1x12 or 2x12?

[Ogi-wan]

Recently, I had the opportunity to play with a loaner Marshall 1x12 for several weeks, which I "converted" into an extension cabinet for my F-30 1x12. It was really the first time I ever played through more than one speaker, and the fullness of the sound was great! I enjoyed it so much that I am thinking of picking up an extension cabinet but don't know if I should get a 1x12 or a 2x12.

So I'd like to hear from the voices of experience. Will I be giving up anything by not getting a 1x12 and by instead going with a 2x12?

 

[CoG]

If you can afford it and you don't mind having lots of boxes, get two 1x12s instead of a 2x12. Way more possibilities.

 

[Mr_You]

Unless you match the configuration in your combo then it will be "off", but that might be what you want...

To explain what I mean:

- Two 12s on the bottom will sound like its louder than the 1x12 on top when you increase the volume.
- Two 12s will have less bass response than a 1x12. Some bass frequencies are canceled out in a 2x12.
- Which cabinet(s) will you mic at gigs?

Bottom line is, its easier to go with a 1x12/matching cabinet to get the sound off the floor (with one of the cabinets on top of the other) and doesn't complicate mixing/recording/mic'ing because its a "matching" cabinet. Just mic one of them.

So get a non-matching cabinet if you want a different sound, get a matching 1x12 if you just want more of what you got. I love the portability and tone of stacked 1x12s.

 

[oyster]

Go for the 2x12. 8)

 

[Spudmurphy]

I guess that another consideration would be
Open back or closed?

 

[jdurso]

go for a freda 1x12.... its vented..... more bass responce than a thiele and a wider spread than any other cab i've heard... they make 1x12s and 2x12s.... i think for your situation a 1x12 will do.... their 1x12s can compete volume wise with a 2x12 anyday and they're very light weight

www.fredacabs.com

 

[phaboo]

- Two 12s will have less bass response than a 1x12. Some bass frequencies are canceled out in a 2x12.

The only way the bass frequencies will be canceled out is if the cabinets are out of phase. By this logic, a 4x12 would have even LESS bass, and we all know that's not the case.

 

[Ogi-wan]

Let me spin this another way as this might make more sense and better reflect what I'm wondering:

Assume you have no amp whatsoever. You get a head, and you're going to get just a single cabinet. Size and weight are not considerations. Do you go with a 1x12 or a 2x12?

 

[MesaDCLP]

2x12 is my vote, as that is what I'm looking into now.

Question now is...which box? :roll:

8)

 

[JoeEllison]

I've played through the Roadster 2X12. It really moves air, even at lower output settings.