for a certain kind of sound.

The only peavey cabs I've had were very budget-end 1x12s that I'd not recommend to anyone. These look at least aesthetically designed to pair with their amps (and I have a Classic 20 which is lovely). If the 1x12s are really designed for each amp, and not just skinned to look good with them, then that bodes well.

In the end, my answer is the answer which isn't the one people come to forums to find: you have to hear it. Even if I say that I've been doing this since 1986 and have all these blah blah credentials, who cares really? My taste might be TOTALLY different than yours.

I wish you luck. I'd love to hear what you ultimately think of your choice.
Click to expand...


Problem is I can only try both 1*12 but I'd have to order the 2*12 to find out.

About construction, they kinda the same, the 2*12 is just 5 inches larger.

Thanks for your input !
 
Re: Peavey cab fight : 1X 2*12 VS 2 x 1*12

I would lean toward the 2 1-12 cabs for several reasons:

1. You can (and have) plugged in to them and seen if you like the sound
2. Flexibility of set up. You can swap cabs or even set up both of them with one head.
3. Stereo. If you're looking at getting both amps, getting two cabs would give you the option of going full stereo which would sound immense. You can blend the sounds of the amps, create massive chorus sounds, Ping-Pong delays, etc.
 
Re: Peavey cab fight : 1X 2*12 VS 2 x 1*12

Eventually, I found a record store that just received one 212-C, so I'll be able to try it as well.

One stupid question while I'm at it :

On a stereo 2*12 cab (in this case a 16 ohms cabinets, 2 speakers wired in series I assume, considering they are 8 ohms each on stereo mode), if you switch in stereo mode, can you plug only on 1 speaker (changing the impedance on the head indeed) ??

Peavey 212-C having 2 different speakers, if I end up with this one, maybe sometimes it would be interesting only getting the sound from the V30 or from the G12T75 instead of having them together.
 
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