Tell me about closed back 2x12 cabs.

You really don't. The Laney HH drivers are extremely thin and tinny, even compared to a T-75 (the T-75 is scooped, but has a big low end to back that treble up; the HH doesn't have that low end), which is doubly bad with that particular amp (I have an Ironheart 60 watt head, and "thick" is definitely not a word I'd use to describe it). If you're looking for a 2x12, the Mesa Recto 2x12 is where it's at, but it's not going to be easy to carry up a flight of stairs, either.
Yes. I agree. I expected it to rival Dual Rec but it has fizz quality to it. Lacking in low end definitely.

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I owned a blackstar 2x12 that was partially open backed with V30s...I closed it up and it really helped. I loved it and should never have let it go.

I bought a seismic audio empty cab off Amazon for really cheap and loaded 2 T-75s into it and have been really happy with it.

2x12 cabinets can get loud! Especially with high efficiency speakers.


Differences between 2x12 and 4x12,.....
They will lack lower oomph compared to a 4x12.

EQ on the amp helps with some of that.

If you're using it to rehearse nobody should care.
Recording can be noticeable, but not necessarily worse than a full cabinet.
 
I owned a blackstar 2x12 that was partially open backed with V30s...I closed it up and it really helped. I loved it and should never have let it go.

I bought a seismic audio empty cab off Amazon for really cheap and loaded 2 T-75s into it and have been really happy with it.

2x12 cabinets can get loud! Especially with high efficiency speakers.


Differences between 2x12 and 4x12,.....
They will lack lower oomph compared to a 4x12.

EQ on the amp helps with some of that.

If you're using it to rehearse nobody should care.
Recording can be noticeable, but not necessarily worse than a full cabinet.

They won't lack lower "oumph" if they are front ported.
 
I bought a seismic audio empty cab off Amazon for really cheap and loaded 2 T-75s into it and have been really happy with it.

Glad to hear you are digging that cab. I have some vintage Fender blue labels collecting dust in the basement I would love to start using. I might buy one of those cabs to give them a home.
 
I think the Freidman 212s are front-ported iirc. Never tried one but everyone says they sound huge. Randall was doing some like that too.

If front porting a 2x12 is FM, then why isn't everyone doing it?

Could someone drill a port hole if they so desire that sound, or is there more to it?
 
If front porting a 2x12 is FM, then why isn't everyone doing it?

Could someone drill a port hole if they so desire that sound, or is there more to it?

I port needs to be tuned to the cabinet and speakers. If you just cut a hole it’s an open cab. The calculation depends on the box volume, port cross section and length and speaker specs. It’s been a long time since I was into that type of design, but there’s a lot of info out there.

Here is a plan for an EV cabinet:
EVplans.gif
 
Thanks for that info.

The Feidman cab on Sweetwater is back ported, fwiw. IDK, if there are any internal baffles or anything else.

I seem to remember, at least with subwoofers and car audio, that some subs are designed to be used in ported applications, and others sealed. It greatly impacts the function of the speaker driver.

It may be that some guitar loudspeakers are designed for closed cabinets or open backed. In that sense, ported cabs may come with compromise (less mids, less low bass, less???).

I just don't know.

I remember years back, Avatar cabs were sized a bit small so they could get better shipping rates through UPS. I remember thinking that was probably a bad idea, to put shipping dimensions ahead of sound quality. Probably most of the cabs out there are some sort of compromise. I just don't know.

Maybe I'll just stick with the Peavey 412. I hasn't let me down in 20 years.
 
I think regular closed 212s sound great, but anything quality is high now, and as already said they go very fast on the used market.

Those old Peavey 412 cabs are very good with just a little bit of inner work. Seal around the baffle, tighten all the screws, check the bracing.
 
I have a Marshal MX212 which is one of my best-sounding cabinets. I did replace the speakers with Eminence Wheelhouse speakers but that was about power handling not the tone of the cab. 2x12 is more than enough for any modern gig.

I just looked up this cab, because who doesn't want a Marshall cab? Turns out it is mdf construction and weighs 52lbs. The Laney cab is plywood and weights 39lbs.

Its possible that MDF sounds better than plywood, and in a 212 cab, an extra 12 pounds may not be a big deal. In a 4x12, that 12 lbs turns into an extra 25lbs and I'm sure you feel that.

OTH, I have always heard that plywood cabs are better than MDF.

I'm not dissing that cab, and I'm a believer that the Seventy 80 can be a great sounding speaker. Just wondering if paying 600 for an MDF cab with mid range speakers makes any sense unless you are absolutely sure you like the speakers. I could get the Laney plywood cab and have $250 leftover to replace the speakers...
 
The MX wouldn't be my first choice, I'd definitely look for a 1936 if I wanted a Marshall, but yes, it will cost more. I used to use a pair of Avatar 2-12s in stereo, I think they were loaded with Eminence Man o' Wars, and it sounded quite glorious. I miss that tone, don't have anywhere to move that much air currently, but I miss it.
 
Can a 2x12 cab sound good? Sure. A lot of it depends on tone type and volume used. The best 2x12 I have ever owned, played, used, is the Bogner Oversized 2x12. Nothing else touches it. Under high volume and high gain but that Bogner Oversized did or was very close. A 2x12 cab (to me) just doesn't hold together like a 4x12. The higher end cab makers all make a decent cabinet. Cabs and speakers make a huge difference and you get what you pay for. There is a huge difference in front loaded vs. rear loaded cabinets. Typically, a front loaded cabinet is a bit quicker or tighter/faster in response where as a rear loaded cabinet cold be said to have more bloom or sag. Adjectives are tricky because the same word means something different to others at times.
 
Do you prefer slant or straight? I have heard that straight has more thump. OTH, if you are standing a few feet away from the slant you get better monitor of the sound.
 
I use a Closed Back V30 Traynor 2x12 most often so GuitarStv's neighbors can put food on the table.

Then my TV1960a Greenback 4x12 cab would be second.

I love it.

md_896e3bf502e90258d25aeca2457e0428.jpg
 
Do you prefer slant or straight? I have heard that straight has more thump. OTH, if you are standing a few feet away from the slant you get better monitor of the sound.

I prefer a straight cab over a slant if you are referring to a Marshall type cab where it is constructed on the bottom 2 speakers being straight and the top 2 speaker being slanted. In that case yes. I do have 4x12 cabs where the construction is Straight but there in a very slight "slant" to them top to bottom. I still call those straight cabinets.

The slanted cab will sound different because there is less overall wood mass to the cabinet and the angle of the speakers is different so your ears will hear things or be tricked a bit by what is being heard. No two cabinets or speakers sound alike so just as there are in guitars, you have many variables but they do add up.
 
Can a 2x12 cab sound good? Sure. A lot of it depends on tone type and volume used. The best 2x12 I have ever owned, played, used, is the Bogner Oversized 2x12. Nothing else touches it. Under high volume and high gain but that Bogner Oversized did or was very close. A 2x12 cab (to me) just doesn't hold together like a 4x12. The higher end cab makers all make a decent cabinet. Cabs and speakers make a huge difference and you get what you pay for. There is a huge difference in front loaded vs. rear loaded cabinets. Typically, a front loaded cabinet is a bit quicker or tighter/faster in response where as a rear loaded cabinet cold be said to have more bloom or sag. Adjectives are tricky because the same word means something different to others at times.

I've got a semi vertical mounted speakers 2×12 is that what you call an oversized? I'm sure I could put 4 10's in there
 
I prefer slants since I'm usually very close to the cab anyways, however, with oversized straight 412 cabs the tops are already very high so it's not hard to get an accurate tone.
The perfect inner airspace IMO is a standard straight or an oversized slant.
 
Best cab I ever owned was a '63 Bandmaster 2x12 with Greenbacks, amazing sounding.

I just converted a Marshall 1960 slant cab to a 1961 style 2x12 with an Emi GB128 and a Private Jack, 8 Ohms in series for 16. I am psyched at how good it sounds with my EVH III 50wt. Really looking forward to running my Orange DT into it.

Went with the 2-12's diagonally and closed off the other 2 openings with some plywood.

Had to save 16-17lbs and I am sure the big box adds to the depth of sound.
 
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